American Songcatcher

Two Killings of Sam Cooke - Netflix

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Credits:

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, editing, recording and distribution

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S3:E6 // Sam Cooke Jul 24, 2024

Today on the program, we present the story behind the Father of Soul, Sam Cooke. Growing up in the church, Sam knew he wanted to be a singer by the time he was five years old. There was a magnetic and infectious quality to this young Gospel singer, and he knew he was destined for bigger things than singing sacred music. The risk he took in becoming a pop singer was massive, but it produced the first records of what is now known as Soul music. Sam also was a pioneer when it came to being savvy about the music business, owning his own publishing company, negotiating contracts, and creating a container to nurture up and coming soul singers. At the height of the civil rights movement, and the pinnacle of his career, Sam’s life was cut short. Here is his story.

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Credits: Jonah Nordeen - Research, Writing

Teddy Chipouras - Editing

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, Editing, Recording and Distribution

References:

Campbell, L. E. (2013, February 16). Jesus Gave Me Water. Archive. Today.

DeCurtis, A., Henke, J., & George-Warren, H. (Eds.). (1992). The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll: The definitive history of the most important artists and their music (3rd ed). Random House.

Guralnick, P. (2005). Dream boogie: The triumph of Sam Cooke (1st ed). Little, Brown.

James, E., & Ritz, D. (2003). Rage to survive: The Etta James story (2. ed). Da Capo.

Ritz, D. (2022). Sam Cooke. In Encyclopedia Britannica.

Robinson, L. (1964, December 31). Tragedy-Filled Life of Singer Sam Cooke. Jet, XXVII(13), 56–65.

Runtagh, J. (2021, January 21). Why Mystery Still Shrouds Singer Sam Cooke’s Shooting Death Nearly 60 Years Later. People.

Documentaries:

Who Murdered Soul?

The Sam Cooke Story. (2018, July 15). YouTube.

Wharton, M. (Director). (1996). Legend [Documentary]. Amazon Prime.

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Bonus // Southern Songs and Stories Jul 06, 2024

Today on the program, through our host public radio station WNCW in Spindale, NC, we’re sharing one of our favorite cultural podcasts, called Southern Songs and Stories, a documentary series about the music of the American south and the artists who make it. The show is based in western North Carolina and the surrounding Appalachian and foothill regions, covering a wide array of musicians and bands, documenting the current music of the South and the story of how it came to be, put together by host and producer Joe Kendrick.

This episode features a niche style, born from the long lineage of hymns and gospel songs that has been informing so many genres of American music since as early as the 18th century. Gospel music has tremendous depth and width, and here, the story focuses on one of its many branches, a little known tradition thriving in places like Washington D.C. and Charlotte, NC: the trombone shout band.

Links:

Southern Songs & Stories

WNCW Radio

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Credits:

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, editing, recording and distribution

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S3:E5 // Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys Jun 04, 2024

Today on the program, we’re proud to present the story behind the King of Western Swing, Bob Wills. One of the most influential and iconic bandleaders and musicians of the 1930’s-1950’s, Bob came from a humble life of a poor sharecropping family, and was deeply influenced by old time and breakdown fiddle through his Texas state champion family of fiddlers in his father and uncle. Bob also loved all the turn of the century and 1920’s black music, and this confluence of cultures would help him create the craze that became Western swing, and the details of his journey to get there will surprise you.

Story by Brent Davis and Nicholas Edward Williams

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Story Credits:

Brent Davis - Research, Writing

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing editing, recording and distribution

Homecoming: Reflections on Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, 1915-1973, Charles R.

Townsend.

Country Music Hall of Fame

Authentic Texas

OW Mayo

The Life and Times of Bob Wills

Country Music, an Illustrated History, Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns.

Country Music, a PBS documentary by Florentine Films, Ken Burns, director; Dayton Duncan,

writer.

OK History

Life and Times of Bob Wills (TNN)

Texas Monthly

Birthplace of Western Swing

The Country Music Pop-Up Book, by the staff of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The Hag: The Life, Times, and Music of Merle Haggard, Marc Elliot.

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Talkin' Blues // Charlie Hunter Apr 20, 2024

Today, I’m sharing a conversation I had with GRAMMY-NOMINATED American guitarist, composer, producer and bandleader Charlie Hunter. He first came on to the scene in the early 1990s, and simultaneously plays bass lines, chords, and melodies, on custom seven and eight-string guitars, as featured in trios and quintet projects, as well as Garage-A-Trois. Notably, Charlie is also a student of ragtime guitar, using the true two finger technique pioneered by Arthur Blind Blake and very different from what he’s known for. We talked about Charlie’s upbringing in a musical family, finding his own path, the groove and authenticity, all things Blind Blake, and as usual, we geeked out on some music history. Enjoy!

