Zack Walther Band "Get Up"

They came in with the aid of a bellman, and two carts. I had been trying to set up our session with the Zack Walther Band in advance, but connectivity was spotty up in the mountains, and for a second, I wondered if they were going to be bringing us full concert production. No, not to worry, they just had to bring all their stuff along, but weren't going to use it all. It got crowded in our room at the Steamboat Grand, but in a good way. Our "studio" threatened to become a frat party several times through the week. Zack Walther and the band have developed this artistic progression with a residency from legendary Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX, where George Strait, Townes Van Zandt, Lyle Lovett, Hal Ketchum, and Robert Earl Keen all came before. The Zack Walther Band's debut CD Ambition, came out in 2009. It was produced by Mark Addison, who has credits that include Ian Moore, Guy Forsyth, Band of Heathens, Bob Schneider, Will Sexton and others, and so they are in good company once again.

All that stuff was made especially meaningful when they started to play. It was 'close your eyes and go for a ride' time. All us Music Foggers felt it. We all listened back to the recording after it was done; one at a time, the band, us, all putting the headphones on and basking in Aaron's mix and the band's steady roll. It was quite magical, as strangers became friends. Then we kept running into the guys from the band everywhere we went, from that evening on. Such is the power of the community that John Dickson creates at MusicFest in Steamboat Springs. Giggles! Here is one of the Zack Walther Band songs from that session, "Get Up." I believe I will!

- Jessie Scott

The Trishas "Give It Away"

Full disclosure. There were a whole lotta GUYS that we filmed at this year's MusicFest at Steamboat. And a handful of women, and they are called The Trishas. They were born, same time as we were, two years ago at MusicFest, as the backup singers for Ray Wylie Hubbard's performance of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone." They commented that Ray even taught them how to do the choreography, by way of The Temptations from back in the day. The girls had gotten together towards the end of 2008 for what they thought was going to be one show, a tribute to songwriter Kevin Welch at 2009's MusicFest at Steamboat. So Jamie Wilson, of the band The Gougers, Liz Foster, late of Liz & Lincoln, Kelley Mickwee, formerly of Jed & Kelley, and Kevin's daughter Savannah Welch became The Trishas. And two others have been added to their ranks, Trisha Keefer, and John Ross Silva. They have been growing the story ever since---writing, touring, and getting better every time we see them.

At their Steamboat gig this year, there was a line out the door to get in before their show started. People that have seen them tell their friends, and so on, and so on. We hope you will tell your friends after you watch this video, that is, if you haven't already told them, and go see them out on tour. Last summer The Trishas released what they call a 'mini-album,' They Call Us The Trishas. From it, let's dig into a Music Fog version of "Give It Away."

- Jessie Scott

Update on 2011-11-05 02:45 by Music Fog

The Music Fog version of this song is now available to download at either of the stores below:

Gary P. Nunn "London Homesick Blues"

My last night In Nashville was Friday night, and I got to attend a great party at the office of Red Beet Records, with gracious hosts Eric Brace and Mary Ann Werner. They have a studio/stage set up in the corner of their workspace, and there were SO many wonderful players, trading licks into the night. Many of them live in East Nashville (and many of them have appeared in front of the Music Fog cameras), and we rocked the night away. I savor these moments, as this is what it is all about. The fraternity, the sharing of time and music and love. I can't even list all the players, as I am sure I would leave someone out! It was a simply remarkable night where the players kept changing, but the music was consistently sublime! I had a friend who used to sign off on her letters (back when people wrote letters) "Drink Deep, Never Thirst." Words to take to heart, a method of living, a mindset that allows you to embrace the moment. A couple of days ago, when I got to town, Eric played me the new Tom T. Hall tribute album that he and Peter Cooper produced. It is coming out soon, and you won't believe how reverent, and how awesome it is.

These were two trips back to back for me, having been at MusicFest in Steamboat Springs before I made my way to Nashville. Yaws! Now at Steamboat, you know we filmed so many artists there, and that we are trying to bring this content to you as fast as we can. And you know we love segueing daily between legends and brand new artists, old friends and new. There is a continuum to it all, it is great to see the tradition being passed down, the torch still burning bright of this real American music. Music Fog gets to be a fly on the wall! One of the for sure highlights of our shoot in Colorado, was the visit of Gary P. Nunn and his band. It was the first time that they made their way to MusicFest, and our first session with them, too. Righteous wordsmith, national treasure, Texas favorite son. Here he is in all his glory, as we go Home with the Armadillo.

- Jessie Scott