Adam Wakefield "Breaking Strings"

Nashville’s creative community continues to grow and morph into a many splendored landscape, with lots of scenes wrapping around the musical flavors. And then there is a smoke-signal-like communication when something special is happening. It was last summer that I started hearing about Adam Wakefield. Word on the street was that he had made a stellar album, and I caught him playing tunes from it first at The Basement. The album was produced by Scotty Murray from Anderson East’s band, and since then, I have had multiple Adam Wakefield sightings, and hearings, too. He is in the vein of the school of sultry Southern Rock - the one Chris Stapleton comes from, and yes, Adam was on The Voice, where he wowed folks.

That Adam Wakefield album is Gods & Ghosts, and it has a tune that I am crazy about called “Breaking Strings.” I edited the swear world out of the album track to be able to play it on the radio on WMOT, but as it is Adam’s latest single, there is now a more professional clip on the word in question. What can I say, radio still has those old school profanity rules, even though the amount of swearing you hear on live TV is pretty amped up lately. Music Fog filmed this version of “Breaking Strings” in February, during a private recording session in Nashville.

- Jessie Scott

Lilly Hiatt "Sucker"

Happy 5th! Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! I celebrated at Nashville’s Hot Chicken Festival, where the lines were crazy long for each hot chicken purveyor. Folks were inching along under threatening skies, with the occasional raindrop hinting of the possibility of a gulley washer at any moment. Such is the magnetic capability of Hot Chicken. Next time you are in Nashville you have to try some, and beware, some of it is massively hot. My friend Rich Mahan just put out a song about it on his new album Hot Chicken Wisdom called “Hot Chicken and an Ice Cold 40.”

Today marks another sort of milestone, it is Music Fog’s 1,000th video! We are celebrating too, as Music Fog is in its 10th year of bringing you intimate performances with beautiful pictures and awesome audio. Today’s artist is Lilly Hiatt. Yes, her Dad is indeed John Hiatt. Lilly’s most recent album is Trinity Lane, which is another East Nashville reference. The album bravely puts it out there, and Lilly rocks hard. You need to see her play, as well as getcha some hot chicken, dinner and a show! Here is the Music Fog video of “Sucker,” from that album. We filmed it in Nashville back in February.

- Jessie Scott

The Howlin' Brothers "Quiet Town"

Happy Summer! It’s official and it’s finally here. Last Friday was the longest day of the year, but don’t fret, it will be a glorious season of stretching out, taking trips, and exploring. Don’t forget to take some time before summer’s end to enjoy the delights, including the aroma of honeysuckle, and the taste of fresh blackberries and homegrown tomatoes, just as a starter.

Now where do you get these things? Might I suggest a drive to a town outside the city, with the hum of insects and the still of the midday? Today’s video extols the virtues of living on the outskirts of a “Quiet Town,” and it’s from our good buddies The Howlin’ Brothers. Jared Green, Ian Craft and Dan Swan came to play for the Music Fog cameras in Nashville this past February. They bring some mighty fine pickin’ to their old timey and folk vibe, with a traditional sentiment here, in “Quiet Town.” You’ll find the original on their new album Still Howlin’. Here is the Music Fog recording. Savor summer!

- Jessie Scott