Labor Day is coming up on Monday, and here we are at the beach. Or is that 'on the beach?' Yeah, that too. And with us 'laborers' so under attack, it seems an especially good time to take a peek at the trends that are causing the attrition. America no longer the manufacturing powerhouse she once was; other jobs continue to be shipped overseas. Industries are morphing and shedding skin in the information age revolution. There are so many people out of work with no prospects for full employment. Or for many of us to go back to work, we are faced with a difficult proposition, that we must take low paying jobs that don't even cover our mortgages! When all we want to do is work, do good for ourselves and our families, contribute to society. What if WE started a movement. Anybody up for a march on Washington? Here's hoping with the renewal that September brings, what with the start of a new school year, that we can get back to work after summer's doldrums; that we can all roll up our sleeves and start getting down to business.
There has been no shortage of work for the Stone River Boys, as they marched across America this summer. And their trek continues this fall. We will be seeing them at the Americana Music Festival & Conference next week in Nashville, where they are sure to blow away the room. I love to watch the faces of the audience members as they experience Mike Barfield's facial expressions and dance moves, Dave Gonzalez' ripping guitar riffs, Scott Esbeck's bouncing energy, Gary Newcomb's fluid steel guitar and Mark Patterson on relentless drums. Whoa, Nellie! The last two times we posted videos from these guys, they were totally different in flavor. Just goes to show how broad a swath the Stone River Boys cut into the musical landscape. From the garage band, soul 60's sound of "Love On The Dial," to the country tinged "Bluebonnet Blue," to this video, "Special," which is an old Jerry Foster & Bill Rice tune, delivered proudly with that Bakersfield sound. Each of these songs are featured on their album Love On The Dial. They call themselves the love child of Waylon Jennings and Mable John. We call it fun!
- Jessie Scott
