Joe Robinson "Whisper Your Name"

We were so sad to hear over the weekend of Jerry Jeff Walker’s passing. He was a Texas singer songwriter extraordinaire, and a revered elder statesman, and moreover, he was a friend. Jerry Jeff was a pied piper, connecting the next generation after Willie, to what came next---Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Jack Ingram, The Robisons, Ragweed and Randy Rogers. And, of course, today there is yet another generation of truth tellers crafting music for our times. When I joined XM Radio in 2000, and we sat down to conceptualize my channel, X Country, I asked where Jerry Jeff, Doug Sahm, and Gram Parsons music would live. And those artists became how I anchored it. Back in the 70’s, it was called Progressive Country, and that's how we referenced it at XM, before we transitioned to Americana as the descriptor a few years later. I have lots of fond memories of Jerry Jeff Walker, the most recent earlier this year when he reached out to ask how I was. He told me he could no longer sing, but that he cared enough to make contact will be forever in my heart.

Photo Credit: Kane Hibberd

Today’s tune is a prayer and a wish for peace of mind through the turbulence from guitar maestro, Joe Robinson. Originally out of the Australian Bush, he studied with the master, Tommy Emmanuel, and has worked with Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, and Robben Ford during his relo to Nashville. Music Fog was happy to have him on camera last year during our 10th Anniversary Sessions, as his new album Undertones was just releasing. Joe has been working on a new album in quarantine, and we can’t wait to hear what he has cooked up on the forthcoming Borders. In the meantime, here is the Music Fog capture of a tune that is pure spirit from his 2019 release, this is “Whisper Your Name.”

- Jessie Scott

Watson Twins "Southern Manners"

The Watson Twins most recent album, Duo, came out in 2018. I don’t know about you, but that feels like a lifetime ago! Long ago and far away there was a time of fraternity and community. It doesn’t seem possible now, but back then people actually helped each other. Yes, there were standards, mores, and a social code that most of us agreed upon. Now, I am not suggesting a return to the bad old cookie cutter days of the 50’s, because that was so buttoned down that it was stifling, but I do wish we could just get along.

Chandra and Leigh Watson, and Chandra’s husband, multi-instrumentalist, producer Russ Pollard, take us back to their first release, the Southern Manners EP from 2006 in this Music Fog performance. And they return us to a simpler time of gentle breezes and being good to each other. This is the title song, “Southern Manners,” filmed in a private session last year in Nashville. Take a moment to bask in the quiet beauty of it all, while you remember the innocence.

- Jessie Scott

Noel McKay "The Old Pawnee Waltz"

Last week we would have convened in Nashville for AmericanaFest! Sure did miss the folks and the fanfare, and especially the music. Thriving Roots took its place, as a virtual Music Conference online, but I sure do hope that we get to come out of the house and be together someday. In the meantime, we have streaming to deliver live music, and thank goodness for that! And since we aren’t traveling the way we used to, there is the romance of the music of far away places that we can virtually travel to. Brennen Leigh’s new album Prairie Love Letter is just out, and it transports us to the turf Brennen grew up on in the upper Midwest. Just beautiful, seeing and feeling those wide open spaces through her music.

Brennen joins partner Noel McKay for this Music Fog video of “The Old Pawnee Waltz,” which transports us to yet another grand vista, in Pawnee, Texas. Noel is also accompanied by Melissa Carper on upright bass and backing vocals. Of course, Noel and Brennen made their way from Austin to Nashville a couple of years ago, and have found a home of like minded artists who honor the grand country music traditions. Here is the Music Fog rendition of “The Old Pawnee Waltz,” filmed during a private session in Nashville last year.

-Jessie Scott