The JayTunes Jam

There are 110 Grammy Award categories for which the winners will be announced February 8, 2008.  Here’s who I’m pulling for in a few of the races (several of which are listed in my favorite songs of 2008 and 2009)…. Record of the Year: Adele – Chasing Pavements Song of the Year: Adele – Chasing [...]

A few years back I had the opportunity to see Mr. Gorka in concert at the Festival Theater in St. Croix Falls (where I’ve also seen guitar masters Leo Kottke and Pat Donahue).  The folk artist’s guitar playing and voice were pleasant but unremarkable.  His songwriting and storytelling were, however, quite impressive.  He’s got a very soothing, [...]

You may have already guessed it, but I’m not really much of a hip-hop afficionado.  However, there was a time when rap music was upbeat and fun where nerdy white guys like me didn’t feel too embarrassed about ‘cranking’ our boom boxes.  One of the groups that brough rap to the our world was Run DMC.  In honor [...]

For almost 40 years, Leo Kottke has been one of the world’s best acoustic guitar players.  He is a virtuoso finger-picker on both the 6- and 12-string with more than 30 albums to his credit.  Still, do you know any of his songs?  I didn’t either (other than “Mona Ray,” which was featured on the [...]

It’s the start of a new year and we’re close to the start of a new presidency, so what better time than now to reveal my Top 10 “New” Songs?  Longtime favorite artists Van Morrison, Alison Krauss, and David Wilcox made the list.  Soundtrack selections from Aladdin and Garden State made it as well, as did one of [...]