Michael Fracasso "Here Come the Savages"

Nashville has been rocking hard this past week! It has been a joy to behold the likes of Boz Scaggs, Ann Wilson, Wynonna Judd, and Emmylou Harris at DylanFest last Tuesday, The Hard Working Americans block party on Monday and Tom Petty and Mudcrutch a couple of nights ago at The Ryman. It has been a celebration of sorts for me as well, as it was 45 years ago that I started working in the music industry. I think 45 is a nice music biz milestone, it should come with a small disc , 45 RPM, and one of those adaptors that looks like it is a symbol from another civilization.

Being up close to watch careers take hold, it always amazes me about the lottery that leads to the grand prize, becoming a household name. That is ever more difficult to do these days, with limited radio airplay from city to city. It used to be different when rock was new.

We have a premier for you today from someone who should be a household name, Michael Fracasso. His new album comes out next Friday, June 10th. Here's what Michael had to say about writing the title song:

'Here Come the Savages' was written after we heard the news that Davy Jones had died. I wrote it in a stream of consciousness thinking of all the pain this world can inflict on you. It was initially written on mandolin but when we went to record it, the instrument no longer held any mystique. We tried guitar with the same result. Then producer Jim Lewis said play it on piano (where I had to now rewrite the song) and everyone but George Reiff and myself went to lunch. George heard me working on it and said to me it was time to put it down. It was one take and we knew we were finished. —Michael Fracasso

Today, Music Fog brings you the title track, “Here Come the Savages." 

- Jessie Scott

Guitar Army "Hours In Between"

The sun has been shining in Austin! SXSW© is kicking my butt in the very best way possible, as I am immersed in glorious music. Tuesday night at The Saxon Pub, The Grahams, Gurf Morlix and Jimmy LaFave were on stage. Wednesday night it was The Chubby Knuckle Choir, Statesboro Revue, The Surreal McCoys, and Shinyribs at the Saxon. Dang, I sure wish the Foggers were here to capture the magic. Don't forget Sun Radio is in the midst of broadcasting some 54 artists from its Sonesta Bee Cave and Backstage at El Mercado South locations. Listen live at sunradio.com, you’ll like the artists we have playing.

Did someone say rock? Here is some total serendipity. When Music Fog was getting ready to do our shoot in Nashville at the end of January, Robben Ford was doing a residency at the High Watt. So I made a phone call to see if he was available, as I have loved his music for years. Little did I know what was to come next! Allow me to introduce the Guitar Army - Robben Ford, Lee Roy Parnell, and Joe Robinson...all kick-ass, world class musicians.

Ford is a five-time GRAMMY® nominee and was called “one of the top 100 guitarists of all time” by Musician Magazine. Parnell is a walking, talking embodiment of southern soul. The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Hall of Fame Member and noted slide guitarist has charted seven Top 10 country hits and earned two GRAMMY® nominations. Robinson is an Australian prodigy who, at the age of 11, met and started playing with acoustic virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel — a little over five years later, Robinson won Australia’s Got Talent. Can you say triple threat? I can’t wait to catch this band playing out. They are so good it makes me giddy! Today’s Music Fog tune is “Hours In Between,” which will be on Lee Roy Parnell’s upcoming album. Allow us to introduce you to Guitar Army. Scorching!

- Jessie Scott

Henry Wagons "King Hit"

I get to do such cool stuff. I am ever appreciative! Here are a few highlights from my last week of music. Last Wednesday in Franklin, TN, the Music City Roots lineup rocked hard. It was a tribute to Sam Phillips of Sun Records, and Peter Cooper hosted. On hand were Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp, Luther Dickinson, Sleepy LaBeef, Colin Linden, and Bobby Rush. It was for sure one of my favorite nights of music in a long time, steeped in the Memphis stew of black meets white and gospel meets bad boy. You know, the stuff out of which Rock & Roll was born in the first place. Then, over the weekend, I got to witness performances from Webb Wilder, The Surreal McCoys, The Supersuckers, Drivin' N Cryin’, Dan Baird, Jesse Dayton, and Girls, Guns & Glory at the Shore Leave Showdown in Miami. It all was badass as can be.

One of Music Fog’s favorite badasses is about to put out a solo album. Henry Wagons hails from Australia, and yes, he channels the spirit of the abovementioned musical legacy. After What I Did Last Night was produced in Nashville under the watchful eye of Skylar Wilson who has worked with Justin Townes Earle, Caitlin Rose, and Andrew Combs. The album abounds in defiant twang. It chronicles Henry Wagons' journey, from misspent youth to road hard troubadour, to new father. It was several years ago, in 2011 that Henry Wagons first came to play for Music Fog at Threadgill’s. From the Fog Bank, here he is with the tune “Willie Nelson.” And here is a tease, an exclusive premiere of one of the songs from his new album, which comes out tomorrow. Rebelliousness abounds! Click above to listen to “King Hit.” Can you hear the Memphis echo?

- Jessie Scott