Sources: Mavis Staples at Luck Reunion 2019

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“What comes from the heart, reaches the heart.” - Mavis Staples

With the help of our friends and longtime sponsor, Mountain Valley Spring Water, we were able to dedicate a day’s worth of music to the legendary Mavis Staples this year at Luck Reunion. Mavis headlined our Sources Stage, closing out the night after a stacked lineup of powerhouse acts. Each artist on the Sources Stage played one of Mavis’s own solo songs or a Staples Singers classic during their own set in honor of the iconic singer’s upcoming 80th birthday. Arguably the culmination of the entire day came at the end of Mavis’s set when Courtney Marie Andrews, Yola, Mountain Man, Sunny War, Angie McMahon, Nicole Atkins, Jade Jackson, Haley Heynderickx, and Brandy Zdan joined Mavis on stage to sing “The Weight”, capping off the evening with a moment of community, admiration, and unbridled joy. Join us in discovering what some of these acts had to say about Mavis’s influence in their careers and her own advice for the next generation. Watch above for more.

Willie's Reserve and Margo Price Present: "All American Made"

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Margo Price has teamed up with farmer Tina Gordon of Moon Made Farms and Willie’s Reserve to produce her own collection of cannabis under the same title as her most recent album: “All American Made”. Listen to Tina’s description of the strain and find “All American Made” at any of the California dispensaries listed below.

WHERE TO FIND “ALL AMERICAN MADE”:

On Phil Cook by M.C. Taylor

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Somehow it has all

added up to song—

earth, air, rain and light,

the labor and the heat,

the mortality of the young.

I will go free of other

singing, I will go

into the silence

of my songs, to hear

this song clearly.

—Wendell Berry

Phil and M.C. at Luck Reunion 2018, photo by Jentri Colello 

Phil and M.C. at Luck Reunion 2018, photo by Jentri Colello 

 

by M.C. Taylor

My friend Phil Cook's album People Are My Drugis out today, and I would like to take a moment to testify about him. I met Phil on Saturday, December 10th, 2011; I know this because it's the date that I played an album release show for Poor Moonat a club called The Nightlight in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I had heard of Phil through his music in Megafaun, a band that he had with his brother Brad and their friend Joe Westerlund, but I had never met him until he and Brad came through the door of the club while we were soundchecking. They were there to say hello to our mutual friend William Tyler, who was playing in Hiss Golden Messenger that night. After this first encounter, our orbits came into sync and I began to hang out with both of the Cook brothers regularly. They became two of the most important people in my universe.

Sometimes we meet people that we feel like we've known our whole lives. Phil—and his brother Brad, who produced People Are My Drugas well as the Hiss albums Heart Like a Leveeand Hallelujah Anyhow—were like that for me. They understood what I was trying to do with Hiss Golden Messenger. We were kindred spirits and we spoke the same language.

When Hiss is on the road—which is quite often—Phil and I share a hotel room. We know each others' rhythms. On planes, Phil and I always sit together. I sit in the window seat—I have a phobia of flying and sitting next to the window gives me some illusion of control—and Phil sits in the aisle. Before we take off, he always—always—switches seats with the stranger in the middle so he can be next to me. Last summer, we were on a particularly turbulent flight from a gig we played with Bon Iver in Maryland to San Francisco, where we were due at a festival, and Phil held my hand and gave me murmurs of assurance until I calmed down. Over the years I've been all over the world with him—from the dusty gypsy alleys of Lisbon to a dim closet-sized green room on an anonymous, snowy night in Bellingham, Washington—and he always talks about how glad he is to be wherever we are. I've never heard him complain, not once.

Phil showed me the basic chord shapes for a guitar tuned to open D. With those chords, I wrote “Saturday's Song,” “Biloxi,” “Caledonia,” “Jenny of the Roses,” and many others. Together, we've pillaged damn near every used gospel bin in America and he's taught me everything important about that musical world. I remember listening to The Consolers and Brother Joe May with him for the first time—I was driving, he was in the passenger seat—on the way to a gig in York, Pennsylvania. Those moments are important.

