The Freight Train Boogie is a website dedicated to Americana Music: which includes the edgier country & folk singers, Hillbilly Twang, some bluegrass, blues and rock. We place a special emphasis on "Alt.Country", Roots Rock and many small label and independent releases. We love Country music, as long as it's "real" Country.

Americana music is influenced by elements of rock, country, blues and folk. It doesn't have to be slickly sung or played, the feeling is more important. Many of the more established artists you've probably heard already: Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Gram Parsons, sometimes Neil Young or Bruce Springsteen, Wilco or the Gourds.

The Trailer Tapes was recorded by CHRIS KNIGHT in 1996 in a trailer before he had a record deal. It's raw and gritty. Order from Amazon.

Many people come to this music after feeling disconnected from rock or country that's heard on commercial radio. Perhaps the best way to illustrate what Americana music is, is to list a hundred or so Essential Freight Train Boogie Artists. Some you may have already heard of, but there are a bunch of excellent "under the radar" singers who deserve to be heard.

That's what we're here for: to spread the word about this music and to help and promote the artists. The Reviews section is where we review new CD releases, and there's a huge archive of past reviews. The FTB News is mostly links to current Roots music articles and information on the web and in other media, including info on upcoming CD releases. The Links section is of course, links to other good, interesting or useful websites, although it's far from complete. Finally, FTB Radio is heard on Live365 and is a random mix of Freight Train Boogie music with a special emphasis on small label and self released CD's. FTB Editor Bill Frater also does a weekly radio show on KRCB-FM in Sonoma County, CA.

New and upcoming releases... more

GINA VILLALOBOS Miles Away (Face West)

GURF MORLIX Diamonds to Dust (Blue Corn)

WILLIE NELSON, MERLE HAGGARD, RAY PRICE Last of the Breed (Lost Highway)

PATTY GRIFFIN Children Running Through (ATO)

THE HOLMES BROTHERS State of Grace (Alligator)

ROBBIE FULKS Revenge! (Yep Roc) (due May 1st)

TOMMY WOMACK There I Said It (Cedar Creek)

CHARLIE LOUVIN Charlie Louvin (Tomkins Square)

AUDREY AULD MEZERA Lost Men and Angry Girls (4 stars)

JIMMY BALDWIN Somebody's Nobody (5 stars)

JIM LAUDERDALE Bluegrass (3½ stars)

PO' GIRL Home To You (4½ stars)

SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS Countrypolitan Favorites (4½ stars)

RAMSAY MIDWOOD Popular Delusions & the Madness of Cows (4½ stars)

SUNNY SWEENEY Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame (4½ stars)

HONKY TONK DISCIPLES Kickin' Up Dust (4 stars)

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