Charlie's Links:

Music Makers of the Blue Ridge - David Hoffman (1965)

Instagram

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S3:E4 // Bascom Lamar Lunsford & A Living Tradition Mar 21, 2024

Today, we proudly present something a little different on American Songcatcher. Instead of the usual documentary podcast-style piece, this is a compilation of field recordings I did in Buncombe and Madison Counties just outside of Asheville, NC. Considered the mecca of the long held traditions in ballad singing and old-time mountain music, this area is also home to the “Minstrel of the Appalachians”, one of the most important yet lesser-known figures in folk and old time music, Bascom Lamar Lunsford - who was born on this day 142 years ago.

Over the last year, I was fortunate enough to visit North Carolina several times, to visit with Bascom’s old home and talk with head of the non-profit that now owns it, perform at the annual Lunsford Festival at Mars Hill University, and witness the return of filmmaker David Hoffman, who first filmed Bascom in the 1964, and was coming back to visit the area for the first time in the nearly 60 years since. This is a window into a living tradition.

GoFundMe for Bascom's Home Restoration (for the Pondering Bascom non-profit)

Documentaries mentioned:

Madison County, North Carolina - Where Music History is Alive (2023)⁠

Special thanks to:

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S3:E3 // Mississippi Fred McDowell Feb 25, 2024

Today on the program, we present the story of the father of North Mississippi Hill Country Blues, Mississippi Fred McDowell. From humble beginnings, Fred was inspired from the likes of Charley Patton, his neighbor Eli “Booster” Green and the sounds he gathered from guitarists in Memphis, Mississippi and the Delta, and defined the often overlooked nuances of the blues. Like many of the great Southern pre-war blues guitarists born around the turn of the century, Fred was “discovered” by Alan Lomax in 1959, and continues to inspire slide guitarists to this day, despite not being a household name in the blues realm.

Watch the full documentary “Shake Em On Down”

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Credits: Ryan Eastridge - Research, Writing

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, editing, recording and distribution

References:

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S3:E2 // Shady Grove Jan 21, 2024

Today on our program, we present the story of one of the most iconic American Folk songs, born from the lineage of 16th century ballads brought by immigrants from the British Isles, “Shady Grove”. Often used in both dance and courtship, the timeless melody was the backbone for countless ballads and folk songs that made their way into North America and took root in the Appalachian and Ozark Mountain ranges. To date, “Shady Grove” has been estimated to have amassed over 300 stanzas since it was first sung in the Cumberland Plateau region of Eastern Kentucky in the mid-nineteenth century. Story by Ryan Eastridge.

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Credits:

Ryan Eastridge - Research, Writing

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, editing, recording and distribution

References:

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S3:E1 // John Hartford Dec 27, 2023

Happy release day! Today on our program, we’re delighted to release the first episode of Season 3, diving into the life of renowned songwriter, riverboat pilot, folklorist, song collector, music historian, accomplished fiddler and banjoist, clog & shuffle dancer, storyteller and consummate entertainer, John Hartford. One of the most brilliant yet lesser-known musicians of the last century, John was the key figure in redefining Bluegrass and American roots music for future generations, the unofficial father of “newgrass”, who had a life that was anything but ordinary.

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Credits: Ryan Eastridge - Research, Writing

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, editing, recording and distribution

References:

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LOCAL FOCAL // The Pine Barrens Folk Music Oct 29, 2023

Today, we proudly present the sixth installment of the LOCAL FOCAL series, where we’re collaborating with artists around the country to share unique and lesser-known musical history. Our narrator today is Joe Makoviecki (mackavecky) who brings to the surface a near century-old lineage, the story of New Jersey's own first family of folk music, The Ridgeways, who settled in a territory deep in South Jersey known as The Pine Barrens, and whose music faded into obscurity for several decades until recently.

Jackson Pines

Merce Ridgeway - Library of Congress

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Credits:

Nicholas Edward Williams - Editing, Recording and Distribution

Joe Makoviecki - Narration, Research

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LOCAL FOCAL // Swamp Pop with Dustin Dale Gaspard Aug 27, 2023

Today, we proudly present the fifth installment of the LOCAL FOCAL series, where we’re collaborating with artists around the country to share unique and lesser-known musical history. Our narrator today is Dustin Dale Gaspard, a 9th generation cajun who comes from the deep, deep South, the Acadian region of Louisiana. Dustin shares the very unique history of the genre Swamp Pop, with detailed context of the cajun heritage it was born out of. Let’s head to the swamp.

Dustin Dale Gaspard

Swamp Pop Playlist

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Credits:

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Dustin Dale Gaspard - Narration, Research

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LOCAL FOCAL // Cowboy Song Collector Jack Thorp Jul 08, 2023

Today, we proudly present the fourth installment of the LOCAL FOCAL series, where we’re collaborating with artists around the country to share unique and lesser-known musical history. Our storyteller is cowboy & poet Andy Hedges, who hails from Lubbock, TX and is doing his part to keep the old cowboy song traditions alive. Andy takes us back to the late 1800’s, in the vast Western plains to the first collector of cowboy songs, a roving Easterner by the name of Jack Thorp, who printed the first book of Folk Songs, titled Songs of the Cowboys in 1908, forever changing the scope and trajectory of western and cowboy music.

