Episode #61 — Some of our Best of 2015

Chris Stapleton's new album, Traveller, comes out May 4

It’s been a breakout year for Chris Stapleton, whose album “Traveller” lit up Nashville and the world.

Episode #61 Best of 2015

So maybe we’re just partial to dudes with beards, but the folks here at That Much Further West Podcast agree that Chris Stapleton’s breakthrough album “Traveller” is an across-the-board favorite from 2015.

On this episode, our hosts Eric Kotila, Mike Lee and Phil Favorite each share four or five songs from some of their favorite releases of this year. Eric’s been spinning “Traveller” on the turntable in our home — The Helm — constantly since picking up the record at Stapleton’s recent show in our hometown of Portland, OR, USA.

If you’re a regular listener to the podcast, none of these picks will surprise you. Most of the bands and artists received major play over the 20 podcast episodes produced this past year and have been longtime favorites of the hosts.

But a few — such as Stapleton, Murder By Death, Banditos, and others — were new to the ears of one or more of our hosts this year. And therein lies the spice of the podcast, finding new stuff that’s sure to become must-hear music in the coming years.

Holiday Podcast-4

Timber County in action (l to r): Anne Marie, Kip and Marilee

In light of that, we couldn’t have had a better live act appear in The Helm for this episode than Timber County, our local pals who debuted earlier this year and were our first guests of the year (see “Episode 40“). Led by the multi-talented Kip Lindig and supported by Marilee Hord on fiddle and Ms. Anne Marie Barrett on backing vocals, Timber County is poised for a breakout 2016. Kip takes a minute to tell of their plans for the coming year and also to lead the group through a song, “Lay Me Down.”

Folks local to the Oregon music scene should keep on the lookout for Timber County, who will be opening for Root Jack at Wildwood Hotel in Willamina on New Year’s Eve. And expect big things from the other artists featured on this episode and the many others who were featured on the podcast throughout the year.

Meanwhile, we’ll have our ears wide open waiting for the next big thing to hit the Americana and Alt-country scene. We hope you’ll join us for the ride when it resumes in January 2016!

One note regarding this playlist — none of the bands who were guests on the podcast this year are included because they’ll be featured in “Live From The Helm, Vol. 2,” our second-annual collection of live podcast performances. Suffice it to say that several of those artists released some of our favorite records this past year, and we’re stoked to be able to re-share some of those performances with you before the calendar turns.

In the meantime, give this episode a spin to hear some of the Best of 2015. Here’s the playlist:

Whiskey And You, Chris Stapleton
American Flags in Black & White, John Moreland
How To Forget, Jason Isbell
Nobody Knows My Trouble, Ryan Bingham
Big Dark Love, Murder By Death
Went Looking For Warren Zevon’s Los Angeles, Lucero
Am I The Only One Drinking Tonight, Michael Dean Damron
That’s How I Got To Memphis, Whitey Morgan and the 78s
Lay Me Down (Live In The Helm), Timber County
That Old Flame featuring Martina McBride, Don Henley
Me Oh My, The Honeycutters
American Woman (Take My Freedom Away), The Swearengens
Waitin’, Banditos
Madonna’s From Amerika, Aaron Lee Tasjan
S Lazy H, Corb Lund

TMFWP Special: Wildwood Sessions 2015 with Reverend Deadeye

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Praise the Lord! Reverend Deadeye (left) with Brother Al at the 2015 Wildwood MusicFest & Campout. Photo by Christopher Sohler (www.christophersohler.com)

Wildwood Sessions: Reverend Deadeye

Blistering heat took its toll on just about everybody on Saturday afternoon at this year’s Willdwood MusicFest & Campout, and just as temperatures in the Oregon valley were reaching triple digits, Reverend Deadeye and his partner Brother Al hit the main stage to entertain the masses.

With a mix of aggressive blues, gospel fury and good old-fashion storytelling, the good reverend lit the place on fire. Fortunately for the podcast team, he had a little something left to share during an interview and performance as the sun began to set on Saturday eve.

We supplied some water and a bit of whiskey as Reverend Deadeye told us about his recent touring exploits and his impressions of the festival. He also shared some information about his art and the influences who have helped shape his musical vision.

And taking a turn on his beat-up (but super cool sounding) resonator guitar, and with Brother Al riding shotgun on tambourine, Reverend Deadeye performed a tune about a former teacher of his called “Wade Wilson.” Mr. Wilson’s fate is cast in the first line of the song, but how he gets there proves well worth the listen.

Be sure to watch for Reverend Deadeye on the road this fall, and get familiar with his records at https://reverenddeadeye.bandcamp.com.