Read Obit from Rolling Stone Magazine
John Prine
was an American country folk singer-songwriter. He has been active as a composer, recording artist, and live performer since the early 1970s, and is known for an often humorous style of country music that has elements of protest and social commentary. His legacy is being noted in every corner of the globe. Evidenced by the hundreds of recording on Facebook and Youtube by musicians covering his songs almost daily since his passing from Covid-19 in April 2020.
Check out long time lead guitarist Jason Wilber
Check out John’s son, Tommy Prine, carrying on the legacy.
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Postmodern Jukebox
Postmodern Jukebox
also widely known by the acronym PMJ, is a rotating musical collective founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee in 2011. PMJ is known for reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially early 20th century forms such as swing and jazz. Wikipedia
Breaking that down…PMJ takes songs you know, great singers and players, then performs them in an arrangement of an entirely different form than the original.
Check out the PMJ YouTube channel for a wide range of illustrations.
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James McMurtry
James McMurtry is an American rock and folk rock/americana singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader, and occasional actor. He performs with veteran bandmates Daren Hess, Cornbread, and Tim Holt. His father, novelist Larry McMurtry, gave him his first guitar at age seven.
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Ronnie Baker Brooks
Ronnie Baker Brooks is a prominent American Chicago blues and soul blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter who has carved out a unique identity while honoring his “blues royalty” lineage as the eldest musical son of the late legendary Lonnie Brooks. Born in Chicago in 1967, he has emerged as one of the most electrifying and innovative bluesmen, blending traditional Chicago blues with elements of soul, electric blues, rock, and funk.
Brooks began his musical journey at an early age, first performing on stage with his father at just nine years old. He initially joined his father’s band as a roadie, working his way up through hard work and determination before becoming the full-time second guitarist. He learned not only from his father but also from blues greats such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, and Koko Taylor. Koko Taylor notably told him, “You learn from your daddy everything you can. And one day, it’ll be up to you to carry the blues forward,” a mandate he took to heart.
Embarking on a solo career in 1998 with his debut album Golddigger, Brooks established his own sound and label, Watchdog Records, which also released Take Me Witcha (2001) and the critically acclaimed The Torch (2006). His music is often described as witty, soulful, and ferociously energetic, with “astonishing guitar work” and a powerful stage presence. He views his role as a bridge between the traditional blues of his mentors and the younger generation, incorporating modern musical influences like hip-hop to ensure the genre’s continued evolution.
Ronnie’s 2017 album, Times Have Changed, produced by Steve Jordan, featured collaborations with an array of talent, including Bobby “Blue” Bland in one of his final recorded works.
Blues in My DNA, released in October 2024 on Alligator Records, marks his debut on the prestigious label that was home to his father. The album has been a major success, earning Brooks three 2025 Blues Music Awards: “Song of the Year” for the title track, “Contemporary Blues Album of the Year,” and “Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year”. This recognition solidifies his place in the upper echelons of the blues world, an honor he now embraces with pride rather than obligation.
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