It was nearly ten years ago I first encountered Kacey Musgraves. It was the summer and we were all excited about the Commonwealth games and a coming referendum. (OK some weren’t as excited as others – but you have to show some enthusiasm for these athletes too).
The year before Kacey had released her debut album, Same Trailer, Different Park, which was in retrospect a ground breaking album. It ways in we can only quantify now that album changed something in country music which, since that time, has found new audiences to reach and new ways to reach them. It’s also seen Kacey evolving and changing in ways that still delight and suprise.
The young Kacey and a still old, me. 2014
It’s a cold, rainy Monday evening and I’m safely tucked into my studio enjoying my second spin through Deeper Well, Kacey’s 5th studio album. It’s a much anticipated release which I’m enjoying in warm loud hi-fidelity after a rather hasty take in my car over the weekend. Again she has collaborated with the Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk on song writing and production and it all works beautifully. Don’t expect her to retrace any steps but similarly, know that Kacey’s Texas roots and her love of country music shines through perfectly. Here I must quote my old late friend Rab Noakes who, helpfully, described the music on the show which pre dated ours, Brand New Opry, as celebrating music which had been (in some way) touched by country music. That country music has touched, influenced and thrilled Kacey, there is no doubt and I hope you make the discovery for yourself. We’ll give you a head start by playing two selections on this week’s AC.
Elsewhere we will play out some fascinating conversations from this year’s C2C in Glasgow as we catch up with Lily Rose, Mason Ramsay, Drake Milligan and Tigirlily Gold who all triumphed at this year’s festival. As well as chat we also have some exclusive live performances from Lily and Mason. Believe it or not we still have more in the can from C2C to play out in the next few weeks.
We’ll also have new music from Wilder Woods, Lizzie McAlpine and The Secret Sisters. As ever we’re on air from 8 on BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Sounds. The blog shall return in two weeks time as football takes over the airwaves next week and you may well find me cheering on our National Team at Hampden next Tuesday rather than spinning discs in the studio. Meanwhile do join me for another very special show this week.