In March 1889, Jack Thorp, a born-to-privilege Easterner who had grown into a leather-tough, saddle-wise trail hand, decided to track down the words to songs about cowboy life from cowboys singing in cow camps, at chuck wagons and line camps, in saloons—anywhere he could find them, mostly in New Mexico and Texas. His course proved crucial to the evolution of cowboy culture and the publication of his Songs of the Cowboys, the first collection of folk songs in America in 1908.

Andy Hedges Website

Andy’s Podcast “Cowboy Crossroads”

Roll On, Cowboys

Jack Thorpe

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Credits:

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Andy Hedges - Narration

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LOCAL FOCAL // The Other Side May 28, 2023

For our third installment of the LOCAL FOCAL series, we present the following audio-rich piece - described as "sound painting" - brought to you by Muddy Boots Radio, a podcast that I only recently came into contact with by way of its creator, Tenali Hrenak. This particular episode honored a legend of radio from Grass Valley, CA - Mikail Graham. A composer, performer, producer, music promoter, advocate, consultant and beta tester for numerous pro-audio and MIDI companies. He was with the community radio station KVMR since its inception in the 1970s. For decades, he produced a radio show called The Other Side, and for many years he put on a yearly event called Night of Giving, which helped raise money for the Hospitality House, a shelter for the un-housed. He also produced the album Loafer's Glory for folk legend Utah Phillips. To say that he was influential to that region of California is an understatement.

As Tenali put it:

"With Mikail’s passing on July 12th, 2022, several of us regular contributors to The Other Side were tasked with producing a series of final shows, a send-off episode, to our dear friend. Mikail and I both loved the 1960s anthology series The Twilight Zone. So with that in mind, I whipped up an episode - aptly titled See U On The Other Side - that cut-up some dialogue from the episode Kick the Can, which I felt captured Mikail’s carpe diem and playful spirit. And, of course, I decorated the playlist with an assortment of Tweeners and songs that I’m sure he’d love and that hopefully honor the legacy he leaves behind."

Enjoy this experience of sound, titled “See U On The Other Side (Side A)” from the Muddy Boots Radio podcast.

Muddy Boots Website

Gathering Sounds - Tenali's New Book

Mikail Graham - The Other Side

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Credits:

Nicholas Edward Williams - Editing, Recording and Distribution

Tenali Hrenak - Production

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LOCAL FOCAL // Doc Watson & Over Home Apr 23, 2023

In honor of the 35th annual MerleFest coming up this week, American Songcatcher presents a very special LOCAL FOCAL - a relatively unknown live recording from May of 1989 of North Carolina’s own Doc Watson, telling stories and singing songs passed through his family - only this show he was asked to perform without his guitar, until the very end.

This concert was part of a historical series called Over Home, which aired on the well-known WNCW radio in Spindale, NC between 1988 and 1990. The show featured Western North Carolina traditional musicians and storytellers, and variety of musical styles, such as ballad singing, old-time fiddle tunes, Cherokee oral traditions and dances, and Irish jigs and reels, ghost stories, fox hunting tales, Civil War stories, and moonshine tales.

This is unlike any of the episodes we’ve put out on American Songcatcher. There are no overdubs, no editing, just the seamless experience of Doc Watson, live, without his guitar.

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Over Home Archive - Berea College

WNCW

Southern Songs and Stories Podcast

Over Home Credits:

Hosted by Sheila Kay Adams and Taylor Barnhill

Recorded by Sheila Kay Adams

Engineered by WNCW and Burr Beard - Manager

American Songcatcher Credits:Hosted and produced by Nicholas Edward Williams

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LOCAL FOCAL // Last Wisps of the Old Ways Mar 26, 2023

Today, we proudly present the first installment of the LOCAL FOCAL series, where we’re collaborating with artists to share musical stories from different locations throughout America - in celebration of the parts that make up the whole fabric of American music history.

First up, we’re bringing you the works of Derek Piotr, a folklorist and musician who’s been deep in research about a particular family of tradition-bearers from Avery County, North Carolina that have a lineage to Frank Proffitt, a key figure in Appalachian old time preservation. I was taken with Derek's story not only because by comparison, he's rather young in the immersive world of musicology, but also because of his unique interest in what's called Auto-Ethnography, which goes beyond detailed field notes and recordings, by linking the fieldwork to your own emotional life.

A few years ago, Derek curated a compilation concerning this family, Last Wisps of the Old Ways, which intertwined field recordings he made with archival recordings of the family’s lineage from The Library of Congress. Before that, he was merely preserving the legacy of his grandmother with a flip phone. His winding path to field recordings and eventually creating the Fieldwork Archive is a humbling journey.

Last Wisps of the Old Ways

Fieldwork Archive

Official

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Credits:

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, Editing, Recording and Distribution

Derek Piotr - Writing, Recording, Research

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ANNOUNCEMENT // SEASON 3 Mar 16, 2023

ANNOUNCEMENTS!
1. Season 3 NEEDS your financial support! Can you commit to $1 a month via Patreon? - OR - Send a one-time donation throughVenmo or PayPal

2. We're changing the format next season to SINGLE STORIES released every few weeks, so we can give each story full attention, and put out content more frequently.

