Will Hoge "Nikki's a Republican Now"

Just back from Austin, and though I am still lit up at the music we presented from thirty bands at The Backstage at El Mercado on WMOT Roots Radio, I gotta tell you I am still a bit tired. Ah well, there is time for sleep later. Right at the beginning of February, Music Fog filmed 29 artists, and we are rolling out one a week from those 10th Anniversary Sessions, so look for a new video every Friday. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get first alerts of video premeires, and to interact with the MF tribe, which has grown to over 81,000 subscribers! We absolutely love to share this music with you.

Will Hoge returns to the Music Fog cameras, and it is so good to have him back. Today's song is brought to you with the best folk-singer intentions. I typically don't get political, but we sure don't stop our artists from exploring. Will has been incredibly productive lately, putting out an album called Anchors in 2017, then turning out another in 2018, My American Dream. The latter is quite the political statement, written as a commentary on the world his children are growing up in. From it, we bring you the Music Fog recording of "Nikki's A Republican Now." Seriously, it could happen to anyone!

- Jessie Scott

Sarah Potenza - Keep on Holdin'

SXSW© is in full swing for 2019, with musicians scurrying around town to get to the next gig. Parking karma is most welcome this time of year. Speaking of, it is spring in Austin and it is just gorgeous. It will be hot soon, but right now it is perfect.

Perfect days include music, and I am so happy to be presenting 30 artists this week for WMOT Roots Radio, as we broadcast and webcast live from The Backstage at El Mercado. Among those 30 is one larger than life persona, Sarah Potenza. She is the embodiment of female empowerment, of seizing the day and going after what you want. Sarah has a new album out, Road to Rome. At the start of February, she came to play with Ian Crossman for the Music Fog cameras. Here is the our recording of "Keep On Holding." Right before she started playing it she called it "the story of my life..." Play on Sarah, and Happy Birthday!

- Jessie Scott

Will Kimbrough "I Like It Down Here"

SXSW© is next week. I have been attending for over two decades, though many of my music biz friends have given up on the experience. Yes it is crowded, yes it is unwieldy, and yes it is difficult to even naviagte around Austin. It is, however, still a thrill for me to be in the company of thousands of music lovers and artists from all over the world. We become a community with a single purpose; to revel in the wonder of all the music brought forth by people of every stripe. I dunno, it just quickens my breath. Of course you know my radio station WMOT is broadcasting and videocasting 30 artists for the 895 Sessions from The Backstage at El Mercado on South 1st starting Tuesday. Also, we are partnering in the day party at the Cactus Cafe on Tuesday with KUTX Radio. We are presenting sets by Shinyribs, Carrie Rodriguez, Carson McHone, Ben Dickey, Chris Shiflett, and Robert Ellis. You will hear all these sets on the air at WMOT afterwards and the broadcast schedule will be announced.

"Getting down in it" is the sentiment of the brand new title from Will Kimbrough. I Like It Down Here is coming out on April 19th, but its already generating buzz. Will was accompanied by Bryan Owings, and Chris Donohue for the Music Fog video session at the beginning of February. Frankly, we couldn't wait to get this one out. Effortless playing, intoxicating lyrics and the gruff and grit that Will always brings make for a compeling title track. See for yourself, here is "I Like It Down Here."

- Jessie Scott