Routes & Branches 5/25/13

I had Dennis Winslow, Dave Stricker, Stephanie Pranzetti and David Wall, otherwise known as the Portland band Shoebox Letters stop by the studio this week. They stopped by to preview a few of their new songs from the upcoming CD called "Crossing Words". Stephanie takes the lead vocal on "I Can Tell" an upbeat tune about young love. David wrote and takes the lead on "New Eyes Now" about changing one's outlook on a relationship. Dennis finished the set with a tune called "Boones Ferry Road" a country tinged rocker about facing the ghosts of one's past. I like all three tunes which showcase the diverse musical abilities of Shoebox Letters.

I had a conflict this week when both Corb Lund and The Black Lillies played a block away from each other on the same night. I hate it when that happens. Since my wife is a big Corb Lund fan, he won the decision, but I do like The Black Lillies' new CD "Runaway Freeway Blues" a lot.


3pm
Widespread Panic - Good Morning Little School Girl - Wood
Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice It's All Right - The Whitmark Demos 1962-1964
Rosanne Cash - Girl From The North Country - The List
Blitzen Trapper - My Home Town - American Goldwing
Frank Bang & The Secret Stash - My Own Country Way - Double Dare
The Black Lillies - Smokestack Lady - Runaway Freeway Blues
John Fogerty - Born On The Bayou - The Long Road Home
Lewi Longmire And The Left Coast Roasters - Live With Love
Dave & Phil Alvin & Sheryl Crow - So Goddam Smart - Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County
Duane Allman - Goin Down Slow - Sky Dog The Retrospective
4pm
Shoebox Letters - I Can Tell - Live In The KRVM Studio
Shoebox Letters - New Eyes Now - Live In The KRVM Studio
Shoebox Letters - Boones Ferry Road - Live In The KRVM Studio
Switchback - Pour Me - Kanoka
Buddy Miller - Yellow Submarine - Let Us In Americana
Ryan Bingham - Heart Of Rhythm - Tomorrowland
Corb Lund  - The Gothest Girl I Can - Cabin Fever
Jason Isbell - Songs That She Sang In The Shower - Southeastern
Cascade Rye - Give Her Everything - Cascade Rye
Dominique Pruitt - Love Of Your Life - Dominique Pruitt
Widespread Panic W/ Col. Bruce Hampton - Fixin to Die - Wood

Routes & Branches 5/18/13

It was good to be back in the studio after taking a week off to visit my family. Thanks to Nancy for sitting in for me.

The Americana Music association announce the nominations for this year's awards recently so I had a set starting the second hour of 4 of the 5 albums nominated for album of the year. I didn't have a copy of the Shovels and Rope CD "O' Be Joyful" which was also nominated.  Of the other 4 albums that I did play, I must say that it would be hard for me to choose one over the others as my favorite. I have played all of them several times on my show and I like several tracks on each CD. I also found it interesting that all of the album nominations except for John Fullbright were by duos that were also nominated for that category. It will be interesting to see who wins in September.

New tracks this week were from Jason Isbell, Eric McMann, Reed Turner, and the Doug Prescott Band. Also an interesting collaboration from John Mellencamp Steven King and T Bone Burnett on a musical called "Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County" which started out as a story which Mellencamp told to King and was premiered last spring in Atlanta. The sound track has several artists helping out with the music including Dave and Phil Alvin, Sheryl Crow, Taj Mahal, Ryan Bingham and Kris Kristofferson.

3pm
John Hiatt - We're Alright Now - Mystic Pinball
Jason Isbell - Cover Me Up - Southeastern
The Black Crows - Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You - Wiser For Time
Eric McMann - The Red White And Blue - The Last American Songbook
The Black Lillies - Ramblin' Boy - Runaway Freeway Blues
New Riders Of The Purple Sage - Down For The Ride - 17 Pine Avenue
Doug Prescott Band - Purple Heart In A Crown Vic - Blues In The Key Of Sea
Ryan Bingham & Will Dailey - Brotherly Love - Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County
Taj Mahal - Tear This Cabin Down - Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County
Blitzen Trapper - Love The Way You Walk Away - American Goldwing
4pm
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell - Chase The Feeling - Old Yellow Moon
John Fullbright - Moving - From The Ground Up
Kelly Willis & Bruce Robinson - Border Radio - Cheater's Game
Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale - The Train That Carried my Gal From Town - Buddy & Jim
Richard Thompson - Good Things Happen To Bad People - Electric
Corb Lund - Dig Gravedigger Dig - Cabin Fever
Reed Turner - Killed That Girl ('Cause She Was Killin' Me) - Ghosts In The Attic
Jason Isbell - Super 8 - Southeastern
The California Honeydrops - When It Was Wrong - Spreadin' Honey
Blue Mule - Why? - This Way Or That
Dailey & Vincent - Back To Hancock County - Brothers Of The Highway
Tear Stained Letters - Nothing To It - Tear Stained Letters