Phil and I have tripped on mushrooms and drank cold Dixie beer on the porch of Vaughan's in the Bywater—one of the great bars in the world—and we've sung with the Blind Boys of Alabama together. We've sat in the backyard or around kitchen tables laughing, sometimes crying, while our kids—we both have two—wrestled and laughed and fussed. When I'm stuck in the shadows and wrestling with my demons, Phil Cook is one of my great sources of light. When I'm inscrutable and indecisive, Phil seems to know my intentions and is gentle with me. I'm so thankful for that. I've never had to ask him to keep up; he's always right there with me, wide-open, ready to step into the breach. When I'm tired, Phil will drive.

I hope that you'll listen to Phil's new record,People Are My Drug, because it's deep and joyful and contains everything I know about Phil, all the things he loves. But mostly, I hope that you all will have a friend like Phil has been to me.

Phil, I'm looking at you and saying: I love you so much, brother. I'm proud of you. Thank you for being so good.

—M.C. Taylor, Durham, NC

Exclusive: Backstage at the Ryman with Margo Price

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We first got to know Margo Price in 2015 right before she signed with Third Man Records. We knew the moment she and her band walked on stage that they would be joining us at the 2016 Luck Reunion. 2016 happened to be the year of the "big storm" in Luck. After Texas thunderstorm cells converged over the ranch for over 3 hours, we had to temporarily evacuate and take shelter. Afterwards, as the setting sun peeked through the clouds, we rallied to try and figure out how to still pull off an amazing end to the night. While we scrambled to get someone on stage as soon as possible, Margo came jumping out of the bushes behind the stage shouting, "My band and I can be on that stage and playing in under 10 minutes!" It was in that moment we knew we were witnessing a star being born.

She also joined us out at Luck for our very firstLuck Chapel Sessionsin 2016. At times just Margo, unplugged, filling that sacred room with her own hallowed hymns. Margo has since graced the main stage for our 2017 Reunion and was our special guest at this year's event, returning to the Chapel for an intimate set to a surprised and spellbound crowd.

Margo has not only become part of our Luck family, but she has become a beacon for the hard working and honest musicians that we are so proud and honored to work with. In the past two years, it seems like her feet haven't even touched the ground. This past week she returned to her now hometown of Nashville, TN to play three sold-out shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

The Luck Journal enlisted Chris Phelps, long-time tour photographer and friend of Price to tell the exclusive behind the scenes story:

"As I sit here the morning after the finale of Margo Price’s sold-out three night stand at the Ryman Auditorium, I’m going through photos and still cant quite come up with the right words to describe the whole experience. Running on little to no sleep throughout this entire journey, I admittedly haven’t entirely processed it yet. The closest description I can come up with is “magic.” Not magic in the illusionary card trick, pull a rabbit out of the hat sense, but a perfect storm kind of magic that develops after years of hard work, dedication, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. I’ve had the pleasure of joining Margo and her band on this Road to the Ryman this year and have captured a lot of special moments on various mediums. Polaroids have a unique ability to capture not only the real and raw moments and emotions of a situation, but they manage to do it in a nostalgic and tangible way. People tend to let their guard down when you hold up a polaroid camera and then patiently wait around while they watch their image appears moments later. Again, magic. Until I can fully process this experience into words, I’ll let the images speak for themselves." - Chris Phelps 

 

All photos by Chris Phelps

Baby Grand: the Life of Bobbie Nelson

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A familiar cadence resonating from a well-worn Trigger has long served as the official notice: Willie is in the building. The signature open begins with only Nelson alone, and crescendos with the addition -  note by note - of each member of the Family Band. It's fitting that this arrangement of “Whiskey River” has kicked off Nelson's show for decades; the legend is but a piece of a whole – and he intends for it to stay that way.

