Category Archives: bluegrass

Ags Connolly, americana, Bajo Quinto, bluegrass, Both Kinds Of Country, Dean Owens, Old Time, Oxfordshire, TexMex, UK Americana, UK Country

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 4 ~ Ags Connolly

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Ags Connolly is the honkiest tonkin’ homegrown outlaw we’ve had on the CloudwatcherUno podcast. Ags Connolly is a traditional country singer-songwriter from Oxfordshire but in his soul beats the heart of a native Texan artist. His debut album ‘How About Now’ was released in February 2014 and received fantastic reviews, Maverick magazine hailed it as a ‘masterpiece’.

Ags talks about how vitally important it is for investment in the arts to support UK artists and how that differs for musicians in mainland Europe. We’ve lost so many venues over the last couple of years which impacts music in the UK including the iconic ‘Borderline‘ in London where so many legends of country played but sadly no longer exists.

Ags explains the importance of having a producer such as ‘Dean Owens‘ who is as passionate and whose skill and experience transforms an ordinary album into a modern masterpiece. Dean worked with Ags on his first two albums and his legacy can be heard on Ag’s self produced third and fourth album.

On ‘Siempre‘, Spanish for ‘always’, his latest album he fully embraces the border country Tex-Mex sound, Ags wanted a completely authentic sound and that meant learning to play bajo quinto, the instrument is similar to a guitar but infinitely harder to learn how to play. Ags even sings in Spanish, no mean feat for this British artist.

If you resonate with the sound of Texas-style music, flawlessly sung and exquisitely played, then Ags is the artist for you. The seamless fusion of captivating melodies and heartfelt lyrics creates a mesmerizing musical journey that’s perfect for a summer evening spent on your porch, in your garden, or anywhere you can unwind.

‘Siempre’ is not just an album; it’s a mesmerizing journey through time and space, a sonic exploration that captures the essence of longing and wanderlust. From the first note to the closing melody, this masterpiece weaves a captivating tapestry of emotions that resonate deep within the soul, drawing on the nostalgia of distant places and heartfelt stories. Each track in this musical opus is an indispensable addition to your collection, enriching your playlist with its enchanting melodies and evocative harmonies.

With Ags when supported Charley Crockett
With Ags when he supported Jaime Wyatt
WIth Ags when he supported Summer Dean

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring Ags Connolly. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

americana, Appalachia, bluegrass, Country and Western, Female Artist, folk, Kristen Grainger + The True North, nashville, Women In Music

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S12 Ep 2 ~ Kristen Grainger and The True North

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Episode 2 of the CloudwatcherUno Podcast features Kristen Grainger and The True North. We talk about Kristen’s new album ‘Fear of Falling Stars’ is an authentic love letter to the world of bluegrass music, with heavenly songs full of love, loss, hope and heartbreak. On the podcast we get to speak about Kristen’s journey into music, her ‘Hallmark’ movie romance with Dan Wetzl a supremely talented multi instrumentalist songwriter and the possibility of playing in England in 2024.

Kristen Grainger’s vocal delivery is truly captivating, as she effortlessly infuses each lyric with soulful depth and genuine emotion. Her band complements her vocals with elegant yet understated instrumentation, skillfully weaving in delicate embellishments that enhance the overall sonic tapestry. This seamless combination of heartfelt vocals and tasteful musical accompaniment results in a truly immersive listening experience, inviting the audience to connect with the music on a deeply emotional level.


Kristen Grainger and True North – Big Little Songs (truenorthband.com) also features Martin Stevens and Josh Adkins. Kristen Grainger has taken top honors at some of the nation’s most prestigious songwriting competitions, including Telluride Bluegrass Festival @telluridebluegrassfestival , MerleFest and the USA Songwriting Contest. She also was named, alongside Dolly Parton and Brandi Carlile , one of the “Women Who Wrote Our 2020 Soundtrack” by The Bluegrass Situation. @thebluegrasssituation

 ‘Fear of Falling Stars’ is simply a modern masterpiece of an album. Their authenticity and passion shine through in each song, inviting listeners to join them on a journey of self-discovery and introspection. Kristen Grainger & True North’s music resonates on a deep level, weaving a tapestry of storytelling that captivates audiences worldwide. With their rich melodies and evocative lyrics, they craft an immersive musical experience that transcends geographical boundaries, tapping into universal emotions and experiences. As they continue to push the boundaries of folk and Americana music, their impact reverberates far and wide, leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene.