Routes & Branches 5/4/13

With the weather feeling like summer is already here in Eugene I felt like getting ready for all of the great summer shows by playing several live jamin' tracks this week!

A set of Wayne Hancock tunes to celebrate his recent birthday. For some reason I thought he was older than me. Maybe it's that great old timey sound he has.

Also new music from Marshall Chapman, Kim Richey, Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Mike Archer and Ruth Moody.

I finished the show with a salute to the local Sasquatch Brew Festival this weekend with Corb Lund's 'Drink Like You Mean It'.

3pm
Levon Helm - The Weight - Ramble At The Ryman
Chris Chandler & Paul Benoit - So Where Ya Headed? / Pancho And Lefty - So Where Ya Headed?
Son Volt - Down The Highway - Honky Tonk
Wayne Hancock - Working At Working - Viper Of Melody
Wayne Hancock - Johnny Law - That's What Daddy Wants
Wayne Hancock - Home With My Baby - Ride
Marshall Chapman - Love In The Wind - Blaze Of Glory
Kim Richey - Breakaway Speed - Thorn In My Heart
Steve Martin & Edie Brickell - Love Has Come From You - Love Has Come From You
The California Honeydrops - When It Was Wrong - Live

4pm
Mike Archer - Shoulda Coulda Woulda - Shoulda Coulda Woulda
Ryan Bingham - Neverending Show - Tomorrowland
Steve Earle - Jerusalem - Jerusalem
Kasey Anderson - Nowhere Nights - Nowhere Nights
The Infamous Stringdusters - No More To Leave You Behind - We'll Do It Live
Whitewater Ramble - Beyer's Canyon - Roots & Groove
Railroad Earth - The Old Man And The Land - Elko
David Bromberg - Dark Hollow - Live New York City 1982
Ruth Moody - Trouble And Woe - These Wilder Things
Corb Lund - Drink Like You Mean It - Cabin Fever

Routes & Branches 4/27/13

I started today's show with a tune by George Jones who passed away yesterday. I was not a big Jones fan growing up, but as I have programed this radio show I realized what an influence he was on so many of the artists I do play, so I had to get a greatest hits CD when I saw it in the sale bin at my local record shop. For those who are  not familiar with KRVM, we have another show on Saturday mornings called 'Country Clasics' hosted by my good friend Johnny Ethridge who had a great show this morning featuring Jones' music.

So, with Willie Nelson celebrating his 80th trip around the sun this week I decided to honor him as the feature artist of my show. Willie is one of the musicians I grew up listening to and I still admire today. I have enjoyed his shows every time he has stopped here in Eugene. He is so supportive of younger musicians and family. Listening to his most recent CD, I was most impressed by Willie's lead guitar work on Trigger which is as good as it ever gets. Keep on Rockin' Willie!!!


3pm
George Jones - Hangin' On To One & Hangin' 'round The Other - 14 Greats
Willie Nelson - If You Could See What's Going Through My Mind - Naked Willie
Willie Nelson & Asleep At The Wheel - Corrine Corrina - Willie And Wheel
Willie Nelson - Whiskey River - Stars & Guitars
The Black Crows - Jealous Again - Wiser For The Time
The Mavericks - Back In Your Arms Again - In Time
Mike Aiken - Bring Out The Bourbon - Captains & Cowboys
Randall Bramblett - Roll - The Bright Spots
Ashleigh Flynn - Dirty Hands and Dirty Feet  - A Million Stars
Laura Cortese - Heel To Toe - Into The Dark
Rebekah Pulley & The Reluctant Prophets - Sister Sally - Tralala
Whitewater Ramble - Dear Mr. Bankman - Roots & Groove
Terry Brown - Cowgirls Make The Rules - It's A Cowboy Thang
4pm
Willie Nelson - Crazy - Crazy, The Demo Sessions
Willie Nelson - Gotta Serve Somebody - Moment Of Forever
Willie Nelson - Come On Up To The House - Heroes
The Mother Truckers - Nothing There - Broke, Not Broken
The Whiskey Sisters - Good Girl Down - The Whiskey Sisters
Ashley Monroe - Two Weeks Late - Like A Rose
Beth Lee & The Breakups - One More Time Again - One More Time Again
Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line - Party Line - Carnival
Patty Griffin - Don't Let Me Die In Florida - American Kid
The Cave Singers - Hay Stacks - No Witch
Son Volt - Bakersfield - Honky Tonk
Willie Nelson - Matchbox - Let's Face The Music And Dance
Willie Nelson - Roll Me Up - Heroes

