Sierra Hull "Weighted Mind"

September was simply a blur. It started with the station I program, WMOT Roots Radio, celebrating its second birthday, then there was the ever expanding frenzy of AmericanaFest, and I wrapped the month at the Pilgrimage Music Festival in Franklin, TN. Some of the videos from the month, as well as earlier ones, live on WMOT’s VuHaus channel, take a peek! We were visited by remarkable musicianship and we had lots of fun. Of course, I missed the Music Foggers the whole time! Could a crew trip to Nashville be in the cards before the end of the year? I sure hope so.

Today we dig into the archives for the title track from Sierra Hull’s Weighted Mind album, as we bring you the Music Fog recording. Sierra was recently nominated for two 2018 IBMA Awards for her collaboration with Missy Raines, plus for Mandolin Player of the Year. The ceremony just took place at the end of September, where she got to present Chris Thile with a Distinguished Achievement Award.

We can’t wait for the next chapter, especially to see what Sierra Hull will bring us with celestial, soulful, and artful sonics. In the meantime, enjoy this new Music Fog version of “Weighted Mind” filmed at 3rd & Lindsley Backstage in the winter of 2016.

- Jessie Scott

Paul Burch "Black Lady Blues"

Summer got you sweating? Yeah, it has been an extra hot one for sure. I am looking forward to fall and AmericanaFest coming in September. One wonders if it’s just gonna stay hot forever. While we are talking sultry conditions, I have the perfect song. You might need some sort of chilled libation to drink while listening. I see a frosty glass, and you in a white linen suit, or maybe it’s pinstriped seersucker. There has been a move afoot of late in celebration of traditional music, as well as a new movement of real country coming back. For the latter, check out Cody Jinks, Paul Cauthen, and Joshua Hedley. For the former, of course Pokey LaFarge, Charley Crockett, Charlie Parr, and Paul Burch.

Paul captured the feel of a summer day in New Orleans on the tune “Black Lady Blues,” with an able assist from string player extraordinaire, Fats Kaplin on fiddle. The song can be found on Paul’s homage to the life of Jimmie Rodgers, Meridian Rising. Burch had the idea for this concept album for twenty years before he made it a reality, imagining songs as a musical autobiography, wrapped around Jimmie’s life, and set sonically in the era. That the era is still alive today is super cool. Look for Paul Burch at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival this weekend in Okemah, OK and check out the Music Fog video of “Black Lady Blues” from 3rd & Lindsley Backstage a couple of seasons back.

- Jessie Scott

Jimmy LaFave & Friends "I Ain't Got No Home"

It was a year ago today that Jimmy LaFave left.

Of late, I think we all feel we've been saying goodbye to too many folks we love, honor, and respect. Certain people, though, are so full of life that their loss seems staggering and impossible to believe, even though a year has gone by. Hanging recently with other friends that loved Jimmy as we at Music Fog did, we paid homage to his indelible spirit, his enormous talent, and his impressive body of work.

Photo Credit: Jimmy LaFaveDid you know that he took photographs during his travels? There was an Austin gallery show in March that featured his work, and sometime this year there is music coming from him. Peace Town will include four songs featuring Woody Guthrie lyrics that Jimmy set to music, plus interpretations of tunes from Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, Pete Townshend, Robbie Robertson, Butch Hancock, Leon Russell, J.J. Cale, as well as original Jimmy LaFave compositions.

We are sharing a tune with you today, filmed in Okemah, Oklahoma, during WoodyFest in 2010. Here's Jimmy LaFave doing Woody Guthrie’s "I Ain’t Got No Home In this World Anymore,” with Joel Rafael, John Inmon, Andrew Hardin, David Amran, Radoslav Lorkovic, and Glenn Schuetz. Peace be with you and yours, Jimmy. We miss you.

- Jessie Scott