What makes a good summer song? Is it a hook? Is it a catchy chorus?

Everything I’ve read so far about the upcoming ChattaHippie music festival has me excited.

MUSICcast: Charlie Louvin visits Studio '99 08/08/08 MP3 Download SUBSCRIBE

Chattanooga is synonymous with bluegrass music, but another genre of Appalachian music is slowly being revived.

MUSICcast: Chattanooga's Old Factory Pickers in Studio '99 08/01/08 MP3 Download SUBSCRIBE

MUSICcast: Sean Phipps & Casey Phillips discuss Folk Music 07/25/08 MP3 Download SUBSCRIBE

It may come to no surprise to you that I consider myself a “folkie,” defined as a fan of Folk music. I love a song that means something to somebody, a song that is worth singing if nothing more than for the sheer joy of doing so.

MUSICcast: Sean Phipps - Gretel performs in Studio '99 07/18/08 MP3 Download SUBSCRIBE

Singer/songwriter Reva Williams fronts the Boston-based Americana band Gretel.

I know more about Chinese Algebra than I do about Electronica music, but I do know good music when I hear it.

MUSICcast: Sean Phipps - Triangle Forest in Studio '99 07/11/08 MP3 Download SUBSCRIBE

MUSICcast: Sean Phipps - Ben & Bruno in Studio 99 07/04/08 MP3 Download SUBSCRIBE

Ben & Bruno is the sort of alter-ego of singer/songwriter Peter J. Brant.

This is, admittedly, not my best interview. I had been in contact with the excellent Miss Tess & the Bon Ton Parade since their last gig in Chattanooga.

MUSICcast: Sean Phipps - Miss Tess & the Bon Ton Parade 06/27/08 MP3 Download SUBSCRIBE