I get to do such cool stuff. I am ever appreciative! Here are a few highlights from my last week of music. Last Wednesday in Franklin, TN, the Music City Roots lineup rocked hard. It was a tribute to Sam Phillips of Sun Records, and Peter Cooper hosted. On hand were Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp, Luther Dickinson, Sleepy LaBeef, Colin Linden, and Bobby Rush. It was for sure one of my favorite nights of music in a long time, steeped in the Memphis stew of black meets white and gospel meets bad boy. You know, the stuff out of which Rock & Roll was born in the first place. Then, over the weekend, I got to witness performances from Webb Wilder, The Surreal McCoys, The Supersuckers, Drivin' N Cryin’, Dan Baird, Jesse Dayton, and Girls, Guns & Glory at the Shore Leave Showdown in Miami. It all was badass as can be.
One of Music Fog’s favorite badasses is about to put out a solo album. Henry Wagons hails from Australia, and yes, he channels the spirit of the abovementioned musical legacy. After What I Did Last Night was produced in Nashville under the watchful eye of Skylar Wilson who has worked with Justin Townes Earle, Caitlin Rose, and Andrew Combs. The album abounds in defiant twang. It chronicles Henry Wagons' journey, from misspent youth to road hard troubadour, to new father. It was several years ago, in 2011 that Henry Wagons first came to play for Music Fog at Threadgill’s. From the Fog Bank, here he is with the tune “Willie Nelson.” And here is a tease, an exclusive premiere of one of the songs from his new album, which comes out tomorrow. Rebelliousness abounds! Click above to listen to “King Hit.” Can you hear the Memphis echo?
- Jessie Scott