Kevin & Dustin Welch w/ Kelley Mickwee "Highland Mary"

OMG what a day! We are intrepidly reporting from MusicFest 2011 at Steamboat Springs. Day three of filming, in order of appearance in the Music Fog studio at the Steamboat Grand today: Randy Rogers, Charlie Robison, Sons of Bill, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, Uncle Lucius, Willy & Cody Braun from Reckless Kelly, Roger Creager and Paul Overstreet. Our tally for the three days of recording is 25 amazing artists, and we have captured lots of cool songs from each. It appears we might even have captured five brand new songs that have never been recorded, and two that were actually named during their recording session. We have been asking all the artists that came by what they thought about the MusicFest. Everyone talked about how great it is to be able to spend time with one another, share music and good times. That seems to be a mantra 'round these parts.

We had Kevin and Dustin Welch in the studio here, with Kelley Mickwee singing backup, on the song "Highland Mary." This collaboration embodies the spirit of MusicFest. It is just beautiful having them play together; father, son and Trisha member.

- Jessie Scott

Dirty River Boys "Union Painter"

Steamboat Day 3. Beans got up at 8 am today and slow roasted brisket in the studio kitchen. We were seduced by the aroma all day, and we finally got to eat by the end of the night with the Zack Walther Band. They were our final recording of the day. We also had visits from Jason Eady, Wade Bowen, Kevin and Dustin Welch, The Trishas, Will Kimbrough, Radney Foster, Micky Braun, and Luke Olson. Yes, it's all coming your way...you'll be able to "Get Down with the Get Down, Right On!" That's our new slogan on this trip, which Beans and Aaron heard on the radio on the way out to Oklahoma City to meet us girls. God Bless AM radio, great remnants of sound from other eras, in this case, the sounds of soul.

We had an amazing day, and once again I was struck by the level of songwriting; these are the best of our generation. Fun, serious, wholly awesome. Yesterday we had a Music Fog debut performance from El Paso's Dirty River Boys, Nino Cooper, Marco Gutierrez, and Travis Stearns. We loved it! This is also their first year at the MusicFest, so there are plenty of new eyes and ears on them---hope you're one of those sets. More video from Steamboat to come...

- Jessie Scott

Cody Canada & The Departed "Water Your Own Yard"

The Music Fog crew started the day with the crunch of snow underfoot, as we made our way to the City Market for provisions for the duration. Ya gotta have supplies! We are behind closed doors, well that actually is a singular door, anyway, at the Steamboat Grand Hotel. We are loving life here at MusicFest in Steamboat. Beans and Aaron once again got in touch with their feminine sides on the set decoration, and artists came by all day long. We had visits from Brandon Jenkins, Midnight River Choir, Gary P. Nunn, Dirty River Boys, Matt King, and Band of Heathens. Yes, you will be seeing these folks all upcoming in the not too distant future on Music Fog. Couple of other highlights today; we caught a bit of Uncle Lucius in the Grand Ballroom, and I got to emcee Reckless Kelly in the MusicFest tent. It was packed solid, and that feeling that is such a part of this event was in full force there. A whole lot of people here loving the music, and celebrating being here.

We started the day with Cody Canada and Seth James, representing the newly formed band The Departed. We all have been waiting to hear what they are up to, and it was bluesy and badass just like you would expect. Fine songwriting with soulful singing and playing. The Departed just had its debut show on December 29th at Gruene Hall, and also will be playing in the new ACL Live Facility coming up on February 11th in Austin. We have a taste for you right here, first video up from our MusicFest 2011 coverage, "Water Your Own Yard," a cautionary tale, indeed, from the pen of Tom Skinner.

- Jessie Scott