Emmylou Harris and Joshua James

Hey all,

My apologies for the lack of pre-James Taylor show video as promised, it is still uploading to blogger! Yeesh. I'll get it up hopefully before I leave here today. If not, definitely early next week.

In the meantime, for all your Emmylou ticketholders out there, or for those of you who are on the fence about attending her Wolf Trap date on Sunday, I want to draw your attention to today's "Stages" feature in the Washington Examiner written by Chris Klimek. It gives good a preview of what to expect from her show which begins at 8, and carries only a $22 lawn price. Plus it's one of the most stripped down interviews I've read in a while. Emmylou bears quite a bit. Some interesting factoids about her are included as well. Anyone out there attend Woodbridge high school in the early 1960s? If so, perhaps you were competing with her for the coveted title of valedictorian in 1965, which she locked up in her days prior to immersing herself in the Georgetown music club scene. If you haven't had a chance to pick up today's copy of the Examiner, let me know and I'm happy to send you an electronic version of the article. Not to over saturate Emmylou, but you can read the Post's recent review of her latest record All I Intended to Be, by accessing this link.

Today's video of the week is inspired by our programming director's recent booking sheet distribution of some of our Barns acts for the fall (some great stuff coming by the way, but of course, I cannot share just yet.) I recently witnessed singer/songwriter Joshua James open for Glen Hansard's side project, The Swell Season at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and I was absolutely floored by this guy. I wrote an email to Peter, our programming director this afternoon, declaring that James's musical style combines the very best elements of artrock/folk-rock hero Bright Eyes front man Conor Oberst, and wistful, ethereal singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne. Maybe coming to a Barns near you? Who knows, time will tell.

Check out this exclusive youtube video of Joshua performing a cover of Modest Mouse's "Custom Concern." Let me know if you agree with my previous artist comparison, and assessment of his talent.

Have a great weekend,

Graham