This 'almost famous' Alabama Southern rock band's connection to a classic hit In the late '70s and early '80s Jackson Highway recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound, toured with Ted Nugent, signed to major label.

For @al.com, wrote about an ‘almost famous’ Southern rock band’s connection to a classic Bob Seger hit.
www.al.com/life/2025/06...

The rare Alabama-made guitars played by Southern rock icons and local legends Ronnie Knight's Bluesouth Guitars were played by the likes of Gov't Mule's Allen Woody and Warren Haynes, bluesman R.L. Burnside and popular Muscle Shoals band Fiddleworms.

For @al.com, wrote about the rare Alabama-made guitars played by Southern rock icons and local legends
www.al.com/life/2025/06...

The story of Muscle Shoals’ great unsung studio band: ‘We were doing something different’ After the Swampers left, FAME Gang took FAME Studios to new heights.

For @al.com, wrote about a great unsung Muscle Shoals studio band, The FAME Gang.
www.al.com/life/2025/06...

Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson on her epic career, Eddie Van Halen friendship Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer also talks "Crazy On You," the MTV '80s, work on "Almost Famous."

So cool to talk music with the great
Nancy Wilson of Heart for @al.com
www.al.com/life/2025/05...

John Lennon’s ‘Lost Weekend’ girlfriend May Pang is much more than that May Pang bringing exhibit of her John Lennon photos to Huntsville arts center Lowe Mill

Here's my May Pang interview for @al.com. We talked John Lennon, Beatles, David Bowie, May's great photography of John, and much more.
www.al.com/life/2025/05...

Four years ago today, the great Muscle Shoals drummer Roger Hawkins passed on, Here's our 2019 @al.com feature on Roger. Was super cool to talk music with him.
www.al.com/.../swampers....

Lucky me. Got to interview the great May Pang today. What a gal, what a life. We talked photography, Lennon, McCartney, Bowie, Jagger, Nillson, Oasis and much more. Interview will publish next week.

When British rock mag Kerrang published a “United States of Punk," they picked The Knockabouts to represent Alabama. For the first time, all the band's classic era recordings are being officially released. Wrote about it for @al.com. www.al.com/life/2025/05...

What Would Pop Music Be Without 808 Drums?

Enjoyed this NYT piece on how Japan's helped define the sound of popular music, from Jimi Hendrix's Shin-Ei Uni-Vibe guitar pedal to Kendrick Lamar's Roland 808 drum machine.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/t...

Just got there! Re: Soundgarden over other '90s bands. Cornell's influence on singers huge. Love Axl idea fronting SG at Rock Hall. He loved Chris early on. Love Salt N Pepa getting in. From that rap era Erik B & Rakim need in too, imo.

How about Jane's Addiction? Same number of essential albums as Nirvana, who Jane's opened the mainstream door for.

Good listen. Sabbath, Kiss and Van Halen had to wait too. What more did voters want from them? Mariah and Phish are worthy but wait for legends not unpresented.

A mighty rock band from the South (but isn’t ‘Southern rock’) returns The Neckbones, with Alabama's Dave Boyer on guitar, were first rockers signed to renown blues record label.

A new story I wrote for @al.com about The Neckbones, the first rock band signed to acclaimed blues label Fat Possum Records back in the '90s. The Mississippi band's guitarist, Alabama native Dave Boyer, also toured with blues legend R.L. Burnside.
www.al.com/life/2025/05...

How Entering Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Financially Impacts Artists They get a statuette, Wikipedia update and maybe even a legacy boost. But does being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall actually help artists financially?

For SPIN, five years ago I wrote: How Entering Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Financially Impacts Artists.
www.spin.com/2020/11/rock...

Jam-band fans annoyed by Phish's Rock Hall snub: Welcome to the world of hard-rock/metal fans.

For @al.com, wrote about 5 must-see up-and-coming bands this year at my hometown's signature local festival, Panoply.
www.al.com/life/2025/04...

Guitar hero Tracii Guns on his band’s surprising resurgence: ‘We have a second career’ Tracii Guns talks new L.A. Guns album, Guns N' Roses backstory, missing out on Rick Rubin.