3. CALLING ALL WRITERS! Do you love human stories? Love music history? Do you have any writing experience? If you'd like to be a volunteer writer on American Songcatcher, email us at AmericanSongcatcherPodcast@gmail.com

4. The first installment of our off-season series, LOCAL FOCAL will air MARCH 26! These special episodes pay homage to the parts that make up the whole fabric of American music history, featuring different presenters from around the world sharing a hyper-localized story.

5. Season 3 release date coming soon.

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Credits:
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, Editing, Recording and Distribution

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S2:E9 // Moses Asch and Folkways Records (Part 2 - SEASON FINALE) Dec 20, 2022

This is our season finale, part two of a special audio-documentary series on Folkways Records founder Moses Asch, in collaboration with Smithsonian Folkways. Part one walked us through Moe’s childhood, teenage years, early career, the first two labels he created, bankruptcy, as well as the early years of Folkways Records. In part two, we traverse 40 years of iconic recordings with pioneering and lesser known artists, business hardships, milestones, the fledgling years of Folkways, and Moe’s death. We’ll also examine the acquisition of the massive Folkways catalog by Smithsonian, illustrate how Moe’s legacy has intertwined with the identity of American music, and highlight some of the incredible work that Smithsonian has done to preserve and expand on what Moe accomplished.

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Collaboration Credits:

Smithsonian Folkways

Full Moses Asch interview with Arhoolie Records’ founder Chris Strachwitz

Interviewees:

Richard Carlin - Worlds of Sound: The Story of Smithsonian Folkways

Michael Asch

Jeff Place (Smithsonian Folkways)

John Smith (Smithsonian Folkways)

Dom Flemons

Charlie Parr

—

The Stanley Brothers’ Story 1969

Media Credits:

Making people's music : Moe Asch and Folkways records - Peter D Goldsmith

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S2:E9 // Moses Asch and Folkways Records (Part 1) Dec 02, 2022

Today, American Songcatcher is proud to present a special two-part collaboration with Smithsonian Folkways, going behind the curtain of Folkways Records founder Moses Asch, who was born 117 years ago on this date. This is the story of a ceaselessly stubborn Jewish immigrant with unstoppable ambition. A pioneer who had a great respect for creative artists, whether they were commercially viable or not. A provider whose work was selfless, though he was often quite difficult to work with. A visionary that would turn the record industry on its head without producing any major hits, which was just the way he wanted it. Folkways Records, “The little label that could,” changed the course of American roots music by preserving folk songs from all over the world and having a major hand influencing the folk and blues revival of the 50’s and 60’s. Moe's mission was to create an encyclopedia of sound from around the world, quite literally. Folkways released records of frog noises, poetry, train whistles, cat noises and many others in addition to covering nearly every genre of world music, spanning over 2,100 records. Learn how his collection was acquired by the Smithsonian Institution and how his legacy lives on today.

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In Collaboration with:

Smithsonian Folkways

Full Moses Asch interview with Arhoolie Records’ founder Chris Strachwitz

Interviewees:

Richard Carlin | Worlds of Sound: The Story of Smithsonian Folkways

Michael Asch

American Songcatcher

Source Credits:

Worlds of Sound: Ballad of Folkways | Documentary

Making People's Music | Book

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S2:E8 // Ralph Stanley & The Hundred Year Old Voice Oct 20, 2022

“The boy with the hundred year old voice” Dr. Ralph Stanley grew up in the hills of Southwest Virginia during the Great Depression. He and his brother Carter were heavily inspired by The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and Bill Monroe, who The Stanley Brothers would feud with decades later. Radio was king, and The Stanley Brothers became a household name throughout Appalachia by merciless appearances. Hear the story of how this farmhand persisted through waves of personal and career hardships, always staying true and believing in the old-time country music he played until becoming the international patriarch of traditional mountain music.

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—

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Credits:
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, Editing, Recording and Distribution

Ryan Eastridge - Writing

Source Credits:

Musical Holdouts

CMT.com

Man of Constant Sorrow: My Life and Times

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S2:E7 // Wack Fall The Daddy-O Aug 12, 2022

Featured in this Episode:

Traditional - Whiskey in the Jar

Billie Holiday

Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee

Charlie Parr

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Teaser:

Arguably the most popular Irish drinking song has a more unique origin than being sung at the pub, celebrating the spirit of Whiskey. She’s one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, yet her personal life was ripe with adversity from family, abusive relationships, and a war with the United States Government over a song. They blurred the lines for white and black audiences alike through the 60’s revival as a duo, yet both men’s legacies stand on their own footing. A man redefining the definitions of independent success, overcoming each obstacle thrown at him while reviving fingerpicking styles of Piedmont and Delta blues.