When it comes to podcasts, there’s something for everyone, and the one from CloudwatcherUno featuring Kristen Grainger and The True North is definitely worth a listen. So, whether you’re at home, on the go, or simply relaxing. hit play and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of CloudwatcherUno and his special guests.

bluegrass, Canada, Canadian Country, Country and Western, Independent Music, Sean Burns

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S11 Ep 10 – Season Finale – 110th Episode ~ Sean Burns

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The Season finale of the Season 11 CloudwatcherUno Podcast is with Winnipeg based artist Sean Burns. CloudwatcherUno speaks with Sean about his new album ‘Lost Country’ out 27th October 2023 and his love of music and the Bakersfield Sound. Check it out when it’s released.


‘Lost Country’ is a Honky Tonkin’ tribute to Canada’s lost country music artist’s such as Roy Payne and Mickey McGivern. Sean’s passion for Canada’s country music heritage flows from his over five years as host “Boots and Saddle” on Winnipeg’s CKUW and his own podcast ‘The Northern Report’.

Sean Burns homage to the Lost Country music of his native Canada.
Sean Burns making heavenly music on stage.

Some call it Alt-Country, Americana or Roots, but however you shake it, Sean Burns is a  Country music singer. A dedicated Country Music historian and preservationist, Sean waves the flag of hardcore Honky-Tonk in a fashion unmatched by most of his peers.

Regularly touring coast-to-coast across Canada and into the United States since 2010, it’s not often Sean sits below the 125 show mark annually. “This is not a hobby”,  proclaims the Winnipeg-based Honky-Tonker.  With a dedicated following across Western Canada, Sean continues to passionately spin tales of highways and heartbreaks, of drinkers, drunks, trains and trucks in every imaginable live performance scenario. Sean’s time is taken up as bassist for Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans. A fantastic way to nurture and develop his own voice in Country Music.

Click below to hear the Sean Burns. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

bluegrass, folk, Old Time, Punk Rock, UK Americana

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S11 Ep 6 ~ WaterTower

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CloudwatcherUno hangs out with the boys from LA as they tour around the UK. Water Tower is known for playing modern bluegrass music mixed with traditional, old time, and punk rock influences.  The guys recorded their episode live in London.

The legends that are a WaterTower

The current line up for WaterTower are Joe “Juice” Berglund (bass, fiddle), Tommy Drinkard (banjo), and Jesse Blue Eads (bass, banjo) became the main Water Tower line up with Kevin Feinstein in 2020. In 2021 they released a limited-edition bootleg album of all new songs called For the Owls. A live studio album called Live from Los Angeles is due to come out in 2023.

WaterTower in action.

The band has a DIY attitude and many of their albums are self-released. They prefer to book their own shows and tours, and a lot of their time is spent playing for passing cars at freeway off-ramps around Los Angeles.

New Logo for WaterTower

Water Tower is very active in the local bluegrass scene and the band hosts a monthly bluegrass jam event called Hillbilly Hype House. The band itself functions as a collective, with members playing in various side projects. 

WaterTower Band ~ Wilderness Festival

Click below to hear the podcast from CloudwatcherUno featuring WaterTower. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

21st Century Folk, bluegrass, Country and Western, Jazz, Robert Ellis, Songbird, texas country, Texas music scene, Texas Piano Man

CloudwatcherUno 100th Episode ~ S10 Ep 10 ~ Robert Ellis

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The 100th episode of the CloudwatcherUno podcast is out now with Robert Ellis. He is a special artist. To me, a true definition of a poet who captures the real everyday life of us mere mortals. Robert has a history of generating classic country and bluegrass songs but also mixing in some alternative pulsating melodies. His songs are dramatic folk-pop for the common man, a way of escaping these terra firma chains.

CloudwatcherUno Podcast 100th Episode with Robert Ellis

We caught up with this Texas Piano Man, in a recording studio where his skills as a listener and producer were being used to make beautiful music. His larger than life persona personified in his album of 2019 has now given way to a much more introspective sound that will be heard on his new album. Just listen to “Yesterday’s News” to see how this song adds to Robert’s musical vocabulary.

“Yesterday’s News” by Robert Ellis

Robert’s songs are awesomesaurous, they connect with you in a way that very few songs do, basically ear candy for those who want to listen to real music. It’s on stage that Robert truly shines and he recently supported Courtney Marie Andrews in the UK bringing a stripped back acoustic sound.

Texas Piano Man – Robert Ellis

Robert sings from the heart and his songs are an antidote for those who want to feel more than this earth can offer. He is fantastic live, you really need to see his show if you get a chance.

