CMT Blog: Archive

As far as the official showcases go, I think this was one of the finest lineups for the Americana Music conference in quite a while. Although I always try to discover new bands at these events, I never miss a Buddy Miller show in town, and Saturday night at Mercy Lounge was no exception. He didn't sing the song I got obsessed with last year, but a yearning rendition of "Don't Tell Me" was a very gracious consolation prize. His set came right after a Glen Campbell tribute downstairs at the Cannery, with the Rhinestone Cowboy himself singing a few hits.
 I capped my night at Station Inn with Justin Rutledge, a melancholy songwriter from Toronto. It's not exactly Saturday night music (unless you happen to get dumped on Saturday afternoon) but it is intriguing and beautiful. He's under-the-radar for now, but nothing a few more trips to Nashville can't fix.

On Friday evening, I wandered into the Station Inn for Bruce Robison, Kathy Mattea and David Peterson's Old Time Country Revue. I was pleased to immediately hear three of my recent Robison favorites - "California 85," "When It Rains" and "Lifeline." Of course, he offered up his big hits, too, like "Wrapped," "Travelin' Soldier" and "Angry All the Time." Mattea balanced her set with classics ("18 Wheels and a Dozen Roses," "Where've You Been") with selections from her inspired new album, Coal. Once I saw that Peterson's band featured guitarist Bryan Sutton and steel player Pete Finney, I planted myself in the middle of the room and soaked up all those tasty licks. Peterson dug up some old tunes I'd never heard before, such as Hank Snow's "Golden Rocket" and Grandpa Jones' "Falling Leaves." I could have listened to that 50s style of country music well into the night.

And here's what I saw Wednesday night.