The October Trail Mix sees the return of David Mayfield, noted guitar player, singer, and producer. Last month, Mayfield released Strangers, his third solo record and first release for Compass Records. Long known for his frenetic live performances, Mayfield showcases his songwriting skills yet again on his latest record; Strangers is perhaps his most cohesive, heartfelt collection of tunes to date.
Trail Mix is also happy to welcome back one of the finest voices in contemporary country music, J.P. Harris. Along with his band, The Tough Choices, Harris churns out honest country music the way the old country guard – Willie, Waylon, and Haggard – churned it out in country’s golden era. Skip the modern country drivel you will find on the radio and take a listen to “Give a Little Lovin’,” off of Home Is Where The Hurt Is, Harris’s latest release.
I first saw Mike Farris way back in 1994 in Knoxville when he was the front man for The Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies. He slipped off my radar until 2007, when he returned with his first solo record, Salvation In Lights. There isn’t a bigger, more soulful voice in contemporary Americana. Farris released Shine For All The People last month and Trail Mix features his fantastic interpretation of Mary Gauthier’s “Mercy Now.”
There is oh-so-much more to this month’s mix. Check out tunes from up and coming singer/songwriters like Reed Foehl, Ben Rabb, Phoebe Hunt, wWaylon, and Derek Fawcett.
If you are in the mood for some sick pickin’, perhaps the new songs from Billy Strings & Don Julin or Michael Barnett will be right up your alley.
Also make sure to check out new stuff from Delta Spirit, Luke Winslow-King, TV Eyes, Game Theory, Maggie Bjorklund, Lost & Nameless, Field Report, Sneakout, and Yawn.
Please spread the word about Trail Mix. Link it up or tweet about it. Share it with your friends and colleagues. And get out there and buy, buy, buy these records. Your ears will thank you for it.