The Family Band is truly that: a band of brothers (and sister) whose steadfast creative bond has produced one of the world's most beloved and influential acts. Behind the braids stands a crew of visionaries who together have created, and continue to foster, a culture of inclusion through music. Beyond the melodies, the “Family” members have been unwavering in their support of one another over their decades-long relationship.

At the very core of this collective is Nelson's “little” sister, Bobbie. On stage, the petite and powerful performer requires no introduction: behind the piano her delicate fingers, seemingly unburdened by a pair of gigantic Family Band rings, sweep the keys effortlessly in time with her brother's famously unique phrasing. But, without fail,  her proud younger sibling introduces her each night. As she takes the last note of her spirited rendition of the L. Wolfe Gilbert classic “Down Yonder”, she rises humbly and tips her oversized black cowboy hat to the crowd.

Throughout their shared 50+ year career the pair has remained an undeniable creative force onstage and in the studio. And, from Bobbie's perspective, their bond through music from their earliest years has saved both their lives.

“We were just little dumb kids that got dropped off in the world. And here we are.”

The tiny town of Abbott, Texas is the foundation on which it all was built. Bobbie and Willie were raised by their grandparents, Nancy and Alfred Nelson, after their young parents hit the road to pursue their own creative dreams. “Mamma” and “Daddy” Nelson's house was filled with music. When Daddy Nelson would return home, the family's talk turned to music. Gathered around a small kitchen table, Nancy and Alfred shared with the children their latest learnings – they took a music course by correspondence –  and their plans for next Sunday's music program at the local Methodist church. Bobbie was lulled to sleep each evening by the muffled sounds of her grandparents piecing together their own compositions late into the night. Bobbie and Willie started playing at an early age. When she was six, Bobbie began taking piano lessons from Mamma Nelson - and adored inviting her younger brother to join her on the bench as she practiced her chords. Willie received his first guitar two years later. The siblings soon started playing in the church on Sundays and beginning what Bobbie still calls “the best music education anyone could have”.

When the family purchased their first radio, she and Willie were mesmerized by the contemporary tunes and styles they were hearing for the first time. “That old box” allowed them to explore a world outside of their own through music; but in Abbott, Bobbie remained dedicated to the church music that she knew.

Then Bobbie met Arlyn “Bud” Fletcher. Some recall Bud as a con artist; a smooth-talking salesman just looking to make a buck. But Bud swept Bobbie off her feet. “He was just so charming. Oh, man, was he charming,” she recalls. He took her to the dance halls and honky-tonks she'd never imagined stepping foot in. Through Bud she was introduced to a crowd of rowdy artists and swindlers, many of which were “very fine people,” according to Bobbie. She married Bud when she was sixteen, graduating high school as Bobbie Fletcher. Not long after Bobbie got her diploma, Bud began putting a band together. Bud Fletcher And The Texans were a rag-tag group who just wanted to play real Western swing music. With Bobbie on piano; Willie on lead guitar and vocals; their father, Ira, on rhythm guitar; and Bud at the helm as a hard-selling promoter, the band made their rounds on the beer joint circuit. “I didn't care for those kinds of places,” Bobbie says, “I saw people riled up at the bar on a Saturday night, and the next morning they were sitting front row at church. For me...I really did this only for the music. I wanted to play, and I wanted to learn.”

Bud's family became increasingly wary of the Nelson siblings' influence on their son – a backwards take on the reality of the situation – and later worried for the future of their grandchildren. When Bobbie was forced to separate from Bud after a tumultuous run, the band fell apart. The Fletchers went to court to remove Bobbie from her three sons, deeming her an unfit mother. “They didn't want me playing in those joints. But I never took a sip to drink, I never broke the law,” she says. “I was broken, my spirit was crushed. I had to get my boys back.” Bobbie fought hard to regain custody of her children and, after Bud's fatal car crash in 1961, set out to create a new life to provide for her boys. Her stint in a TV repair shop in Fort Worth fatefully brought her back to music when the owner found her a job with Hammond Organ Company.

