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The Southland Music Line 2019 – A Year in Review

Article by Johnny Cole
Photos by Stephen Anderson

2019 marks The Southland Music Line’s 6th year of celebrating great music. Over the past twelve months, we have continued our ongoing pilgrimage in search of more great music. Our staff in 2019 consisted of Johnny Cole (editor/writer), Stephen “Andy” Anderson (photographer), Robby Amonett (artist) and Brenda Germany (associate editor/writer). We were also joined by article contributors, Connie Gibbs and Cindy Thamert.

Throughout the year, we published a large number of articles and photo collections. One of our latest features was The Mississippi Blues Trail Series, which spotlighted several Mississippi Blues Trail markers from across the region. During 2019, “The Line” returned to South By Southwest in Austin (TX), Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival in Bogalusa (LA), The Piney Woods Picnic near Hattiesburg (MS), the Mississippi Songwriters Festival in Ocean Springs (MS), and several exciting Sunday shows at The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Silverhill (AL).

Taj Mahal at Mississippi John Hurt Homecoming Festival in Carrollton, MS

In addition to the above events, Stephen Anderson had a busy year photographing events such as the Mississippi John Hurt Homecoming Festival in Carrollton (MS), King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena (AR), and quite a few glorious nights of music at the Grand Mag Fall Music Series in Pascagoula (MS) featuring Rodney Crowell, J.D. Souther, Lee Roy Parnell and the Winter Music Festival with Will Kimbrough, Libby Rae Watson, Cary Hudson, Katrina Miller, Molly Thomas, Double Dee, Matt Hoggatt and Taylor Craven. Another highlight of Anderson’s year was photographing Dylan LeBlanc and The Pollies at the popular Standard Deluxe in Waverly (AL). Some of the other shows he enjoyed photographing were Sugarcane Jane & The Bucket Fillers at Slowboat Brewing Company, Samantha Fish at Cedar Street Social Club, Los Lobos and Edward David Anderson at The Vinyl Music Hall, Brent Cobb at Callaghan’s, Tyler Childers at the Soul Kitchen, Ray Wylie Hubbard at Cedar Street Social Club, and Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory at The People’s Room of Mobile – to name but a few of his most enjoyed shows. In 2019, Anderson also photographed such artists as Taj Mahal, Delbert McClinton, Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians, Jesse Colin Young, Gurf Morlix, Bill Kirchen, Chuck Mead, Bonnie Bishop, Justin Townes Earle, Cedric Burnside, Robbie Fulks, John Paul White, Chely Wright, Marcus King Band, Linda Gail Lewis, Sixpence None the Richer’s Leigh Nash, Bryan White, Paul Overstreet, Dom Flemons, The Jericho Road Show, Cactus Blossoms, Grayson Capps, Johnny Sansone, newcomer, Logan Ledger and so many others.

The Southland Music Line enjoys learning of bright new music artists and during 2019 we learned of several with incredible potential. One such artist, KneeOn Sisters, was featured in a fall spotlight article which included multiple pages of photos taken from a late summer photo shoot and interview with the teen sisters, Aerial and Skyler Smith. The 12 Q&A Series article was one of our most viewed projects of the year. Also, during the Mississippi Songwriters Festival in Ocean Springs (MS), we learned of the talented 18 year old Chaislyn Jane. We were so impressed that we made a trip to see her again at the Ozone Songwriters Festival in Mandeville (LA). You can expect to be hearing more about these talented young ladies in the near future.

Brenda Germany, who began writing for “The Line” in 2018, wrote several well-received articles in 2019 spotlighting artists such as Barstow Revival, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue, Edward David Anderson, Jimbo Mathus, and Blue Mother Tupelo. Her article “Truitt Williams – Words to Live” was one of our most shared features in all of 2019. Brenda also contributed several articles to the Mississippi Blues Trail Series.