—

Credits:

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording

Jack Browning - Writing

Source Credits:

Whiskey in the Jar |Irish Central | Accordeon World | Keston Primary | AV Club

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Talkin' Blues // Seth Walker Jun 29, 2022

Today I’m sharing a conversation I had with American roots singer and guitarist Seth Walker, who has spent the last 20 years putting out incredibly diverse records, inspired by early blues to jazz, folk, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, early country and anything else he’s been able to gobble up.

Recently mentored by the likes of Oliver Wood and the Wood Brothers, Seth just released his 11th studio record, titledI Hope I Know, a tasty, seasoned array of roots songs that navigate a host of emotions and comforts, a record I highly suggest listening to, courtesy of Royal Potato Family Records.

We talked about his unique childhood, raised among a community of Quakers, the constant evolution of self and artistry, his love for writing not just music but a recent book titled Your Van is on Fire, his newest record and the deep changes that surfaced before, during and after, and as usual, we geeked out on some music history. Enjoy!

More on Seth Walker:

Listen

Book

Socials : Instagram | Facebook

Watch

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S2:E6 // The Man in Black (Part 3) Jun 05, 2022

Featured in this Episode:

Johnny Cash

Teaser:

The finale of this three part series on "The Man in Black" starts in the 70’s, when Johnny’s turnaround gets traction through learning to be a father, his activism and overtly religious period, several relapses of his addiction, the fall from Columbia Records, and his rise with Rick Rubin before passing away, as well as his legacy.

—

"Shine A Light" |Johnny Cash: The Life

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Credits:
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution

Source Credits:

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S2:E6 // The Man in Black (Part 2) May 01, 2022

Featured in this Episode:

Johnny Cash

Teaser:

The story of the enigmatic “Man in Black” is a vast ocean that is impossible to cover every detail. But this three part series will attempt to further explain what listeners know about Johnny Cash, debunk a few myths, and uncover fascinating moments in his life that are lesser known. In essence, we’ll be looking further behind the curtain of the legend known as JR Cash, more than exceptional movies such as “Walk the Line” have portrayed.

Part 2 presents Johnny’s rise with Sun Records, the tumultuous years of his personal life and addiction, his turnaround, and when he first cleans up his act as a star.

—

Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast

"Shine A Light" |Johnny Cash: The Life

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Credits:
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution

Source Credits:

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S2:E6 // The Man in Black (Part 1) Apr 04, 2022

Featured in this Episode:

Johnny Cash

Teaser:

The story of the enigmatic “Man in Black” is a vast ocean that is impossible to cover and give every detail. But this three part series will attempt to further explain what listeners may think they know about Johnny Cash, broaden the understanding of his personal life, and uncover fascinating moments in his career that are lesser known, misunderstood, or flat out wild. In essence, we’ll be looking WAY behind the curtain of the legend known as JR Cash, far more than even exceptional movies such as “Walk the Line” have portrayed.

In Part 1, we'll navigate Johnny’s childhood, teenage years, and his initial rise with Sun Records.

—

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—

Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast

"Shine A Light" |Johnny Cash: The Life

Cristina’s Official Site

Credits:
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution

Source Credits:

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S2:E5 // That Bad Man Feb 21, 2022

Celebrating Black History Month!

Featured in this Episode:

Traditional - “Stagger Lee” (:42)

Memphis Minnie (15:45)

Lightnin’ Hopkins (29:21)

Taj Mahal (48:55)

Teaser:

This notorious murder story has been covered in more genres, by more artists and across more multi-media platforms than any other in history, while somehow remaining relatively obscure. She’s known as the queen of the country blues, and queen of the Chicago blues, though she got her start while homeless and playing on the streets full time in Memphis. One of the last links that remained of the original country blues past the folk and blues revival, this Texas bluesman’s personal life was shrouded in mystery during both pinnacles in his near 60-year career. Born of Caribbean descent, he would go on to be a liaison between cultures and sounds from all over the world, wrapping it all into a tight package that makes the blues feel like an altogether human experience.

—

Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast

"Shine A Light" |Blues Foundation

Follow American Songcatcher |Instagram

Support Independent Programming | Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal

Credits:

Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution

Jack Browning - Writer

Ryan Eastridge - Writer

Source Credits:

Stagger Lee: Missouri Life | StaggerLee.com | American Blues Scene | StLouis-mo.gov

Memphis Minnie: Black Past | Musicians Guide | 64 Parishes

Lightnin’ Hopkins: Black Past | | Texas Monthly | Udiscovermusic | THSA.org

Taj Mahal: Berklee Interview | Harlem World Magazine | Hawaii Public Radio | New York Times

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AS Presents // Basic Folk feat. Chris Thile Feb 02, 2022

Today on the program, I’m pleased to bring you a very special episode through American Songcatcher, sharing a wonderful podcast called Basic Folk in our feed. Now some of you may already be aware of these in-depth, honest interviews with host Cindy Howes, but I feel like the rest of you should get on board!

