For Veteran's Day, I'll share this unique opportunity I had to sit down with Sam Robertson who is 102 years old, and hear about some of his experiences in World War II. It's amazing that you can still find him almost every morning at the Robertson Mule Company Building, a destination to which he still insists on driving himself (despite the chagrin of his family!) You are most welcome to stop in and visit and hear some of his stories yourself. Hear his story below... #ameri

My first of a new phase in the American Portraits episodes to capture glimpses of some of the many amazing people I meet on my travels. Robert, aside from becoming a friend of mine and of the many artists who visit Natchez, Mississippi each year for the music festival, plays an essential role of keeping us well caffeinated throughout the experience! Hear him share his unique story here... #americanportraits

Finally back after a long absence. There's been a lot going on! But here is the final chapter of my episodes about my southern tour with Elana Gleason and Tyrone Chambers. We ended our two week tour performing at some historic venues in New Orleans like the Marigny Opera House and the Old U. S. Mint Museum. It was fun to make some TV appearances beforehand, although entirely too early in the morning! More episodes to come... #americanportraits

Enjoy this complete live performance of one of our favorite selections from the tour - "A Letter from Sullivan Ballou" by John Kander. It was recorded at our concert in Greenwood, MS at Greenwood Church of the Nativity. I had a bit of b-roll lying around so I decided I would try to be Terrence Malick! Maybe I should stick to being Jonathan Levin, but at least the music speaks for itself! #americanportraits

"I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country and thee." Written by 32-year-old Major Sullivan Ballou, a successful attorney from Providence, Rhode Island, to his 24-year-old wife, Sarah, this letter proved to be as prophetic as it was universal and poetic. Written just a week before his death in the First Battle of Bull Run on the plains of Manassas, Sullivan leaves behind a touchingly eloquent legacy and stark reminde

“I came to Mississippi for the weekend, I wasn’t going to stay”, says Arthur Davis (‘Mr. D’), owner of the Old Country Store Restaurant in Lorman, MS. Driving from his home in Fort Hills, Florida, he was just delivering a car to his son who was attending nearby Alcorn State University, when he saw the old building on the side of Highway 61. Mr. D says he saw the potential in the place as well as the natural beauty of the area. Now over 20 years later, he has received accol

It had been literally 26 years since I've been to New Orleans, so it was high time to go. "Hey guys, let's do a concert together!" It turned into 6 concerts, 2 TV appearances and a music video. Just goes to show that there's strength in numbers. But this is just the beginning of what will be a highly varied and ongoing project of exploring this vast country - it's beauty, it's cultures, it's traditions - in as many ways possible, through music, film and visual media of a