Today is National Radio Day, and I’m reminded how lucky I am to be able to mix sessions from some of the best songwriters in the world. Today, Eilen Jewell and her band showed up to play some tunes before their sold-out show tonight at Cinder Winery.
Eilen was joined by drummer Jason Beek, amazing guitarist Jerry Miller, and bass player Matt Murphy. Eilen said that touring has its fun moments, but it’s not what she’d pictured when in her 20’s. She says the band is a the mercy of the Tour Manager who keeps everything together, but she said, “It’s the people who nourish me.”
We’re excited to learn that Eilen’s next album will be Loretta Lynn covers! She said that opening for Loretta Lynn in 2007 set the tone for her entire career. Eilen gave us a preview with this song.
Listeners again enjoyed Idaho Kombucha, and Port of Subs sandwiches.
Tim asked if the band plays any games while on the road. Eilen said their bass player looks at Zillow everywhere they go. As for nonprofits she supports, Eilen is very fond of Snake River Alliance, Family Advocates, and Interfaith Sanctuary.
I want to take a minute to really honor the guitar playing of Jerry Miller. He may be the most tasteful player I have ever heard. Some lead players can stomp on vocals, but Jerry knows how to swell the sounds and disappear at just the right times. He’ll play harmony leads, tuck his pick into his hand while doing some tricky fingerpicking and amazing fingernail harmonics. I’m not sure that most people notice it, but pay some special attention to this artist’s professional and unique licks! I have huge respect for this style of playing, and one of our engineers who loves metal, came in and said, “HOW DOES HE GET ALL THOSE SOUNDS?!”
Eilen loves to write songs about places, and how they make you feel. We can’t wait for another visit with them once the Loretta Lynn cover album is released!
At the end of the session, I grabbed a photo with Eilen as she said “Say Moonshine!” The world is kind of crazy right now, and Eilen Jewell and her band makes everyone feel better.
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