Sure, there are many conversational podcasts out there, but Basic Folk sets itself apart with honest and complex conversations about the human experience witnessed from an artistic angle. Cindy's questions are not only well-researched and carefully crafted, but the artists featured are among the most revered in the American roots music scene today, some of which have been covered or will be covered by this podcast, including Amethyst Kiah, Oliver Wood, Tom Rush, Alison Russell and several others.

One of Cindy and I’s favorite musicians, Chris Thile, stopped by Basic Folk several months back, and it seemed apropos to share their conversation since he was covered in Episode 1 of Season 2. Be sure to subscribe to Basic Folk wherever you get your podcasts!

We'll be back with Episode 5 in two weeks!

BF Links:

About Basic Folk:

Basic Folk is a podcast with honest conversations between musicians and Cindy Howes, a well-versed public radio host and music curator, and guest host Lizzie No, a talented singer/songwriter. Basic Folk approaches interviews with warmth, humor and insightful questions. This podcast fosters the folk community and showcases a genre that is often misunderstood. Basic Folk features complex conversations about the human experience witnessed from an artistic angle. Our definition of “folk” is extremely broad, so you’ll hear interviews from Amythyst Kiah, Tom Rush, The Lumineers and many more.

Basic Folk is dedicated to showcasing the best in folk and roots musicians including BIPOC musicians who have been excluded, or felt like they did not belong, in the folk world. Both Cindy and Lizzie bring unique perspectives to our honest conversations and are dedicated to changing the landscape and the gatekeepers of the folk music community.

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S2:E4 // Pioneering Women in Bluegrass and Old-Time Jan 16, 2022

Featured in this Episode:

Jean Ritchie (:28)

Ola Belle Reed (17:48)

Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard (35:41)

Alison Krauss (55:54)

Teaser:

Her family is considered one of the wealthiest in the ballad tradition, preserving hundreds of songs from their lineage to Scotland in their home of Kentucky, and is single-handedly responsible for bringing the Appalachian dulcimer to prominence in America. Born in the mountains of North Carolina, she paved the way for both bluegrass music and old-time with her brother through their pioneering work at music parks, on the radio, and during the folk revival. They’re considered the first women to front a bluegrass band, and in their wake are generations of women thanks to their contributions. A child prodigy, she was signed to Rounder Records at 14 and now is one of the most decorated bluegrass and female musicians of all time, still turning heads today with her many collaborations.

---

"Shine A Light" |Pretty Good For a Girl: Women in Bluegrass by Murphy Hicks Henry

Follow American Songcatcher |Instagram

Support | Join Patreon or send a one-time donation: Venmo // PayPal

Source Credits:

Jean Ritchie: KET | Library of Congress | NPR

Ola Belle Reed: Blue Ridge Heritage | Arts.gov | NC Pedia | SML

Alison Krauss: NPR | Britannica | Grammy | NY Times

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

S2:E3 // God's Golden Shore Dec 05, 2021

Season 2, Episode 3 // God's Golden Shore

Featured in this Episode:

Traditional - “Man of Constant Sorrow” (:28)

Ma Rainey (13:08)

Bill Monroe (31:40)

Patsy Cline (51:29)

Bruce Molsky (1:08:17)

Teaser:

Thought to be rooted in the early hymns brought to America, this old-time folk song has reveled in the spotlight more than once in the roots music community, especially after being featured in the 2000 film “O’ Brother Where Art Thou.” A defining voice of the 1920’s and 1930’s, this female artist wrote the book on fashion, songwriting, and entrepreneurship while harnessing the soul of the blues in some of the earliest recordings of the genre. Dubbed the Father and creator of Bluegrass music, this mandolin aficionado learned how to weave the blues with old-time with piercing tenor mountain harmonies and blistering fast tempos. A life taken too soon, this woman’s voice epitomized country music for nearly a decade, and inspired generations of singers in her wake, even until today. A scholar, teacher and virtuosic fiddle and banjo player, he’s a quintessential “musician’s musician” and is widely considered among the premier ambassadors of America’s old-time mountain music.

⁠Listen to my new traditional record: FOLK SONGS FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE

Performances:

“Man of Constant Sorrow” - Traditional (10:14)

“Prove It On Me Blues” - Ma Rainey (28:26)

“In the Pines” - Traditional (47:50)

“Walkin’ After Midnight” 1:06:20

“Red Rocking Chair” | 1:20:48

---

"Shine A Light" | Cultural Equity

Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram

Support Independent Programming | Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal
Source Credits:

Traditional: Black Deer Festival | American Songwriter

Ma Rainey: Women’s HIstory | National Museum AAH | Black Past

Bill Monroe: Folkways | Britannica | Alan Cackett | Bluegrass HOF

Patsy Cline: Grunge | Biography | Britannica

Bruce Molsky: Official | WBUR | Banjo News

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BONUS: Side B Nov 09, 2021

It’s a pleasure to bring you the second half of this special short series Side A // Side B, bringing some depth to the songs from my recently released traditional record “Folk Songs For Old Times’ Sake”. Today, we’re flipping the record over, and diving in to the history behind Side B.

