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Happy New Year to all! January is named for the Roman god, Janus, depicted as two-faced, looking both back and forward at the same time. We'll take one last look backward as we usher in the new year. Hour one remembers artists who died in 2021; Hour two is my Top Ten 2021 releases plus.

Women's rights and labor activist Anne Feeney died on February 3rd at the age of 69 from complications of COVID-19. She was a trial lawyer for ten years before embarking on a musical journey that produced 11 albums. Clint Harding featured Anne Feeney on occasion when we rode the Blue Highways with him.

From 1971, one written by the late Paul Cotton, who died July 31st at the age of 78. Also, Rusty Young died on April 14th at the age of 75.

We lost three banjo greats this past year and we're featuring them in this set, beginning with Bill Emerson as part of the Country Gentlemen, covering Steve Goodman's classic song. From 1973.

One that Sonny Osborne wrote.

The great J.D. Crowe recently died, on Christmas Eve at the age of 84. Here he is with one ca. 1958.

Byron Berline joined Dillard & Clark for "Through the Morning, Through the Night," here fiddling on the Tennessee national anthem. From 1969. Byron died on Juy 10th at the age of 77.

From the Cadence label in 1960. Don Everly died on August 21st at the age of 84. Brother Phil died in 2014. Boudleaux Bryant wrote this one and the previous track as well.

Founder and leader of The Chieftains for 60 years, Paddy Moloney died on October 12th at the age of 83. He spread his love of Irish music wherever he went.

Three people who passed this year are represented with this selection. Nanci Griffith died on August 13th at the age of 68, the youngest of the artists I'm playing this hour. Drummer/percussionist extraordinaire Kenny Malone plays on this one and Kenny passed on August 26th at the age of 83. Finally, the man who wrote the song, Bill Staines, died November 6th at the age of 74.

This song was co-written by then-husband and wife, Ed and Patsy Bruce, and this version spent four weeks atop the country charts in 1973. Ed Bruce died on January 8th at the age of 81 and Patsy died on May 16th , also age 81.

My favorite song written by Chris Wall, who died on July 29th at the age of 72. Jerry Jeff recorded several of his songs.

A country music giant passed away on August 20th at the age of 85, as Tom T. was reunited with his beloved Dixie. From the Mercury label in 1969 one of his finest.

Bob Moore played on almost all of Patsy Cline's recordings from 1960 on, as well as more than 17,000 documented recordings. From the Decca label in 1961, co-written by Harlan Howard and Hank Cochran. Bob Moore died on September 22nd at the age of 88.

From Columbia Records in 1958, one written by George Jones, who didn't record it until the following year. Stonewall Jackson died on December 4th at the age of 89.

From the Columbia label in 1982, one written by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dewayne Blackwell. He wrote pop hits like "Mr. Blue" and country hits like "Friends in Low Places." He died on May 23rd at the age of 84.

Without question the biggest songwriting hit for husband-and-wife duo Joe and Rose Lee Maphis. Although it's a honky tonk anthem, bluegrassers Flatt & Scruggs had the first recording of it in 1952. This is from the Okeh label the following year. Rose Lee died on October 26th at the age of 98. Joe died in 1986.

Charley Crockett was his usual busy self, releasing this album in 2021 as well as a tribute album to James Hand.

I continue to be impressed with Jason Eady's growth as a songwriter.

Jesse enlisted the services of Raul Malo for a track on his new album, and Jesse sings another one en espanol.

We were asked to submit our Top Ten list in alpha order, but had I ranked them by preference Melissa Carper's album would top both lists. An outstanding effort that enlists the help of some of Nashville's finest.

It's hard to go wrong with Waylon material. Shannon McNally turned in a fine effort that could have been gratuitous, but instead is heartfelt.

Can we clone Connie's voice? It should be illegal for an octogenarian to sound this good. Fine song selections and excellent musicians make this a winner.

For my money, these two are the best bluegrass songwriting team going today. Another excellent effort from them.

The principles in Ida Red are Sophia Johnson and Rose Sinclair, and they put out a fine jazz/Western Swing album this year, including this track co-written by Leon McAuliffe and Eldon Shamblin.

This album made several Top Ten lists and this track was singled out in particular. This one completes my Top Ten.

Had this one gotten to me a little sooner, it would probably have made my list. What a great find, a concert recorded in 1990, the year before the one at The Ryman, with a completely different set list. Great musicians and an incomparable vocalist. Rodney Crowell wrote this one, supposedly with Emmylou and Susanna Clark in mind. Tom Robbins' 1976 book of the same title was made into a film almost 20 years later, replete with an appearance by William Burroughs.

Congrats to AATW for half a century in the business, marked by a new album. This one combines old and new, with former vocalist Chris O'Connell joining the current one (and fiddler), Katie Shore.

Going out to Matt in Columbia. The title track to both releases by this Ohio group are instrumentals.

Rodney Crowell produced this fine album from a new Texas artist.

Just in under the wire in 2021 is a new EP from Rose Sinclair, featuring some Austin-area Big Band and samba enthusiasts laying down what Rose calls "cocktail steel." Taking us out is this Antonio Carlos Jobim composition, sending it out to Andrea, host of Radio Rio Mondays at noon on KDHX.