“Topo Chico” by Robert Ellis

So add some Robert Ellis songs to your playlist, get your friends to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Robert Ellis. Click the link below and also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

americana, Big Talk, bluegrass, Country and Western, Honky Tonk, Jarrod Dickenson, nashville, Red Dirt Country, texas country, Texas music scene, Troubadour, Waco, Texas

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S10 Ep 9 ~ Jarrod Dickenson

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In this 99th episode of the CloudwatcherUno Podcast we catch up with gentleman troubadour himself Jarrod Dickenson. The wandering minstrel originally hails from Waco, Texas and after spells in New York , this singing sensation has settled in Tennessee. Travelling all over Europe he met his wife and bandmate Claire Dickenson in Belfast and this versatile vocalist has become the special ingredient to his sound on stage and on record.

“Take It From Me” by Jarrod Dickenson

We have a “Big Talk” about Jarrod’s new album, his inspirations and his music. We also talk about Jarrod’s Battle Royale with a major label and the deal that went sour big time when the label did their utmost to sabotage the release of his album “Ready The Horses” but it took a Jarrod and Goliath battle to get the rights back to his own music. Jarrod’s musical riposte to all of these shenanigans is the song “Buckle Under Pressure” which you can hear on his latest album.

“Gold Rush” by Jarrod Dickenson

That wasn’t the only battle that Jarrod has been fighting, complications from Covid-19 left Jarrod with a lifelong health condition. All of this drama has been poured into Jarrod’s music and especially into the latest album. With the help of Jano Rix, Ted Pecchio, J P Ruggieri, Oliver Wood and Ethan Johns this album is a testament to the true grit of this southern artist.

Suave and sophisticated is this southern gem Jarrod Dickenson

Jarrod has recently been to these Isles of Britannia having done a tour of the UK and Europe. He’ll be back over here again to support Amanda Shires in June and performing on stage at Black Deer Festival – Americana & Country Music Festival in June 2023. So do your ears a favour and get you to a gig to listen to this magnificent Texan artist.

Jarrod Dickenson has a fine moustache….sadly it can’t compete with CloudwatcherUno!

Click below to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Jarrod Dickenson. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

21st Century Folk, americana, bluegrass, Country and Western, Donny Van Slee, Red Dirt Country, UK Americana, UK Country, Western Swing

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S10 Ep 6 ~ Donny Van Slee

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Season 10 ~ Episode 6, of the CloudwatcherUno Podcast features the up and coming Donny Van Slee out on Friday 7th April 2023.

Raised in Florida but now living in Nashville, Donny is the only licensed chiropractor making his mark in the Nashville music scene.

We talk about his early years, his decision to reach out to the “World-Famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge” where after an audition they promptly hired him, through to being inspired by his peers such as Zach Bryan to explore his passion for music.

“Sip on Me” | Donny Van Slee

So come enjoy the conversation with Donny and CloudwatcherUno on @applepodcasts @spotifypodcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts or click the link below.

Play. Listen. Enjoy

americana, bluegrass, Country and Western, folk, Malin Pettersen, nashville, Nordicana, Pop Music, Songbird, Western Swing

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S10 – Ep 5 ~ Malin Pettersen

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Malin Pettersen talks with CloudwatcherUno for S10 Ep 5 of the podcast. We hear about the inspiration that drives Malin’s music and her albums. From going to Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts , where she studied Popular Music and Sound Technology it was a great foundation for her becoming a musician. Growing up listening to Iris Dement, Gillian Welch and others drove her need to communicate through melodies, music and an outlet for her thoughts and be able to put these into her songs.

“Pause” by Malin Pettersen

We meet at Franze & Evans Cafe Hackney after her show performing at The Americana Music Association UK festival. A great opportunity for artists from America such as Brennen Leigh, Norway Thenorthernbelle and beyond to meet up and share, songs, stories and the stage.

Malin Pettersen

At 3 and half years Malin went to dancing school, she learnt about performing on stage but it didn’t matter if mistakes were made or lyrics forgotten. The most important thing that matters most is to go on stage, play the music together and share her songs and have fun with friends on stage. Growing up Malin found that others didn’t appreciate her need to express herself through talking and communicating her thoughts and channelled this energy into her music instead.

“Queen of the Meadow” by Malin Pettersen

Malin will be revisiting the music of her youth and Justin Timberlake, TLC, Destiny’s Child by consciously using these formative listening experiences to influence the sound of her new album. The new album is being produced and mixed as we speak and will be a departure sonically from her last album Wildhorse with R&B, Pop and other aural adventures added to her new album’s soundscape.

