We’ve all been feeling stressed by the strange circumstances surrounding the COVID pandemic, not to mention the political worries here in the US, and I’ve found that the natural world (yes, minus the hysterical railings of the online universe) is a grounding point that can bring us back to some sense of balance. The incredibly beautiful mountains of Nepal are the home of Arko Mukhaerjee, a singer who has collaborated with all sorts of musicians from everywhere, but who recently recorded some traditional Nepalese folk songs in the Darjeeling area of Nepal (the live Darjeeling Sessions), where he sat on a hillside in the foothills of his beloved mountains and sang with his friend guitarist Koustav Dey. Read More…

Happy November. Hope you’re doing well, and thanks for your support during the Fall Fundraiser.

I’ve been digging through some old CDs that were recently given to me. What a great gift. I grew up right before the internet became a thing, and I will always love hard copy albums. To me, liner notes are gold. Reading them, poring over them, is an important way that I learn about the music and artists I love. It’s one of my regrets that we collectively have made distribution of music (almost) exclusively digital these days. Songs feel disembodied to me when I hear them jumbled together with no context in a playlist. I become confused. When I hear a song that piques my interest I need to know as much as I can about it. It’s not enough for me to just hear it. Read More…

UK singer/songwriter Kate Rusby has a YouTube series called Singy Songy Sessions that is wonderful.

Also, she released Hand Me Down, her 17th studio album, this past August. Read More…

This month we’re offering two opportunities for online music with a SAMW twist!

First, on Monday, November 16 join Lorraine and Bennett Hammond online at 8:00pm on Lorraine’s Facebook page, for their monthly “After the Dance” virtual guided jam.  This is an all-levels play-along/sing-along session so grab your instrument, warm up your voice, and join in! Read More…

The first few episodes of Guest Mix in October had a mix of the familiar and new—a combination that I had always enjoyed before I recently became the  host. Reflecting on the relaunch, I’m particularly excited about hearing a few musicians for the first time, such as Jessica Pratt, Tony Joe White, and Nathan Moore, selected for the show by Courtney Marie Andrews, S.G. Goodman, and Twisted Pine, respectively. Watch the videos below for a nice introduction to those three. Read More…

As the pandemic continues to restrict our socializing,  holidays will look different this year. While we may not choose to gather in as large numbers as we’re used to, we still have lots to be thankful for. 2020 has been tough and it’s easy to feel alone, frustrated and depressed. Taking a moment to breathe, reflect and find just one thing we’re thankful for can change so much.  Read More…

Welcome to November 2020. The clocks are now turned back, new batteries have been installed in our detectors and there is a major election taking place this month. We should always give thanks for what we have, but this month brings it into focus as we celebrate Thanksgiving. Let’s look at the bright side. Hopefully if you are reading this you have some blessings to count, whether family, health, work, or other. Since Blues music encompasses universal themes of life and love, this month we honor our veterans and also celebrate Thanksgiving. Here are 15 tunes to connect with as you go about your month. Read More…

hello again, hard to believe it’s November already, although the snow we had over the weekend is certainly a grim reminder…before we get to the Highway 61 November highlights, a hearty thanks for all your contributions/pledges/donations/gifts as a monetary vote for all this great music we endeavor to bring you each and every weekend, so far, I’m happy to say, without interruption during the pandemic…because of your ongoing support, you continue to deserve the best from our end…such as… Read More…

This has got to be one of my favorite unknown Beatle stories.

I love sharing it every November because I enjoy the many reactions it receives from Beatle fans or even non-Beatle fans.

It was November 10, 1964 that The Beatles performed at Bristol’s Colston Hall in England for what was probably one of the most bizarre appearances by the band. An appearance where the band was attacked! Read More…

Not surprisingly, the word from many musicians is “stalled, “suspended,” and the like as pandemic-related precautions continue… Read More…