There are dark grooves cut into his guitar, there are dark grooves that emerge from its hollow body. His voice sounds like that of an 80 year old, but that belies his age. He is Dustin Welch, and he is another of the stellar new crop of artists coming into their own. He and I met a few years ago, and before we had a chance to get to know one another, I overheard him talking about literature. Deeply, richly, passionately. Impressive, I thought, he is a reader. Not to paint him as too serious, though, as he also has a touch of the prankster, accompanied by a twinkle in his eye. One of the hallmarks of this emerging generation is a reverence for the forms that have come before, and yes, the lifestyle, too. Bohemia lives!

Photo Credit: Ed VeroskyI am missing Dustin's presence at WoodyFest! I wish he could have been here with us in Okemah, OK. While I am at it, I have been missing him in Austin, too, which is a big enough city to not run into everyone you know just by happenstance. My bad, as I have been preparing for these road trips, I haven't been going out on my usual rounds. Dustin has a bunch of dates coming up, mostly in Texas, if you are around for the next month. You just might see me in the audience there. So, I am watching this video with that in mind...Dustin, I will catch up with you soon. This is one from the Music Fog bus at Cherokee Creek Music Festival this past May. Dustin Welch, "Lost At Sea."

- Jessie Scott