Nakia "Parachute"

We love Nakia! And congrats go out to him as he got his 'work' done a few days ago, when he hit his number for his Pledge Music campaign. He was looking to fund production costs for his new album, and he hit his goal on July 12. We are honored that a bit of our Music Fog session with him in March makes a quick cameo on screen in his “ask” video. Of course, now the actual process goes on, the recording, mixing, mastering, packaging and planning for the release of the music.

Even though he hit his goal, the Pledge campaign will remain open until the album is about to come out. I like this, as it is the opportunity to see one’s own vision through to completion. When corporations get involved, other agendas can be set in place that obscure the original goal. Of course, we know what the deal is, as Music Fog did a Kickstarter campaign to get us to Austin during SXSW. We are about to unveil our next campaign, to allow us to travel to Nashville for Americana Fest in September. We hope you will help when we launch that, in the next couple of days.

Today we revisit another song from the powerful voice and presence that is Nakia. Hell yeah, it is another unreleased tune, “Parachute,” from our Spring Music Fog Marathon in Austin at Threadgill’s.

-Jessie Scott

The Damn Quails "Fool's Gold"

People ask me for music lists all the time, and I am always hesitant to comply because I am probably forgetting something major that I love. But thinking about the past year or so, I do have five favorite songs for you to seek out if you so choose.  

• Jason Isbell – Alabama Pines

• Turnpike Troubadours – Gin, Smoke, Lies

• Stoney LaRue – Wiregrass

• JD McPherson – North Side Gal

• John Fullbright – Satan & St. Paul

That's five, here is a sixth…The Damn Quails – Fool’s Gold.

It is our song today. The lyrics are poignant. The harmonies stellar, the music haunting. Yes indeed this is what is it all about. My son recently announced that a needle in a haystack hunt we were undertaking was a “Fool’s Errand.” I offer that up to you songwriters reading this, because that’s a great title too. You have your assignment. The Damn Quails are the first band signed to BooHatch Records, Mike McClure’s label. He was so excited to send me tracks in advance of the album, an honor indeed. I trust Mike’s ears. The DQs came to see us during the Spring Marathon at Threadgill’s in March. Here is the Music Fog recording of “Fool’s Gold,” the original of which you can find on the Down The Hatch album.

-Jessie Scott

Marley's Ghost "Rollin"

Poodie’s Roadhouse, west of Austin on HWY 71 reverberates with the music that its walls have seen. Poodie, who passed a couple of years ago, was Willie Nelson’s best friend and longtime stage manager, and was ever vigilant about giving newcomers a chance to be heard. I was a judge this past Monday night for the Larry Joe Taylor Songwriters Contest which goes on for eight weeks. The grand prize is passage for two on the Larry Joe Taylor seven day cruise, including a featured artist slot, plus the opportunity to hob nob with some songwriting heroes.

I love folks that are in this crazy music biz for the long haul! Today we celebrate a national treasure, the band Marley's Ghost, on the occasion of their 25th anniversary. They marked the moment by releasing the new album Jubilee last month. Dan Wheetman, Jon Wilcox, Mike Phelan, Ed Littlefield Jr. and Jerry Fletcher play a dizzying array of instruments, really too many to count.  Cowboy Jack Clement, another national treasure, produced the new CD at Nashville’s venerable Sound Emporium, built by Cowboy Jack himself. There are contributions from Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart, Larry Campbell, Byron House, and Don Heffington. The band was super charged having these amazing and talented friends sit in with them. Marley’s Ghost will be making some key appearances at upcoming festivals,, including Strawberry and Walnut Valley, where you can celebrate along with them.

Music Fog is delighted to debut the video for “Rollin.’” Here tis!

-Jessie Scott