Red Molly "Jezebel"

I wandered down the hill on the Telluride to Albuquerque route with Beans on Sunday, and he dropped me off at my in-laws, Jenn and Steve, on his way to the airport. He made it back to Baltimore, tired but happy. I am especially excited to be luxuriating in the foothills of the Sandia (it means watermelon--so named for the color the mountains turn at sunset). There are quail families outside with hypnotic chirping that is sure to relax you; and kitties Zoe and Taz, and Rex, the stalwart German Sheppard inside. We ate eggs with GREEN CHILE for breakfast. Major yum! There is nothing that compares to the taste of Hatch New Mexico chile. I am addicted. It started raining gently on the ride in, and continued through the night and into yesterday. This softly falling rain has been the perfect accompaniment to this leg of the trip. Denise says to be prepared for the hot to return as I fly back to Texas, but she said it wasn't Okemah hot. Whew. Okemah was smoldering. That's for sure, in more ways than one.

Photo Credit: David PlakkeWe were so blessed to be at an inside location during WoodyFest, not trekking around in the heat. The Thompson's Loft got cooled down at night, because, as is our habit, we shut the AC off during performances so as not to pick up that white noise when we record. The last day we filmed was a cavalcade of artists, one after another, and all amazing. Red Molly came by, and we pressed them into backup-singer service before they performed on their own. They share a musical connection to Woody, as well as a location connection, in that they make New York City home, and so did he. The Red Molly girls, Laurie, Abbie, and Carolann, brought such a spirited performance, that had there been rafters, they would have been ringing. As they were leaving our space, they mentioned that Carolann was making her last appearance with them at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Then Red Molly will be adding an actual Molly, as Austin-based singer/songwriter Molly Venter will be joining them. She first caught Abbie's attention as a New Folk Finalist at the 2008 Kerrville Folk Festival, and met Laurie and Carolann for the first time in June 2008. Look for the new configuration in early August. "Jezebel" comes from their 2010 release James, which sold more copies at the WoodyFest merch tables than any other artist!

- Jessie Scott

Jimmy LaFave "This Land Is Your Land"

What a blur these last two weeks have been. From the Oklahoma hills to the Rocky Mountains, with big city stops in between. Again, I am deeply moved by what it means to be an American and to travel this great land. Beans and I made a pledge in Austin, as we had not yet cut off our WoodyFest wristbands. We decided to keep them on until we wrapped Telluride. It was a talisman of sorts, and we wanted to keep the spirit of Okemah with us for this second roadtrip. Woody Guthrie wrote the book on real. He planted the seeds that grew folk music, and then the kindred Americana movement. We have just finished the Telluride Americana Music Weekend, and everyone's back at their respective home base. We had to get our ducks in a row in order for WoodyFest videos to come your way. What with the crew in transit going every which way, it was hard to get to "The Assets," as we like to call them.

Jimmy LaFave, David Amram, Jessie ScottWoodyFest was amazing. We had a great time, though it felt like we were on the surface of the sun, as we pierced through heat indices of 105 to 115 degrees! Okemah in July. Ouch. Might have just been the luck of the draw, though, as it was in the low 80's during the week prior. But to celebrate the life and music of Woody, you just have to bite the bullet. I think being there helps to understand the motivation, the grounding, that Woody had growing up. We filmed some kick ass performances, some of which will be coming your way this week. But the first has to be one of the most magical moments we have ever experienced. Jimmy LaFave brought his compadres with him to our studio space, The Thompson's Loft, after the Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning. Joel Rafael, John Inmon, Andrew Hardin, David Amram, Radoslav Lorkovic, Glenn Schuetz and The Cherokee Maidens. A seeming cast of thousands, but aided and abetted if you sing along. "This Land Is Your Land." Thank you Woody Guthrie!

- Jessie Scott

WoodyFest 2010

The Music Fog Loft has been spilling over with great music, artists and friends this weekend at WoodyFest in Okemah, Oklahoma. Actually, it's the "Thompson Loft." Thanks so much to the Thompson's for the use of their living quarters as our recording space. Jimmy LaFave hooked us up, with help from their daughter Kay, who recommended this most amazing location. The Thompson's have the entrepreneurial thing going on big time, with a printing company, flowers and antique shop, and the town newspaper.

We set up on Thursday night when the Music Fog crew all got into town, and then came back for sessions on Friday and Saturday. The music here has been stellar, the musicianship totally over the top! Okemah has been relentless in its heat and sunshine; but endearing and charming, as only small town America can be. One wonders how people lived here before air conditioning. Today, during this heat wave, the bank thermometer read 104 degrees! We were serenaded though, by an all star band backing Jimmy LaFave that was a celebration of the contributions of Woody Guthrie. Then the Cherokee Maidens backed by Sycamore Swing, followed by Stonehoney, singing sweetly, and swaying gently on the second floor against the red brick wall. Last night they rocked the main stage, under the phosphorescent water tower, right down by the road; that ribbon of highway, I-40.

We obviously haven't posted any video yet, as we've been in capture mode, with Friday's sessions featuring BettySoo, Red Dirt Rangers, Randy Weeks with Stonehoney backing, and Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines. We rounded out Saturday with Red Molly and Butch Hancock, and then a chat with Jimmy LaFave and David Amram. WoodyFest is a celebration of the life and work of Woody Guthrie. Being here has rekindled my fascination with him, and the art he brought. In writing, in song craft, in drawing. In all things that come from the intellect. I feel I need to read everything that is out about Woody, and also that I must read David Amram's three books. You just walk away from this place filled once again with the beauty that art can bring. Eager to drink all of it in. Ah, to have all the time in the world for this most worthy pursuit. Everyday. We can't wait to bring you all that we have filmed!

- Jessie Scott