Jason Isbell

 Bob Dylan called him 'a guitar god.'  Jason Isbell is certainly one of today's great guitarists, and a tremendous songwriter.  This video is part of a live show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.  It contains two songs: "24 Frames" and "King of Oklahoma."  The guitars on King of Oklahoma -- among my favorite performances.

a very nice musical moment...

 Arlo Guthrie and his family band, along with Pete Seger...

Arlo is telling the story of a concert in Europe as the Cold War was ending...

Somehow, this involves Elvis...

Brandi Carlile

 Brandi Carlile performing "What can I say?" in 2007.... an Americana exemplar

Red Molly

 This is Red Molly, with a great Americana sound.

The song is "1952 Vincent Black Lightening."  The main characters are Red Molly, James, and a motorcycle.  It includes a line about 'red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme.'  

Is the ending happy or sad?  Not sure...

"Crossing Muddy Waters"

 This is a John Hiatt song performed in studio by I'm With Her...

"City of New Orleans"

 This is a live version of one of the great pieces of Americana songwriting. The songwriter is the late Steve Goodman ("A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request") and the song is performed by Arlo Guthrie.  The ensemble even includes the great old folkmaster Pete Seeger.  The song references Goodman's hometown, Chicago, the Illinois Central, the town of Kankakee, and the decline of the railroads.

"Switchbacks and Laurel"

Genre:  Americana

Setting: the mountains of western North Carolina

 This record features some unique talent.  It is sung by Donna Britton Bukevicz (singer/producer/owner of Molly Girl Music).  The fiddle playing is by B.E. Farrow (seen on America's Got Talent, performing with Ganstagrass;  he also tours with Dom Flemons, troubadour of ole time music).