Bonnie Bishop "Poor Man's Melody"

I write this with gratitude as we approach Thanksgiving. I want to send up thanks for every day that I see the sunlight, and every day I get to do what I love. And you know, music is what I love. That is not all, obviously, I am thankful for my family and friends and this country, and democracy. That is so precious, we must hold it near and nurture it from the winds of change. I am thankful for working collaboratively, as we can make something out of nothing with a common goal if we all roll up our sleeves and get busy. From Music Fog, to the Americana Music Association, to XM Radio, to my newest venture, WMOT Roots Radio, I love start-ups especially, cobbling new initiatives into existence. I get to do things that bring joy to people, including the audience, the artists, and the folks I work with. I am humbled and grateful beyond words for that.

Today's tune from Bonnie Bishop sums it up, getting to a place where LOVE is all we need. What a great year she has had, rising out of the ashes to put forth a great new record, Ain’t Who I Was, produced by Dave Cobb. Bonnie has toured the country, playing well respected music venues with a whole new audience discovering her. And you know Bonnie is a jaw dropping performer. She brings it all, every time. Go see her when she comes close to you. In the meantime, here is a taste from the Music Fog video shoot at the end of January in Nashville at 3rd & Lindsley Backstage. “Poor Man’s Melody” is one of the fine tunes on Ain’t Who I Was.

- Jessie Scott

Sierra Hull "Black River"

Wow, Daylight Saving Time has ended, and now the season changing is upon us. The stores are already stocking Holiday goodies of every description. Loudon Wainwright III has a great song that speaks to the whiplash that we experience post Halloween, called Suddenly It’s Christmas. I have already made the necessary travel plans that one must book months in advance. Though when I fly through Chicago in the wintertime, I always wonder if I will make it through if there is weather. I almost didn’t one year, heading to MusicFest at Steamboat. My producer was on the next flight out, and it took her two extra days to get there. But I digress. Yikes, winter is coming, and now we will be plunged into darkness earlier in the evening. It will feel like a thousand years until March comes and the clocks change once again.

Sierra Hull has the wistful tune for today, “Black River.” We filmed her back in January at 3rd & Linsdley Backstage in Nashville, when Weighted Mind was just coming out. Congrats to Sierra for being awarded Mandolin Player of the Year at the IBMA’s in Raleigh, NC in September, which she hosted along with Dan Tyminski. You can catch Sierra touring until the Christmas break, and then picking right back up after the holidays and getting back to it. You owe it to yourself to see her. We are excited to bring you the Music Fog version of "Black River,” a timeless and hauntingly beautiful song.

- Jessie Scott

Joe Robinson "The Spiral"

Let’s face it, life’s twists and turns are what makes it so interesting. You gotta keep the dream in your heart and don’t ever let go. Leaving XM Satellite Radio in 2008 was like being cast out of the Garden of Eden, working among pros, with every tool, and a free hand to dream and execute. When something like that ends, you wonder if that was it. It was not. Sitting in NYC a year ago, I couldn’t have imagined having the chance once again to put a world class radio station on the air.

Photo Credit: Ethan JamesA month ago, we signed WMOT Roots Radio on the air, and with 100K watts our coverage area is huge. This station has the opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ lives, from the artists, to the audience and everyone in between. I am honored and delighted to be the Program Director, curating the playlist and the shows to bring an amazing Americana radio station to Mid-state Tennessee. It is ever so sweet to be back in the saddle, especially because I thought this chapter of my life was over. If you are still mourning the loss of XM12 X Country, I do hope you will listen. Tune in on the radio at 89.5 FM from the Alabama/Tennessee border to Bowling Green, Kentucky, online at WMOT.org or rootsradio.com, and on the Roots Radio app for iPhone and Android.

While I wax poetic about strength and hope and passion, I have the perfect song to bring you today. First off, I want to introduce you to Joe Robinson. Well actually, you met him a few months back, when we brought you the Guitar Army video. He is a stellar self-taught guitarist, mentored by Tommy Emmanuel, with whom he toured at the tender age of eleven. Being able to bring you cool new stuff is what it is all about for me, Music Fog, and WMOT Roots Radio. Now, listen to the words. “The Spiral” is about the choices we make, whether our mood, substances, or the people we have around us. We can live in the light. Today, we bring you the Music Fog recording of a song you will find on Joe’s Gemini, Vol. 2 EP, which came out about a year ago.

- Jessie Scott