I don't know much about international aid, natural disasters, or the pain that those in Southeast Asia must feel. In fact, I know very little that would be considered valuable. One thing I am certain of however is that I plan on skipping that extra CD purchase this month to send the $20 to help the victims of what is shaping up to a tragedy of untold scale.

The music industry sells roughly $30 billion in albums every year. The United States and Japan are each offering about $30 million in aid or 1/10 of a percent of what the music industry is capable of doing. Bruce Springsteen made $116 million in concert tickets in 2003. The Dixie Chicks took in $60.5 million during a somewhat rough year. The average American buys three CDs each year. So skip a concert or CD and give your cash to folks that really need it.

Here's a list of agencies that need your support (via CNN.com).

It's been a year of dramatic changes for the music business, mostly to the benefit of the fan. We've seen the rise of online music retailers, the growth of independent music labels and artists, and an explosion of people interested in the Americana genre.

Still there are unprecidented challenges to consumer choice from the major labels. We've seen a rather average approach to talent being foisted upon us by Music Row. Further they've moved to protect their turf through legal moves like support for more customer-impeding technologies like DRM and some of the most restrictive legislation the entertainment industry has seen. As always, it's a struggle between economies of different scales.

What does this mean for 2005? Well certainly expect more slack-jawed music from the majors, but don't be surprised if a few indie artists get a break from one of the big guys. Also, expect the indie label scene to continue to grow as they expand their marketing efforts and add to their catalogs. Expect the sound of Americana to become increasingly influenced by the garage-rock philosophy adopted by Wilco a few years ago. Look for new albums from Will Kimbrough and his collaboration with Tommy Womack to make a few waves among their growing legion of fans. Look for a new Jack Ingram effort--and take bets on which label will be kicking itself for passing up the chance to sign him. More traditional country and rock artists will release Americana albums this year after seeing Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Jack White all hit it big with albums that were both commercially and financially successful in the last few years. Don't be surprised when your favorite Americana artist appears on mainstream radio either--this year's Americana Music Association conference had many attendees from mainstream program managers. In short, 2005 will be a banner year.

Each year I have a list of things for Santa to deliver. This year is no different and many of the wishes are the same.

This year I want:

1. Americana Music Awards nods for Todd Snider, Charlie Robison, Will Kimbrough, and The Devil Makes Three. These acts are among the best around in my book.
2. A new Will Kimbrough album! I hear it's coming too...
3. Tommy Womack to swing through Florida so the fine folks down here can see what rock and roll really looks like.
4. Will Hoge to get a record deal, proper promotion, and another headlining gig at the Ryman. Will is among the nicest and the most talented people I know.
5. Jack Ingram to find the same success outside of Texas that he's earned within the Lonestar state. Jack's music plays just as well in New York as it does Austin!
6. Better gigs for Americana artists everywhere. This genre of music offers so much and it is sadly only on display at folk festivals and barrooms. Most of these acts can rock a stadium or entrance a theater as easy as they do bars.
7. Sharkbitten.com to become the authortative resource for the Americana genre of music.
8. Roscoe Gordon CDs in everyone's player. Roscoe has a new disc that sadly comes after his death. It offers some renewed look on a man that has been very important to music over his career.
9. Greg Shaw to be recognized as a major influence on rock music and writing. Most folks don't know Shaw but know the magazines and labels that took their cues from one of the most influential rock critics to have ever picked up a pen. Shaw sadly died this year but his work lead to the rise of garage-rock, retro disc releases, and the edgy writing that has become the singular voice of critics around the world. He deserves to be in the rock hall.
10. Mainstream Nashville to drive over to East Nashville. If those guys in the leather chairs went over to that side of town they'd find the richest source of real songwriting in our country. Check in with Eric McConnell's studio while you're there--whatever is brewing is going to be good.
11. Finally, I want everyone out there to give their favorite Americana CD to someone who loves mainstream country. Once they hear what we're doing they'll be hooked!

Have a safe and happy holiday!