The popular Robby Amonett, one of the co-founders of The Southland Music Line, had another successful year capturing live music shows with his original art. He could be found at venues and music events across the Gulf Coast and other parts of the United States throughout 2019. Many musicians say you haven’t arrived until Robby Amonett shows up at one of your performances.

Paul Overstreet was inducted into the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019 at the Mississippi Songwriters Festival in Ocean Springs, MS

Aside from The Southland Music Line, I continued my work in Press/Media Relations for several tours, festivals and music events around the globe (see link for my complete list of shows). As busy as that keeps me, I still enjoyed working alongside the wonderful people who make up The Southland Music Line and devoting much of my life to the mission we began six years ago. It is also a pleasure to regularly research and post The Gulf Coast Weekly Live Music Listings at The Southland Music Line, one of our most popular features. Over the last twelve months, I wrote numerous articles: “40 Years of Year End Charts: 1979-2018”, “Josh Ritter at The University of South Alabama: Laidlaw Performing Arts Center”, “An All-Star Night in Mobile Featuring Red Padilla & Friends”, “Sharon Kay Moore – Music That Soothes The Soul”, “Molly Thomas & The Rare Birds – Time for These Wings to Fly”, “Two Memorable Nights at The Listening Room – Chely Wright & Bryan White”, “Sugarcane Jane – 2019 Music Artist of the Year” and others. I enjoyed working with Brenda and Andy on The Mississippi Blues Trail Series and writing articles about South By Southwest, Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival, and Mississippi John Hurt Homecoming Festival. In the fall of the year, my longtime friend, Connie Carnley Gibbs, worked with me on an article detailing her cousin, Paul Overstreet’s induction into the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame and the annual Mississippi Songwriters Festival.

Our mission remains the same as it did in 2013 – dedicating time to promote a shared love of music. We look forward to continuing our adventure and appreciate all our readers. Hopefully, 2020 will be another rewarding year of outstanding music and memorable times.

Sugarcane Jane was named 2019’s Music Artist of the Year by the staff at The Southland Music Line. They would also receive the most votes in our Readers’ Choice Awards for Music Artist of the Year – fourth straight year.
Click Here for the article: “Sugarcane Jane – 2019 Music Artist of the Year”

☆ Readers Choice Awards:
▪︎ Favorite Music Artist of the Year – Sugarcane Jane
(Also receiving a large number of votes (in alphabetical order): Eric Erdman, Molly Thomas & The Rare Birds, The Red Clay Strays, Red & The Revelers – the results were close)
▪︎ Favorite Album of the Year – “Honey’s Fury” by Molly Thomas & The Rare Birds
(runner-up: Live – Sugarcane Jane & the Bucket Fillers)
▪︎ Favorite (Indoor) Venue – Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL
(runner-up: The Peoples Room of Mobile “formerly known as The Listening Room of Mobile” in Mobile, AL)
▪︎ Favorite (Outdoor) Venue – The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Silverhill, AL
(runner-up: Cassidy Park “site of the Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival” in Bogalusa, LA)

A record setting number of votes were received for the annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Molly Thomas & The Rare Birds’ “Honey’s Fury” received the most votes for favorite album in 2019.

☆ Our Favorite Albums of 2019:

Johnny Cole (writer & editor at The Line) –
* 1. Honey’s Fury – Molly Thomas & the Rare Birds (tied)
* 1. Western Stars – Bruce Springsteen (tied)

3. Western Stars: Songs From The Film – Bruce Springsteen
4. I Like it Down Here – Will Kimbrough
5. And Then the Rain – Tim Jackson & Lindsey Thompson
6. Safe Passage – John Calvin Abney
7. When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish
8. Moving Forward – Steve Griggs
9. A Modern Man’s Way to Improve – Royal Horses
10. Denim & Diesel – Grace Askew

