As the host of the Saturday afternoon edition of the Americana Mix, I get to play lots of good music. While the show is always about the mix of all kinds of Americana, just like you, I have my favorites. Here are some I think you’ll like, too:
Western Centuries“Songs From The Deluge”
Easily my top pick for 2018. Cahalen Morrison, Ethan Lawton (Zoe Muth and the High Rollers) and Jim Miller (Donna The Buffalo), hit their stride on this album – country, but so much more. South Louisiana legend Joel Savoy produced this one, and he added just the right amount of Cajun flavor to the mix of steel drenched goodness. Pick any cut – you will not be disappointed. Start with “Far From Home” for a fast one and “Three Swallows” for a slow one. If you like the sound, check out Western Centuries’ 2016 release “Weight Of The World” and Cahalen Morrison and Country Hammer’s “The Flower Of Muscle Shoals”. We were lucky to get these West Coast based guys on Tennessee Shines back on September 26th – see them live if you get a chance.
The Bottle Rockets “Bit Logic”
Rocking the Midwest for more than 30 years! Put “Highway 70 Blues” in your driving songs collection and enjoy the tongue-in-cheek humor of the unfortunate truth in “Bad Time To Be An Outlaw”. “Carrie Underwood don’t make country sound, but she can afford it when the sh*t breaks down” Priceless!
Brent Cobb “Providence Canyon”
Follow-up to 2017’s “Shine On Rainy Day”, Providence Canyon is electric Southern rock done extremely well. Produced by Brent’s cousin Dave Cobb, this album is a little more upbeat and faster paced. I swear Brent is channeling Molly Hatchet’s “Gator Country” on “If I Don’t See Ya”. There are lots of good choices on this disc – try the rap-like “Ain’t A Road Too Long” and the funky “30.06”.
Sam Morrow “Concrete and Mud”
Continuing with the Southern rock theme, Sam Morrow hits a home run with “Concrete and Mud”. Alt-Country fans know Sam, and the rest of you should hear what you have been missing. Sam says he went for a Skynyrd vibe on “Quick Fix” – and it’s executed perfectly. Jamie Wyatt helps out on vocals on three tracks. Turn the volume up and enjoy, especially the straight up rocker, “Good Ole Days”.
Here is Sam and band on the Blue Plate Special in March, 2017:
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers “Years”
Sarah Shook’s first album, “Sidelong”, was so good, I was fearing disappointment with “Years”. The fear was unfounded! While the first album will likely remain my favorite of the two, it may be just because I did not hear “Years” first. Sarah’s voice is perfect for her songs – or is it the other way around? Try the title track and “Lesson”. Their upcoming Tennessee Shines show on January 16th sold out quickly.
Here’s Blue Plate Special video from 2016:
Jason Eady “Travel On”
Texas troubadour Jason Eady is probably one of the best songwriters out there. And maybe the most underrated. His real life story songs will resonate with anyone. His 2017 self titled release was on my last year’s album picks, and this album might be better. Dobro master Rob Ickes is featured prominently and all the tunes were cut live in the studio. Start with “I Lost My Mind In Carolina”, “Pretty When I Die” and “Now Or Never”.
Here’s video from Jason’s Blue Plate Special appearance in October, 2017:
Southern Culture On The Skids “Bootlegger’s Choice”
Yes, I know it’s like a greatest hits CD, but this is candy for the ears! Reverb drenched, southern rockabilly candy. Like a Stucky’s Pecan Log. Food related tunes: “Fried Chicken and Gasoline”, “Banana Pudding” and “Eight Piece Box”. Yum!
Becky Warren “Undesirable”
Follow up to 2017’s “War Surplus”, the new CD is guitar driven Southern country/rock with shades of Lucinda Williams and Lydia Loveless. Becky is not afraid to tackle social issues in her songs, but she pulls it off without sounding trite. Try “We’re All We Got” (w/Amy Ray from the Indigo Girls), “Highway Lights”, and “You’re Always Drunk”.
We have plenty of Real Live Music headed your way this month, and just in case you miss it on the airwaves, we made this Spotify playlist to keep you in the know. All of these artists are playing a WDVX event in December, whether it’s the Blue Plate Special, Tennessee Shines, Six O’Clock Swerve, First Friday Live, or other special event.
Check out our event calendar here for more information on upcoming shows.
We have plenty of Real Live Music headed your way this month, and just in case you miss it on the airwaves, we made this Spotify playlist to keep you in the know. All of these artists are playing a WDVX event in November, whether it’s the Blue Plate Special, Tennessee Shines, Six O’Clock Swerve, First Friday Live, or other special event.
Check out our event calendar here for more information on upcoming shows.
The Secret City Radio Show will showcase the Cumberland Plateau and Clinch River Valley’s rich heritage with performances from musical guests, interviews with historians and local artists, and stories of the latest in innovative science.
A limited number of tickets are available for this show. Click here to purchase tickets now.
The show will be broadcast from the new American Museum of Science and
Energy (AMSE) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Secret City Radio Show will broadcast live on WDVX
at 89.9 FM, 102.9 FM in Knoxville and 93.9 FM in Seymour and Kodak, and online at
WDVX.com.
The Secret City Radio Show is made possible by its title sponsor, ORNL Federal Credit Union and official sponsorship support from UCOR,
The East Tennessee Foundation, UT-Battelle, RSI EnTech, and Strata-g, and technical support sponsorship from AMSE and Pellissippi State.
A limited number of tickets are available for this show. Click here to purchase tickets now.
Join East Tennessee’s own WDVX in kicking off its new monthly series, The Secret City Radio Show, broadcast live from the new American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Secret City Radio Show will showcase the Cumberland Mountain and Clinch River Valley’s rich heritage with performances from musical guests, interviews with historians and local artists, and stories of the latest in innovative science.
The public is invited to join the live audience for The Secret City Radio Show’s debut broadcast:
WHEN: Friday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Live from AMSE’s new location at 115 Main Street East in Oak Ridge
The debut show will feature bluegrass, country, and Americana musician Tim O’Brien with Jan Fabricius, followed by Traditional Irish musical guests Four Leaf Peat. Bill Alexander, the Appalachian Hippie Poet, will visit with his spoken word poetry and share the story of his regional restoration projects. Jeff Nichols will talking about the power of super computers and what it means to have the world’s most powerful computer in Oak Ridge, during the first science segment supported by Team UT-Battelle. Members of the live studio audience will be treated to an exclusive off-air concert by both musical guests in the show’s segment Behind the Fence.
The Secret City Radio Show will broadcast live on WDVX at 89.9 FM, 102.9 FM in Knoxville and 93.9 FM in Seymour and Kodak, and online at WDVX.com. The series will run for 10 months; the next program is currently scheduled for November 4 at AMSE.
This debut broadcast follows AMSE’s grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony, happening October 18 beginning at 10:30 a.m.
The Secret City Radio Show is made possible by its presenting sponsor, ORNL Federal Credit Union, and official sponsorship support from UCOR, The East Tennessee Foundation, RSI EnTech, Strata-G, Team UT Battelle, and Celebrate Oak Ridge, and technical support sponsorship from AMSE and Pellissippi State.
We’re also working on implementing a new streaming player on WDVX.com with an updated playlist feature, more accessible archives, and personalized podcasts!
