Chip Dolan "Nobody Knows"

One trip to Austin, TX long ago and far away, I went to KHYI’s Texas Music Revolution on the Sunday after SXSW was over. It was amazing driving to the event, which takes place on the historic Southfork Ranch with its famous façade that you might recall was used as the home of J.R and the rest of The Ewings in the TV show Dallas.
Evidently there is a new season coming-news to me, for sure! But I digress. I had driven with friends from Austin, and they weren’t going back that night. Somehow, Chip Dolan, who was playing at the time with Jack Ingram, got pressed into service to ferry me back to Austin in the middle of the night. I wound up taking a spin with Mark David Manders on his retro tour bus, and had disappeared from the back stage area. A lesser friend would have just left my tardy butt there, but not Chip. He waited for me, and then we drove all night. Might have been 4 am by the time we got back to Austin. Hell, it might have been even later. All I know is I got back in time to make my plane, and I am eternally grateful to Chip for his gentlemanly grace.

We were up at Cherokee Creek Music Festival in May, and Chip was there. He brought us his keyboard and left it for our use all day. I am telling you, he is one of the good ones. Though he records on his own, he is also a much sought after session guy and band member. Some of the people he has gigged with include Bruce Robison, Charlie Robison, Kelly Willis, The Mavericks, Tish Hinojosa, Greg Trooper, Eliza Gilkyson, Jimmy LaFave, Sara Hickman, Slaid Cleaves, Shelley King, and the list goes on and on. I was so happy we were able to have him come play for the Music Fog cameras. Check out the song “Nobody Knows,” from Chip Dolan back in May.

-Jessie Scott

Bob Schneider "Honeypot"

Bob Schneider is a bona fide Austin force of nature. He has been not so quietly biding his time playing multiple places around town, in whatever configuration suits the vibe of the moment. He fearlessly makes his sets available to all who want to purchase it at the end of the performance. At the Saxon Pub for the last two Monday nights, he has webcast the festivities, too. I am so impressed with his artistry and his output, especially  the quality of his last couple of albums. The writing is relatable and the production value imaginative.

We really wanted Bob to come to visit us during the Cherokee Creek Music Festival in May outside of Llano, TX. I tried to reach out in advance to set it up, but didn’t hear back. I had my fingers crossed that it would somehow work itself out. He wandered up to our "studio" in the house near the main stage during Jack Ingram’s session with us. He watched quietly for a time; then I asked, and he said yes! We were stoked to have him do a couple of songs for us. His new album A Perfect Day was inspired by a boat trip last summer on Lake Austin, crafted with ease and sunshine in mind. “Honeypot” is from the new CD. We wish that it brings you the sigh of a “day off” feeling, even if for a few minutes, and especially if you are at work today.

-Jessie Scott

Stonehoney "Independence Day"

Having spent a wonderful weekend amidst the music in the mountains at High Sierra Music Festival, I can attest that freedom is a wonderful thing to celebrate. Like the freedom of these road trips I take to music events, whereupon people get to immerse themselves in their passion, share the experience with one another, and in essence, create a city out of a rural pasture or fairgrounds. Often overheard at these events is "Why can't life be like this all the time?" With good friends, good music, good food and good times. And I would also suggest good citizenship, so that we can keep the lifestyle afloat. That means tending to our environs, to keeping engaged in our democracy.

In years gone by, Independence Day has signified so many things for me, from the days with radio where we did the fireworks and programmed the music, to the ones where you savor patriotism like after 911, to the personal declaring of separation from a co-dependent relationship, and everything in between.

We hung out with Stonehoney in May at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival, and they played us some brand new songs. Stonehoney tour dates are listed here. They are powerful players. And what ever you do, however you declare your own version of independence this 4th, remember the troops, and all who came before in support of Lady Liberty. Watch the fireworks, observe the burn ban, and get home safe.

We bring you Stonehoney's Dave Phenicie, taking the lead on "Independence Day."

-Jessie Scott