Ray Bonneville "Mississippi"

“The water is way too high,” is a lyric from Ray Bonneville’s new album, Bad Man’s Blood, which comes out today. And it is an unfortunately prescient sentiment, as the waters recede from Hurricane Irene on the east coast. We hope that you and yours made it through the storm with minimal stress and damage, and that things will get back to normal soon. The Red Cross is accepting donations, if you can aid the folks who are in need.  Just a hot meal or some clothing can be so helpful.

Ray Bonneville, roaming blues poet and musician, brings us today’s song, which is about the Mississippi flooding, but weather events are happening way too often in way too many places these days. This collection of new songs continues to bring that down and dirty quality that Ray is known for, capturing life’s hardships in bas-relief.  Music Fog had an especially memorable moment in the ranch house at Cherokee Creek Music Festival in May, when Ray Bonneville was joined by Rad Lorkovic on accordion, and John Fullbright on keys. Heartbreaking beauty ensued. See Ray in concert somewhere soon. Here is the Music Fog version of “Mississippi.”

- Jessie Scott

Malcolm Holcombe "Mountains of Home"

Earthquakes are strange things, especially for those who don’t live in an area of the country where they are prevalent. When the ground starts shaking, it is not the first thing that comes to mind. It takes a few moments for it to sink in, and then there is the realization that you can’t escape, and you have no idea when “control” will be returned to you. Do not adjust the horizontal and vertical. This is not a test. The 5.8 trembler epicenter on Tuesday was in Mineral, Virginia, but it was felt in 22 states. And Hurricane Irene is predicted to be coming up the east coast. So this is a reminder to keep food and water in your house, to be prepared for power outages and disruptions in the supply chain. Rice, beans, canned food, soups, nuts, bottled water, and stuff to cook with in case you can’t use your kitchen are important items to have on hand. Don't forget flashlights, battery powered radios, and a family communications plan. Call this a disaster preparedness public service reminder.

Growing up, my parents would downplay any bumps in the road by saying we would get through it all as long as we were together. That always made for comfort in unsettling times. Today’s tune speaks to love being the basis for it all. Malcolm Holcombe is actually a living example of that. He is on much more stable ground for it, and this past February he released his 8th album, To Drink The Rain. We corralled him at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival in May. He came up to the studio we set up in the ranch house and vibrated the frequencies in the room when he performed for the Music Fog cameras. When he left, we all looked at each other in wonder. Here is one of the songs from the album; our version is stripped down and solo, “Mountains Of Home.” Behold.

- Jessie Scott

Patterson Barrett "The Where and When"

Boulder, Colorado.  This has been an interesting trip back for me, actually, this was the event during which I got head hunted to join the staff of XM, to create the channel, X Country.  Dave Logan, then the Programming Operations VP of XM Radio, shook my hand and said, "We want to talk to you." The next week, Dave came to see me in Nashville, and invited me to DC to see the XM studio complex.  I took the ride on the XM train. It sure was sweet while it lasted.

It has been eleven years since I have attended the AAA conference, but it has been a wonderful homecoming, hanging out with people who are also motivated by music, and seeing so many friends from years gone by. It charges your batteries, for sure. And the music has been spectacular. Highlights on Thursday include Rebecca Pidgeon, James Maddock, BoDeans, Lissie, Needtobreathe, and Brandi Carlisle.

Patterson Barrett came to play at Threadgill’s School Night Sessions a week ago Sunday night, with Shawn Davis, Nick Randolph, and Clint Short from Stonehoney, who by the way, have taken a break to pursue other opportunities. Patterson is one of the Austin MVP musicians, who can be spotted as a frequent sideman in different outfits on stages all over town. We caught him solo when we filmed at the house on the hill at Cherokee Creek Music Festival in May. Today, we bring you Patterson solo with “The Where And When.”

- Jessie Scott