Stasia Lanier

Traveler, the new album from world-renowned musician Jerry Douglas, is his first first solo release since his acclaimed 2009 Christmas album "Jerry Christmas". 

The project features special guest vocals from Eric Clapton, Mumford & Sons, Paul Simon, Keb’ Mo’, Marc Cohn and Alison Krauss and Union Station. The 11-track album also features legendary musicians Dr. John (piano), Béla Fleck (banjo), Del McCoury (harmony vocals), Sam Bush (harmony vocals and mandolin) Omar Hakim (drums) and Viktor Krauss (bass), among others.

Michael Franti and Spearhead will perform Saturday (8/11/12) at Three Springs in Durango as part of their "Do it For the Love" tour. Gates open at 1; Zach Heckendorf performs at 3:45; with Michael Franti at 5. There will be food and beverage vendors, with beer sales benefiting United Way of Southwest Colorado. Tickets available at Animas Trading in Durango or frontgate tickets.com; kids 12 and under are free. Durango Transit will run a free shuttle service from noon until 8:30 pm, between the Transit Center and Three Springs.

With Michael Kiwanuka, it’s all about the voice. A voice that he describes as “hitting straight through to the core” with direct, emotional songs about love, yearning, comfort and belonging. It’s a voice that built him a following via MySpace and small London gigs, and led Paul Butler from The Bees to invite him to the band’s Isle of Wight studio to lay down these introductory tracks from what promises to be a major new British singer/songwriter.

“Having fun with the songs of Allen Toussaint” is how Jon Cleary describes his new record, a celebration of great songs put through Cleary’s unique set of funky filters. Featuring Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, there are unexpected twists and turns on this journey through the Toussaint songbook that will keep surprising you till the last piano glissando fades away.  

Jon Cleary will perform at the Telluride Jazz Celebration. Tune-in to KSUT Friday at noon for a warm up when we feature his new CD Occapella. 

The Infamous Stringdusters' latest studio recording Silver Sky was released in March on High Country Recordings.  It's the band's fourth studio album, produced by Billy Hume, better known for his work with hip-hop artists.  A pledge campaign provided the funding for the album and tour, with incentives given to donors such as song dedications and signed memorabilia. Progressive thinkers and musicians, the Dusters' stellar artistry, great composing and vibrant synchronicity has delivered another great recording. 

Creatively, Cassandra Wilson has never rested on her laurels, and her new album, Another Country, is no exception to the rule. Nine of the ten songs are composed by Ms. Wilson and/or her collaborating partner, guitarist-producer Fabrizio Sotti, with the tenth a very special arrangement by the duo of the classic aria, O Sole Mio. Recorded in Florence, Italy, the entire sound of the album is intimate, guitar-driven, and lushly romantic. Launched by the lead single, Red Guitar, Another Country is poised to invigorate Cassandra's intensely loyal fan base as well as greet new audiences.

Willie Nelson's new album, Heroes, features 13 brand new recordings, produced by Buddy Cannon, and featuring a host of guest artists.

The songs take on a reflective, emotional tone and move from heartfelt (a stunning rendition of Pearl Jam's "Just Breathe") to humor (on "Roll Me Up" with guest vocalist Snoop Dogg). Other guest vocalists on the album include Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Jamey Johnston, Billy Joe Shaver and Sheryl Crow. Sons Lukas and Micah Nelson also feature prominently, making this a real family affair.

Sonny Landreth’s 11th album, bearing the fittingly evocative title Elemental Journey, is something very different from the Louisiana slide wizard. Released on his own Landfall label, the new CD is Landreth’s first all-instrumental effort and his most adventurous work to date. Sonny will be in the region, performing at the Taos Solar Music Festival over the weekend.

With Leftover Salmon headlining Friday night at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, we thought it only fitting to feature their brand new CD, "Aquatic Hitchhiker", their first studio album in 8 years, and the first to debut all original compositions.

Grammy Award-winner Rodney Crowell and New York Times Best Selling author Mary Karr  have just released their CD KIN – songs by Mary Karr and Rodney Crowell on Vanguard Records. Produced by Joe Henry, Kin marks the first collaboration between the two writers and is Karr’s entry into the world of music.

We're always happy to kick off the festival season with this gem. Tune-in this week for some special festival-related programming. We'll be playing music from performing artists throughout the Blends all week. And, join us for phone interviews scheduled with the following:

Monday 11:15 a.m.  Angela Oudean with Bearfoot

Monday 2:30 p.m. David Wilcox

Tuesday 10:15 a.m. Cahalen Morrison & Eli West

Wednesday 2:30 p.m. Daniel Rodriguez with Elephant Revival

The roots of Cahalen Morrison & Eli West are strong, their branches are shady, and the guitars, banjos, mandolins, and harmonies will carry you far off the beaten path to a place under open Western skies.

Storied musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John—Mac Rebennack—released Locked Down, a startling album that marks a significant departure from his recent efforts. The new album, produced by The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, is an entirely new approach for the iconic Dr. John, featuring as it does his collaboration with Auerbach and a band of young musicians Auerbach hand-picked to make Locked Down at his Nashville studio.

Selection for Friday, May 18 - Sara Watkins,  Sun Midnight Sun, the second solo album from acclaimed singer, songwriter, and fiddle player Sara Watkins on Nonesuch Records. Produced by guitarist, singer, and songwriter Blake Mills, co-founder of the band Simon Dawes, the album features special guest appearances by Fiona Apple, Jackson Browne, Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes), Benmont Tench, and Sean Watkins.

We’re pretty thrilled to welcome the Turtle Island Quartet to the KSUT studios Wednesday afternoon (5/9) at 12:15 for a live acoustic performance. They're in town for a show at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Wednesday evening. The “Turtles” will be joined by Mike Marshall, one of the world’s most accomplished and versatile string instrumentalists. KSUT's Jim Belcher will host this crew of master musicians. 

Pacific Northwest indie-folk duo Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks are touring in support of the release of their debut CD, Take The Air. We’re looking forward to having them on KSUT, Tuesday (5/8) at 1:30 for some live music and conversation.

Paula Poundstone kept the sold out crowd of more than 600 public radio fans laughing during her show in February, 2012.  Don't miss her return to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College on Saturday, August 23, 2014.  www.durangoconcerts.com 

Blues troubadour Eric Bibb joined us for a great session before his blues' masters show at the Community Concert Hall. 

Old friend singer-songwriter Tim O'Brien stopped by in February for some live music and conversation.