Side B Tracklist:

Goin’ Down This Road Feelin’ Bad (Traditional)

Saint James Infirmary (Traditional)

Midnight Special (Traditional)

Barbry Allen (Traditional)

Mississippi River Blues (Jimmie Rodgers)

Peggy-O (Traditional)

Pay Day (Mississippi John Hurt)

Vinyl Orders:

Email AmericanSongcatcherPodcast@gmail.com

Order through Bandcamp

Listen on:

This episode was produced, edited, recorded and distributed by Nicholas Edward Williams.

----

Praise for Folk Songs For Old Times' Sake:

“I’ve got to say, I can genuinely appreciate another young folkie taking traditional tunes and truly making them their own. Nicholas’ voice sounds natural, unaffected, and without any trite attempts at emulation; rather, it seems wholly a product of his surroundings, with small nods to the phrasing and inflection that are the signatures of traditional American music. This is to say nothing of the sparse-yet-deliberate production of the songs themselves, with nothing sitting too far out front, nothing lost in the shadows, as if the listener found themselves in an empty country church with Williams simply playing to the steeple above.” - JP Harris

As always, it’s Williams’ gentle laid back soothing vocals that win you over.” - FOLK RADIO UK

"The guitar playing and vocal performance are fantastic, and I love the sparse production. I think people are gonna love this, it’s a great record.” - Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers)

“This record of well-known and well-loved folk songs is easy to like. With tasteful guitar arrangements and a voice that draws you right in, Nicholas has created recordings that roll along like a mountain stream.” - David Holt (PBS TV/Radio Host, Four-Time Grammy Winner and Banjoist for Doc Watson)

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BONUS: Side A Nov 06, 2021

Since releasing the podcast, I’ve had a lot of people ask if the renditions at the end of each segment will be released, or streamable. Well I’m happy to say that over the last six months, I’ve been hard at work on a traditional record called Folk Songs For Old Times’ Sake, that is now available on all platforms, as well as limited edition vinyl. Several of these rearranged songs are traditionals, and some are from artists covered in the first season of this program. This is the first of a special two-part short series called Side A / Side B, where you can get a little scope into the history behind each of the tracks, followed by the recordings themselves, some of which are stripped, and several of which feature accompaniment in clarinet, fiddle, banjo, upright bass, harmonies, lap steel, jug sounds, harmonica and stomp box.

Side A Tracklist:

Shake Sugaree (Elizabeth Cotten)

East Virginia Blues (Traditional)

Wish I Was A Mole (Traditional)

Green Rocky Road (Dave Van Ronk/Bob Kaufman)

Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes (The Carter Family)

Railroad Bill (Traditional)

Cotton Mill Girls (Traditional)

Vinyl Orders:

Email AmericanSongcatcherPodcast@gmail.com

Order through Bandcamp

Listen on:

This episode was produced, edited, recorded and distributed by Nicholas Edward Williams.

----

Praise for Folk Songs For Old Times' Sake:

As always, it’s Williams’ gentle laid back soothing vocals that win you over.” - FOLK RADIO UK

"The guitar playing and vocal performance are fantastic, and I love the sparse production. I think people are gonna love this, it’s a great record.” - Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers)

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

S2:E2 // Oh Little Liza Oct 30, 2021

Season 2, Episode 2 // Oh Little Liza

Featured in this Episode:

Traditional - “Lil' Liza Jane” (:28)

Dock Boggs (11:22)

Snooks Eaglin (25:54)

Nina Simone (43:36)

Billy Strings (1:04:18)

Teaser:

Today, this song is a standard in New Orleans brass bands as well as old-time music, but its earliest iterations started as a sea shanty. His three finger-style banjo picking was directly inspired by early African American string bands, and his early recordings helped standardize nearly a dozen old-time songs from the Cumberland mountain range. Blind at age one, he’s one of the most versatile and inspirational guitarists in blues music, and one of the least known, unless you’re from New Orleans. A renowned civil rights activist, arranger, singer, songwriter and pianist who covered a broad range of genres including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel and pop. At just 29 years old, this multi-instrumentalist has taken the traditional and progressive bluegrass world in the palm of his hand, and he’s only getting started.

Listen to my new traditional record: FOLK SONGS FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE

Performances:

“Little Liza Jane” - Traditional (9:25)

“Wild Bill Jones” - Traditional (23:04)

“Saint James Infirmary” - Traditional (39:42)

“Sinnerman” - Traditional (1:02:01)

“Walk on Boy” - Doc Watson (1:13:07)

---

"Shine A Light" |Music Maker Relief Foundation

Follow American Songcatcher |Instagram

Support Independent Programming | Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal

Source Credits:

Traditional: Cultural Equity | Jazz Fandom

Dock Boggs: Dock Boggs - “Life in Music” | Encyclopedia.com

Snooks Eaglin’: Nola.com | Blues access | All About Blues

Nina Simone: Official Site | History Collection | Black past

Billy Strings: Rolling Stone | Acoustic Guitar | Official

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

S2:E1 // Ain't Gonna Study War No More Sep 27, 2021

Season 2, Episode 1 // Ain't Gonna Study War No More

Featured in this Episode:

