Keeping in mind classic folk sounds of the '60s and '70s while marching straight into the future, Nashville's John Salaway impresses on "The Beauty That Surrounds Us" from Americana Dreams.
Norwegian-American Signe Marie Rustad gazes into the lights of Oslo and finds hope after a long streak of writer's block. The result: "In a Thousand Lights", premiered with this interview.
Austin trio Nobody's Girl gives a freewheeling, late night holiday party atmosphere to the holiday classic, "Merry Christmas, Baby".
After stirring up a blend of bluegrass, outlaw country and hardscrabble Americana at their Denver-based outpost, the Drunken Hearts go for broke on Wheels of the City and discover more daring influences on the way to their desired destination.
The good outweighs the not so good on the Avett Brothers' Closer Than Together, but not by a lot. Is it time for producer Rick Rubin to move on?
Americana artist, Bobby Hawk's "Salt and Liquor" is a sprawling reflection featuring "ten thousand violins and a tuned down guitar in an Irish pub as big as the Grand Canyon".
In 2009, a flood of plaid-shirted indie-roots bands built on the beardy throwbacks who gained country-rock traction in 2008. And while mainstream country music continued its evolution into '80s pop metal, plenty of roots acts turned the other direction with back-to-basics records.
Stony Plain Records rounds up lost tapes from Canadian country/folk legends Ian and Sylvia Tyson performing as Great Speckled Bird in 1969. It was a very good discovery, indeed.
Roots rocker EG Vines shares his new album, Family Business, which addresses how "we're still struggling to understand each other's humanity".
The opening cut from Texas roots rockers Micky and the Motorcars' upcoming album is the classic Americana jam of "Road to You".
The Dead South combine bluegrass and string band sounds into one excellent package with Sugar and Joy.
Americana singer-songwriter, Jeremy Ivey is a romantic in tough guy clothes He may pessimistically perceive the world with his head, but his heart intrudes and he can't keep from smiling at the goodness.
Combining the sounds of prairie country and heartland rock, Moody Little Sister tease their upcoming album with "711 Lucky Street".
Singer-songwriter Horace Holloway is joined by Americana artist Caitlin Cary for a stirring and reflective folk tune based on the story of a National Historic Landmark, "El Santuario de Chimayo".
Lost Bayou Ramblers founder Louis Michot pays tribute to friend and mentor Ethel Mae Bourque with a touching collection of recordings that capture her inimitable spirit and the spirit of Louisiana.
On It Ain't the Same, Minneapolis singer-songwriter Jack Klatt offers hope that love and joy can still overcome the darkness of a world turned upside down.
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