Deadman "Take Up Your Mat and Walk"

MusicFest at Steamboat Springs 2012 is now just a memory. It is such a wonderful communal experience, being wrapped in the warmth of each other and this glorious Americana Red Dirt and Texas music. This year, I heard a new slogan; instead of people saying "Happy New Year," they were saying "Happy Steamboat!" It has become its own holiday. There are so many fine people to thank, I'll just get right to it. John and Robin Dickson from Dickson Productions throw the best party ever. Thanks also to Liz, Judy, Amy, and Matt in the office. Kudos to the production coordinator Adam Odor and stage manager Joel Schoepf; Jeff Garbaz' and his video team at Garbaz Video Screens, which is where the MusicFest webcast feed originated. Vince Kapchinski and his crew at Backstage Sound and Lighting. Brian Smith for his unerring ability to get things done. Everyone at Steamboat Resorts was so nice - a huge thanks to them too. It is hard to leave. I say that every year.

Today's tune speaks of faith and of healing. It comes from the Austin group Deadman, with a reference, of course, to John 5:8. We filmed Deadman during our Music Fog Spring Marathon last year at Threadgill's. They are one happening band, let me tell you. The band toured in Europe again, and there were two releases, Live at The Saxon Pub and Take Up Your Mat and Walk. The latter hasn't been released in the States yet, but Deadman is working on making that so. The band will be heading to Germany in February and then revisiting Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and more in late April. Here with, the Music Fog version of "Take Up Your Mat and Walk." Sure is good for what ails you!

-Jessie Scott

Lake Street Dive "Clear A Space"

It feels a bit weird to be in Steamboat without the Foggers, but here I am. Great to be back in The Boat! And MusicFest at Steamboat is the same as it ever was, a warm gathering of fellow travelers in the snow, in the high altitude, set amidst the beauty of the mountains. I think the friendships made through the years here are what makes this so special, whether artists or fellow attendees. This is my tenth year, and I have been involved in a different kind of tech experience each time. So this year the MusicFest folks decided to stream the shows from the tent, sort of like what I used to do when I was programming X Country, XM 12, only with pictures! Today, there are four sets coming your way, all start time ares Mountain Time, of course:

3:45 to 4:55 Ragweed former members Cody, Jeremy and Rand.

5:20 to 6:40 Casey Donahew Band.

7:10 to 8:30 Roger Creager.

9:00 to 10:30 Reckless Kelly.

And that is just day one of four!

The band Lake Street Dive is heading out west in February.  We were tickled to have made their acquaintance during Americana Fest in Nashville in October. They are from Boston, and that begs the question what is in the water in Back Bay? Such a lovely lilt to so many artists out of their; from Eilen Jewell to Miss Tess, to the prodigious talents of Mike Olson, Rachael Price, Bridget Kearney and Michael Calabrese. Today we bring you an as yet unreleased tune form the Music Fog Fall Marathon at Marathon Recorders, “Clear A Space.”

- Jessie Scott

Carrie Rodriguez "Lake Harriet"

Christmas in love. Sigh...honestly, is there anything more wonderful than sharing the holiday with a new partner? The intimacy is worth the price of admission alone. The exchanging of gifts is almost superfluous, but is especially delicious with a sip of the bubbly. And no matter whether graced by material wealth, love provides its own ‘in it together, for richer or poorer’ kind of bond. If you are newly in love this Christmas, may your holiday be especially bright.

Today’s video is the perfect soundtrack tune to celebrate romance. Carrie Rodriguez gifted us with a brand new song when she visited Marathon Recorders in Nashville in October during Americana Fest. It is simple and pure and joyous. Carrie is plenty busy, as she does dates with Luke Jacobs, and then a few with the masterful Bill Frisell in Texas, the second week in January. Then look out for The Acoustic Cafe Tour, featuring Erin McKeown, Carrie Rodriguez and Kelly Joe Phelps after that.

Carrie brought Hans Holzen (acoustic guitar), Kyle Kegerreis (bass), Ryan Lovan (drums), and Luke Jacobs (electric guitar) to the Music Fog Fall Marathon. Here is “Lake Harriet,” and a wish from us, for love to surround you too.

-Jessie Scott