Exile in Dunganville

Each week the AMA (Americana Music Association) ranks the top Americana albumsJohnny Cash has done it again - ascending to the #1 spot in less than a month on the AMA album charts. So often this happens with a posthumous album release by an artist. However, for a legend like Johnny Cash, it still means a lot. based on radio and internet airplay. And it didn't take long, but

This album is vintage Rubin-esque Cash - taking great songs written by other artists and making them virtually his in the process. Even though Cash didn't write many songs towards the end of his life, he certainly pays tribute to other great country, folk, and rock n' roll songwriters.

If you enjoy American V - be on the lookout for his last album in the American Recordings series - American VI due out sometime in 2007.

AMA Album Chart (week ending 7/23)

1) Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways (American Recordings/Lost Highway)

2) Dave Alvin - West of the West (Yep Roc)

3) Ray Wylie Hubbard - Snake Farm (Sustain)

4) Mark Knophler & Emmylou Harris - All the Roadrunning (Warner Bros.)

5) Slaid Cleaves - Unsung (Rounder)

6) Kieran Kane, Kevin Welsh, & Fats Kaplin - Lost John Dean (Dead Reckoning/Compass)

7) Darrell Scott - The Invisible Man (Full Light)

8) Sam Bush - Laps in Seven (Sugar Hill)

9) Derailers - Soldiers of Love (Palo Duro)

10) Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (Sony)

Hear Them on Rhapsody Now!

Each week the AMA (Americana Music Association) ranks the top Americana albums based on radio and internet airplay. This week Dave Alvin scraps his way to the top jumping two spots to be the top Americana album of the week. This week also saw Johnny Cash soar into the #5 spot, making people wonder not if but when he'll top the charts. And then - for how long?

Keep your eye on Fred Eaglesmith who is inching his way up the chart each week hoping to crack the Top 10 next week.

Top 10 Americana Albums (week ending 7/16)

1) Dave Alvin - West of the West (Yep Roc)

2) Kieran Kane, Kevin Welsh, & Fats Kaplin - Lost John Dean (Dead Reckoning/Compass)

3) Slaid Cleaves - Unsung (Rounder)

4) Mark Knophler & Emmylou Harris - All the Roadrunning (Warner Bros.)

5) Johnny Cash - American V: A Hundred Highways (American Recordings/Lost Highway)

6) Ray Wylie Hubbard - Snake Farm (Sustain)

7) Bruce Springsteen - We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions (Sony)

8) Darrell Scott - The Invisible Man (Full Light)

9) Sam Bush - Laps in Seven (Sugar Hill)

10) Derailers - Soldiers of Love (Palo Duro)

Dunganville can be a creative place. Every Dungan has their own skill that makes them unique. For instant, my Dad has a knack for repairing old lawn mowers. If its old and broken down, don't call AAA. Call my Dad. He'll get to the bottom of it. The question is not whether he'll fix it, it's where is he gonna store it until he can get to it.

Then there is my brother John. He writes and sings songs. Word is he is working on a new recording as we speak.

Then there is my wife, Ashley. She's the newest Dungan in Dunganville. She has skills of her own. After taking a few lessons under an oil painter here in town, she has been crafting her own skills.

As soon as I saw this picture - I knew it had to post it!

Enjoy!

Today I am struggling. Why you ask? Well, I was one of many who attended the big Waybacks/Greencards show last night at the McGlohon Theatre in Spirit Square. Both groups put on a fantastic show and made for a memorable night.

For those who attended 2006's MerleFest, you know the buzz that The Waybacks created after their huge Hillside State performance that Saturday night.

So - if you missed Merlefest or last night's show in Charlotte, why not catch a special performance/interview with the Waybacks hosted WSGE's Cuz Frost. Hear them discuss the MerleFest performance, their newest member in the band, BBQ, and much, much more!

When it comes to music – T-Bone Burnett has done it all. He has written for the best, played with the best, and even produced some of the best records in the last 20 years.

Even after all that Burnett has done, he still finds time to write, sing, and record some of his own music. After a 14-year hiatus of making his own music, Burnett has put together a new album The True False Identity (DMZ/Columbia).

Music lovers know what Burnett is capable of. New music fans may not be. Yet, after all that he has accomplished, he seems to be an unknown in the music world to casual music fans.

Standing in the shadows isn’t always a bad thing. At least this guy can get a cup of coffee in public and not be bothered. Something tells me T-bone prefers it that way.

Hear his new record!

Hear the Rhapsody interview on the new record here!