Tag Archives: Michigan

Ian James Pinchback- “Fog Song”- Live from Billy’s Basement (YouTube Video)

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Whew … well, my music-loving maniacs … what can I say- THIS IS THE REAL DEAL. Once hearing it- if you don’t feel it, keel over from it, believe it, conceive it, need water to relieve it … then get lost, loser. I won’t stand for anything (in my mere real or web presence) but one million percent devotion to this dude- ’cause he’s earned it, learned it- and actually turned it, burned it … into the heads and hearts of anyone blessed and damn lucky enough to listen. Cuts through the miasma of your spiritual stillness or the cloudiness in the orb upon your shoulders … just ain’t good enough to describe this song- ain’t f – – – in’ good enough by a long shot. Good Luck with all that- and buckle up inside, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride …

Billy Brandt’s Sugarees- Check Them Out …

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On the eve of another appearance at The Detroit Zoo Summer Nights outdoor music series … it’s more than time that I talk about a few of his trusted musical, accomplished colleagues, all I proudly call friends … in his Sugarees band- I think of them as the Sweet Notes!

My friend, “the king of Michigan guitarists” (another’s most appropo label), rocking Chris Degnore has been with Billy for years- BB even “gave” him to veteran Michigan musician Jill Jack, to replace himself in her band. He’s had careers in both Ireland and Nashville- only a true music fan can appreciate the very real musical roots tie, from the Old Country to the New World. Chris won a Nashville annual songwriter award in the 2000s- in my words, in “the home of the song”. He released his electricifying, take-no-prisoners album Cinema this year, with his power pop trio, The Blackdrops. Whatta a CD release show we celebrated that Feb. night at Callahans in Auburn Hills- I actually took the (Cassata) cake that night- to surprise Chris on stage!

Go dig him at http://www.chrisdegnoreandtheblackdrops.com

Now my stoic bassist friend (fellow country music craver & Honky Tonk Wed. bar night pioneer), Ann Arbor’s John Holk- another BB vet. He’ll often play with Billy that sturdy ol’ string bass- sign of great country, jazz and bluegrass to myself- in trio with Jason Dennie on mandolin- love that lineup. John also plays jazz and classical, educated at U. of M. My wake up call on John was seeing him with his shiny, happy country Sequins band- playing guitar and singing out front in that cowboy hat. They churn it out like good ol’ country buttermilk- smooth, sweet with just the right amount of tang … er, I mean … twang! His Sequins album, “If You See Her” is one richly produced set of country pop songs- in the very best sense of the word- never could be better. Linking above this post my all-time Holk fave “The Mountain”.

Stay in John’s country at www.facebook.com/johnholkeboer?fref=ts

Last, but never musically least, my mandolin guru and friend Jason Dennie, another BB well-seasoned player. I’m the one saying he’s Michigan’s most valuable mando picker- hands up, down and all around! And (so far from afar) also mando tutor to this rookie picker- among his many students. His bluegrass band Wayward Roots won 2011 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Best Band- that’s what I call being in the green, green grass of home! Now let’s hear it Jason one time- “biscuits and gravy”  (inside country joke!).

“Pick” up on Jason at www.facebook.com/jason.dennie.7?fref=ts

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http://www.jasondennie.com