Charlie Faye with Will Sexton "Whirlwind"

Sitting in the quiet before the 'storm' of MusicFest at Steamboat Springs 2011, which is just getting underway. Gotta catch your breath a bit, and not because the altitude is so extreme, but that's part of it, for sure. I don't buy the "drink water for altitude sickness" cure, preferring beer, thanks. I am watching a celebrity travel show on TV, that is shining a light on exotic locations and exotic hotels. Kinda funny, as the Music Fog crew is ensconced on location again. I love my travel. Once we setup shop here, and start recording, we'll bring you a few performance videos during the long weekend, with more to come over the following weeks.

What a year 2010 was for Charlie Faye. Nothing like dreaming big and doing it…she pledged to spend 10 months in ten different cities, putting bands together in each and then recording with each. As she and I have been in orbit in different parts of the planet, I haven't seen her to ask how it all went. But I did get progress reports on her as the year went on, and I think a good, productive time was had by all, and that included members of Calexico, The Eagles, Violent Femmes, Ian Moore, among many others. There, of course, is an album in the works...wonder if this song will be included? Wow, we have been holding this video for almost a year, and what a year it was for Music Fog too! Let's revisit Folk Alliance in Memphis this past February. Charlie Faye along with Will Sexton on "Whirlwind." Whew!!!

- Jessie Scott

John Fullbright "The Flower Song"

People are posting their best of the year, and it highlights just how hard it is to keep up with everything that is coming at us these days. Here is a fan-generated Top 500 from No Depression. Instead of looking at just this last year, last night I did a search for some tasty nuggets from the way back machine in my brain to see if I could find a few titles digitized, or even on CD. There is a soundtrack that I would love to get my hands on again, from the film Steelyard Blues, with Nick Gravenites and friends. But I ain't gonna buy the vinyl for $500, or CD for $450. And then there is an amazing record from 1970 by Kathi McDonald (with Sly Stone!) called Insane Asylum that I need on my iPod! I love the mental trips down the cobwebbed synapses to find some of the music through the years that was especially meaningful. Recently I had a snippet of chorus in my head for a month before I figured out what it was, and then located it. Hate when you get a song stuck like that, but it sure feels good when the AHA moment comes!

Photo Credit: Vicki FarmerAs Music Fog gets ready for the new year, including our imminent trip to MusicFest at Steamboat and beyond, I am looking around at the new acts we want to bring you in 2011. Yes, of course we will have returning friends in for more video sessions. It is with anticipation that I think about getting introduced to new artists that, as I write this, we have not yet heard of, though. And when I think back on this year, one of the people I am most happy to have brought you is John Fullbright. I had been hearing the whispers from music biz people about him, long before I saw him play, and months before we had him visit us on the Music Fog bus. Our first encounter was at Folk Alliance in Memphis this past February. It was an abbreviated affair, as he had to run to perform at a showcase. Then we had the pleasure of a visit during the Cherokee Creek Music Festival in May. I am attaching his upcoming tour dates, though you might just have to make it to The Blue Door in Oklahoma City if you are near there or passing though, as he plays there often. We can hardly wait to see what the future holds; may his star burn bright in the coming year. Here's a new, unreleased song from our Cherokee sessions on the Music Fog bus with John. We're not sure if this is the working title, or the one that will stick, but he calls it "The Flower Song."

- Jessie Scott

Somebody's Darling "Too Cold"

Baby it's cold outside. As we approach midwinter next week, the Winter Solstice, take heart that these shortest of days are about to march toward the longer. Though we won't perceive it until February or March! What with the Arctic cold snaps extending across most of the country, in Texas they just seem to last for a couple of days before we rebound. The farmers in Florida have not been so lucky, with an extended period of freezing weather and fields too large to be able to fully protect the fragile crops. Look for prices to rise on tomatoes and strawberries in your local supermarket, it is supply and demand at work. And let's not forget the growers who are, after all, left to the vagaries of too much; whether rain, cold, or sun..."please let these crops grow tall," says the prayer of a lyric from The Band's "King Harvest (Has Surely Come)."

We have a tune that is sure to warm you up some from Dallas-based Somebody’s Darling. We are talking cross cultural influences here, as the band lives where southern meets western, and city meets country. The foursome; Amber Farris, David Ponder, Nate Wedan and Michael Talley; has been at it since August of ‘07, and they roll it sultry, sweet and soulful. Their self-titled debut CD was produced by Dan Baird of The Georgia Satellites, and they were nominated for two 2010 Dallas Observer Music Awards, “Best Female Vocalist” and “Best Country Act.” Expect them to heat things up further on New Year's Eve at the fabulous Granada Theater in Dallas with Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights.

"Too Cold" is an exclusive to Music Fog track from Somebody's Darling. It's the first time it was ever recorded, let alone filmed. May it allow you to buzz awhile! And on a personal note, speaking of "too cold," I live in a drafty cottage. It is quite cozy, and very small, but what the hell did I do with my UGGs from last season? My feet are cold!!!

- Jessie Scott