Martin Johnson

The Song Remains: Roland White 1938 – 2022

April 5, 2022 Martin Johnson 2

Bluegrass and country rock legend Roland White wasn’t born to rock’n’roll. Legend can sometimes be an overused term when discussing musicians, but it perfectly describes bluegrass mandolinist Roland White who sadly died on April 1st. Over […]

The Song Remains: Jimmy Karstein 1944 – 2022

April 4, 2022 Martin Johnson 2

One of the architects of the Tulsa sound and lifelong drummer with J J Cale. Tulsa musicians and fans are in mourning following the death of drummer Jimmy Karstein at his Tulsa home on Sunday, 27th […]

Interview: Paula Boggs on reclaiming the black banjo heritage with Soulgrass

April 1, 2022 Martin Johnson 5

How living in the Pacific North West helped rewrite the bluegrass story from a black perspective. Paula Boggs is a fairly unique artist. While music has always been an important part of her life, her career […]

The Song Remains: Jim Miller 1953 – 2022

March 28, 2022 Martin Johnson 0

Jim Miller demonstrated the value of a great backup guy who could also step out front when he wanted to. Jim Miller’s sudden and unexpected death on the evening of Thursday 24th March may not have […]

Interview: Darden Smith on why songs by themselves aren’t enough to explain Western Skies

March 24, 2022 Martin Johnson 0

How an old Polaroid and the pandemic helped reinvigorate a thirty-plus-year career. Austin-based songwriter Darden Smith has always done things his way, rather than following the norms of the music business. Texas-born Smith came to Austin […]

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

The Song Remains: Roland White 1938 – 2022

The Song Remains: Jimmy Karstein 1944 – 2022

Interview: Paula Boggs on reclaiming the black banjo heritage with Soulgrass

The Song Remains: Jim Miller 1953 – 2022

Interview: Darden Smith on why songs by themselves aren’t enough to explain Western Skies

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”