We brush up on the latest music news
Bill Scorzari
On September 20, New York Native, Bill Scorzari will release his third full-length album Now I’m Free – wonderfully gruff and oozing with emotion and raw honesty.
The album was performed live in the studio by Scorzari and a long list of critically acclaimed and otherwise notable musicians including the producer Neilson Hubbard on drums/percussion, multi-instrumentalist Will Kimbrough, vocalist Erin Rae (Americana Music Association nominee for Best Emerging Artist of 2019), fiddler/strings Eamon McGloughlin (AMA nominee for Best Instrumentalist of 2019), upright and electric bass player Michael Rinne (AMA nominee for Best Instrumentalist of 2019), Brent Burke on dobro, Juan Solorzano on electric guitar and lap steel, lap steel player and vocalist Megan McCormick, Greg Krockta on harmonica and vocalist Mia Rose Lynne.
A heady brew. Highly recommended. Here’s a sample, the song “It All Matters”:
via Dreamspider Publicity
Mike and the Moonpies
Mike and the Moonpies have released their sixth studio album Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold. Produced by Adam Odor, this project was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with help from the London Symphony Orchestra which sounds pretty different and ambitious for this tight, Western Swing and honky tonk outfit from Texas. There are also contributions from Shooter Jennings, Nikki Lane and Season Ammons.
Here’s a clip of “You Look Good In Neon”:
Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductees
Larry Gatlin, Dwight Yoakam, Marcus Hummon, Kostas, Rivers Rutherford and Sharon Vaughn will be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October.
The six new inductees will join the 213 existing members of the elite organization when they are officially inducted during the 49th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on October 14 at Nashville’s Music City Centre.
Since 1970, the Hall has enshrined more than 200 of the greatest writers from all genres of music, including such luminaries as Bill Anderson, Bobby Braddock, Garth Brooks, Felice & Boudleaux Bryant, Johnny Cash, Don & Phil Everly, Harlan Howard, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Bob McDill, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Dottie Rambo, Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, Don Schlitz, Cindy Walker and Hank Williams.
More about the latest inductees HERE.
Ordinary Elephant
Award-winning folk duo Ordinary Elephant has premiered the video for “Rust Right Through”, off their latest, beautifully-crafted album Honest. It was shot at Skinny Elephant Recording in East Nashville. The video was filmed and edited by Neilson Hubbard (who also produced the album), and Joshua Britt.
Sunny War
The stunningly different Sunny War has us captivated here at Listening Through The Lens. Case 1 – her critically acclaimed 2018 album With the Sun, Case 2 – her totally unpretentious performance at last year’s AmericanaFest (she’s there again this year), Case 3 – her mesmerizing and beguiling follow-up recording just out, Shell of a Girl (via Hen House Studios).
Here’s a new clip of one of the tracks “Drugs Are Bad”:
Via Hearth Music
Zoe & Cloyd
Western North Carolina’s Zoe & Cloyd are steeped in traditional music roots. Founding members of the Americana trio Red June and long-time veterans of the Asheville, NC music scene, Natalya Zoe Weinstein and John Cloyd Miller will be releasing their third album, I Am Your Neighbor on September 27 from Organic Records. Available for pre-order HERE.
Recommended Podcasts
Steve Dawson‘s Music Makers & Soul Shakers has as guest guitar wiz Redd Volkaert with a terrific insight into Redd’s career. Available in the App Store and Google Play – just search Music Makers & Soul Shakers and hit subscribe.
In Case You Missed It?
We updated our Australian music festivals list.
We previewed the new release from the North Mississippi Allstars.
We blew the trumpet on Australian performers at AmericanaFest this September.
We reported on the Americana Lifetime Achievement recipients.
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We brush up on the latest music news