Malin Pettersen

Being with Die With Your Boots On Records gives Malin the freedom that she wants to express herself and would rather be playing at intimate venues so that she connects with the right people who will appreciate her music. Malin has been fortunate to meet people who have supported her through her music, be a good person who cares about others and a dedicated mother to her children. Malin acknowledge the support of her mother Bente Helenesdatter Pettersen and her partner in enabling her to pursue her dreams as an artist.

“California” by Malin Pettersen

Malin will be playing at static roots festival and The Long Road Festival and a release tour to celebrate the new album in November 2023. Click below to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Natalie Prauser. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

21st Century Folk, americana, Angela Autumn, bluegrass, country, Country and Western, Dance Hall, nashville

CloudwatcherUno Podcast Season 10 – Ep 1 ~ Angela Autumn

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After getting her iced coffee from Ugly Mugs Coffee & Tea, LLC in East Nashville, Angela Autumn sat down with CloudwatcherUno for this first episode of Season 10. We talk about the last time that Angela had recorded which was with a full band sound. There is a yearning to leave the bluegrass sound of her “Frontiers Woman” album and channel more of an indie sound some of which can be heard on “My Blank Pages” but is being explored more in 2023. Angela is waiting for the right place to record her new album in this musical direction.

In our opinion one of the best songs that Angela has recorded is “Rascal”, which began life as an entry into the NPR Tiny Desk Competition in 2018 while she was 22 with her friends. Angela is really grateful for the support from Andy of Gems On VHS fame and Western AF and the way that they support indie artists.

“Your Heart’s Like An Arrow Pointed Straight At Me“

For Angela the pandemic showed her that there were many things under the surface, Living north of Nashville. In Old Hickory her neighbours were all of the older generation and so there was a sense of isolation and produced music through these times such as “Dancer”. Angela was someone who lived through the Dark night of the soul camp. Sharon Van Etten’s music is something that gives Angela joy and when live music came back, Angela was there to experience the thrill of her music.

Photo: Anna Warner

Angela talks us through her collection of guitars from a Martins to a Collings E28 Bluegrass guitar and has written over 50 songs on this beauty. Angela’s album “Blank Pages” is currently a Bandcamp exclusive but there may be a possibility of giving it a second life on Spotify. Angela put in a significant amount of funds in Fall 2022 to release this record, thankfully fans stepped up and covered the costs of producing this album. It’s definitely Adventure Time for 2023 as Angela looks forward to touring and producing music with her partner who plays the cello! Now that’s going to be an amazing collaboration on the next album.

To listen into the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Angela click the link below. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

american, americana, bluegrass, Country and Western, Dance Hall, Honky Tonk, Montana, Music Row, nashville, Red Dirt Country

CloudwatcherUno Podcast S9 Ep 7 ~ Sterling Drake

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Season 9 Episode 7 features returning guest Sterling Drake an ambassador for new independent music who navigates being an artist in these modern musical times. Sterling released ‘Roll The Dice’ his first EP to much critical acclaim and wanted to try a different direction for his next EP “Highway 200”. Sterling is a three-time Billboard charting songwriter with work released via publishing powerhouse Extreme Music (Sony ATV) and has written with several Grammy award winning writers.

‘Roll The Dice’ by Sterling Drake

We also talk about working on a ranch in Montana, becoming a small part of the TV series @yellowstone and his fellow musical brethren @sierraelizabethferrell and @hannahjuanita_thehardliner

‘Highway 200’ by Sterling Drake

Then we also chat about what is the perfect length for a record, does that depend on the genre? Also Sterling’s plans for touring across the States and producing new music and deciding which direction that will take him. The future is not written and a path needs to be dug out by Sterling as to how his career will go forward. To that end Sterling will release EPs and singles in different styles so as to get a body of work together. Only when this is done will Sterling consider releasing an album in order to solidify his approach to this genre.

‘Highway 200’ by Sterling Drake

Sterling Drake plays timeless country music following in the footsteps of Bob Wills, Merle Haggard and George Strait. Sterling doesn’t put a label on his music, for him it’s just music that has a cultural heritage. Sterling’s peers such Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers are breaking from the perceived notion of what country music should sound like and Sterling is also breaking the mould when it comes to this style of country music.

‘In The Pines’ by Sterling Drake

Click below to join in with the conversation with CloudwatcherUno and Sterling Drake. Also streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict or wherever you listen to your podcasts.