Tomorrow I am driving down to Irvine to the Far West Folk Alliance (www.far-west.org) , where I will be doing a premier showcase to try to convince people that I am worth of some work and some recognition. Since I began Datamusicata, I have been...

Year ago, I was on the road with Bonnie Raitt, doing some northern California dates and a harmonica player by the name of Norton Buffalo (www.norton-buffalo.com)  sat in.   He was brilliant, musical and a really fine fellow.   Even though I was a...

Friday we talked about melodies and how the instrument that they are created on can restrict the melody.   Today we’re going to go the other way and hear how the instrument can expand the melody and it’s emotional impact.      (clipped from...

Last night I saw a wonderful film entitled Songcatcher.   It is the story of a female musicologist who goes up into Appalachia in the first decade of the 20th century and discovers this treasure trove of Scottish and English ballads that have been...

What do you think is the biggest misconception or mistake of young songwriters?   A question asked of Tom Russell, veteran songwriter:   (Laughs.) I could go on and on. At South By Southwest, I wasn't there, but Little Steven got up and made this...