Warren Hood & The Hoodlums "Long Distance Call"

Wow, these past several days have been a blur! I am happy to report that my first time at WoodyFest was everything I hoped and expected. Denise and I drove back to Austin on US-75 down from Henryetta, Oklahoma with green rolling hills, and the occasional town dotting the landscape. Beautiful. I juxtapose that with the Rocky Mountains, which await as tomorrow is the day we arrive in Telluride for the Americana Music Weekend! I just can't say enough about how much I love to keep moving. In search of worthy music. This is such a ride.

Got some time-traveling music for you now from Warren Hood and the Hoodlums, with the sweet, soulful, voice and keyboard wizardry of Emily Gimble, who simply OWNS this! Yes, we are talking Johnny Gimble's granddaughter. Some things just get passed down in the genes. And some things get passed down from masters like Muddy Waters. What a band this is, every single one of them gets it done. See if you hear a horn section fading up and under...it's actually Warren on fiddle! He and Emily are joined by Willie Pipkin, Chris Gilson, and Nate Rowe. We recorded this back in March, and promise to get you some of the stuff we recorded in Okemah by next week, once we come off the road. But this one is not to miss! "Long Distance Call." Makes you want that phone to ring!

- Jessie Scott

Dustin Welch "Lost at Sea"

There are dark grooves cut into his guitar, there are dark grooves that emerge from its hollow body. His voice sounds like that of an 80 year old, but that belies his age. He is Dustin Welch, and he is another of the stellar new crop of artists coming into their own. He and I met a few years ago, and before we had a chance to get to know one another, I overheard him talking about literature. Deeply, richly, passionately. Impressive, I thought, he is a reader. Not to paint him as too serious, though, as he also has a touch of the prankster, accompanied by a twinkle in his eye. One of the hallmarks of this emerging generation is a reverence for the forms that have come before, and yes, the lifestyle, too. Bohemia lives!

Photo Credit: Ed VeroskyI am missing Dustin's presence at WoodyFest! I wish he could have been here with us in Okemah, OK. While I am at it, I have been missing him in Austin, too, which is a big enough city to not run into everyone you know just by happenstance. My bad, as I have been preparing for these road trips, I haven't been going out on my usual rounds. Dustin has a bunch of dates coming up, mostly in Texas, if you are around for the next month. You just might see me in the audience there. So, I am watching this video with that in mind...Dustin, I will catch up with you soon. This is one from the Music Fog bus at Cherokee Creek Music Festival this past May. Dustin Welch, "Lost At Sea."

- Jessie Scott

The Trishas "Trouble"

It's been a bit since we talked about The Trishas. All the while, the groundswell has been building. Seeing them in May, at KNBT's Americana Jam at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, confirmed two things for me: 1) They are better every time I see them play, 2) The audience is ENTRANCED with them!

Photo Credit: Todd V. WolfsonCongrats to Jamie on giving birth to daughter, Joan Aileene on June 17th, and to all the 'Auntie' Trishas. The band is returning to the road after Jamie's maternity leave. My friend Lynne Margolis wrote a piece that was just published on July 1st for Texas Music Magazine that gives some more back-story, and positions where The Trishas are right now. But last week, the artwork was sent to the printer for the forthcoming EP, due in August, and the tour dates are kicking back in, starting July 23rd at Dosey Doe Coffee House in Woodlands (Houston), TX, which we hear is a very cool room.

The baby is growing. The story is growing. The Trishas are becoming. While we wait for the future to get here, let's revisit the Threadgill's stage for "Trouble," recorded back in March during Music Fog's artist showcase.  See if you can spot the special guest "Trisha."

- Jessie Scott