Love is in the air...or maybe not. Either way we're accepting submissions for this year's Valentine's Day Sampler. If you're new here's how it works. Click "read more" and get the details.

Tracy Nelson Brings a Soulful Voice to Alternate Root TV

Tracy Nelson first arrived on the American Roots music scene during the blues/rock eruption of the 1960's, most notably with her band Mother Earth. She has one of the most distinctive voices of her generation and has shared the stage with Muddy Waters, Willie Nelson, Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas and countless others during a five decade career. Just off the heels of her 26th album Tracy graced the stage of Alternate Root TV during our filming of the 2011 Holiday Extraviganza at the NECAT Studios in Nashville. Joining Tracy were Kentucky Thunder members Vickie Carrico and Jonelle Mosser and backing band courtesy of Mark Robinson. Her choice of material was, like her voice, flawless as she wowed the small crowd invited to attend with Danny Small's "Without Love (There is Nothing") made famous by artists as diverse as Elvis Presley, Clyde McPhatter and Tom Jones and a gospel tinted version of Howlin' Wolf's "Howlin' for my baby." When the opportunity arises to have rock/blues royalty on stage we jump and having the pleasure of Tracy Nelson for the Alternate Root Holiday Special was a rare gift. We've included two songs here and saved the best for the special coming soon to a cable channel near you! Enjoy the Holidays!

Marc Berger - Nobody Gonna Ride on the Railroad

Marc Berger joins American artists such as John Ford, Frederick Remington and A.B. Guthrie in celebrating the unique landscape and mythology of the American West. Utilizing the medium of music to honor the region, Marc complements the film, canvas and print contributions his peers have made to convey its mysterious essence. Co-produced by Berger, Mike Ricciardi and Eric ‘Roscoe’ Ambel, and inspired by Marc’s lifelong love affair with the American West, the recently released Ride (Real Records, 1/15/12), presents ten cinematic recordings capturing the vastness and romance of the West while exploring its deep roots in the American psyche.  From the haunting message and beat of    “Twister”, to the challenge of taming a wild horse in “Take It on the Chin”, to the sexy, middle-of-nowhere encounter of “Time Waits For No Man” along with seven more scenic stops, Ride takes you on a dusty   traveling tour of the Great American Frontier and introduces you to some of its intriguing characters.

Harmonic Synergy - Eric Brace and Peter Cooper on Alternate Root TV

Both Eric Brace and Peter Cooper are mainstays on the American Roots music circuit with volumes of critical acclaim following in their wake. Brace, recognized most notably as frontman of the stalwart band Last Train Home and  Cooper, a bit of a Rennaisance man...singer, songwriter, college professor and award winning journalist have been performing together as one of the American Roots music format's top duos since 2004. To become part of the fabric of the Nashville music scene in such a short time takes talent and while both are successful in their own right when they perform together, talent combines with synergy and the result is pure magic. The fact that these are two of the most genuine and sincere gentlemen you'll find in what can on most days be described as a music industry cesspool [Nashville, TN] only works in their favor when the need arises to surround one's self with the best-of-the-best musicians. Their recent tribute to Tom T. Hall, 'I Love,' is testament to the respect of fellow musicians these two command from their colleagues. Their collaborative efforts, including the recent 'Master Sessions,' have garnered well deserved high praise from industry and fellow musicians alike. Eric Brace was recently voted as the American Roots format's Top Male Vocalist by the readers of The Alternate Root. These are serious musicians making serious, important music all while not taking themselves too seriously and that in itself is a rarity in a format of music that all  to often opts for the 'higher-than-you' road. Having them be part of the Alternate Root Holiday Special was a joy for all of us that witnessed the set. Here's a taste for our readers, the staggering Tom T. Hall anti-war song 'Mama Bake a Pie' and a gem from 'Master Sessions,' the beautiful Herb Petersen penned 'Wait a Minute.' We've saved some other holiday goodies for the special. Do enjoy!

Award Winning Bluegrass Artists The Roys on Alternate Root TV

Fitchburg, Massachusetts is hardly an obvious starting point for an award winning bluegrass outfit but when life's detour takes you to New Brunswick, Canada the influence of traditional Acadian music begins to form the influences that reverberate throughout a lifetime of making music. So begins the story of The Roys, siblings Elaine and Lee, and the musical journey that has landed them atop the bluegrass and traditional country heap. Their first effort, 'Lonesome Whistle,' was recorded at Skaggs Place Studios, home of the inimitable Ricky Skaggs, and teamed them with Kentucky Thunder, Skaggs' longtime bandmates. Add Randy Kohrs, Mark Fain, Cody Kilby and Andy Leftwich, who co-produced, and you're left with a debut that ranks among the top freshman efforts in any genre let alone bluegrass where playing is paramount. We got to see it for ourselves when good friend and top-shelf publicist Martha Moore urged us to bring The Roys in for the Alternate Root Holiday Special. They were the consummate pros, came in, set up, checked and ripped through a four song set of songs from the debut album and a snappy rendition of Jingle Bells for holiday flavor. The Roys are tight, accomplished players that write contemporary songs with a firm hold on the bluegrass traditions that shape their music. The fact that they look good and both can sing is extra. We include two tracks from the nashville Session here, 'Nothin' I Can do About it Now,' featuring Lee on lead vocal and 'Trailblazer,' with Elaine taking the lead and playing some tasty rhythm guitar. If you need more, you'll have to tune in to the Alternate Root Holiday Special on a cable channel near you in December.

Mike Farris and Kenny Vaughan On Alternate Root TV

Mike Farris is a spiritual sort, a conqueror of sizeable personal demons, a family man and an artist who gives back to the community he calls home, Nashville, TN. He's also a motherfucker of a singer and songwriter and an all around sweetheart of a guy making it a no-brainer when we had the opportunity to have Mike be part of our Alternate Root TV Holiday Extraviganza. We got "two for the show," so to speak, as Mike brought along guitarist extraordinaire Kenny Vaughan to accompany him through his set. Farris and Vaughn did not dissapoint. Starting with a splendid cover of Mary Gauthier's "Mercy Now," Mike's earth-shaking gospel pipes burst with a holy water shower of soul and inspiration that left even the non-believers dusting off their knees.  Vaughan, at times, seems like he could be a lost brother of Stevie Ray and Jimmie although, while he isn't from Dallas, Texas, he has the same richness of tone and spiritual feel for the guitar as the Vaughan brothers. "Wrapped Up, Tangled Up" featured a bluesier feel for the duo but no less appetizing to the small audience that was allowed in to feast from the soul-food picnic basket Farris and Vaughan packed for the morning set. Both songs were featured on last year's EP to benefit the victims of the Nashville flood of 2010, "The Night the Cumberland Came Alive." We've featured the two tracks here but you'll have to tune in to the Holiday Special to hear what else the boys laid down on that day. For now, get yourself a healin' and check out Mike Farris and Kenny Vaughan.