James McMurtry "Red Dress"

Today is the last day to donate to our Kickstarter campaign for us to be able to do the Fall Music Fog Marathon in Nashville during the Americana Fest, September 12th - 15th. We wouldn’t have undertaken another campaign if we hadn’t been successful earlier this year. Funny, last time we were on deadline, which was back in March for the Spring Music Fog Marathon during SXSW, we had $4,000 to raise the last afternoon. It became something of my own personal telethon, as I did outreach via email, Facebook, and phone to friends and industry folks, keeping them updated as the goal got closer. We hit it with two hours to spare before the deadline. I do not expect to be doing that this afternoon, however, as we are still so far away. I am sorry that it is not likely to happen, and that Music Fog will not then be able to attend the Americana Conference to film another forty artists. The good news is, though, if you pledged and we don’t make our goal, the money simply reverts back to you. We can’t keep it, wouldn’t want to, either, because we needed the whole sum, $15,000 to be able to travel to Nashville for a week for a crew of five, and have a production budget. Maybe someone will wave a magic wand and make it happen. Ya never know!

One of the most watched artists we have filmed is James McMurtry. He is always in Music Fogs top ten watched videos. We are honored to be given access to capture him, and it happened again during our Spring Marathon at Threadgill’s. I love the way he occupies the narrative, he wears the words he sings, you can see it in his eyes. James is on a western swing of dates. Today we bring you a total classic, “Red Dress,” originally found on the 2002 Saint Mary Of The Woods CD, which I recommend highly. There is also a version of it on Live in Aught-Three. The latter album was re-mastered and reissued since its original 2004 release. We have a solo version from back in March for you today. ”Red Dress.”

-Jessie Scott

Joy Kills Sorrow "Reservations"

It is a wonderful thing indeed, this communication that we humans do. Sometimes there are unspoken signals that you can pick up on, maybe not totally clear in your mind, but come away with that feeling that there is an underlying message that was indeed received. Without saying anything. Love that! Ah but sometimes it goes awry, sometimes the signals aren’t received or they are, and they are unwelcome. And just sometimes, there is just something that doesn’t feel right…reservations.

That’s today’s song “Reservations,” from the virtuoso Boston outfit Joy Kills Sorrow, who came to play for us during SXSW this past March. Music Fog was able to do a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise money to attend and webcast live from Threadgill’s WHQ for that event. Unfortunately, so far, this new Kickstarter campaign just isn’t working to raise the necessary funds to get us to Nashville for Americana Fest in September. We are sorry to come back to you, Dear Audience, for your support, by yourself, or for your company. The days are waning to contribute, and if we don’t make goal by our deadline, August 24, we won’t be attending to capture more amazing videos. Your pledge can be as little as $5. What is that, a McMeal? If you love our videos, we would sure appreciate your pledge.

So here you go, from Joy Kills Sorrow with the Music Fog version of “Reservations.” Emma Beaton – vocals, Bridget Kearney – bass,  Jacob Jolliff – mandolin, Wesley Corbett – banjo, and Matthew Arcara – guitar. The song is originally found on their This Unknown Science album. The band is doing a California run this week, so catch them if you can.

-Jessie Scott

Lydia Loveless "Back On The Bottle"

We used to be called the weaker sex, but coming off the Olympics, I am heartened by how much has changed for females as the decades have rolled on. Tough stuff to compete in, too the motocross, heptathlon, track and field, beach volleyball, basketball, etc. Even having women as commentators is a revelation. Little known fact. I auditioned for ABC to do local sports in New York in autumn of 1979. People at the time were incredulous. I was asked if I even knew what a Hat Trick was in hockey. I did. And having played field hockey, as well as all the other sports in high school, my athletic education was pretty well rounded. In any case, I am hoping that these Olympics have inspired yet another generation to get out from behind the sedentary computer and live it all in Technicolor reality. Get fit America!

Yes, women call be bad asses, no matter what the endeavor. Lydia Loveless is a prime example. Her debut album, Indestructible Machine was released to resounding accolades last year. We had the band come by our showcase during SXSW at Threadgill’s for the Spring Music Fog Marathon. Just a quick note, our Kickstarter campaign only has eleven more days for us to raise the funds that will allow us to travel to Nashville for the Americana Music Association Festival, where we would like to stage our Fall Music Fog Marathon. If we don’t make the goal, we don’t get any of the money, and we won’t be able to attend. If you could post, tweet, Google +, Pinterest, or email your Americana loving friends, we sure would appreciate both the pledges as well as spreading the word. Lydia Loveless and her band are going to be in Nashville for the event, here is the rest of the lineup. Wristbands are available for purchase. Lydia channels Patsy Cline on this song, “Back On The Bottle,” except, I don’t think Patsy swore. So, yes, this is your “language alert.” Don’t watch with the kids around, or while at the office unless you wear your ear buds.

-Jessie Scott