Martin Johnson

Michael McDermott “St. Paul’s Boulevard”

June 29, 2022 Martin Johnson 0

Authentic heartland rock by a truly gifted songwriter. Michael McDermott is over thirty years into his career which started just as heartland rock was being overtaken by americana as the home for roots rockers. His music […]

Interview: Rod Picott on his life’s mission to become the best songwriter he can

June 28, 2022 Martin Johnson 0

How a throwaway remark by Jason Isbell changed Rod Picott from a tenor to a baritone. Rod Picott grew up in South Berwick, Maine, and originally worked in the construction industry. However, he knew he wanted […]

Interview: Hall of Fame Songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman on what makes a good song

June 21, 2022 Martin Johnson 0

Texas Born and Alabama bred but only because she was an Airforce brat. In the interminable debate about what is or isn’t americana one thing is beyond question, and that is that a defining characteristic of […]

Interview: 49 Winchester’s Isaac Gibson on the journey to their first major-label release

June 14, 2022 Martin Johnson 0

The challenges of forming a band with your friends in a town so small there is no local music scene. Americana fans will probably have picked up that there is a bit of a buzz around […]

Interview: Heidi Talbot on recording virtually in Lafayette, Louisiana, with Dirk Powell

June 6, 2022 Martin Johnson 0

Discussing getting songs from ghosts despite Boo Hewerdine’s doubts. Heidi Talbot may have spent over half her life as a working musician, including her apprenticeship with the Irish-American group Cherish the Ladies, and it is twenty […]

Interview: The Roseline play sweet music but you must accept the thorns

August 12, 2026 0

It’s no secret that americana music in all its colorful variations has been prevalent and in vogue for years now as countless bands and singer/songwriters from the last two decades have found success filtering their music […]

Anniversary Cheers: The Mercy Brothers “Strange Adventure” celebrates 23 years

August 12, 2026 0

Cupcakes & Muffins re-release The Mercy Brothers album; Barrence Whitfield and Michael Dinallo join together in a musical journey of discovery, and it sounds spectacular. We are not used to 23-year anniversaries; they come around but […]

Artwork for Laura Veirs album "Temple Songs"

Laura Veirs “Temple Songs”

August 12, 2026 0

A welcome and successful return to songwriting and making records. Temple Songs, the 14th solo album released by Laura Veirs, represents something of a comeback for the Portland, Oregon-based singer-songwriter, author, music teacher, podcaster and visual […]

Articles by Martin Johnson

Michael McDermott “St. Paul’s Boulevard”

Interview: Rod Picott on his life’s mission to become the best songwriter he can

Interview: Hall of Fame Songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman on what makes a good song

Interview: 49 Winchester’s Isaac Gibson on the journey to their first major-label release

Interview: Heidi Talbot on recording virtually in Lafayette, Louisiana, with Dirk Powell

Interview: The Roseline play sweet music but you must accept the thorns

Anniversary Cheers: The Mercy Brothers “Strange Adventure” celebrates 23 years

Laura Veirs “Temple Songs”

After six years, Laura Cortese announces new studio album “Lucky Water”

Stephen Jacques “Les Surfeurs De Santa Cruz”