Henry Wagons "King Hit"

I get to do such cool stuff. I am ever appreciative! Here are a few highlights from my last week of music. Last Wednesday in Franklin, TN, the Music City Roots lineup rocked hard. It was a tribute to Sam Phillips of Sun Records, and Peter Cooper hosted. On hand were Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp, Luther Dickinson, Sleepy LaBeef, Colin Linden, and Bobby Rush. It was for sure one of my favorite nights of music in a long time, steeped in the Memphis stew of black meets white and gospel meets bad boy. You know, the stuff out of which Rock & Roll was born in the first place. Then, over the weekend, I got to witness performances from Webb Wilder, The Surreal McCoys, The Supersuckers, Drivin' N Cryin’, Dan Baird, Jesse Dayton, and Girls, Guns & Glory at the Shore Leave Showdown in Miami. It all was badass as can be.

One of Music Fog’s favorite badasses is about to put out a solo album. Henry Wagons hails from Australia, and yes, he channels the spirit of the abovementioned musical legacy. After What I Did Last Night was produced in Nashville under the watchful eye of Skylar Wilson who has worked with Justin Townes Earle, Caitlin Rose, and Andrew Combs. The album abounds in defiant twang. It chronicles Henry Wagons' journey, from misspent youth to road hard troubadour, to new father. It was several years ago, in 2011 that Henry Wagons first came to play for Music Fog at Threadgill’s. From the Fog Bank, here he is with the tune “Willie Nelson.” And here is a tease, an exclusive premiere of one of the songs from his new album, which comes out tomorrow. Rebelliousness abounds! Click above to listen to “King Hit.” Can you hear the Memphis echo?

- Jessie Scott

Dale Watson "Bug Ya For Love"

So much music, so little time! I am super excited to tell you that the Music Fog crew has just gotten back from Nashville, where we filmed some 15 artists at 3rd & Lindsley Backstage. Our utmost thanks to Ron Brice, Kathy Mac, Santo, and the rest of the staff for welcoming us into their home, and letting us get a little loud in the middle of the day. We will start to roll those videos out for you in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, it was a particularly busy and musical January, what with MusicFest at Steamboat and then the cruises; Sandy Beaches, Cayamo, and more. I am delighted to be in Miami to attend the Shore Leave Showdown tonight and tomorrow, to benefit The Supersuckers’ Eddie Spaghetti, for his cancer fund. It is the unofficial launch party for the Sirius/XM Outlaw Country Cruise which sets sail on Sunday. So many musicians we know and love will be rocking the boat!

Photo Credit: Sarah WilsonOne of the artists participating in the pre-party and cruise is Dale Watson. Once he returns from that, the Ameripolitan Music Awards will be happening on February 16 at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas. Dale has become a one-man cheerleading squad for all the righteous Country forms, and the Ameripolitan Awards salutes the folks keeping the flame lit for Western Swing, Rockabilly, Outlaw Country, and Honky Tonk. Music Fog had the great good fortune to film Dale and the Lone Stars last year, in New York City. They make it look so easy! “Bug Ya For Love” can be found on Dale’s most recent album Call Me Insane. Here is the Music Fog version, enjoy, and see you somewhere soon; on the road, on the high seas, in Nashville, in Austin, wherever fine music is being made!

- Jessie Scott

Micky Braun "The Band Song"

Happy New Year, and while we're at it, Happy Steamboat! For a decade, I have made my way to MusicFest in Steamboat Springs, but unfortunately I had missed it for the last few years. Needless to say it is great to be back. Monday night was check-in night, so it was a time for the artists to greet one another and for everyone to get settled in. I got to go to the artist reception, with everyone sharing hugs and smiles and chat for this 'extended family' vacation, with music! Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager, the Reckless Kelly boys, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis, Charlie Robison, Uncle Lucius, Dustin Welch, Gary P. Nunn, Kelley Mickwee, Jamie Lin Wilson, Jason Eady, Jason Boland, and Micky & The Motorcars were in the house, a veritable smorgasbord of Music Fog artists!

Today's video is from MusicFest at Steamboat in 2011 from Micky Braun, of Micky and the Motorcars. They are presently writing, and are expecting to deliver their next record in fall of this year. They have been plenty busy touring though, and have been to Europe three times this past year, twice to Germany, and to play the Country Rendezvous Festival in France. We look forward to new music, and a kickass week on the 'boat. Since the rest of the Music Fog crew couldn't attend this year, we look back a bit to a video from MusicFest in 2011, here is "The Band Song."

- Jessie Scott