With the surge in interest in Americana music it has often been difficult to satisfy my urge to listen to new stations while on the road. To solve my problem (and hopefully your problem as well) I've created a directory of radio stations around the country that are known to play Americana music.

You can find the list by clicking on "Radio Directory" in the menu at the top of each page or by clicking here.

My list is far from complete and so I ask that if you know of a station that should be listed and is not please email me. Be sure to include the station's call letters, city, and state.

With any luck I'll be working providing the same service for venues/clubs, festivals, and artists within a few months.

The Devil Makes Three (DM3) seems to have caused a swoon in California. Folks out there, including our pals at KPIG, are nuts about the Vermont-raised trio. Hailed as heirs to Robert Johnson's soul at the crossroads and constantly referred to in local press as "gritty" or some other good blues term, DM3 is clearly a hit on the left coast.

The great news is that their brand of saw-blade blues plays just as well on the east coast. Steeped in a tradition that clearly includes Chicago's storied jazz and blues history, Longjohns, Boots, and a Belt wraps contemporary wryness around a sound that feels like it fell out of an old chest onto the floor. Part Steve Goodman and Shel Silverstein, their songwriting is witty, catchy and dare I say, snappy. It's toe-tapping fun--that is if you can tap while passing the jug.

One word can sum up this band: authentic. It starts with Cooper McBean and Pete Bernhard playing mean guitars while Lucia Turino gives the band a swaggering personality with her stand-up bass. Yes I said "stand-up bass." No drums, no heady production, no crass manager asking them to change their names--these guys are the real McCoy. Like their sound you get a sense from the record that all they really care about is music.

Longjohns, Boots, and a Belt has quickly become one of my favorite albums this year. DM3 has easily earned my nomination for the Americana Music Association's best emerging artist in 2005.

Last night Mobile's finest played the Margaritaville Cafe in New Orleans and Radio Margaritaville. Will Kimbrough's set was precluded by some important news from Steve Huntington: Will's "Piece of Work" will be the next single from Jimmy Buffett's chart-topping License to Chill. Recorded with Toby Keith, the song hopefully will help the world learn more about Kimbrough.

After the exciting news Will played two full sets to the excited crowd that included friends and family.

Stay tuned to Radio Margaritaville for replays of the concert.

Chris Yurchuck is a journeyman songwriter best known for his work's appearance on the formerly hip Felicity. Before you stop reading you might actually listen to his new disc entitled Coming Attractions. The unsigned Yurchuck, much like most of the songwriters included in teen dramas, is far better than the program on which he appears.

Coming Attractions is a good foray into alternative country in a Jayhawks manner. It seems as if Yurchuck's dial got lost somewhere on a 70s AM station that was protesting disco--his songs are heavily influenced by that era's marriage of pop ambition and the remaining 60s folk feel.

The only unfortunate find on the disc is the quick end. At a mere five songs I found myself thinking I was only halfway through an enjoyable listen when "Hourglass" brought the curtain down. Here's hoping that Chris will make an encore appearance.

You can find Chris at www.chrisyurchuck.com.

Sharkbitten pal and Nashville great Will Kimbrough has landed "Champion of the World" from his Home Away disc on Little Feat's upcoming release. Kimbrough worked with Little Feat pianist on Jimmy Buffett's License to Chill.

Congrats to Will and stay tuned for Little Feat's new disc!

Todd Snider recently told me to check out a band he had found called "The Devil Makes Three" or DM3 for short. Having found Jason D. Williams by the same manner I figured checking these guys out would probably be a safe bet. Snider loves music and our tastes are similar.

DM3 is a three-piece band in a traditional sense with an old sound freshened by an edge that is both sharp and fitting. Their music incorporates ragtime jazz, traditional country, and of all things a punk undertone that is expressed in the most unlikely acoustic music you can imagine. These guys at times have Doctor John tendencies--no they don't dress up funny and throw things into the crowd--they have a jazzy tempo that is uncommon today.

Our friends out at KPIG in Santa Cruz dig them too. In fact if you're a regular listener to Freedom's finest then you probably already know these guys.

If you don't know them, swing by their website and buy something!