“If you really love Christmas, c’mon and let it snow.” – Billy Mack, Love Actually

Robert Kelly “I’m Coming Home” from Music City Unsigned: Family Christmas Vol 2. This upbeat, can’t get enough and won’t stop singin’ along song is my favorite from the album, which you can download for only $5.99! You’ll be hearing more of Robert’s music here in the future, but if you can’t wait, check out We Are Poetry. Bonus: Robert was born and raised in Texas and currently lives in Nashville.

Andrew Ripp “Jingle Bells” from Light of Mine. I had to share this song because, though I love Christmas music, there are a handful of songs that I always skip over when I see new versions of them. “Jingle Bells” is one of those songs. Every year the new ones come out and every year they are, yet again, nothing special. Andrew Ripp made me so happy when I heard his take, as he managed to re-invent the song in a way that made me really like it. The song also appears on Music City Unsigned: Family Christmas Vol 2 with the song above. Bonus: Andrew is part of the Neighborly Christmas w/ Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors and will be performing at the Birmingham, Atlanta, and Tennessee shows.

Jason Mraz ft. Tristan Prettyman “All I Want For Christmas Is Us.” The two performed this song at the Feeding Soul Foundation‘s CD release party back in 2010. Last week, as I was listening to some of my favorite original Christmas songs, I told Mark that I wished Jason Mraz had one. I later mentioned this to the biggest Mraz fan I know, Allie from The Reason. She quickly let me know that there was one and led me to the performance on YouTube. I fell in love. It’s the clever lyrics of Mraz that makes me like his music so much, mixed with Tristan’s beautiful voice, and a beat that you can’t help but bob your head to. “Even dismissing mistletoe, so I get to know ya, first of all, singing oh my God, you’re the reason that I decorate my yard.” Bonus: Mraz was born in Virginia.

Parachute “Winterlove” from Winterlove EP. I always appreciate a song with hints of heartache but whose melody makes me happy. I also love winter songs, the ones that aren’t necessarily about Christmas but don’t feel right to listen to until the cold has come. This became one of my favorite winter songs when it was released in 2009. Bonus: Parachute is from Charlottesville, Virginia.

Beta Radio “The Songs the Season Brings” from The Songs the Season Bring. “This new EP from Beta Radio was made in various environments over the two months before Christmas – recorded in the studio, at home in bedrooms, and in closets of family members while drinking egg nog and roasting chestnuts over a George Forman grill!” I’d never heard of Beta Radio until I read the New Artists, Old Songs: 2011 Holiday Edition post from Cover Lay Down. I like their renditions of the classics, but it’s this original that stole my heart. Make sure to download the album for free. Bonus: the duo is from Wilmington, North Carolina.

Want more Christmas music now? I understand. Listen to my 300+ song Christmas playlist on Spotify. More songs are added almost daily so I suggest subscribing!

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” – Buddy the Elf

Every year I look forward to the day after Thanksgiving for one reason and one reason only: hitting play on my Christmas playlist. It’s amazing how something I love so much can make me so unhappy until that day, and once it comes, it’s just about all I listen to for the next month. The classics, the Santa anthems, the new originals that each year brings, the glorious hymns, all of ’em. From Run-DMC to Céline Dion, Wham! to George Strait, Jimmy Buffett to my newest holiday guilty pleasure, Justin Bieber, my list is ever growing and ever joyful.

Music Mondays are aimed to share solely southern artists in an effort to keep this blog authentic to its name. I’d be lying, however, if I said that all of my favorite music was southern based. It’s pretty easy for me to stick to my own “rules” when I’m blogging one song a week, but when I sat down to start picking out some Christmas favorites (both new and old), the list of non-southern artists grew. I figured hey, it’s Christmas, let’s spread the love! Even though not every song in this “series” will be by a southern artist, I will specify who is, as well as point you in the direction of snagging some free music when available.

With all that being said, it’s time to get merry.

The Weepies “All That I Want” from their Happiness album or The Winter’s Night mix. If this is the first you’ve heard of The Weepies, I highly suggest digging into their music after you enjoy the rest of these Christmas tunes. As NPR once said, “The Weepies couldn’t write a bad song if they tried.”

