Discover Bristol and Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) are teaming up for a virtual concert experience with one of the region's most beloved acts.

Alabama Slim was born Milton Frazier in Vance, Alabama on March 29, 1939. His father built trains at the Pullman plant and his mother did domestic work to make ends meet. In their home they had an old Victrola turntable and a boxful of 78s. Slim fell in love with the blues of Bill Broonzy and Lightnin’ Hopkins, and that’s where the journey began for the always dapper bluesman, who was poised for a late-in-life breakout in 2020 with a scheduled appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

British-American singer/songwriter Lilly Winwood is gearing up to release the official music video for her single “Few More Records." Winwood tells the story of her being burnt out on the road and struggling with her inner demons all while having a job to do. In the video, she quite literally brings that to life as the frames change between her selling records to dancing with her demon and embracing it.

‘Let’s Be Brave Together” is first single from newly minted Children’s music label, Dreamboat Records. The label will be run by the Dutch Records crew out of Portland Oregon and will showcase many amazing musicians side projects geared towards the kids. Dreamboat will also be releasing a children’s book/album in early 2021, stay tuned for details!

In tarot culture, the number three is often referred to as the “trinity of creation,” which is seen as an expression of the creative power of life itself, tapping into all the resources that manifest through creative actions and processes. It also stands for the duality of the power of two to create a whole — often represented by a triangle — which is one of the strongest structures available.

Before completing production on her EP, It Tends To Glow, North Carolina based songstress Carly Taich wasn’t sure if she would ever release another album again. Following her 2017 full length debut, Reverie, and the subsequent years of steadfast aspiration, Taich had recently made peace with the idea of retiring from the musical hamster wheel. Upon reaching this conclusion, the songwriter inadvertently managed to find a more bona fide version of herself.

San Diego-based singer-songwriter Zach Phillips has released his third album, “The Wine of Youth.” An homage to California, it features such tracks as “Hey, San Diego,” “Doesn’t Feel Like California” and “Cascadia,” celebrating the state’s jagged beauty, indomitable spirit and primal intensity. Music Connection magazine recently wrote of the album, “… Phillips has something special … [a] gift for melodic hooks and affecting poetic imagery.”

Grainne Duffy is wickedly talented blues singer, songwriter and guitarist from Ireland. The debut album “Out Of The Dark” led her to the stage of Glastonbury festival in 2008. Duffy also is winner in the writer’s poll of “Blues Matters” in the categories: “best female vocal” in 2014 and “best artist” in 2015.

Life has changed dramatically since the start of the pandemic. No traveling, concerts, movies, drinks at bars, gym sessions or even weekly, mundane marketing trips. I now daydream about these previously unappreciated activities. Cat Ridgeway’s album, “Nice To Meet You” is how I will approach the world and each wonderful and sometimes even boring endeavor once it’s safe to resume some normality.

2020 has been a heck of a ride, full of ups and downs, at times seeming hard to find light in the darkness.  Shining stars exist throughout, however, bringing us through the craziness. Among those beacons of light, new music by our favorite artists is certainly something that guides us.