String Theory Media

new work: sam bush live in studio

We've had a couple of very busy months and it's been hard to find time to post, but at last we have some new pieces ready for public consumption. Here's an exciting performance mini-doc made with Sam Bush in support of his fantastic new album Circles Around Me. We shot seven songs straight with no fixes live at Cowboy Jack Clement's famous Nashville recording studio. Episode one of Sam Bush TV features the album's title track. Much more great stuff to come.

launching tomorrow: "music city roots" on WSM

I can't believe it's already here, but after many months of planning, we're set to launch the first new non-Opry live show on WSM-AM in more than fifty years. "Music City Roots: Live From The Loveless Cafe" will air Wednesdays from 7 to 9 pm from the new barn out near the intersection of Highway 100 and Natchez Trace Parkway just behind the world-famous Loveless Cafe. Opening night features Emmylou Harris, Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose, plus new faces Annie Crane and Robin Aigner. There's no significance to the all female lineup; it just worked out that way. But we are excited about the talent this week, next week (Sam Bush, Mike Farris, etc.) and beyond. 

Music City Roots is a showcase for Americana music, including traditional country, innovative folk, bluegrass and anything else that's simply great. Eddie Stubbs will emcee, with a rotating cast of guest hosts introducing the music and yours truly in the interviewer's chair, attempting to pack career-defining interviews into five to six minutes. Then I'll be blogging about the show at www.musiccityroots.com. 

MCR is the brainchild of Todd Mayo, who previously launched Bluegrass Underground on WSM, and John Walker, sales manager and true believer in the power of good music and live radio. These guys have been extraordinary in their vision and tireless in their efforts to get this show launched. Besides that, WSM has made a commitment to broadening its playlist from classic country into Americana, and it's been extremely exciting as a student of the station's history and a believer in its future to see it embracing a timeless format where country music's yesterday, today and tomorrow sit easily side by side. Most exciting though is to see GM Chris Kulick and Program Director Joe Limardi commit to live music on the air, which is what made WSM great in the first place. 

My feeling is that with everything in chaos in the music business, the best thing all of us can do is go back to basics. America built a successful marriage of art and commerce in music during the mid 20th century, and it seems like it's time to go forward by going backwards, to real talent development, live performance, presentation, context and unbridled enthusiasm. Music City Roots is ready to try.

new work: sam & ruby

This morning WPLN aired my feature on Nashville duo Sam & Ruby, an enthralling pair of singers and songwriters who deserve and just might just find that elusive national audience. It's smart pop/folk melded with smoky soul, and it's very real. They'd sound great on Dave or Conan's shows. I'm just sayin'.

new work: steep canyon rangers

It's release day for a superb new album from the Steep Canyon Rangers, and we were fortunate to work with the band on this video profile covering their career, the new disc and their new tour with Steve Martin. Last month I attended the band's Mountain Song Festival in Brevard, NC, a lovely day and a half of music in the heart of the Blue Ridge. Whether backing Steve Martin on his banjo originals or playing their own stuff, this is one of the finest bands going, one that is starting to transcend the usual audience limits of bluegrass. Below the EPK is a one-shot performance of the new song Nowhere To Lay Low recorded in a dressing room of the Ryman Auditorium. Enjoy.