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Couch by Couchwest 2013, Day 1 Highlights

Are all of your friends in Austin, Texas, for the annual South by Southwest festival? Do you wish you could go with them? Are you like me, can't get out of work/family obligations, or are just too darn broke to go to Austin? If so, join us for Couch by Couchwest, the on-line music festival that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own couch!

The start of the third annual festival got off with a bang, literally. Rockers Two Mule Blues knocked our socks off with some pyro in the mountains of Utah. Watch the video here, and notice the cows in the background. Yeee-Haw!

The Pyles played a beautiful Americana song called "Answer to Ruby."

Just as we were getting thirsty, Uncle Leon drove the "Beer Train" in via the New York City subway. Try not to laugh at the people desperately ignoring him.

Couches in Nashville were reversed....

....people in Little Rock assembled their (unnecessary) lanyards....

....and CXCW posters were noticed around the greater Knoxville area.

Others were surprised that there were no lines at the merch table, while other people liked the low, low price of beer.

Traditional Appalachian banjo player Riley Baugus played "Roustabout" via Fred Cockerham. If Riley sounds familiar, you may have heard his playing and singing on the Cold Mountain soundtrack. Riley has also played on albums with Willie Nelson and Allison Krauss/Robert Plant among many others. That’s Riley’s curious cat Early making a special cameo appearance halfway through.

The Pollies finished the day with "Lost" from their forthcoming album, before heading off to Austin.

We also had some youngsters join us: 9-year-old Jessie Jones joined her father Cline on the song "Room With A View" which they co-wrote, and The Foresters (Brothers Evan age 13, Hayden 11, and Liam 10) rocked out to their song "Way Up High." How many other minors can say they played a music festival this March?

Do you like what you see and hear? Join us tomorrow on the couch! Or slyly check in from your desk chair at work. We will start around 10 a.m. eastern time and go to 11pm or so.

Tags: CXCW, Couch by Couchwest, Jessie and Cline Jones, Riley Baugus, The Foresters, The Pollies, The Pyles, Two Mule Blues, Uncle Leon

Comment by Easy Ed on March 11, 2013 at 4:53am: It seems like I've been waiting a whole year for CXCW to begin. I know from past experience that after a week at the festival, things can get a little messy. Have fun and be careful out there.

Comment by aburtch on March 11, 2013 at 6:12am: Would love to hear more from Mandolin Orange, who (I think) won best drinking song last year. They have some great new material that isn't on an album yet.

Also the Wrinkle Neck Mules and Yarn would be two good bands for this festival.

Comment by Couch by Couchwest on March 12, 2013 at 7:46am: aburtch, We would love to see all those too. We haven't heard back from Mando Orange though.