“John Henry has a unique voice that cuts through a lot of ‘ordinary’ that clogs the pipes these days,” says Ken Coomer, the former Wilco drummer who produced and plays on John Henry and The Engine’s new EP, The Spinning Wheel. “John’s songs translate in the most intimate settings, and explode in a sold out [...]

Lucero, “Sometimes” Ben Nichols sings about his family on “Sometimes,” one of the final songs recorded during the Women And Work sessions. The band’s gravely roots-rock sound remains intact, but horn players Jim Spake and Scott Thompson help add a healthy dose of Memphis soul, too. "Sometimes" by Lucero

Lucero recorded their seventh studio album, Women & Work, at Memphis’ Ardent Studios, where Big Star, Leon Russell, and Isaac Hayes made records in the 1970s. In addition to being a world-class studio with a great history and great feel, Lucero frontman Ben Nichols makes a more pragmatic point about the studio: “We love recording [...]

In conjunction with our new country music issue, American Songwriter proudly presents The Country Way Digital Volume 3, featuring 12 must-hear tracks from some of our favorite artists. And the best thing about it? It’s free! You can download the sampler by going to this URL: http://thecountrywaydigitalsamplervol3.bandcamp.com/ Rodney Crowell, “I’m A Mess” Later this summer, [...]

Lucero perform at Mountain Stage in Charleston, West Virginia on February 21, 2010.

The 2010 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival announced its line-up Tuesday, featuring artists ranging from John Fogerty to Weezer to Jay-Z. The festival, which takes place June 10-13 in Manchester, Tennessee, will also include perennial crowd favorites, The Flaming Lips, who will be performing Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. Other [...]

LUCERO 1372 Overton Park (UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC) Rating: For nearly a decade, Ben Nichols’ hardscrabble barroom vignettes have piggybacked busted hopes on relentless resolve. Sea change beckons, but deliverance ultimately fails. “You’re gonna sink wearing that heart of gold,” the singer/songwriter warned on 2006’s Rebels, Rogues & Sworn Brothers. “You’re holding fast, son/You better let it [...]

The Last Word As the hazy fug dissipates, and the mountain of empty bottles and cans are swept from the myriad venues of Next Big Nashville 2009, an indelible mark has been left on Music City. Championing a diverse range of artists – from punk powered performances on the Vans Warped Tour to the dulcet [...]