Johnny Cole’s Ten Favorite Singles/Album Tracks of 2019:
1) “Carole”Chaislyn Jane & 1) “There Goes My Miracle” – Bruce Springsteen (tied),
3) “Hello Sunshine” – Bruce Springsteen, 4) “Thank You” – Molly Thomas & the Rare Birds, 5) “Rhinestone Cowboy” (a cover from the film “Western Stars”) – Bruce Springsteen, 6) “Western Stars” – Bruce Springsteen, 7) “I’m Not Running Away” – Will Kimbrough, 8) “My Daddy Wore a John B. Stetson Hat” – Steve Griggs, 9) “Somethin’ for Louise” – Mark Pfaff, 10) “Moonlight Motel” – Bruce Springsteen

Click Here for his complete list of 125 favorite albums & honorable mentions of 2019; 25 Favorite Single/Album tracks of 2019; and additional 2019 music favorites.

Stephen “Andy” Anderson (Photographer at The Line) “In Alphabetical Order”  –
* Circles ‘Round the Sun – Christie Lenee
* Country Squire – Tyler Childers
* Home – Billy Strings
* Kill or Be Kind – Samantha Fish
* Kingsfish – Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
* Revolute – Katey Brooks

* Sound & Fury – Sturgill Simpson
* Spectacular Class – Jontavious Willis
* This Land – Gary Clark, Jr.
* When You’re Ready – Molly Tuttle

Robby Amonett (artist & staff writer at The Line) “In Alphabetical Order” –
* A Modern Man’s Way to Improve – Royal Horses
* After The Fire; The Wanting – Cody Jinks
* Country Squire – Tyler Childers
* Fear Inoculum – Tool
* For the Dead Travel Fast – Kadavar
* Honey’s Fury – Molly Thomas & The Rare Birds
* I Like It Down Here – Will Kimbrough
* Renegade – Dylan LeBlanc
* Sound & Fury – Sturgill Simpson
* The Task Eternal – Mars Red Sky

Brenda Germany (writer/associate editor) –
* 1. Honey’s Fury – Molly Thomas and the Rare Birds (tied)

* 1. Sugarcane Jane and the Bucket Fillers Live – Sugarcane Jane and the Bucket Fillers
(tied)

3. I Like It Down Here – Will Kimbrough
4. Half Past Human – Mark Pfaff
5. Ride Me Back Home – Willie Nelson
6. Sound & Fury – Sturgill Simpson
7. Survivor Blues – Walter Trout
8. Thanks for the Dance – Leonard Cohen
9. The Traveler – Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
10. Country Squire – Tyler Childers

 ☆ The covers appearing on “The Line” in 2019:

☆ The shows attended by The Line’s Johnny Cole in 2019:
Click Here for Johnny Cole’s complete list of shows in 2019.
Click Here for Johnny Cole’s favorite shows of 2019.
Click Here for Venues enjoyed in 2019 by Johnny Cole.

☆ The photos appearing on “The Line” in 2019:
Click Here for all the photo collections by Stephen “Andy” Anderson in 2019.

(Click Above for Some Photo Highlights from 2019)

☆ Spotlight Music of the Month in 2019:
▪︎ Jan. – “Fool” – Joe Jackson
▪︎ Feb. – “And Then The Rain” – Tim Jackson & Lindsey Thompson
▪︎ Mar. – “Give Me What I Want” – Sarah Burton
▪︎ Apr. – “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” – Billie Eilish
▪︎ May – “I Like It Down Here” – Will Kimbrough
▪︎ June – “Western Stars” – Bruce Springsteen
▪︎ July – “Honey’s Fury” – Molly Thomas & The Rare Birds
▪︎ Aug. – “The Wizard & The Witch” – Red & The Revelers
▪︎ Sept. – “Renegade” – Dylan LeBlanc
▪︎ Oct. – “Sound & Fury” – Sturgill Simpson
▪︎ Nov. – “A Modern Man’s Way to Improve” – Royal Horses
▪︎ Dec. – “Live” – Sugarcane Jane & The Bucket Fillers
Click Here to visit our Music Spotlight of the Month Archives