Routes & Branches 4/20/13

Several new additions to our local concert calendar including Corb Lund, Ryan Bingham and James McMurtry, all of which I played on this week's show. I also caught Screen Door Porch at Saturday Market today. They will be back in Eugene tomorrow after a show in Astoria tonight. They must love 'Ramblin' Around'. Music legends Arlo Guthrie and Taj Mahal will both be in town this week. Mahal is sharing the ticket with Shemekia Copeland at the Hult Center on Tuesday.

New music that I had to play this week came from the The Black Crows and The Whiskey Sisters. Willie Nelson and Susan McKeown also had new tracks on this week's show.


3pm
Taj Mahal - Yan-nah Mama-Loo - The Hidden Treasures Of Taj Mahal 
Dave Alvin - Artesia - Man Of Somebody's Dreams
Eric Brace & Peter Cooper - Mad - The Comeback Album
The Black Crows - Willin' - Wiser For The Time
The Black Crows - Sister Luck - Wiser For The Time
The Cave Singers - Haller Lake - No Witch
Tedeschi Trucks Band - Love Has Something Else To Say - Everybody's Talkin'
Ryan Bingham - Tell My Mother I Miss Her So - Roadhouse Sun
Screen Door Porch - Ramblin' Around - Screen Door Porch
He's My Brother, She's My Sister - Electric Love - Nobody Dances In This Town

4pm
The Whiskey Sisters - I Take It Back - The Whiskey Sisters
The Whiskey Sisters - The Whiskey Song - The Whiskey Sisters
The California Honeydrops - Carolina Peach - Like You Mean It!
John Fullbright - Moving - From The Ground Up
James McMurtry - Levelland - Where'd You Hide The Body
Jonny Fritz - Holy Water - Dad Country
Rob Heath - Low Cut Silk Dress - The Trick
Willie Nelson - South Of The Border - Let's Face The Music And Dance
Susan McKeown - Our Texas - Belong
Ray Wylie Hubbard - Train Yard - The Grifter's Hymnal
Arlo Guthrie - Hurry To Me - Tales Of '69
Corb Lund - Bible On The Dash - Cabin Fever

Routes & Branches 4/13/13

I started the show today with a couple of Little Feat tunes in honor of Lowell George's birthday. Little Feat was one of the bands I grew up with and even though they still rock today, I will always miss George. I'm sure that he is still playing 'Old Folks Boogie' somewhere.
Another old timer who is still with us and coming back to town is Arlo Guthrie. I was playing the Motorcycle Tale when a listener called and asked if he had done any newer and so I played 'Road To Nowhere' which was a previously unreleased track on the 2009 release 'Tales Of '69.'
A couple of versions of 'Oh Susana', one done by Taj Mahal back in 1970 followed by Neil Young's more recent version. Both show how to rock a folk song!!!

My second hour evolved into the bluegrass/jam band hour after starting with  a couple of new rockabilly tunes by the Woody Pines and Ruby Dee And The Snakehandlers. The bluegrass jam started with an old favorite Railroad Earth followed by Yonder Mountain Stringband who will play 2 nights here in Eugene next week. The new kids on the show were Whitewater Ramble which I must say fit in the BG/jam group. With Tim Carbone as producer of their new CD 'Roots & Groove' this band is one to look for when they come our way.
The hour ended with Poor Man's Whiskey stopping by our studios this afternoon to play us a couple of tunes before their show tonight at the WOW Hall. From the first time I saw PMW I enjoyed their high energy style of what they have termed NorCal NewTime. They are preforming their version of Dark Side Of The Moonshine as part of their show tonight with guest fiddle player Allie Karl playing the part of Dorothy.

