Luke Doucet & Melissa McClelland "Broken One"

As a long-time observer of country music, the concept of ‘duo’ is sure ingrained on my brain. Johnny & June, Conway & Loretta, George & Tammy, just to name a few. It is wonderful to see it reinterpreted for a new era in a most innovative way. I think the paradigm shift has to do with the feeling that these are ‘Bands,’ though they just happen to be groups of two. I am just coming back from Nashville, where this year’s Group or Duo Award Winner was the magical breakout band Civil Wars. Others redefining the role are The Mastersons, Shovels & Rope, and Whitehorse.

Of course, we have brought you Whitehorse before, just not by that name. Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet are Whitehorse. They are each celebrated, having been recognized with awards and nominations including the Juno Awards, the Canadian Folk Music Awards, the Hamilton Music Awards, the Independent Music Awards and Polaris. Whitehorse showcases their artistry in an ongoing fall tour. We had the honor of filming them on the Threadgill’s stage during SXSW 2011 in Austin.

-Jessie Scott

Guy Forsyth "Old Time Man"

Well I am back in Nashville. It is Americana Fest time, and though I miss the Foggers being with me on the road, it is great to see everyone in this music community again. And don’t forget, tonight, I get to revisit hallowed ground, the mother church of country music, The Ryman Auditorium. Yes, tonight is the Americana Honors and Awards, and even if you are not attending the event, or even in Nashville for that matter, you can listen in. I will be in the booth along with NPR’s Ann Powers, and we will anchor the Folk Alley audio stream from tonight’s show. Join us at folkalley.com, or NPR.org  at 8pm ET, 7pm Ct…as they say, see you on the radio!

Yesterday was a momentous one for Guy Forsyth, as his album Freedom To Fail came out. This has been in the works for a while, as Guy conceptualized this as lessons about life to his young daughter Mary Mae. Guy has been mulling things over as only he can do. If you ever have the opportunity to chat to him, I so recommend it. Talk books, or music, or philosophy or religion or politics. It is all interesting, all informative, and all delivered passionately. As is his songwriting and playing. Music Fog takes you back to our Spring Marathon at Threadgill’s in 2011. He played one of the songs that would surface on this new record. Here’s Guy Forsyth solo with a positioning statement about himself, “Old Time Man.”

-Jessie Scott

Uncle Lucius "Got Over Myself/Fire On The Rooftop"

I think back on the first time we laid eyes on Uncle Lucius. Music Fog was in the back room at Threadgill’s in 2009 in March during SXSW. It was our first outing there, and we had been working hard all day with a full dance card. The connection was made because we were part of the Threadgill’s family, and so was the band. We wound up doing a set with them in the evening. We were so jazzed by what they were doing that we sent them the entire set. I know they were able to use it to get gigs and to plant the seeds that would grow into what they are today.

Uncle Lucius is a testament to using the finest ingredients to bake the cake. They have worked hard these last four years, and I have to say that they are even better with every turn of the season. The new Uncle Lucius album, And You Are Me, comes out today. They kicked off a new tour in support of it at home in Austin this past Saturday at Antone’s Night Club. Here is where they are gonna be. It makes me really happy to see Uncle Lucius knocking on the door of success. They are great guys, besides the talent, and it is especially satisfying when good guys win. Today we bring you back to the Threadgill’s stage a year ago in March of 2011. "Got Over Myself/Fire on the Rooftop" cannot be found on the new album, though “Fire” is from the 2009 release Pick Your Head Up. We offer this up for those of you who have not seen this amazing band in action. Remember, your Uncle loves you!

-Jessie Scott