2019 Readers’ Choice Award winner for Favorite (Indoor) Venue: Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL

☆ Music Fans of the Month in 2019:
▪︎ Jan. – Tina Lackeos (AL)
▪︎ Feb. – Debbie Godard (AL)
▪︎ Mar. – Glenn Lancaster (MS)
▪︎ Apr. – Jennifer Predmore (AL)
▪︎ May – Joe Tritz (AL)
▪︎ June – Annie “The Listening Room’s favorite dog” (AL)
▪︎ July – Curtis Rockwell (MS)
▪︎ Aug. – Amanda Kyrie (MS)
▪︎ Sept. – George Cumbest (MS)
▪︎ Oct. – Joe & Sue Sweeney (AL)
▪︎ Nov. – Jody Campbell (AL)
▪︎ Dec. – Kathy Kirkland (AL)
Click Here for review of all Music Fans of the Month in 2019.

2019 Readers’ Choice Award winner for Favorite (Outdoor) Venue: The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Silverhill, AL

☆ The articles appearing on “The Line” in 2019:
▪︎ The Southland Music Line 2018 – A Year in Review
▪︎ Mississippi-Born Jimbo Mathus – Original & Diverse
▪︎ 40 Years of Year End Charts: 1979-2018
▪︎ Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue with Jimbo Mathus – A Honky Tonk Double Play
▪︎ Edward David Anderson Opens For Los Lobos at “The Vinyl”
▪︎ Josh Ritter at The University of South Alabama: Laidlaw Performing Arts Center
▪︎ Mississippi Blues Trail Series: 100 Men D.B.A. Hall – Bay St. Louis
▪︎ The Southland Music Line Returns to Austin for South By Southwest 2019
▪︎ Blue Mother Tupelo – The Work of Our Hearts
▪︎ An All-Star Night in Mobile Featuring Red Padilla & Friends
▪︎ Mississippi Blues Trail Series: Jackson County Blues – Moss Point, Pascagoula & Ocean Springs
▪︎ Sharon Kay Moore – Music That Soothes The Soul
▪︎ Molly Thomas & The Rare Birds – Time for These Wings to Fly
▪︎ Mississippi Blues Trail Series: Harrison County Blues – Biloxi, Gulfport & Pass Christian
▪︎ The Southland Music Line Looks at 2019 (So Far)
▪︎ A Promising Outlook on the Rest of 2019 – A Spotlight on 15 Music Artists
▪︎ Mississippi Blues Trail Series – Hattiesburg & Laurel
▪︎ Mississippi Blues Trail Series – Natchez & Ferriday
▪︎ Two Memorable Nights at The Listening Room – Chely Wright & Bryan White
▪︎ Truitt Williams – Words to Live By
▪︎ Mississippi Blues Trail Series – Pensacola Blues
▪︎ Barstow Revival – Real Life
▪︎ 12 Q&A Series: KneeOn Sisters – Colorful, Bright & In Flight
▪︎ Mississippi Songwriters Festival 2019 & Hall of Fame Induction of Paul Overstreet
▪︎ Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival 2019
▪︎ Mississippi Blues Trail Series: Mississippi John Hurt & The Mississippi John Hurt Homecoming Festival 2019
▪︎ Sugarcane Jane – 2019 Music Artist of the Year

Click Here for article archives.

☆ Acknowledgements:
The Southland Music Line thanks the fine folks who granted us access to shows, events and festivals or saved us a seat. In particular, we also want to thank Mark Garrison and Jack’s by the Tracks in Pascagoula, MS for many years of unforgettable live music and experiences. The Southland Music Line was started at Jack’s by the Tracks in 2013. We feel honored by the friendship extended to us by so many amazing fans of live music.

© The Southland Music Line. 2020. All rights reserved

©The Southland Music Line

 

 

 

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