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” from A Neighborly Christmas, available for free on Noise Trade until Christmas! This version takes the cake for my favorite of this 75 year old duet (make sure to check out the music video). I highly recommend you catch their Christmas Tour as it’s of course spreading the joy around the south (we’ll be at the Atlanta show!) Bonus: both Drew and Ellie have been featured here and I can assure you that you’ll both see and hear them again here in the future.

My Morning Jacket “Xmas Time Is Here Again” from Does XMas Fiasco Style. It wasn’t until I saw this Kentuckian combo perform on VH1 Storytellers that I got hooked. Jim James’s voice is one of a kind, so it’s no figure that I’m a fan of their collection of unique Christmas songs, the one featured here being my absolutely favorite.

Keb’ Mo’ “Jingle Bell Jamboree” from his EP, The Spirit of Christmas. Keb ‘Mo’ lives in Nashville and is one of my favorite old fashioned style blues singers. He always does a solid job of “keeping his sound contemporary with touches of soul and folksy storytelling.”
David Crowder Band “The First Noel” from their new album, Oh For Joy. This version instantly became a favorite when I first heard it five days ago, as Crowder’s music tends to do when he records classics. This album is a refreshing take on Christmas favorites, blending folk, bluegrass, pop, rock and even some electronic dance rhythms to make it very much worth downloading. Bonus: they’re from Texas.

Until next Monday, follow the tweets for more Christmas song recommendations throughout the week!

“I remember the first time I saw them a few years ago at Barley’s Taproom in Knoxville. The band played for literally three hours, and I danced and danced and danced with all my friends, drinking Newcastle and sweating in my cowboy boots the night before we ran all over the Georgia Bulldogs.” – Jess Boyd, a follower of this blog.

Photographed by Ashley Haskins

It seems like everybody in these parts are talking about The Dirty Guvnah’s. I’ve had a handful of readers email and tweet to me asking if I’d heard of them, each one telling me how fun of a show they put on and how great of guys they are. After visiting their website and reading that the Knoxville community elected “The Guvs” as the “Best Band In Knoxville” for 4 years running, I’d had enough. It was time for a listen.

As it turns out, this band is more than just a group of guys with a really cool band name. I gave their most recently released album, Youth Is In Our Blood (available for a free download on Noise Trade), a listen. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting anything exciting, as I typically find the band that “everyone is talking about” to be overrated. I was wrong. This band is exciting! Their sound is described perfectly as “a passionate, jubilant slice of rock meets Americana, accomplished through a sturdy foundation of gritty guitar tones and tight rhythms, accented with smooth harmonies, crunchy Hammond organ, bluesy piano and vigorous lead guitar solos.” Nailed it.

Thanks to Jess (quoted up top), I was able to get in contact with James, the lead singer, for a few questions.

Where were you all raised?
Everyone was raised in Knoxville except myself. I was born and raised in the Franklin / Columbia, TN area. I went to high school at Franklin High. Go Rebels. We all met in Knoxville at the University of Tennessee. Get ’em Vols. The band started as a fun thing to do on weekends while in school, entertaining people with music and songs we’d written. Then, it quickly became our passion and started taking over our lives…and we are grateful for it and for the support of all the fans. It’s a crazy life that we now live…one that none of us expected to live.

Y’all live in Knoxville, correct?
Yes, we all currently live in Knoxville and love it. We might be smaller than a lot of other southern cities, but Knoxville has more heart.

Favorite southern city you’ve played in?
Knoxville is our favorite place to play. This is our hometown, and they are the ones that encouraged us from the beginning. We don’t plan on ever moving.

What’s y’alls favorite thing about being a part of the southern music scene?
The southern music scene is alive and kicking. If you’re willing to put in the hours and tour, then you gain immediate respect among your peers. Musicians all share a common bond because they each know how much work it takes to be heard. We love the south, probably as much or more than anyone else.

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I couldn’t choose between the first two songs on Youth Is In Our Blood so I’m sharing them both, as they are both equally my favorites. Happy Monday!

