Cake & Pie

I grew up on TV variety shows so my childhood is comprised of many memories of duets- from Hee-Haw’s Hager Twins to all the great country music sounds of Johnny & June, Conway & Loretta, Young Dolly & Porter, George & Tammy, Dolly & Kenny and Barbara Mandrel with everyone else… Below is a photo of me with the Hager Twins when I bravely went up to meet them one night at the Belcourt Theater a couple years before they died. It was at this meeting that Grant walked up and said, “Hey, get your hands off my wife!” to which one of then replied, “You definitely married up!” Teehee!

Here’s a classic duet from Johnny & June on the Ralph Emery show back in 1967 (before my time, although just barely!)…

And this is one of my favorite musical duet couples:

And one more from those super awkward years…

Fast forward now to 2011… We recently had the pleasure of going to the cd release for a new duo, Rhonda Vincent & Gene Watson!

These two are the real deal! Gene Watson is one fine songwriter from Texas who is probably best known for his classic country song, “Farewell Party.” Rhonda Vincent is a great bluegrass singer and player. Their new cd, “Your Money and My Good Looks” came out on June 7 which just so happens to be the anniversary of the day we arrived in Nashville 5 years ago! Their release party at Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadour Theatre was a great way to celebrate.

Another favorite Nashville duo this year is Kort which is the musical collaboration of Cortney Tidwell and Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner. Their album is called, “Invariable Heartache,” and is a collection of cover songs from the now-defunct country label, Chart records, which was run by Tidwell’s grandfather.

Hear the story here:

These two have golden voices that sound great together and create quite a charming album that is currently on my favorites list.

I’ll end this post with a little muffin recipe I just came up with. They’re pretty yummy and full of goodness.

Tropical Banana Muffins

4 Tbsp unsalted butter (at room temperature)
½ cup cane sugar
2 eggs
2-3 ripe bananas mashed
1 mango, chopped
½ cup coconut milk
⅓ cup coconut flakes
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp sea salt

Heat oven to 375 degrees. With a mixer, cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar and continue to mix. Add eggs in, one at a time. Stir in bananas, mango, coconut flakes and milk, vanilla and ginger. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir briefly. Spoon into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.