              Poor Man's Whiskey on their way to the WOW Hall!!!


3pm
Little Feat - Sallin' Shoes>Feats Don't Fail Me Now - Waiting For Columbus
Arlo Guthrie - The Unbelievable Motorcycle Tale - Tales Of '69
Arlo Guthrie - Road To Everywhere - Tales Of '69
Billy Bragg - I Ain't Got No Home - Tooth And Nail
Bob Bradshaw - High Water Rising - Home
Taj Mahal - Oh Susanna - The Hidden Treasures Of Taj Mahal
Neil Young - Oh Susannah - Americana
Lauren Sheehan - Bearcat Blues - The Light Still Burns
4pm
Marghi Allen - The Day Patsy Cline Died - Nobody's Woman
Woody Pines - Who Told Ya - Rabbits Motel
Ruby Dee And The Snakehandlers - Rockabilly Playground - Rockabilly Playground
Railroad Earth - Lonecraft Farewell - Railroad Earth
Yonder Mountain Stringband - If If There's Still Ramblin' In the Rambler - Mountain Tracks Vol 3
Whitewater Ramble - Beyer's Canyon - Roots & Groove
Poor Man's Whiskey - Good Bye California - Live In The KRVM Studio
Poor Man's Whiskey - Let's Go Out Tonight - Live In The KRVM Studio
Poor Man's Whiskey - Here In California - Like A River
Lauren Sheehan - Soldier's Joy - The Light Still Burns

Routes & Branches 4/6/13

I had 3 focus sets on my show today starting with a couple of my favorite musicians who had birthdays today, Merle Haggard and Eilen Jewel.
I have been listening to Merle Haggard ever since I can remember. It seemed appropriate to start a birthday set of Haggard music with 'Mama Tried' and to finish it with 'I Am What I Am'. Haggard may be just who he is, which is just fine with me. I wish that I had more time to play some of the many artist who have covered Haggard over the years.
Jewel on the other hand has only been a part of my collection since I started hosting Routes & Branches. Even though she is years young than Haggard, Jewel has a way of taking you back to an earlier time when Honky Tonks were where everybody went to have a good time on Saturday night.

The third focus of the show brought back to the present with a live in-studio set from the Shook Twins who stopped by on their way to a show here in Eugene. Hot off a trip to SXSW the band is sounding great!! They have been working on a bunch of new songs which they are going into the studio to record later this month. We had the pleasure of hearing two of them 'Thoughts All In' and 'Crisper' which Laurie wrote.  Along with the recording date, the Shook Twins have a bunch of festival dates lined up for the summer including the Oregon Country Fair, The Northwest String Summit and The Cascadia Music Festival.  I wish them all the best.


3pm
Merle Haggard - Mama Tried - HAG: The Best Of Merle Haggard
Dave Alvin - Kern River - Tulare Dust
Merle Haggard - I Wonder Where I'll Find You At Tonight - Kern River
Merle Haggard - Workin' Man Blues - Working In Tennessee
Merle Haggard - I Am What I Am - I Am What I Am
Poor Man's Whiskey - Like A River - Like A River
Steep Canyon Rangers - As I Go - Nobody Knows You
David Jacobs Strain - Come On Into My Kitchen - Live From The Left Coast
Bobby Bare - John Hardy - Darker Than Light
Robb Moss - Fool's Gold - Sometimes We Win
Yvette Landry - Three Chords And A Bottle - No Man's Land
Beth Lee & The Breakups - Drivin' - One More Time Again
Stella! - One In A Million - Sorry, Stella

4pm
The Will Callers - 87 Miles - What Else Is Left
Eilen Jewell - I'm Honky Tonk Girl - Butcher Holler
Eilen Jewell - Shakin' All Over - Sea Of Tears
Eilen Jewell - Warning Signs - Queen Of The Minor Key
Eilen Jewell - Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind) - Butcher Holler
Keller and The Keels - Get It While You Can - Thief
Steve Earle - That All You Got? - The Low Highway
Dead String Brothers - Lucille's Honky Tonk - Cannery Row
Son Volt - Down The Highway - Honky Tonk
Shook Twins - Growing Things - Live In The KRVM Studio
Shook Twins - Thoughts All In - Live In The KRVM Studio
Shook Twins - Crisper - Live In The KRVM Studio
Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell - Chase The Feeling - Old Yellow Moon
Amanda Pearcy - Barking Dogs - Royal Street