Brandon Jenkins "Anymore"

Reflecting back on the fading voices in my head of what this month has brought, I am glad to be able to have video of some of it. One of the highlights, for sure, was the Gondola Concert Series™ the last day of Steamboat 2010. Ben Krech named it, and frankly, we had wanted to do it in 2008, when we were broadcasting the event on X Country. The first year we tried with Robert Earl Keen, but high wind prevented us from going up; rather, we could have gotten there, but coming down was iffy. Ben still had the dream the next year, and Paula Nelson and George Devore took the ride with Music Fog. We thank Brandon Jenkins for making year two happen, and marking the occasion by recording this song for the first time ever. Riding up with him, I was struck by how good a songwriter he is. How more people should know his name. So here is Part 2 of the Gondola Concert Series™ 2010 from the MusicFest. Take the ride!

-Jessie

The Trishas "Blue"

The Trishas have been together for about as long as Music Fog has existed. Maybe that's why there is electricity in the room every time we get together for a session.

Our time with them in Steamboat, CO for the MusicFest was just hysterical. They came into the condo laughing, and with no plan as to which songs to perform. Once they started to sit down in front of the lights, an impromptu version of Tom Petty's "Breakdown" busted out. But their version was different from Tom's. Their version featured Elmer Fudd on lead vocals. So it was more like "bweak down." But musically it sounded good! I think they could do nothing but covers of Tom Petty songs and do well with it.

Then came the song "Blue."  The average listener, you wouldn't notice, but lyrics were being forgotten in the song. So the version we have features "Blue is the color of the lotion" rather than ocean. Oh it's in the background, and you have to struggle to hear it, but it's there. And when the song was done, they started all over again (informally) with another Elmer Fudd version of "Blue." We all got in on the fun.

Here are "The Twishas" for Music Fog.

-Beans

Kristen Kelly & Modern Day Drifters "Payments Are Due"

Texas Music is not one dimensional. In fact, it is a many splendored thing. It rocks, it honky tonks, it Western Swings. It is soulful, gospel, bluesy, gothic folk, or cowboy. There is also a strain getting ready for prime time. Of late, there has been a move afoot to mainstream some of the music coming out of Texas. And how cool is that? For Texas artists are rooted in performance, they cut their chops early and learn how to entertain audiences. And with the national success of Jack Ingram, Eli Young Band, and the like, there is a path to pursue. I think Kristen Kelly & the Modern Day Drifters can walk that line. Nashville, take notice. Folks in Texas don't need to be invented, they are busy inventing themselves.

We first saw the Modern Day Drifters at the Galleywinter party last SXSW. Now, not even a year later, they are slamming. Check it out!

-Jessie