2016 Music Artist of the Year2016: A Year in Review

Lisa Mills : 2016 Music Artist of the Year

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The Southland Music Line devotes its attention to spreading the word about the music, venues and musicians that we are privileged to encounter during our travels across the country. We definitely spend a considerable amount of time along the Gulf Coast and Deep South region where an abundant amount of music exists.

Each year, we recognize a band or musician as our annual Music Artist of the Year. In 2014, we named the supergroup Willie Sugarcapps. Following a highly successful year, they were an easy choice. The same can be said of our 2015 choice, The Mulligan Brothers.

With the end of 2016 drawing to a close, we began considering a small number of musicians for this year’s selection. We have several things that factor into our process of choosing. To start, we want it to be someone our readers adore and embrace as fans. Also, we look for someone who has had a successful year based on an array of accomplishments. Sales and marketing of an artist doesn’t always play a part but creativity and connection to fans has much value to our final decision.

20151118-SCA_8839Lisa Mills at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL

This year we have chosen someone who has not only had a productive year with the completion of “Mama’s Juke Book”, a successful tour of Europe, a 2016 European Blues Award nomination for Best Blues Vocalist, and she has continued to be a favorite of fans along her beloved Gulf Coast home.

Lisa Mills, a Mississippi native presently living in Alabama, has enjoyed a long successful career which has taken her around the world with opportunities to perform with some of music’s giants. Her music is a unique blend of southern roots, soul, gospel, a little country and rock & roll.

Mills’ latest, “Mama’s Juke Book” is her most personal release yet – a true love letter from daughter to mother. “Mama’s Juke Book” is comprised of songs Lisa found by chance among her late mother’s possessions. Within the pages of an old dollar store spiral notebook were more than two dozen handwritten lyrics of her mom’s favorite country songs from the early 1970’s. This beautiful find inspired Lisa to put this very special album together.

15107352_1349911175020966_5930519515634883868_nPresently the collectable version of Mama’s Juke Book called the “Angel Edition” can be purchased at Lisa’s shows until early 2017 when the album will be officially released.

Personally, I began to recognize Lisa’s tremendous talent, stage presence and showmanship much later than many of her longtime loyal and supportive fanbase. Once I started attending her shows and listening to her music, I quickly joined her legion of fans.

One of the things we at The Southland Music Line do to measure out reasons to why a certain music artist should be named is “their appreciation”. We can go to a Lisa Mills show and she truly displays her honest appreciation  for all to enjoy. She frequently speaks personally to fans (who become friends) throughout the show and makes them feel at home.

When making a short list of those being considered, The Southland Music Line’s Stephen “Andy” Anderson, Robby Amonett, and I agreed she was to top this year’s list. We want to thank her for her incredible music, kind generosity and much appreciated friendship.

When I think of Lisa Mills, I can think of several positive things to say, but above all, I think of “heart”.

20151118-SCA_9177Gram Rea joined Lisa Mills at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL

Click Here to read more about Lisa Mills and her latest album “Mama’s Juke Book”

Click Here to Purchase Her Music & Merchandise.

SCA_7790 Lisa Mills at The Listening Room in Mobile, AL

LISA-MILLS Im changing

Lisa Mills’ 2014 release “I’m Changing” (a remastered and remixed reimagining of her 2005 debut album)


Click Here for Latest Photo Album feat. Lisa Mills by Stephen Anderson.
“Lisa Mills with special guest Chip Herrington at The Listening Room in Mobile, AL (Sat. Nov. 19, 2016) “Two pages of photos”

Click The Following Links for Additional Photo Albums
feat. Lisa Mills by Stephen Anderson:

Lisa Mills w/ Gram Rae at Callaghan’s (Tues. June 12, 2016)
Lisa Mills w/ Gram Rea “2nd Show Together at Callaghan’s (Tues. Jan. 16, 2016)
Lisa Mills w/ Gram Rea Live at Callaghan’s in Mobile, AL (Tues. Nov. 17, 2015)

Related Links:
A Conversation with Lilly Winwood at The Listening Room in Mobile, AL
Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival 2016: The Dream Survives a Flood
The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm: Friends Express Their Appreciation
The Listening Room Takes Its Place in the Gulf Coast Music Scene

A special thank you to Cindy Thamert for assisting with editing.

We would also like to thank Jim Pennington at The Listening Room in Mobile, AL and John Thompson at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club (also in Mobile, AL) for providing excellent venues to enjoy Lisa’s incredible music.

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The above article is part of The Southland Music Line’s Year-End Review
We invite you to also visit the following:
> Part One: A Year in Review
> Part Two: Johnny Cole – A Year of Travelin’ & 300+ Shows
(includes acknowledgements and links to full list of shows)
> Part Three: Stephen Anderson – A Year in Photography
> Part Four: Robby Amonett – A Year in Music-Inspired Art
> Part Five: A Photo Retrospective
> Part Six: Favorite Albums & Shows
> Part Seven: Lisa Mills: Music Artist of the Year
> Part Eight: Readers’ Choice Awards

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© The Southland Music Line. 2016. All rights reserved

©The Southland Music Line



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