Paul Thorn "I Don't Like Half the Folks I Love"

Get ready, it's coming. Just because you are related doesn't mean you get along. But it might mean you will be seeing them in just a few days for Christmas. I don't have any advice for you. I am not going to tell you to tie one on so you don't care. I won't say to bury your nose in a newspaper, or wear your earbuds whether you are listening to something or just tuning out. Turn the other cheek, keep a low profile, keep your thoughts to yourself...these all might work. But they might not. Just remember as we walk up to the dinner table that nothing is forever, including the meal. Try to have a moment, try to bask in the light of the tree. Or try to deal in the wonder of the absurdity of it, that you ain't going to get along with everyone. My brother Mitch calls it the "Asshole Rule." That is, no matter who you are, no matter how much of a saint you actually might consider yourself, when you walk in the room, one person in there is going to think you are an asshole. What are you going to do? That's life. What do they say, "Butter wouldn't melt...?

Even with our best intentions, sometimes things get out of hand anyway. The general rule has to be 'be true to your heart,' and if your intentions are pure and not spiteful, you at least know you didn't mean to hurt anyone. The golden rule helps too. Does anyone even remember what that is anymore? Do unto others...? Ah, but we have a fine example of the conundrum rendered in song. Paul Thorn nails it down right and tidy with a bit of homespun philosophy to put it in perspective. It is a tune off Paul's most recent album, Pimps and Preachers, which we recorded on the Music Fog bus this past May at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival just north of Llano, TX. "I Don't Like Half the Folks I Love." Ahem, and Amen.

- Jessie Scott

John Fullbright "Satan & St. Paul"

I have just come off a puttering around day, getting ready for a road trip to the Americana Music Festival and Conference. Doing laundry, cleaning out the fridge, packing, and cooking a batch of green chile stew with chicken, using the last of the Hatch Chiles from Central Market in Austin. I was SO happy to find them; they are a rare treat, and this is the first time I have ever bought them fresh! Here is a handy dandy green chile recipe to try yourself.

While that cooks, I noticed that one of our YouTube videos is closing in on 100,000 views. Sometime this week, James McMurtry's "Choctaw Bingo," will hit 100K plays! It doesn't surprise me, since it was the most requested song during my tenure at X Country on XM. James won't be with us this week in Nashville, but we'll record performances by more than 30 artists, so stay tuned for updates, and make sure to tell your friends about Music Fog!

Take your pick of ways to follow the Fog:  friend us on Facebook, subscribe to our YouTube channel, follow us on Twitter, or sign-up for the RSS feed or weekly newsletter (all the links are also up on the right hand side of our home page). We love watching the tribe grow, and finding an audience for this most worthy troop of musicians. We hope you like both the marquee artists we bring you, as well as the newcomers.

John Fullbright has the chops to take him far in the Americana world. Jimmy LaFave told the the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, "I really like his songwriting. He’s only 22, and I can see that kind of Dylan genius in him. He is definitely way beyond his years and in the quality. You can see that this guy is going to be like Townes or Guy Clark. He has an uncanny feel for words and soulful lyrics, things he can’t even lift yet and is obviously channeling some pretty heavy stuff." You can read the rest of the interview here.

Enjoy this performance from the Music Fog bus at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival this past May. "Satan and St. Paul," from John's 2009 CD, "Live from the Blue Door." John Fullbright and green chile stew. What could be better?

 - Jessie Scott

Kevin Welch "One Way Rider"

The cold water in my kitchen sink is running tepid. Actually, it feels as if it has been pre-heated. It is a by-product of the dog days of summer, August in Texas is a stoic affair. Not for everyone, I am sure. Though some people must love the stillness of the summer heat, shimmering up from the pavement, I just don't know that I have met many of them. We only go out at night!! I was just thinking on how I haven't seen Kevin Welch all summer. I wonder if that is by design to escape the weather, or is just making the most of the height of touring season. He is in Denmark right now. Comes back stateside and then goes to Ireland. He will be back for the Kerrville Wine & Music Festival, September 5th, which is a good thing because the cover art from the new CD is on the Kerrville brochure I was handed today! Kerrville is also playing host to other Music Fog perennial favorites Wyatt Easterling, Matt King, Uncle Lucius, The Trishas, and John Fullbright.

Photo Credit: Rodney BursielSince the spring arrival of his new CD A Patch Of Blue Sky, the road trip has been pretty constant for Kevin. The album is still sitting high up on the Americana chart. Kevin writes from this interesting place, creating brand new material that makes you feel as if it has been part of the lexicon for eons. It's just so, I don't know, familiar...somehow. And instantly memorable. I am digging how he handles the bio concept on the website, too. It is in bullet point. I read so many of these that have the 'blah, blah, blah' factor...Kevin's has got some insight into his humor, and a "just the facts, ma'am" sensibility.

We most recently sat down with Kevin in May, at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival. This song is not from the new CD, though, we challenged Kevin to dig into the catalog for a new version of "One Way Rider," which can be found on his Life Down Here On Earth CD from 2002.

- Jessie Scott