Jon Dee Graham "Beautifully Broken"

There are touch stones that make you stop and take note, even when one is in pain. This weekend up in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, the colors co-mingled to glorious effect. This morning, I am up with the sunrise, heading into NYC for meetings. The streets of New. york are a contact sport, ready or not here I come. Over the last two weeks, I have been physical in a way that just doesn't exist in most cities. In New York, you walk, you take the stairs, you carry bags. Every night I feel like hamburger meat, but I am seeing results already; tighter, lighter, more energy. And, it is woven seamlessly into your life, plus it's free! 

Whatever your addictions, your bad habits, use this day to start a new cycle. It starts by simply mustering up the will to change. Get off the couch, come into the sunshine. Don't think you can't. Jon Dee Graham is here to tell you that you can, having dealt with addiction himself. He sings about it here, "Beautifully Broken," filmed during the 2011 Music Fog Marathon at Threadgill's WHQ in Austin.

-Jessie Scott

Animusic "Resonant Chamber"

The electronic destination sign above the front windshield of the bus proudly proclaimed 'New York. Yesterday was a bright and shiny morning, with just a  hint of autumn in the air. I started a new chapter, going from the hard scrabble world of Texas music, to the street smarts of New York. A few days ago, someone questioned why I would leave Austin. It is quite simple, really; it's to be employed in an exciting situation which will allow me to shine a light on the music I love in a different way. After my job at XM ended, I hightailed it out of town to Austin. The thing to remember when you move somewhere with a less expensive cost of living, is that they pay less, too. That is if you can find a job at all.

And so the new day dawns. Oh, did I mention that I am back in the city of my birth? It has been a long time since I have lived here. The streets are a bombardment of stimuli; architecture, fashion, snippets of conversation, people everywhere. So here comes a video with no people at all. That doesn’t necessarily mean no people were used in the making of it! We just don’t know, but it sure is beautiful. It is Animusic HD, “Resonant Chamber.”

-Jessie Scott

Brian Wright "Loaded Gun"

I can’t believe how busy the last few weeks have been. From the sleep deprived Americana Festival, to coming home and packing up my house for the move, to the three day haul from Austin to NYC. I am ready for a nap! Even for someone who has moved as much as I have, the whole thing, the enormity of it, never lessens. When the boxes were being packed, it felt like they would not ever come back together. 126 pieces, between furniture, clothing, knick knacks, books, music, and so on. It is really very confusing. I have no idea how long it will take to unpack when the truck makes its way to the big city. And yet, I yearn for a simple life, a life with less possessions. Minimalist, downsized. Achievable? I don’t know.

I have a couple of guns that have been in the family for a long time. For my last two moves, they have been commented on by the crews who have moved me in and out. I don’t, however, keep them loaded. Brian Wright does, though, well...at least in this song. I saw him briefly during Americana Fest in Nashville a couple of weeks ago. No, he didn’t have a gun with him, at least not that I could see. He performed this song for the Music Fog cameras during out Spring Music Fog Marathon in March at Threadgill’s WHQ in Austin in 2011. Wow, I am not in Austin anymore. That is going to take a minute or two to settle in to my head! And of course Brian had earlier made the move from Waco to LA, a long haul in itself. Once again, thanks to Abbey and Robbyn for making this road trip with me. Thanks to Shilah and Dee and Hag, and the folks who came to the parties to say ‘so long’ for now. I have taken so many road trips lately, that it hasn’t yet crystalized that I am actually in a new place. Thanks and love to all who gave comfort and aid. I will report on this new chapter as it unfolds. Meantime, here is Brian, who is recording a new album and creating another chapter himself!

-Jessie Scott