Latest British rock LP heard at Americana music festival: 'Abbey Road'

As anyone could have learned on LedZeppelinNews.com yesterday afternoon, the album the Waybacks and special guests performed at MerleFest this year was Abbey Road by the Beatles.

MerleFest is billed as a festival dedicated to Americana music, and yet every year the Waybacks played a Hillside Album Hour set, the subject of the set has been a British rock gem. This Beatles choice follows the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers last year and, of course, Led Zeppelin II in 2008. (The Zep set was officially released for digital download.)

Waybacks singer, guitarist and founding member James Nash responds to the observation regarding British albums and American music in the conclusion of my three-part interview with him. (To recap, Part One is here, and Part Two is here.)

Part Three also contains Nash's thoughts on how John Paul Jones introduced him to soul music.

Also, listen to what Nash has to say about the man who produced the last Waybacks studio album, Nashville session bassist Byron House, who will be part of Robert Plant's Band of Joy on an album and tour later this year.

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What album could possibly follow 'Led Zeppelin II' and 'Sticky Fingers'?

When James Nash and his fellow members of the Waybacks decided to play Led Zeppelin II at MerleFest two years ago, there was a specific line of thinking that informed their decision. Because it's a live show, Nash explains, you'd have to play something that rocks right off the bat and keeps up the party atmosphere throughout.

The same thought went into their selection of Sticky Fingers by the Rolling Stones for their Hillside Album Hour set last year.

But what legendary disc could possibly follow up those two picks? Those who are at MerleFest right this minute are finding out. If you're on this site while the Waybacks take the stage, you can find out simultaneously as James Nash reveals what album they're playing in Part Two of this installment of the LedZeppelinNews.com Interview Series.

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James Nash of the Waybacks, always changing it up at MerleFest

Here's another installment of the LedZeppelinNews.com Interview Series, this time with James Nash, singer, guitarist and founding member of the Waybacks.

His group will be performing two sets this weekend as part of MerleFest, held annually in North Carolina. One of those sets, featuring some special onstage guests, will be the Waybacks' yearly Hillside Album Hour.

Continuing a tradition they started in 2008 when they performed Led Zeppelin II in its entirety as a surprise to those gathered, they will play another full-length album set tomorrow afternoon. Its identity is currently unknown but will be revealed in Part Two. So, if you won't be at MerleFest to witness it in person, visit LedZeppelinNews.com again tomorrow at 4:45 p.m. Eastern time to find out what album the Waybacks will perform!

Here's Part One of my three-part conversation with James Nash of the Waybacks. In it, he discusses his musical influences, how the Hillside Album Hour came about, and why Led Zeppelin II was chosen to kick off the tradition. Also, he learns a Led Zeppelin history lesson regarding the famous blues musician performing onstage nearby.

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