Deep Cuts From Bloggy's Vault: Americana

O.K, hipsters, hi. Do you, like me, wonder where modern country music in the vein of Waylon Jennings or Buck Owens comes from? Where, in the age of Youtube and rootless metrospeak, does this sound come from?

This sound comes from them modern day troubadours who've made their way from places like the Zone (where Mexicans and grizzled storytellers come from) to tell us about hard livin' minus glitter, jell-o shots or Rolling Stone "picks": heartache and bitter loss, no drum machine included.

Musicians like veteran solo artist Mason Reed are a part of this sound. His new album "You Can't Come Back from Heaven" is what a modern day Waylon Jennings or a Phoenix born Tom Waits would be recording right now. Listen, buy, recommend - right now.

Mason Reed - Not Perfect.mp3 (4.5 mb)

Deep Cuts From Bloggy's Vault: Classic Country

Kitty Wells is who people mean when they say female country music star. She was only 19 when she was first invited to be featured on the Nashville based radio program the Grand Ole Opry. Her controversial song, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" made her the first female country singer to top the U.S. country charts. She recorded this break-out hit for Decca, in May 1952 at 33, for $125.

Kitty was part Patsy Cline in her vocal range part as heard in her song "Making Believe", she was part June Carter Cash with her heartfelt lyrics in "Dear Brother" and "Don't Wait for the Last Minute to Pray" and sometimes featured irregular subjects like "My Big Truck Driving Man". Kitty Wells was a friend and contemporary of Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn during her 50 years in country music.

Kitty Wells - Making Believe.mp3