Margret Sloan

I finally found my musical identity. I moved away from rock several years ago and didn’t how to describe what I like until I discovered the Americana Music genre. These are the artists that I like and I try to search out the radio stations that play them, buy their music, and go to their shows. Artists and songwriters include John Hiatt, Willie Nelson, Kathy Mattea, Marcia Ball, Joe Ely, Jo-El Sonnier, Kelly Willis, Wilco, Marty Stuart and hundreds more.

The Americana Music Association is based in Nashville, TN and is hosting their 2008 Americana Music Festival and Conference on Sept 17 - Sept 20 in Nashville. They will be honoring John Hiatt with a Lifetime Achievement award at the conference honors and awards show, to be held at the Ryman Auditorium.

The Americana Airplay Top 40 and Top 100 charts represent the reported play of terrestrial radio stations, nationally syndicated radio shows, satellite radio and internet stations who have agreed to submit weekly spin counts.

To see the week’s Top 40 Americana Playlist, click here.

Several years ago I was heavily involved with a state-wide nonprofit group. Part of the reason was that I cared about and had been personally affected by that particular medical condition, but also because I do like to contribute to charities and I felt that I had some talents that they could use. But after 5 years, the makeup of the board and the leadership changed quite a bit, and I got discouraged with the bickering and sometimes heated arguments that precluded every single decision, so I took a break.

I still hear from quite a few of the people involved with that organization, and last night received a call from the new Executive Director asking for my input on some of the issues with pharmaceutical companies. Well, I always have an opinion and I’m using quite willing to share my thoughts on any issue.

He asked if I would be willing to participate in a pharmaceutical marketing research group that was being formed. I asked him for more details and agreed to think it over. I know that research groups play a big part in the marketing strategies for drug therapies, and that the outcome might well affect thousands of people and their health. So it is something I don’t take lightly.

The research company, Decision Resources, is well know in the medical industry. They research and prepare in depth reports and many well known diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes 2, multiple myeloma and many more. My family has been touched by all of those, so I want to read through their website and see what I can learn about their studies before making a decision.

Part of my landscaping plans call for a fence in the backyard. I admit, my backyard is a total mess - it’s been neglected for a long time and it’s overgrown with saplings, poison ivy and mounds of unraked leaves and twigs. But I have made up my mind to clean it up this year and I’ll be starting today at the top of the hill and on the left, and working my way down and to the right. That seems the most efficient way to clear it and remove the leaves and brush.

There is already fencing around the south and west sides of the yard, but it is a mishmash of the neighbors fencing choices. I have what I want in mind, but have been trying to find a local contractor to help me with the digging post holes and connecting the sections. I thought I would get my supplies from Home Depot, as the Sunday newspaper ads have attractive pricing on the materials. But I still have questions about this project, and when I clicked on the Home Depot link as directed in the ad circular, it goes to a dead page. I tried a second route and that’s a different dead page.  What is up with that, Home Depot? You feature something and then don’t back it up? Bah!

For over 40 years I’ve been drinking all sorts of coffees. From the IHOPS and 7-Elevens to the Starbucks and the Peets and everything in between.

I’ve used instant coffee. I’ve used percolators. I’ve expressed. I’ve dripped. I’ve fresh ground and I’ve store ground.

At the moment I make my own coffee at home each morning with a 4 cup Mr. Coffee automatic coffeemaker. I use a custom blend of 1 part Folgers Columbian and 2 parts Starbucks French Roast. It’s not as bitter as all Starbucks and it saves a little dough. I’m also playing around with the Starbucks Costa Rican - but it is a little bitter and I really can’t taste the citrus they talk about on the bag’s description.

If I’m out and about and start to nod, I’ll stop at a Starbucks and order a tall caramel macchiatto with a double shot of espresso. It’s usually about $4, and after 2 or 3 sips I’m awake and alert again.

What’s your poison?

One of the tortured soul type of musicians that I’ve followed for a long time is Doyle Bramhall. He’s a drummer, a singer and a songwriter and he plays a mixture of rock and blues that grabs your heart and soul.

Doyle’s music career started back in the 60’s with some guys he knew in Texas. That turned into a good time with Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan and years of drug and alcohol abuse.

Somehow out of all those coma years he had a son who has grown into a talent in his own right, now playing with Eric Clapton on tour, and Doyle has a new album out that was nominated for 2008 Grammy award, called “Is It News.”

Hey Doyle - way to go!