Filtering Tag: Music
Sierra Hull
Sierra Hull is a virtuoso mandolinist and singer-songwriter who has redefined the boundaries of modern bluegrass. Originally from Byrdstown, Tennessee, Hull was a child prodigy who made her Grand Ole Opry debut at age 11 alongside her mentor, Alison Krauss. She later became the first bluegrass musician to receive the Presidential Scholarship to Berklee College of Music.
Hull’s career is marked by historic achievements, including being the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Mandolin Player of the Year—an honor she has now won seven times. Her discography, featuring Grammy-nominated albums like Weighted Mind and 25 Trips, showcases her evolution from a traditional picker to an inventive artist blending folk, jazz, and pop.
In 2025, she released her first independent album, A Tip Toe High Wire, which earned four nominations at the 2026 Grammy Awards, including Best Bluegrass Album. Beyond performing, she mentors the next generation as an instructor at ArtistWorks, cementing her status as a leading creative force in contemporary acoustic music.
Rickie Lee Jones
Rickie Lee Jones occupies a unique space in the American musical landscape, serving as a bridge between the gritty bohemianism of the late 1970s and the sophisticated, genre-bending artistry of the modern era. Often hailed as the “Duchess of Coolsville,” Jones burst into the public consciousness in 1979 with a sound that felt entirely new. Her eponymous debut album arrived with a mixture of street-smart poetry and jazz-inflected phrasing. The massive success of the single “Chuck E.’s in Love” turned her into an overnight sensation, making her the face of a new kind of singer-songwriter—one comfortable with both beatnik aesthetics and pop sensibilities.
Her nomadic childhood laid the foundation for this restless spirit. Born in Chicago and raised across several states, Jones developed a worldview as a permanent outsider. This sense of displacement became a central theme in her songwriting, fueling the cinematic narratives of her albums. By the time she reached Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, she was a fixture of the Troubadour scene. While her relationship with Tom Waits during this period became legendary, it was her own musical identity—characterized by complex arrangements and a refusal to stick to a single tempo—that defined her legacy
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Following her debut, Jones defied the “sophomore slump” with Pirates (1981). To many, this remains her masterpiece. It was an ambitious, darker record featuring sprawling tracks like “The Last Chance Texaco.” Pirates showcased her ability to weave intricate stories of the American road into a tapestry of jazz, rock, and R&B. During this time, her reputation for being uncompromising was solidified; she followed her muse rather than industry trends
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As the years progressed, Jones continued to surprise audiences with stylistic shifts. She delved into the Great American Songbook with albums like Girl at Her Volcano and Pop Pop, proving herself one of the finest interpretive singers of her generation. Her ability to deconstruct a standard allowed her to stand alongside jazz greats. Yet, she never stayed in one place; in 1997, she released Ghostyhead, an experimental trip-hop album that proved her songwriting could thrive even in electronic contexts.
The turn of the millennium saw Jones leaning into her role as a chronicler of the human condition. Albums like Balm in Gilead showcased an artist grappling with spirituality and aging. Her voice gained a weathered, soulful quality that added weight to her lyrics. In 2021, she released her memoir, Last Chance Texaco, providing a raw look at her life from her traumatic youth to her enduring commitment to her craft
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Recently, Jones found a new home in New Orleans, which influenced her 2023 album Pieces of Treasure. This return to jazz roots earned her an eighth Grammy nomination and feels like a full-circle moment for an artist who has retained her edge. Rickie Lee Jones remains a singular figure, a troubadour finding beauty in the margins and poetry in the everyday.
Molly Tuttle
Molly Rose Tuttle is an American vocalist, songwriter, banjo player, guitarist, recording artist, and teacher in the bluegrass tradition. She is noted for her flatpicking, clawhammer, and crosspicking guitar prowess. Wikipedia
“A female flat picker extraordinaire with agility, speed, and elegance who distinctively brings American roots music into the spotlight.”—NPR
“A vibrant blend of bluegrass with flashes of Old West, anchored by Tuttle’s earthy-yet-angelic vocal and the entire group’s ace musicianship.” —Billboard
Raised in northern California, singer-songwriter and bluegrass musician Molly Tuttle moved to Nashville in 2015. In the years since, she has been nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy and won awards for Album of the Year at the 2023 International Folk Music Awards, Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2022 International Bluegrass Music Awards, and Instrumentalist of the Year at the 2018 Americana Music Awards. She also won consecutive Guitar Player of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2017 and 2018—and was the first woman to win the award, let alone win it twice.
