Articles By: Jody Mason

Santa Cruz, CA Jody’s love of country music was a dirty secret until her co-workers discovered a Dixie Chicks station on her Pandora profile. She is now proud of the genre and she believes everyone secretly loves country music and it is only a matter of time before the collective truth is revealed. Until then, Jody will continue to write album and concert reviews during the hours she’s not working on an organic farm or adventure traveling. Favorite Band/Artist: Ben Harper and Bob Dylan

BEN KWELLER – San Francisco, CA

by Jody Mason Ben Kweller Takes on San Francisco Ben Kweller returned to his place of birth Sunday, October 5, to play the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park. The 27-year old drew a huge audience of all ages with fiery, Dylan-esque songs like “Fight” and “This is...
October 10th, 2008 | Concert Reviews | Read More

JASON ALDEAN/EMERSON DRIVE – San Jose, CA

by Jody Mason Whenever someone comes back from a concert and giddily announces that the performer is even better live than recorded, I’m usually a little dubious. It seems unlikely that a recording artist would sound better accompanied by guitar feedback and a crackling microphone above the din...
September 20th, 2008 | Concert Reviews | Read More

Keith Anderson "C'MON!" Sony

by Jody Mason High Country Boy All-American songwriter Keith Anderson has been writing music since his boyhood in Oklahoma and has finally released “C’MON!”, an album that rallies the American spirit and taps into his romantic side at the same time. The title track “C’MON!”...
September 20th, 2008 | Album Reviews | Read More

EMERSON DRIVE "Countrified" Midas Records

by Jody Mason Buried Treasure: Emerson Drive’s Missed Hits Emerson Drive hasn’t released an album since 2006 with “Countrified” but the 5-piece band is still touring and serenading us with current singles “A Good Man,” “Moments,” and “You Still Own...
September 20th, 2008 | Album Reviews | Read More

Jason Aldean "Relentless" Broken Bow Records

Jody Mason Over a year after Jason Aldean’s “Relentless” album was released (May 29, 2007), new singles are relentlessly hitting the airwaves an revealing an emotionally responsive performer. Sure, there are still the tough lyrics we associate with Aldean, such as “Johnny Cash,”...
September 14th, 2008 | Album Reviews | Read More

Jewel “Perfectly Clear” Valory Music Co.

by Jody Mason Women who came of age during the ‘90’s keenly recall the emotional range and husky vibrato of Jewel’s voice. It comes as no surprise that she has signed on to country label Valory Music Co. and her newest album is due to release on June 3rd. Her hit single, “Stronger Woman,”...
August 29th, 2008 | Album Reviews | Read More

James Otto “Sunset Man” Warner Brothers/Raybaw Records

by Jody Mason James Otto startled listeners with the release of his second record, “Sunset Man” in April, 2008. He caught our attention with the sexy “Just Got Started Lovin’ You”, his first hit single, and his album begins as he lets loose but doesn’t let go. The first track, “Ain’t...
August 27th, 2008 | Album Reviews | Read More

Dolly Parton “Backwoods Barbie” Dolly Records

by Jody Mason We haven’t seen a mainstream record from the legendary Dolly Parton in 17 years, and it seems she has remained true to her classic style after all this time. Backwoods Barbie includes the single “Better Get to Livin’,” a characteristically upbeat song that is countrified by Dolly’s...
August 26th, 2008 | Album Reviews | Read More