Music brought me lots of places in 2008. Radiohead nearly made me cry in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty in Jersey City. It was great to see Conor Oberst with a smile on his face playing the Ghostbusters theme with his new band on Halloween in Chicago. But it was all the hometown shows that stand out the most. Whether it was a packed Honky Tonk Tuesday at Radio Bean or one of many "secret" shows at a studio or practice space‚ this was the year I really connected to the local Burlington scene. I look forward to hearing more from the likes of Crinkles‚ Rough Francis‚ Cannon Fodder and In Memory of Pluto in 2009.


Jennyluv - State of Mind writer
 

 
Eric Lindell - Low on Cash‚ Rich in Love
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
She & Him - Volume 1
David Byrne & Brian Eno - Everything That Will happen Will Happen Today
Donna The Buffalo - Silverlined

Honorable Mentions: Dr. Dog - Fate‚ Beck - Modern Guilt‚ Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs‚ Brad Barr - The Fall Apartment

Favorite Old Song that I just discovered in 2008: "Sweet Rhode Island Red‚" by Ike & Tina Turner
Favorite Musician Discovery in 2008: Dr. Lonnie Smith. He truly is Too Hotttt!!!
Favorite Guilty Pleasure in 2008: Beyoncé - "Put a Ring On It" (not really the song on its own‚ but in conjunction with the video‚ I was HOOKED!)
Favorite Festie of 2008: Gathering of the Vibes
Favorite Shows of 2008: Galactic at Tipitina's‚ New Orleans‚ LA; Ryan Montbleau at Bearsville Theater‚ Woodstock‚ NY; Mike Gordon at Highline Ballroom‚ New York‚ NY; Medeski‚ Martin‚ and Wood at Bearsville Theater‚ Woodstock‚ NY; WWOZ Piano Night at House of Blues‚ New Orleans‚ LA‚ The New Mastersounds on the Rocks Off boat cruise‚ New York‚ NY


Gary Miller - State of Mind writer
 

 
1. Hayes Carll - Trouble in Mind
2. The Steeldrivers - The Steeldrivers
3. Dr. Dog - Fate
4. Old Crow Medicine Show - Tennessee Pusher
5. Johnny Cash - The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show

Serendipity ruled 2008 -- I discovered SoM‚ went to see the Old 97s and ended up feasting on Dr. Dog and Delta Spirit‚ and read about a guy named Nathan Moore who smoked my ears at Radio Bean. Oh‚ and there was one night for all time -- the Levon Helm Ramble at the Woodstock Playhouse. I could've died right then…