Brandon Jenkins "The Perfect Slave"

I scratch my head sometimes in wonder as to why the pecking order is what it is. It mystifies me why some artists have not yet connected with a larger audience, when I know that audience would relate to their music if only they knew it existed. So it is with Brandon Jenkins. His is an iconic image, appearing as an imposing figure; bald, bearded, tattooed. He is an everyman, a sensitive rough guy, a poet inhabiting a dockworker's frame. He is a gentle giant, a steely voice writing acerbic social commentary. When I watch him, I yearn for the day when he will be regarded as the important generational voice that he is. It makes me crazy more people don't know about him!

Brandon Jenkins comes from the Red Dirt. He brought the song craft, the tradition, and the attention to detail with him when he moved to Austin. It is steeped in his soul. The soil here nurtures him though, as do all his ex-pat brethren, be they Oklahoman, Texan, or kindred spirits that the wind blew this way. He is quite frankly political. A populist. This song, "Perfect Slave" will be on his next CD, set for release this April. We filmed him during MusicFest 2011 in Steamboat Springs just a few weeks ago, in what I think was his first time recording this song acoustically.

- Jessie Scott

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers "Marie"

"The revolution will not be televised." So says the famous 'statement' song from Gil Scott-Heron, way back when in 1970. That sentiment is out the window, as we are watching the Egyptian protests and demonstrations devolve. Last weekend, it was on the hotel's monitor as we were setting up for our Paul Thorn concert, but the marching was peaceable then. Now the situation in Cairo has turned violent. It is an effort to democratize, to get out from under a dictator, to move toward a more perfect union. We wish the Egyptian people deliverance and Godspeed, no matter what God they worship. I saw a quote on TV a couple of days ago from a man on the street, "Without democracy, what is life worth?" And what is it worth without peace? But you just hate to see it reduce to conflict and chaos. And I don't know about you, but when I watch this rage on TV, I always wonder if it could happen here one day.

Photo Credit: K. GrippRoger Clyne and the Peacemakers' music is saturated with the pathos of struggle. There is something about the infusion of that layer of Mexican flavor that speaks to conflict. It is a quickening, a flash of eye and teeth and temper. Afterwards, when the peace and the sweetness come, it means that much more for the intensity of the troubles. Ah Life! We were so happy to have Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers visit our studio in the Steamboat Grand during MusicFest. A long time ago, we recorded them at the State Theatre in Falls Church, but it was just a direct patch from the soundboard. We wanted the opportunity to have Aaron do his magic music mix the next time around. And so it was, when they played MusicFest in Steamboat Springs. We bring you a brand new tune, forthcoming on the spring release from the band. Accompanying Roger are PH Naffah, Jim Dalton, and Nick Scropos. Here is "Marie."

- Jessie Scott

Midnight River Choir "My Friend"

They call New Braunfels, Texas home. They also call it the 'heart' of the Lone Star State; a vortex of cool that might just be the center of the universe. Considering its size, New Braunfels is an especially happening place. It is the home of one of America's great radio stations in KNBT. There are several wonderful venues, including Whitewater Amphitheater, Gruene Hall, The Phoenix, River Road Ice House, Tavern In The Gruene, just to name some. There is also a community of talented artists living there that call one another brother (and sister). Another thing that NB is known for are float trips, and Midnight River Choir became a band from a 27 person, 6 raft excursion on the Guadalupe River. This a meandering affair, where you can trail your beer in the water to keep it cool. Fun, frolic, nirvana. Oh, and did I mention that this fateful event took place at night, under a full moon? And so the Midnight River Choir was born.

Just up I-35 a few miles, in San Marcos, the Cheatham Street Warehouse is yet another cool venue. It is Kent Finlay's place, and he has been a mentor to countless neophyte musicians since he opened the doors of this legendary honky tonk in 1974. Cheatham Street has been the Tuesday night home of the Midnight River Choir since November of 2008. The four principal members play a myriad of instruments. They are apt to change positions on stage multiple times a night. For our Music Fog session, lead singer Eric Middleton was on rhythm acoustic guitar; Justin Nelson played lead acoustic guitar; Mitchell Pyeatt was on drums, and Jeromie Yager played bass. And they all sang backup vocals. MRC released their first CD in November of 2009, Freedom Wine. They are working on album number two. They might have even been working on it when they came to our studio at the Steamboat Grand during MusicFest. They laid down a track that they had just worked up a couple of days prior, and it even got named in our presence, a song written by Mitchell, called "My Friend." So, here is the first ever recording of that tune, on Midnight River Choir's Music Fog debut!

- Jessie Scott