Nine years ago, I lived every pop-punker’s dream. I was on my way into my first New Found Glory concert and one of their crew members stopped my cousin, asking her if we wanted to go onstage with the band. We did, of course, and watched NFG perform from bleachers on the stage, in front of the thousands of people at Giant Center.

“I Just Come Here For The Music” from country music legend Don Williams and featuring Alison Krauss  was nominated for a GRAMMY last night in the Best Country Duo/Group Category.  Awards will be given out at the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on February 10th, 2013.

Following a sold-out tour of select US cities this fall, British four-piece Django Django will return stateside for a coast-to-coast tour in support of their self-titled, debut album, out now on Ribbon Music. The band will make first time appearances in Philadelphia, Washington DC, Boston, Portland amongst many others. Catch Django Django this spring and witness why they are becoming a favorite of so many.

The only time I ever saw Bill Staines live was several years ago in East Grand Forks, MN. I was eager for him to sing his (for me) signature song, “Roseville Fair.” It was a song my husband at the time had made into his own, creating a tender arrangement of this most romantic song of lasting love. I had never heard the original recording.

San Francisco Bay Area-based singer/songwriters Marty Atkinson and Katy Boyd have joined forces to form Blue Cactus Choir and will release their debut album, Once in a Bluegrass Moon, January 15 on Porgy Records.