Debra Peters, Where The Lone Star Meets The Big Easy

  Austin, Texas is a "music city", but wouldn't be one without its musicians. Cultural development in Texas, the Southwestern region and even the entire United States is influenced by the Austin music scene. Both the diatonic and piano accordions are components of the Western musical aesthetic and Debra Peters has been a part of … Continue reading Debra Peters, Where The Lone Star Meets The Big Easy

The Time Jumpers: Any time is ‘Jumpin’ Time’!

In 1998, The Time Jumpers began as a garage band comprised of some of the sharpest and most respected session musicians in Nashville. It started as a practice band, with no particular concept other than as a musician's "workshop" in which each could hammer out, nail down and hone their skills between gigs. But, it … Continue reading The Time Jumpers: Any time is ‘Jumpin’ Time’!

A History of the Accordion in Americana Music

Invented in 1829, the accordion came to North America early on, and as westward expansion took place, was heard in the mountains and bayous….in cities, towns and in the country….in the deserts of the West and Mexico…. on the Great Lakes and the Great Plains…in all states, estados and provinces….North to Alaska and West to Hawaii.  For more … Continue reading A History of the Accordion in Americana Music

Steve Conn: Music with a Mission

There is no place in America that is more "about the music” than Louisiana. While it is true that New Orleans was the sweet spot for those responsible for the birth of several distinct genres of music, Louisiana, in its own right, has served as a fountain of inspiration for generations of musicians and songwriters. … Continue reading Steve Conn: Music with a Mission

The Music of Rachel Bell: Traditional and Treasured

Bio courtesy of Rachelbellmusic.com Rachel Bell is an accordion player, tunesmith, and music teacher from the wilds of Pennsylvania. She is in demand throughout the United States and beyond for concerts, contra dances, English country dances, French dances, and workshops. Over a decade of musical travel has landed her smack-dab in the middle of some … Continue reading The Music of Rachel Bell: Traditional and Treasured

Out of Houston’s Heat, Emerges the Very Cool Band, Buxton

In Houston, Texas, the weather is frequently hot and the tamales are even hotter. But,  those who choose to live in such a climate don't shrink from heat, they just find cool ways to compensate for it.  One of the coolest bands to arise from steamy Houston is Buxton. Originating from LaPorte, Texas, the Americana band is comprised of Sergio Trevino on guitar … Continue reading Out of Houston’s Heat, Emerges the Very Cool Band, Buxton

Nashville’s Influential Game Changer: Pee Wee King

    The late Country Music Scholar, Charles K. Wolfe wrote of Pee Wee King, "Pee Wee never picked cotton, never hopped a freight train, never worked as a song plugger in Nashville…unlike so many of his fellow members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Pee Wee King was not known as a guitar … Continue reading Nashville’s Influential Game Changer: Pee Wee King

List of Bands that Feature the Accordion

Punk’s 10 Best Accordion Players: A Tribute to accordion Rockers Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 12:18 PM (PST) by connor_maoil The sound of the accordion is, in my opinion, one of the best, weirdest, and most unique additions to the punk genre. For most it’s easy to see the instrument as nothing more than a novelty … Continue reading List of Bands that Feature the Accordion

Jeff Taylor, Nashville’s “Go To” Accordionist

Bio Courtesy of The Time Jumpers. Professional accordionist and multi-instrumentalist, Jeff Taylor, grew up in Batavia, New York, and began playing accordion and keyboards in his dad’s band when he was 10. He studied classical piano at the Eastman School of Music and was leader of a small jazz/rock group when he was in the Air Force in … Continue reading Jeff Taylor, Nashville’s “Go To” Accordionist

Wilene “Sally Ann” Forrester, First Woman in Bluegrass

Wilene "Sally Ann" Forrester She was born, Wilene Russell, in 1922. Her family called her Goldie Sue. Her classmates called her Billie. She performed as Sally Ann Forrester. Was the confusion created by having too many names the reason why Wilene Forrester is slow to be recognized as the "First Woman in Bluegrass"? All humor aside, in 1943, Wilene was … Continue reading Wilene “Sally Ann” Forrester, First Woman in Bluegrass