Most days I write about life from my own perspective, but on this day I channeled the immense love of my parents… how they give and give and give. Congrats to rockstar mom Suzie Brown on this premiere of our song “Give” at The Boot from her upcoming record Sometimes Your Dreams Find You.
Michaela Anne’s performance of our song “Easier Than Leaving” has been premiered in Rolling Stone Country with this gorgeous video.
Pre-order Lucky Strike now to support the 2017 release of my new full-length record. Be a part of the story! When you Pledge to pre-order, you’ll choose from exclusives like handwritten lyrics, an original song, a fancy dinner party with me as your chef (I’ve got skills), and you can even have your name printed in the album’s liner notes.
Alright! Let’s do this. Together.
Also, I’m happy to be donating 5% of the campaign’s proceeds to The Sunshine House in my hometown of Swainsboro, Georgia; so, another small way to give back.
Last fall a friend urged me to consider making another full-length record, when at the time I’d been focusing all my time and energy on writing for other artists. Turns out, when you write without a particular goal in mind, the pressure is lifted and suddenly the songs get better.
I’m so glad my arm was twisted. This record – Lucky Strike – is the best thing I’ve ever made, and I can’t wait to share it with you. {Soon!}
The first song I wrote with my good friend Michaela Anne is on her brand new record, which has been praised in the New York Times and No Depression among others. I’m so happy to have had a small part of what the Bluegrass Situation calls an LP “full of heartbreakers so grounded in self-awareness that they never sound anything but authentic, yet never too indulgent to ring just like diary scribbles.” Specific praise for the song we wrote together, “Easier Than Leaving,” came from the Bluegrass Situation, which named it song of the week. Congrats Michaela!
I’m excited and honored to be playing in this year’s Americana Festival right here in Nashville on Saturday, September 19. My set will be at Musicians Corner, free and open to the public, alongside Angaleena Presley and several other fantastic songwriters. If you’re a Nashvillian, check out the Americana Fest and all its goings-on at www.americanamusic.org. They do an amazing job of curating an impactful conference and series of showcases every year, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it.
I’m so incredibly honored to be a finalist in both the Telluride Troubadour and Kerrville New Folk songwriting competitions. These are both such prestigious festivals with such amazingly rich histories. I’ll be happily heading to Texas in May and Colorado in June to play both festivals, soak in a bunch of amazing songs, and probably meet some incredibly talented new friends whilst “competing” in these competitions.
It wasn’t long ago that I was sitting at this very computer, applying for a residency at a place I knew almost nothing about – Zoo Labs. I’m proud to say that after winning our way into their fantastic residency program, the EP we recorded there – Edge of This Town – is now available in the online store and on iTunes.
My band and I are so excited about this music and very much hope you’ll enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it!!
On April 7, one week from today, my new EP Edge of This Town will be released. I just got my hands on these gorgeous photos taken by Gundi Vigfusson during our time at Zoo Labs, and they’re a sweet reminder of our wild and wonderful ride there.
Edge of This Town was lovingly recorded over three and a half days of tracking in the studio in Oakland, California. We worked hard and fast; we came prepared and emotionally ready. My band and the Zoo Labs masterminds gave every bit of themselves to make this project what it became, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Tour so far… snow, lots of beautiful snow. And songs, lots. of. emotional. songs.
I’m so grateful that I get to do this every day- sing, write, play, entertain. Mostly I love having conversations with all of you after the shows. There’s something very sacred about that space, isn’t there?
After a wonderful show last night in western Mass, I’m hunkering down here til the storm passes. Then it’s Yonkers on Thursday, Philly on Friday.
Carl and Ellen Anderson have kept me laughing and well-photographed. They also are some of the most talented people making Americana music right now. I’m so completely honored to share the stage with them.
Great big thanks to the venues and hosts who have given us a stage to play where music-loving audiences come and share these magical moments. Thanks so much, Martha, Myra, Liz, Adam, Justin, Karen, Ed and Dee Dee for opening your homes to me this week. Such fun we’ve had!
Photos by Ellen Anderson