Tuttle and her band, Golden Highway, released their latest album, City of Gold, in July 2023. The Grammy-winning album followed Tuttle’s acclaimed 2022 record, Crooked Tree, which also won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Produced by Tuttle and celebrated progressive bluegrass musician Jerry Douglas, City of Gold was inspired by Tuttle’s constant touring with Golden Highway, during which she and the band have grown and cohered as musicians and performers. Musical Instrument Museum
Her song Crooked Tree (video w/Jerry Douglas) also visits the subject of Alopecia Areata (article) and Molly.
Molly Tuttle has ushered in an exciting new chapter in her career by forming an all-female touring band, stepping away from the four-year run with Golden Highway. This change aligns with the release of her new solo album So Long Little Miss Sunshine, set for August 15, 2025. It signals a stylistic expansion beyond bluegrass, blending pop, country, and rock – a direction further emphasized in her all-female backing band choice.
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.
Rodney Crowell
Born in 1950 in Houston, Texas, Rodney Crowell has built a career as one of the most significant figures in the evolution of Americana music. Raised in a musical household where his father led a honky-tonk band, Crowell began playing drums in that group at age 11. His journey took him to Nashville in 1972, where he befriended a circle of legendary songwriters, including Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. This early period was formative, as Crowell absorbed the craft of songwriting with a literary and poetic lens that would define his life’s work. His talent was quickly recognized by Emmylou Harris, who recorded his song “Bluebird Wine” and invited him to join her famous Hot Band as a guitarist and harmony singer in 1975.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Crowell established himself as a premier songwriter for other artists. His compositions reached the top of the charts via icons like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Bob Seger, whose recording of Crowell’s “Shame on the Moon” became a massive pop and country success. Crowell also served as a producer, notably for his then-wife Rosanne Cash, helping to shape the sound of neo-traditionalist country music. However, it was his 1988 solo album, Diamonds & Dirt, that made him a superstar in his own right. The album achieved the unprecedented feat of producing five consecutive #1 country singles, including “After All This Time,” which won him his first Grammy for Best Country Song.
As the 1990s progressed, Crowell consciously moved away from the mainstream country machine to pursue more personal and autobiographical projects. This shift began in earnest with the 2001 release of The Houston Kid, a semi-autobiographical collection that explored his childhood and roots with stark honesty. This record, along with follow-ups like Fate’s Right Hand and The Outsider, is regarded by critics and Crowell himself as some of his most vital work. His literary prowess eventually extended to the page with his acclaimed memoir, Chinaberry Sidewalks, published in 2011.
Crowell’s later career has been marked by high-profile collaborations and continued innovation. He reunited with Emmylou Harris for the 2013 album Old Yellow Moon, which earned another Grammy for Best Americana Album. He has remained remarkably prolific well into his 70s, releasing projects like the Jeff Tweedy-produced The Chicago Sessions (2023) and his 20th studio album, Airline Highway (2025), which features contributions from younger artists like Ashley McBryde and Lukas Nelson. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Crowell is celebrated as a “songwriter’s songwriter” whose influence spans over five decades of American roots music.
