Thank you for the kind words. I love that this book is still finding thoughtful readers. Means the world. Glad you enjoyed it.

For the last month or so I've been taking classes at Pottery House Studio here in Bloomington. This is the first piece that I've thrown, glazed, and fired.

I’m very excited to announce that I’ve signed a contract with
@uncpress.bsky.social to write a book about Memphis music. Tentatively titled Memphis in the Meantime: 50 More Years of Bluff City Pop, Punk, Blues, Hip-Hop & Roots Music, it’ll start in the late 70s and end roughly in the present.

The little bass part on the chorus of "Terminal Way" has been stuck in my head for the last week.

Bill Fox: Resonance Read Stephen M. Deusner’s review of the album.

had the pleasure of writing up Bill Fox's new album Resonance for @pitchfork.com

It's his first in 13 years, and who knows when the songs were written or recorded? But they're full of great hooks and timely outrage.

Thanks! We're making that correction now.

We've Got A File On You: Rhiannon Giddens We’ve Got A File On You features interviews in which artists share the stories behind the extracurricular activities that dot their careers: acting gigs, guest appearances, random internet ephemera, e...

As promised: www.stereogum.com/2304654/weve...

I spoke to Rhiannon Giddens for Stereogum, and we discussed a variety of topics -- her Pulitzer for "Omar," her upcoming culture festival in Durham, Our Native Daughters, that time she was on "Nurse Jackie," and getting upstaged by a brood of cicadas on her new album.

[link just below]

Bonnie “Prince” Billy: The Purple Bird Read Stephen M. Deusner’s review of the album.

Wrote about the excellent new album from my old Pilates partner Bonnie "Prince" Billy for @pitchfork.com

It's his Nashville country album, with some remarkable writing, playing, and singing.

And "Boise, Idaho" is immediately one of my favorite songs of his.

Had the pleasure of writing the Wilco cover story for the new issue of @uncutmagazine.bsky.social & came to the realization that Ghost Is Born is maybe their greatest album. The new box set -- and the exclusive covermount CD! -- really expand that world in some beautiful ways.

Who is Dolly Parton? Steacy Easton explores the complex and carefully-crafted persona that Dolly Parton has constructed over the course of 7 decades.

Here's Part 1: 333sound.com/who-is-dolly...

Had the honor of talking to Steacy Easton about their great new book on Dolly Parton's "White Limozeen." It's a 2-part Q&A about why it's more fun to write about a flawed album than a masterpiece & how Dolly was redefining herself for a new era in country music.

Me (far right), my brothers, and Grandmother Love at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign Headquarters, sometime in the late '70s. He was a good president and the best former president of my lifetime.

Honored to be on the list! Thanks for reading

Excited beyond words to have a feature in the new Oxford American Music Issue.

AND the theme is Memphis, which looms impossibly large in my my musical imagination.

AND I got to write about Lorette Velvette! I was obsessed with her cover of T. Rex's "20th Century Boy" back in the '90s.

Isn’t that the one where he opens one segment by saying, “heeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! That’s a mighty long hey.”

The demonic Fosse routine in Smile 2 is my favorite movie scene of 2024. Still not as scary as All That Jazz but close

Dottie

She does occasional special orders. You can see more of her work here: www.instagram.com/melodydeusner

My wife does latchhook versions of album covers. Here's her latest, hanging at Landlocked Music in Bloomington.

So happy to hear it! More than happy to answer any questions, here at Bluesky or privately via email. Thanks!