The SteelDrivers "When You Don't Come Home"

I am on a personal mission to eradicate the idea that if it comes from Nashville, it must be plastic. Yes, the mainstream country industry is centered there, but there are so many  talented musicians that call Nashville home. Having lived there myself once upon a time, I can tell you there are wonderful nights in the clubs, parties that bring together famous faces behind closed doors for magical evenings, and plenty of that precious creative juice that makes for memorable music. There is everything imaginable in Music City, from Rap to R&B, from Gospel to Grunge, from Blues to Bop. Having a business infrastructure allows the best and brightest to make some money playing on other folks’ sessions, while they keep their own music bubbling too.

The SteelDrivers inject some soul into their scorching Bluegrass delivery. They are an A team of artists, much in demand for their individual talents, and celestial when taken together. Fiddler Tammy Rogers, bassist Mike Fleming, guitarist Gary Nichols, Brent Truitt on mando, and banjoist Richard Bailey bring the joy to performance. The band has three acclaimed albums under their collective belt. They were nominated for a Grammy award in 2009 for their first album, and in 2010, their second album received two Grammy nominations. Today we get to bring you a song that, as yet, has not yet found its way onto an album. The SteelDrivers came to play for the Music Fog Spring Marathon at Threadgill’s WHQ a couple of weeks ago in Austin, TX. I gotta say, this is the way to start a week. Here is “When You Don’t Come Home,” written by Tammy Rogers and Gary Nichols.

-Jessie Scott

Emory Quinn "Holes Through the Windows"

OK, so I came down with the community croup from kissing babies and shaking hands at the Music Fog Marathon, and I have been mostly holed up trying to recuperate since then. Last night, driving home from my Threadgill’s gig, I stopped at a stop sign at the corner. I guess I was waiting for the light to change, except there wasn’t one, which became evident to me when people started honking. Yikes! I raced to the next corner, and there WAS a red light at that one, where I again sat, feeling embarrassed as the honking cars tailed me there. See you at the next light...that is the name of the most recent Emory Quinn album.

Photo Credit: Bill EllisonWe welcomed EQ back in front of our cameras for the full Music Fog treatment. We have encountered them twice before. Once was at MusicFest at Steamboat in 2009, and we saw them again at the "Black Tie and Boots" Texas State Society Inaugural Presidential Ball. (A footnote, I have now been to two of those soirees, and they are a blast. Evening clothes and cowboy boots are my idea of heaven...) Anyway, I figured it was time for a return visit, as EQ stays busy gigging and turning out albums. The guys drove up to our Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill’s WHQ last week from San Antonio and got busy. Clint Bracher, Nathan Rigney, Case Bell, and Erik Frankson visited the 2012 Music Fog Marathon on day one, and plugged in to play one of the songs from See You At The Next Light, “Holes Through the Windows.”

- Jessie Scott

Music Fog Marathon Leaves Its Mark

The Music Fog Spring Marathon in Austin, Texas all seems like a dream now. I can't believe we did it - just the sheer number is pretty insane. 44 artists in four days is a whole bunch of music! And you have to know that weeks went into the planning, days into the studio set up and tear down. Denise and I have headed to our respective couches. Beans, Chris and Aaron flew home yesterday. There will be days of offloading the performances we captured, and we will be bringing it to you in due time. The Spring Music Fall Marathon postings will be rolling out later this week, however, today is a day of rest, and one of thanks, too. First off, to all 200 folks who pledged on Kickstarter; we couldn't have done this event without you. Special thanks go to our higher dollar pledgees, too: New West Records, Tikly, 36D Management, Signature Sounds, No Depression, and some dear friends and supporters, Hag & Dee, and Scott Dreher. We Foggers thank you with all our hearts.

We also want to thank all the artists who shared their music with us, and all the managers, record labels, publicists, and promoters for helping make The Music Fog Marathon happen. To the crew at Threadgill's, we loved being there! And when you spend twelve hours a day in a place, you know it has got to feel good. The wait staff took great care of us, Dave Whitney and Danny Jones and all the managers made sure we had everything we needed, which even included Music Fog parking cones for our artists to offload their gear easily. Thanks to Blake for the equipment transfer, Clay for the emergency cymbals, and Trent for the backline. And a personal thanks to Mike Meadows for the Swan branded shaker; I am bringing it with me everywhere, playing along with the music. (You might have created a monster!) Thanks to Paul Shirley for running one of our cameras, Dave Newman on the internet side, and to the whole crew for functioning in the chaos: very little sleep, nibbles at the food, and music, and then even more music!

And thanks to you for watching, whether in the audience at Threadgill's or checking out our webcast. Today is the day we collectively will catch our breath, and then onward...through The Fog!

- Jessie Scott