Recent Articles
 

 

What Comes After the Blues?: Considering Jason Molina

Ravaged by alcoholism, JASON MOLINA died at age 39. A question arises: Is there a 'teachable moment' in how his passing underscores the plight of those attempting to live by their art?
by David McGee
 

 
 

You Can’t Do That? You Can Do That.

Jazz improvisation meets Lennon-McCartney in tasty fashion on LOREN DANIELS's TICKET TO RIDE.
by David McGee
 

 

 

In Heavy Rotation: Blues, Country & Country Blues

AL BASILE, DAILEY & VINCENT (with guest vocalist RHONDA VINCENT) and HANK WILLIAMS JR.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Working On a Building

In 1871 the JUBILEE SINGERS of Nashville toured the northern states in hopes of raising funds to build a college. Bucking daunting odds against them, they succeeded and made Fisk University possible.
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘We’ll Promise Not To Hurt Her Anymore’

Staring 2015 on a topical note, North Carolina singer-songwriter LAURELYN DOSSETT has posted a video of her new song, 'THE RIVER'S LAMENT,' inspired by the Dan River Coal Ash Spill of Feb. 2014
by David McGee
 

 
 

For Sale: Wounded Knee; Johnny Depp, Grandstander; Chief Red Cloud, 93, Walks On

WOUNDED KNEE for sale? JOHNNY DEPP grandstands about buying it and returning it to the Tribe, but it's only noise; remembering CHIEF OLIVER RED CLOUD
by David McGee
 

 

 

Surf in Verse (2015 Edition)

Poets extol surfing's physical and metaphysical joys. 'Illustrated' with surf classics by JACK NITZSCHE, THE MARKETTS, THE TORQUAYS, THE NEW DIMENSIONS & THE SHADOWS
by David McGee
 

 
 

Surf in Verse — June 2014

Riding the waves has inspired some surfers to break out in verse to explain their connection to the waves and Mother Earth. Dick Dale and the Del-Tones provide the soundtrack.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Music of Nature

From his outstanding 1878 book MUSIC AND SOME HIGHLY MUSICAL PEOPLE, the distinguished African-American author JAMES M. TROTTER exults in 'the music of Nature'
by David McGee
 

 
 

From the Desk of Intern Susan:

The story of JEMMY BUTTON, one of the oddest true tales of the 19th century, is the subject of a new children's book. Co-illustrator JENNIFER UMAN discusses the work.
by David McGee