Sonic Byways with Jamie Lynn

Sonic Byways brought the mics and the mixer to DREAMS Center for Art Education   in Wilmington, an arts-driven nonprofit catering to youth in need. Donning my "engaged teacher look," I showed the kids how to prepare and execute an audio interview. We then transformed what we heard into something we'd want to read, using a brief audio clip to create a more in-depth written profile. Thanks to Eric Lindell's "If Love Can't Find a Way" for fancying up the intro and outro--every interview needs a good music bed.Most important of all, Jesse and Jemerit previewed the must-have footwear of the future: a swanky new pair of NBA Jemerits.

It was a cold day for recording. Jesse Jewel missed his surfboard, but he broke out his ski hat. And Benji Smith? Well, he stood by his bass and accented the scene, like every good bass player does. Country Punk turned Sad Old Bastard Music, No Dollar Shoes give the people what they want. Talk turned to why bass players are always the coolest in the band (Sonic Byways has a theory); Jesse's curious resemblance to both Garth and Kurt Cobain; and speculation about the number of women who've fallen over speakers on a No Dollar Shoes dance floor--Jamie Lynn has a theory about that too (or at least, why she stumbled).Find them (and Fan them) on Facebook and Reverbnation - No Dollar Shoes [http://www.reverbnation.com/nodollarshoes].

We all know Sonic Byways loves to travel. So when singer-songwriter Mike Adams suggested a hootenanny of sorts, wayyy out in the country (i.e., seven miles across town, a couple exits off the parkway), Jamie Lynn revved her engine. As promised, there was a back porch, back-up singers standing by, and spontaneous strumming into the sunset. P.S. Um, yes. Most definitely. Sonic Byways would love to come back for the neighborhood Oyster Roast.

Randy McQuay is a Highway Man. From 1-95 to Hwy 117, and roadside gigs scattered all in-between, his husky, blues-laden vocals bring out the harmonica in all of us. Randy visited with the Sonic Byways recording mojo at the Art Factory, mixing words, music, and a whole lot of "Mmm, mmm, mmm's." It was a supremely soulful session of Sonic Byways. Now that you're kind of obsessed: RandyMcQuay.com [http://randymcquay.com].

Photo Credit: Tom Sapp I pull intoTony's Guitars [http://tonysguitarsnc.com] [http://tonysguitars.com]on Wrightsville Avenue, mid-Wilmington, NC, where Justin Fox presides over rows upon rows of beautiful, semi-precious battle axes. By night, however, the axes come down, and Justin makes indelible impressions around the region, across many musical genres. On this particular night, he overwhelms his audience of one (and her unworthy sound equipment) with his signature, microphone-melting vocals.  Sonic Byways has never captured such music in its natural habitat.  Hang on tight.For more Justin, check outMedusa Stone [http://medusastoneband.com/], andReverbnation- Justin Cody Fox. [http://www.reverbnation.com/justincodyfox]