The Boneshakers
The Boneshakers w/Jenny Langer
The iconic band lead by world-renowned guitarist Randy Jacobs of Was (Not Was). The Boneshakers and members have toured and recorded with Bonnie Raitt, BB King, Seal, Keb Mo, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Mindi Abair, Bootsy Collins, Tears 4 Fears, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Iggy Pop…just to name a few. STORIED CAREER Flashback to 1980 — During his maiden session for Don and David Was, Randy Jacobs meets Sweetpea Atkinson on a cold night in the Motor City at Sound Suite Studio (the recording home of the fledgling band Was (Not Was). The connection was immediate and a bond was forged between the two artists. Their combined talents would help Was (Not Was) become a successful act during the 80’s and into the early 90s culminating with the worldwide hit “Walk The Dinosaur ” co-written by Jacobs. After their European tour with Dire Straits in 1992, the Was Band went on hiatus and Randy started playing and recording with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, BB King, Seal, Paula Abdul, Kris Kristofferson, Ofra Haza, Tears For Fears, Warren Hill and others. Sweetpea was in Los Angeles adding background vocals to artists like Neil Diamond, Bonnie Raitt, Keb Mo, and Bob Segar. When Atkinson heard that Jacobs was putting together a new project, he jumped at the chance to be a part of it. It was Bonnie Raitt who inadvertently gave them their name “Boneshakers” while they were working on her “Longing In Our Hearts” CD. In 1996, the two were signed to Pointblank/Virgin Records and produced two CDs for the label: “Book Of Spells” (1997) which included Randy’s rockin’ swing arrangement of James Brown’s “Cold Sweat” and the powerful “Shake The Planet” (1998). Over the years, The Boneshakers released another four successful albums. Additionally, they joined forces with sax queen Mindi Abair and released Live in Seattle on Concord Records. Two more albums were credited to Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers: The EastWest Sessions (2017) and All I Got for Christmas Is the Blues (2018).
In 2020, the band suffered an unimaginable loss with news of the passing of Sweetpea. THE LEGACY CONTINUES Now in 2022, as The Boneshakers celebrate the 25th anniversary of their first release, a new energy and excitement has emerged. Producer John Wooler, who originally signed The Boneshakers in 1997, connected Randy and the incredible Jenny Langer– a powerhouse singer who was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame (NYC and VA) at the age of 28 and won the 2020 Int’l Blues Challenge for Best SelfProduced Album. What started as a few tracks for her project quickly morphed in a new album with The Boneshakers featuring no-holds-barred funk, blues, and rock that marries the sounds and spirits of Detroit Rock City, Memphis, and Mussel Shoals. Produced by Wooler, it is back to the original vision of The Boneshakers’ fiery sound, with the vocal dynamo Jenny Langer behind the mic and original musicians from “The Book Of Spells” Sergio Gonzales (Drums), Nathan Brown (Bass), Jon Gilutin (Keys), The Texacali Horns (Joe Sublett, Mark Pender, and Randy’s former band mate from Was (Not Was) Sir Harry Bowens on vocals.
BAND MEMBERS:
Randy Jacobs (Guitar/Vocals)
Holly Montgomery (Bass/Vocals)
Arthur Thompson (Drums/vocals)
Jenny Langer (Vocals)
Old Crow Medicine Show
Old Crow Medicine Show got their start busking on street corners in 1998, from New York state and up through Canada, winning audiences along the way with their boundless energy and spirit. They eventually found themselves in Boone, North Carolina where they caught the attention of folk icon Doc Watson while playing in front of a pharmacy. He invited the band to play at his festival, MerleFest, and the rest is history.
It’s been over twenty years since these humble beginnings. The band has gone on to receive the honor of being inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry, and have won two Grammy Awards: “Best Folk Album” for Remedy (2014) and “Best Long Form Music Video” for Big Easy Express (2013). Additionally, their classic single, “Wagon Wheel”, received the RIAA’s Double-Platinum certification in 2019 for selling over 2,000,000 copies while the band’s debut album O.C.M.S. has been certified Gold (500,000 copies). The band’s latest release is Live At The Ryman (2019) which was released on Columbia via The Orchard. Old Crow Medicine Show’s latest endeavor is the Hartland Hootenanny, a variety show hosted on You Tube that features music, storytelling, special guests, socially distanced square dancing and more. (Courier Express)
Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers
Chambers DesLauriers embodies love, resilience, and the stirring power of blues, soul, and rock ‘n roll. Fronted by the magnetic duo Annika Chambers and Paul DesLauriers, this band unites two celebrated artists whose music and story inspire audiences worldwide.
Their love story began in 2018 with a moment straight out of a movie. During a busy music conference in Memphis, TN, in a jam-packed lobby at the Orpheum Theatre, “we immediately locked eyes,” Annika muses simply about their first magical meeting. But fate had other plans—they wouldn’t cross paths again for another year, and their connection was undeniable when they did. A whirlwind romance, quick engagement, and marriage followed, and now, six years later, their love continues to shine—on stage and off.