In the meantime Willie's career was picking up steam. “He was in Nashville and all those places, getting his songs on the radio. All the sudden, everyone knew who he was.” Her brother would often visit her home to take a break from his newfound fame. Their bond over music remained a pillar of strength for the siblings, and perhaps inspired the next generation of industry players: Bobbie's youngest son Freddy - then six years old - caught on to his uncle's notoriety and would charge the neighborhood kids 5 cents to watch the singer sleep. “He got that from his father,” Bobbie laughs.

Bobbie gained recognition herself in the Austin music scene, playing the town's most buzzed about hotels and supper clubs. It wasn't until 1973 that Bobbie and Willie reunited over music. Having signed with Atlantic Records, Willie called his sister from New York where he was recording a gospel album, and insisted that she join him. She boarded an airplane for the first time in her life, joined her brother in New York to record The Troublemaker, and never looked back.

Bobbie and Willie have been playing music ever since, with no plans of slowing down any time soon. “If we ever had to stop I don't know how we'd take it,” she says. “Our hearts...and everything are in music. We've never gotten through anything in our lives without it.” Indeed, the pair has suffered great loss over their decades-long career. “When I lost two of my sons, I had Willie, Freddy, and music to turn to. Willie has suffered the same. And we turned to each other. We kept on playing. And we will keep on playing”.

Bobbie's house, a short drive from “Luck, TX” property that Willie calls home, is an ode to the life they have shared and the music they have made. Framed platinum and gold albums line the walls; shelves and tables are littered with photographs of a whirlwind history filled with love and loss. There are perhaps more pianos than furniture – an instrument in nearly every room. A stack of cast iron skillets maintains a permanent position next to the stove, always prepared for Willie to drop in for his sister's cornbread and sausage. As the dainty beauty takes a breath after regaling the tales of a life well-lived, she says softly, as if no one is listening “I've given up a lot of little things because I had a bigger thing to do. This is it for me.”

THE MAN BEHIND THE RING: MAKER & SMITH'S BRETT FOX

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Each year, the Luck Reunion leaves participating performers with a commemorative ring – a token of our appreciation for joining us on our rogue musical pilgrimage – bearing what has become the official “Luck Family” crest. The thrill of seeing artists we love wearing our ring far outside of Luck, on stage or in a coffee shop, will never fade. With the Reunion around the corner there is no better time to share some background on the tradition, and the artist behind it.

It wasn't long before our 2016 Reunion that we decided to bringing this Family Ring idea to life. We needed to act fast but, more importantly, knew we had to be as discerning as our style-savvy artists would be when selecting the perfect accessory. So we tapped the incredible Brett Fox of Maker And Smith, who miraculously agreed to create our signature ring. Below, Fox takes us inside his process, inspiration, and the road to Luck.

Luck: Where did this all start for you? Were you always interested in this craft?

Fox: Well, ring making started later in life for me. I've always been into art. Didn't like to study as a school kid but loved drawing, painting, and sculpture. So I got through high school turning in drawings for homework. Teachers never really understood why I did poorly on tests. I attended the Heron School of Art in Indianapolis for 2 years before I dropped out and started working as a carpenter. My father and grandfather were both carpenters and I'd worked alongside them at a very early age. I always admired my grandfather's Masonic ring. I can still see it - worn edges, thinning band, repaired compass. It had been through a lifetime of driving nails, holding my grandmother's hand at lunch...it was powerful. I never studied jewelry making, but had worked at a small art bronze facility as a second job in the early 90's as I wanted to start casting some figure sculptures. I also got into shaping sheet metal and welding...so, in a way, I was gathering skill sets that would apply to ring making later.

I wanted a Keith Richards skull ring, and didn't know where to buy one; so I got a piece of wax from my sister-in-law, found a drill bit that was my ring size, and carved my first skull ring with carpenter tools.

