Nicky Diamonds Leads the Latest Episode of The Hook

Everywhere you turn, the systems and infrastructure that helped build up independent music is unfortunately breaking down. Algorithms are rewarding the wrong things, the occupation of the blue collar musician is evaporating, and last week, Facebook made the decision to cease allowing most all outside links on its platform. All of this has put independent artists, venues, media outlets, and other such infrastructure at a severe disadvantage.

The Hook might not solve all of these problems, and it certainly won’t overnight. But it’s an idea of how to address them, even if on a microcosmic scale to start. This work begins at Sagebrush in Austin where an assemblage of songwriters get together to showcase their work. But the point is to bring the discussions that happen to the rest of the world.

The Hook might happen in one of Austin’s most beloved honky tonks, and be an extension of the Saving Country Music universe. But it’s not strictly a country music show. All genres, and all musicians are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Nicky Diamonds is mostly a blues artist, skilled with the slide and the resonator. But he regularly appears at country festivals and events as well. Diamonds was the special guest for Episode 15, starting off the show with his song ‘Dead Don’t Die” from his brand new album out from Alabama Sound Company called Speak To Me.

Along with singing, Nicky Diamonds spoke about his important role as a Black artist who regularly gets books at country events, breaking down misconceptions that some people might carry, while also tracing the similarities between country and blues through his music. It was quite an insightful and inspiring interview.

Then it was onto the gaggle of songwriters who show up to each show, sign up for an opportunity perform, and get picked randomly. This included Karin Jenson, who’d come to The Hook a couple of times before but never been picked. She performed her song “Tomorrow’s Never Guaranteed.” She took the advice of her own song by swallowing her fear to get up on stage and perform—something she’s always wanted to pursue, and is now finally doing.

She was followed by returning performer Zak Fernandez. After performing on back to back episodes previously, Fernandez hadn’t been picked for four or five in a row. He made the most of the return opportunity with his very personal song “Aunt Mary Alice.” This was followed by Nick Tiel, who’d made his Hook debut the previous week. Once again he impressed with his song “Promised Land.”

Perhaps nobody had been passed over more on The Hook previously than Eli Locke, who’d been making the hour-long trip up from just north of San Antonio. A long-time country musician, he moved to Texas from Nashville in April, and is looking to establish himself in the Lone Star State. The song he sung was called “Haggard Any More,” and it was inspired by a conversation with two other Hook songwriters during a previous episode, speaking to how songs, co-writes, and collaborations commonly come from the weekly gathering.

One of those other Hook performers was Girl Haggard, who made a big impression in an earlier Hook episode, and finally made her return with a new, unnamed song. Spencer Elijah, who is originally from Kerrville, pulled out his most emotional song yet inspired by last year’s flooding in the area called “The Glow.” Also inspired by loss, T.D. Stevens performed his song “Numbers and Sky.” Gold Patch winner Owen Salerno got his first opportunity to close the show out with a song on the piano.

Episode 15 also featured a preview of the Austin Steel Guitar Festival happening October 1-3 at the Austin Marriott South. “Brother” Ethan Shaw was on stage playing steel guitar in-between the songwriters, and owner/operator of steelradio.org, Ted Smouse, spoke about the resurgence of the steel guitar, and what folks can expect at the fest.

Though all the songs on Episode 15 were very good, it did feel like an episode that lacked that one super great song. It also felt a little short on deeply incisive or insightful moments we’ve seen on previous episodes. It was a weird vibe in the room due to the rest of Austin celebrating or hung over from the win the previous day of the Texas Longhorns over the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes in football.

But if nothing else, it was great to get the wisdom of Nicky Diamonds on record, and get some deserving artists that had waited patiently for their opportunity on stage finally.

The next taping of The Hook happens on Sunday, September 27th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at Sagebrush in Austin. If you want to sign up for a chance to perform, make sure to arrive by 2:30.

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The Hook is not just for songwriters. Fans of songwriting are also encouraged to attend. For more information, visit savingcountrymusic.com/thehook. Please subscribe to The Hook’s YouTube Channel, and follow The Hook on Instagram and Facebook.

You can now also stream the audio of The Hook via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, PocketCasts, as well as Deezer and other major podcast networks.

The Hook is sponsored by Big Hat Premium Cocktails and Mocktails, Ear Trumpet Labs, Keystone Artist Connect, and Sagebrush.

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