Americana Hits Mainstream Audiences

Lately, I've been listening to more traditional styles of Country & Western music. I'll be the first to admit that today's pop-influenced Country radio has left me a bit cold. The last time this happened, I switched from 60's Rock & Roll to Classical and Jazz; I guess that really dates me. This month, we'll look at two sites that deal with what's commonly called Americana. However, these sites are primarily oriented toward Bluegrass. Even if you still like today's Country radio, take a moment to explore these offerings.

Nickel Creek may be one of the biggest surprise groups of the year. Having burst onto Country radio with their single, "Reasons Why," with help from enthusiastic fan support for the companion video, this group breaks the pop-oriented mold. The group, formed in 1990 in southern California, delicately blends bluegrass, folk and celtic styles into an enchanting neo-traditional sound. Their first commercial release, Nickel Creek, on Sugar Hill Records, comes ten years after the groups formation; it is tearing up the Americana charts. The group consists of Sara Watkins (violin), Sean Watkins (guitar), Chris Thile (mandolin, banjo, bazouki) and Scott Thile (Chris' father on acoustic bass).

Detailed biographical information on the group and the three principle artists is available on the Meet The Band section. The Schedule page describes their tour itinerary from Fan Fair in mid-June through mid-September and on into early 2001. There are also News, Photos and Reviews sections, the latter containing reprints from various reviews of Nickel Creek. The merchandise section provides snail-mail ordering of this album as well as Here and There, a self-produced project from 1997, and several solo albums from Chris Thile. The Links section contains professional-related web site associations.

If you're looking for audio, the Hear The Music section of this site links to a real treat. Clicking on the StartUpMusic.Com link takes you to the new Yahoo! Jukebox where, if you can put up with the video commercial, you can hear the entire album! The music is broadcast at either 28.8 or 80 kbps. You can also click on the CDNow link to hear a live clip from the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. And don't forget to back to the Sugar Hill Records web site; here you'll find a fifteen minute interview from Folkscene!

The site's pretty basic which reflects the somewhat new status of the group. This is one to watch. Look for a review of their album on Epinions.Com.

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