Annika Chambers cut her teeth singing in church as a child and led her first song at age 15. Influenced by Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Yolanda Adams, and Mavis Staples, she hit the stage in her hometown of Houston for the first time as a professional singer in 2008.
Her strength and determination stem from her 7 ½ years in the U.S. Army, where she served two tours of duty. During this time, she first discovered the blues, and from there, her musical path was set. Annika has cemented her place as a force to be reckoned with in the blues world, earning three Blues Music Awards for Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year (2019, 2022, 2024), with another nomination in 2025.
Hailing from Cornwall, Ontario, Paul DesLauriers picked up his first instrument at age five and never looked back. Studying the greats—B.B. King, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, and Peter Green—he immersed himself in their playing while developing his own distinct style. By 15, he was gigging professionally and, soon after, touring the world under his name. A six-time Maple Blues Award winner, DesLauriers has earned his place as one of Canada’s premier blues-rock guitarists.
A survivor of a traumatic brain injury in 2018, Paul’s experience only reinforced one truth: music was his anchor. “No matter what life throws at you, when you pick up a guitar, it reminds you who you are. I’m blessed that it wasn’t taken away from me. I just had to keep moving forward through the fog.”
Dawes
Dawes is an American folk-rock band that has spent the last decade and a half serving as the primary torchbearers for the “Laurel Canyon sound.” Formed in Los Angeles in 2009 following the dissolution of the post-punk band Simon Dawes, the group transitioned into a more organic, roots-oriented aesthetic. Led by brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith, the band quickly established itself as a critical darling, blending the poetic introspection of 1970s singer-songwriters with the muscular, live-performance energy of a seasoned rock ensemble. Their music is often described as timeless, evoking the ghost of Jackson Browne, the harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and the gritty guitar sensibilities of Neil Young.
At the heart of the band’s identity is Taylor Goldsmith’s songwriting. He is widely regarded as one of his generation’s most gifted lyricists, possessing an uncanny ability to spin conversational phrases into profound existential observations. His songs often function as short stories, populated by characters grappling with the passage of time, the nuances of modern love, and the quiet tragedies of everyday life. This narrative depth is anchored by his brother Griffin’s drumming, which is characterized by a melodic, soulful touch that provides the band’s rhythmic backbone. Together, their sibling chemistry creates a telepathic musical foundation that has remained the group’s constant through various lineup changes.
The band’s discography serves as a chronicle of their evolution from retro-leaning folk-rockers to sophisticated studio craftsmen. Their debut album, North Hills, was recorded live to analog tape, capturing a warm, hazy atmosphere that felt like a rediscovered relic from 1971. As they progressed through albums like Nothing Is Wrong and Stories Don’t End, their sound expanded to include more polished production and adventurous arrangements. However, they never lost the “live in a room” feel that makes their records feel intimate and authentic. By the time they reached All Your Favorite Bands, they had solidified their status as a premiere live act, known for extended jams and a rotating setlist that rewards a dedicated, cult-like following.
In recent years, Dawes has navigated a significant transition. After the departure of long-time members Wylie Gelber and Lee Pardini, the Goldsmith brothers decided to continue as a duo, a move reflected in their ninth studio album, Oh Brother (2024). This latest era emphasizes the raw connection between the two siblings, stripping back some of the auxiliary instrumentation to focus on the interplay between Taylor’s guitar and Griffin’s percussion. Despite the smaller core membership, the band continues to tour with a robust live lineup, maintaining their reputation for high-energy performances that bridge the gap between indie-folk and classic stadium rock.
Ultimately, Dawes occupies a unique space in the modern musical landscape. They are a band’s band, frequently invited to back legendary artists like Jackson Browne, Robbie Robertson, and Elvis Costello. They have avoided the fleeting trends of the digital age, opting instead for a career built on craftsmanship, touring, and a deep respect for the tradition of American songwriting. For their fans, a Dawes song is more than just a melody; it is a mirror reflecting the complexities of growing up and growing older in an ever-changing world.
Dawes-FB page