Luck: Your designs have a distinctive style, and a lot of your work seems to draw on American iconography. Did you start with a specific vision or theme in mind? What are the biggest inspirations behind the brand?

Fox: I always have more ideas than I have time to execute. The early rings I carved were rings I wanted to wear myself. All of my rings are handcrafted, and there is an energy that goes into each one: carving, casting, finishing. I want the wearer to know that I care about what I am doing and that it is made by hand. I am proud of those tool marks. The rings should have character, something that will look better worn over time.

Most of my rings start with a quick sketch. However, some rings I just start carving and they reveal themselves along the way.

Music is the biggest inspiration behind the brand, along with making my family proud. I want my kids to see that you can put food on the table with something your passionate about. You have to work for it.

Luck: Maker And Smith is a favorite among musicians in the Americana world and beyond. How did you get involved in the music scene? Do you remember the first artist who caught on to your brand?

Fox: Music has always been a big part of my life: from hearing my dad sing Buddy Holly in the shower as a kid, to listening to the 8-track in my mom's Mustang (I'm dating myself). I went to bed listening to the radio. I drew listening to vinyl. In high school, my friends and I would head up to Market Square Arena and catch as many live performances as we could. All my after school work money went to buying vinyl and concert tickets.  

Nikki Lane was the first to have me make merch for her brand, and is probably the reason I am making Luck Rings. Jenny Lewis had me make her band a LOVE's WAY ring - that was pretty cool. Tim Showalter from Strand of Oaks, Israel Nash, Hugh Masterson and Clint Culberson of MODOC have all had an impact on my brand. It's a thrill for me to have anyone understand my style and dig it enough to rock it.

Five minutes into Americana Fest in Nashville at the American Legion, you'll see an artist with a Luck ring on. That's the reward: artists digging artists.

Luck: When we started discussing a Luck Family ring, did you have a vision in mind off the bat? What about the Luck brand inspired the look and feel of the design?

Fox: Well, there wasn't a lot of time...haha. Matt Bizer had told me what you all were thinking about doing for the artists playing Luck 2016. I believe his exact words where “how CRAZY would it be if we had you make a bunch of rings for our artists at this year's Reunion?”. I sent a few rounds of sketches over and we finalized the design on the 24th of February - the event was on March 15th. I really liked the Luck logo and thought “well, if you're in Texas at Willie's ranch, you ARE a star.” So I added a star above the type. Yeah...it was crazy fun, and I am blessed.

Luck: Lukas Nelson is famously missing his ring (Luke, man, we need your ring size!). So once you get that one out of the way...who is the #1 artist you would love to wear your designs? Any bucket list customers?

Fox: Man, Luck has given me the opportunity to make rings for some beautifully talented people already. I am truly honored to have anyone wear a ring of mine and have made rings for some very talented musicians that I'm into. That's the best feeling, when an artist you really like really likes your work.

Bucket List: well, a special LUCK Godfather ring for Willie would be at the top of the list.   

I just want to make cool rings for cool people - they all count for me. 

But if Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams, Nathaniel Rateliff, or Dave Grohl wanted a ring by me... that would be crazy cool.

Luck: What's next for Maker And Smith? Any special projects or collaborations coming up?

Fox: I have a really cool collaboration at Luck this year with two other makers that I am really stoked about. They are crazy talented makers. Not sure I can reveal anything about that yet...

Beyond that, I would like to collaborate with more artists - add some Maker and Smith merchandise into their pre-sale game. I stay pretty busy with custom work and our website orders...growing the band.

Now, fans can have their own "Luck Square Ring", designed and handmade by Fox exclusively for the Luck Reunion. Maker And Smith has announced the Luck pre-sale, so head to www.makerandsmith.com/luck-reunion-1 for a chance to get yours. Those who order before Friday, March 2 will be able to pick up their ring at Luck Reunion on March 15.