The Dirty Guv’nahs “Baby We Were Young”

The Dirty Guv’nahs “Wide Awake”

The Guv’s are currently touring the South, of course, so check ’em out if they’re stopping in your town.

Photograph by my Austin based photo friend Paige Newton

What is one of the best things about Austin, Texas? It’s musicians. Austin has bred some of my favorite talents, and David Ramirez is on that list.

Upon first listen to David’s “Folk-Brewed Pop,” I was hooked. His voice, his raw honest passionate voice, was everything I love in a singer/songwriter. And then I watched performances. His performance of “Shoeboxes,” sung in a drainage culvert, made me cry. I wanted more of this voice on my music rotation. As it’s been thus far with the musicians I’ve chosen for these Music Monday posts, it’s hard to choose a favorite, but “Fires” was the song that made David stand out to me, which is why I’m sharing it today.

This particular version of “Fires” is the Serialbox Presents version. The project aims to create “music videos” that occupy a unique space. They are multi-cam, multi-track, live, one-take performance videos. Watch him perform “Fires” here (as well a handful of other beautiful songs). You can also download his SerialBox Presents performance for free here.

David Ramirez “Fires”

“I love being a part of the singer/songwriter tradition because it’s timeless, authentic, and vulnerable. The connection is personal, and my goal is to use that connection to point towards truth.” – Steve

Photographed by my great friend, Jamie Clayton.
He rocks the film (above, Canon EOS-3 + Ilford 3200)

Steve Moakler migrated south from Pennsylvania after graduating high school to Nashville, where he still lives today (because, honestly, why would you leave?) Johnny T, from Music City Unsigned, describes Moakler’s new album perfectly, so I’ll let him do it:

Watching Time Run is about beginnings and ends, hellos and goodbyes, searching for yourself and finding someone to share the journey with. It represents the personal stories of a 23-year old making his way through life and watching time move on, set to a backdrop of pop, rock and country music. Many of us can related to trying to move forward, but watching things move by too fast. We long to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the ride and people that come in and out of our lives. Moakler has experienced a lot of growing up in the past two years and crafted it into his finest work. He may be “watching time run” but he certainly isn’t letting it slip by. Read more here.

Favorite southern city to visit on tour:
My favorite southern city I’ve played in is probably Birmingham, Alabama. I’m not sure why. They just love really hard. A woman brought us homemade fried chicken, mac ‘n cheese, and sweet tea backstage for a show at the The Workplay. It really left a mark on my heart for that town.

Most proud of regarding this album:
I’m most proud that each song on the record was written from real place in my heart. I mean it sincerely. I tried to keep the bar really high as far as song “craftsmanship” goes. I was patient and made sure that I made a record of songs that I’d be excited about for a long time.

Steve Moakler “Truth”

Buy the new album on iTunes! You will not be disappointed. Want more? Download his sampler on NoiseTrade for free.

Photographed in Nashville, TN

I’m already breaking my rule for featuring solely southern artists, but I’ve just got to today! Despite the fact that Blake was raised west of Chicago, he does live in Nashville now, and I’d like to think he got to the south as quick as he could. I had the pleasure of photographing Blake  and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him! Click the photo of Blake above for the rest of my favorites from our shoot, and while you do that, have a listen to the best version of The Proclaimer’s “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” that I’ve ever heard.

Blake Stratton “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”

Favorite thing about living in Nashville:
The best part of this city is the people. It’s rare to have a city so full of creative people passionately pursuing their dream. It’s life-giving and inspiring to be around.  I’ve been blessed to have made some awesome (and awesomely talented) friends.

Thing you’ve come to love most about the south:
Dessert after every meal. I grew up with the occasional dessert after dinner, but southerners respect dessert as a necessity to be enjoyed at least twice a day, if not more.

Most proud of regarding this album:
The album’s namesake “Bellevue,” was my highest priority in the recording process. I would say to my engineer/producer, David Spencer, “If we get one thing right on this project, it’s gonna be this song.” My goal was to hear the recording and get taken back to the moment that inspired it. I think we did that.

Listen to the rest of the Bellevue EP here and then go buy it tomorrow!