Citizens Band Radio "Rollin' On Down the Line"

I am a sucker for a country song. That is saying something as I am from New York City, where there was scarcity when it came to the actual country, let alone the music of rural America. But somehow, even growing up, it seeped into my consciousness and found a way into my heart. And I embrace it all, from the gin soaked barroom ballads of lost love, to the two-stepping honky tonk, to the country rock that was born later but keeps the fire burning bright.

We have a song from Citizens Band Radio to bring you today. They call themselves “HonkyTonkin' Rock-A-Rollin' Whiskey Drinkin' Goodtimin' Footstompin' Music." For some reason, my spellcheck alert didn’t even go off on that one. So all must be right! The band is Jay Jannuzzi on vocals and acoustic guitar, Linda King vocals and mando, Andrew Keenan vocals and pedal steel, Troy Black on lead guitar, Dale Eddington on Drums and Kevin Hummel on Bass. This was a whole pile of people on stage together. No wonder they travel on a vintage bus, named Ol' Waylor. They come all the way from the west – Western Jersey, that is. Click here to see where they will be next, riding that Northeast corridor route, as they play “Rollin’ On Down The Line,” from our 2011 Music Fog Marathon this past March at Threadgill’s in Austin.

- Jessie Scott

Ray Wylie Hubbard "Mother Blue's"

It is the Monday after the KNBT Americana Jam, and boy are my arms tired from clapping, and boy am I hoarse from hooting. But a blast was had by all, and what a great day of music it was to benefit the Comal Cops for Kids. One notable member of the KNBT air staff, Ray Wylie Hubbard, was missing from the line up yesterday, as he was in Memphis last night at the Levitt Shell in Overton Park. Ray hosts a Tuesday night show on KNBT called Roots & Branches of Americana. This Tuesday, Ray’s guests are The Trishas and Greezy Wheels.

We have a new Ray Wylie Hubbard song to bring you today. When Ray sang it for us at the Americana Music Festival last September, it didn’t even have a name yet. The thing that is really cool about it, is that it tells a true tale. It is the story of an evening way back when, in a Dallas club called Mother Blue's, and it references a then 16 year old door girl. When they met again in 1987, it led to Ray and Judy marrying in 1989 and having their son Lucas, who is becoming a wicked guitar ace of his own. Interesting about the coincidences that sometimes come our way. Now of course, Judy Hubbard is Ray’s manager, and being “Mother” Hubbard, she writes an advice column in MusicFest Magazine (a magazine I get to write for also!).

Here is another entry from our Music Fog Marathon several weeks ago at Threadgill’s WHQ in Austin, “Mother Blue's” from Ray Wylie Hubbard and Rick Richards.

- Jessie Scott

Ponderosa "Old Gin Road"

Cruise around and listen to the radio and there are the haunting refrains of songs we have heard forever. Last night, “Sultans Of Swing” came on for the 30,000 time, not that that is bad, per se, I actually still like the gruffness of Mark Knopfler’s understated vocal. It just cooks right along, and the tune is timeless.

I saw Stacie Collins play at The Saxon Pub on Tuesday night, all rock and roll badass energy, sexual tension, wailing and harp blowin’ and shaking. And what a band, hot tight and tasty! They recall days gone by, when the music was as much a coming of age, a fertility dance, as it was heady and rich. And it is fun, you know it should be fun.

I am happy to introduce you to another band that harkens back to the old days. If you close your eyes, you could picture Ponderosa playing on The Midnight Special TV Show with the late Wolfman Jack. Wolf, we miss you. You know he would have loved these guys. Tonight the band from Athens, Georgia plays the 15th Annual River Revival in Atlanta, and the rest of their tour dates are here.

I am just gonna let it rip, no fuss, no muss, this is “Old Gin Road," from their recent release Moonlight Revival. Hell yeah!

- Jessie Scott