The town is alive with the sound of music! Austin City Limits Music Festival is going on, and Zilker Park is playing host to a smorgasbord of the most happening artists in America. Over the three days, there is plenty of Americana being represented. Starting with the annual appearance of Asleep At The Wheel, Two Tons of Steel, Sahara Smith, JJ Grey and Mofro, Those Darlins, Ponderosa, Carolyn Wonderland, Tom Freund, Band of Heathens, Sarah Harmer, and Ryan Bingham and The Dead Horses. And that was just yesterday! Here is today's schedule. Plus, this year there are aftershows in clubs around town. Sorry, we don't mean to tease you, but instead to tantalize you with the choices to dive into. Next year, when you are scheduling vacation time, pick one of the incredible music festivals and immerse yourself, right! And a head's up, for ACL you have to buy tickets early, cause this one sells out every year.

"I Could Be Persuaded" is the song we bring you today from John Brannen. He is one of those mysterious people that just starts you to guessing - where he came from, how he grew up, what his story is. His travels have taken him to many of the music centers in the United States: New York, Nashville, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Los Angeles, and there are hints of each layered in, on top of his Southern roots, Charleston, where he was born. With chiseled features and a Southern rock sensibility, he makes common man music. It is an easy groove to live in. John's 6th, and latest CD is called Bravado, and it was co-produced by David Z, whose credits include Prince, Fine Young Cannibals, Buddy Guy, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

When we hooked up with John in Nashville, during the Americana Fest last month, he had one of those crazy long travel days, and we so appreciate that he came to see us anyway. I guess he really could be persuaded...Game On!

- Jessie Scott