For @al.com, had a great chat with Tracii Guns about L.A. Guns, the '80s Los Angeles rock scene, Guns N' Roses, what's next and much more.
www.al.com/life/2025/04...

The story behind legendary rapper Too $hort’s Cadillac reunion West Coast rap icon Too $hort is back in the Cadillac El Dorado Biarritz game.

For @al.com, great to hang with rap legend Too $hort
, and chat about getting another vintage Cadillac like one on iconic "Born to Mack" album cover.
www.al.com/life/2025/03...

The SEC rocks: 15 famous singers and musicians from current SEC schools List includes notable names from rock, country, pop and beyond.

With the SEC Basketball Tournament underway, for
@al.com I put together a list of 15 famous singers and musicians who went to schools currently in the SEC.
www.al.com/life/2025/03...

‘90s Southern rock singer’s road to redemption led to Muscle Shoals Grammy-winner Mike Farris cut his new solo album at FAME Studios.

For @al.com, I wrote about how a ‘90s Southern rocker's road to redemption led him to Muscle Shoals.
www.al.com/life/2025/03...

Muslim dating show host talks Alabama roots: ‘You can’t hate up close' Yasmin Elhady on "Muslim Matchmaker," growing up in Huntsville

One of the stars of ABC/Hulu dating show "Muslim Matchmaker," Yasmin Elhady, grew up in my Alabama hometown. Had a great chat with Yasmin for
@al.com.
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

Super cool YouTube stuff for VH fans here 👇
youtube.com/@JamesTVega

Muscle Shoals mourns Alabama musician who played on many classic songs Junior Lowe played on hits by artists like Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Etta James and more.

For @al.com, wrote about unsung Muscle Shoals music great Junior Lowe, who died recently. Junior played on classic hits by Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Bobbie Gentry, and others.
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

Alabama’s most iconic Saturday Night Live moments The show is celebrating its 50 year anniversary, so let's look back.

Ahead of SNL 50, I wrote the Katie Britt and Kate Hudson blurbs for @al.com's "Alabama’s most iconic Saturday Night Live moments"
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

Led Zeppelin’s top 10 underrated songs Iconic rock band's "Becoming Led Zeppelin" documentary is in theaters now.

For @al.com, wrote about my top 10 underrated Led Zeppelin songs. Stuck to one song each from the band’s eight studio albums, '76 concert release “The Song Remains The Same,” and '82 outtakes collection “Coda."
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

‘Hawk Tuah Girl’ Haliey Welch’s Alabama connection Internet star recently broke her silence after crypto crash scandal.

With the recent leaking of "Hawk Tuah Girl" Haliey Welch's first interview since her crypto scandal, wrote about her connection to Alabama for @al.com. I'm a fan. She's down to earth, funny, and has used her fame to help charities that help animals.
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

Guitar legend says music not politicians will help make the world better Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule icon Warren Haynes is touring behind latest solo album.

For @al.com had a great chat with Warren Haynes about his new solo album/tour, Warren's time with the Allman Brothers, how Dickey Betts changed his life, jamming with Slash, and offers to join other big-name bands.
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

Why was Pedro Pascal in Alabama? "Fantastic Four" stars appeared at event to launch Marvel movie's trailer.

The Fantastic Four movie trailer launch event today was held in my hometown. Pretty cool. Wrote about it for @al.com.
www.al.com/life/2025/02...

How Prince, Michael Jackson fit into ‘80s rock band Warrant’s story You know Warrant's hits, but probably don’t know their entire and amazing arc.

Happy heavenly birthday to the great Jani Lane. Here's a deep dive I wrote in 2023 about Warrant and how Prince and Michael Jackson fit into the band's arc.
www.al.com/life/2023/10...

Alabama Shakes drummer on why he was left out of band’s reunion Steve Johnson is telling his side of Grammy winning Athens-founded band's story.

My latest for @al.com: Alabama Shakes drummer Steve Johnson on why he was left out of the band’s reunion.
www.al.com/life/2025/01...