Traditional - “Down by The Riverside” (00:27)

Mance Lipscomb (10:28)

Ramblin’ Jack Elliot (23:31)

Emmylou Harris (45:17)

Chris Thile (57:27)

Teaser:

After the civil war, songs such as these were created and sung from Alabama to Ohio for a perilous journey through the Underground Railroad, where the enslaved were in pursuit of their freedom. He wasn’t a bluesman as much as a songster, known for his incredibly broad catalogue of songs and his front porch philosophizing. The student of Woody Guthrie, the father of Bob Dylan, the son who ran away to become a cowboy, and America’s purveyor of folk music at 90 years old today. She’s one of the most influential female singers of the 20th century, not just in country music but folk, pop and bluegrass, and is considered an American icon Widely considered the greatest mandolin player alive today, and perhaps to ever live, his acclaim reaches far and wide through several Grammy-winning projects and over 30 albums, despite only being 40 years old.

Performances by the Host:

“Down By The Riverside” - Traditional (8:16)

“Take Me Back Babe” - Traditional (21:29)

“Roving Gambler” - Traditional (42:37)

“Angels Rejoiced Last Night” - The Louvin Brothers (55:08)

“Bury Me Beneath the Willow” - Traditional (1:13:03)

---

"Shine A Light"| Arhoolie Foundation

Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram

Support Independent Programming |Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

BONUS: Sitting In // Cristina Vane and Her New (Old) American Roots Jul 29, 2021

For the final collaboration of the “Sitting In” miniseries, I’m excited to share a fantastic multi-instrumentalist, fluent in clawhammer banjo and slide blues guitar, named Cristina Vane. Born in Italy, and living many places overseas before arriving in America at 18 years old, Cristina accumulated a wealth of culture and a diverse range of songs before discovering her love for pre-war blues and the likes of the pioneers Skip James, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson and Rory Block who have all shaped her guitar technique and song catalogue. She worked at the famous McCabe’s Guitar Shop in LA, and studied finger-style guitar under her mentor Pete Steinberg before exploring country blues picking and old folk guitar styles on her own in the years that followed. She has said, “I’m essentially a rock kid who is obsessed with old music.”⁠

⁠Cristina just released her debut full length record on April 2nd, titled "Nowhere Sounds Lovely", and American Songwriter premiered one track titled “Badlands” adding: “Like a young Bonnie Raitt, Vane sings from both her voice and her supple, bluesy guitar playing almost simultaneously–her sound as earthen as the South Dakota landscape…”⁠

Cristina shares a story of how she got into American Folk and Blues music outside America, and her quest to music preservation. Enjoy!

Links:

Stream Music

Buy Music

Follow Cristina on Social Media:

Instagram

Facebook

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

BONUS: Sitting In // Jody Carroll and the Newport Recordings Jul 21, 2021

Today on the program will be my sixth guest for the “Sitting In” mini-series, Jody Carroll. Jody is a performer and songwriter who effortlessly creates bold interpretations of old Blues and American Folk music, and makes them his own improvisational musical journeys. He’s a finger-style and slide guitar master, and a soulful singer blending flavors of Blues, Folk, Mountain music, Jazz and Rock all together into a true power- packed gumbo.

Raised on Willie Nelson and AM Country Radio in the late 60’s, he’s toured with or shared the stage with legends such as Buddy Guy, Honey Boy Edwards, R.L Burnside, Johnny Winter, John Mayhall, George Thorogood, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeski, Robert Cray, Canned Heat, Robert Earl Keen, and Sonny Landreth just to name a few.No Depression magazine says “If there is one artist who embodies roots music to it's fullest, it has to be Jody Carroll"

Jody was forever changed when he heard a collection of recordings from the Newport Folk Festival, between 1963-1965. This is a short story of his journey to and from there, enjoy.

Links:

Jody's Official Site

Buy His Music

Follow Jody on Social Media:

Instagram

Facebook

Support American Songcatcher!

Join the Patreon Communityfor as little as $3 a month!

-OR-

Send a one-time donation via:

Venmo

PayPal

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BONUS: Sitting In // Dylan Walshe and Ramblin' Jack Elliot Jul 14, 2021

The fifth edition of the “Sitting In” miniseries features a new project by international touring Irish musician Dylan Walshe. Steeped in the traditions of folk, Irish, Blues, Singer-songwriter and roots music, Dylan has received wide acclaim from all over, including Dave King of Flogging Molly who has said that “The future of songwriting is safe in the hands of this man.”

This episode features Dylan’s new music podcast, The Stirring Foot, and the first 20 minutes of a conversation he had with none other than Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, who Dylan first met at Tennessee’s Muddy Roots Music Festival back in 2015. If you’re not familiar with the legendary Ramblin’ Jack, you should be. Now 90 years old, he’s been described as the "son of Woody Guthrie & the father of Bob Dylan". They talked about trips to Ireland, Europe & the UK, The Clancy Brothers, Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, Odetta, The Grateful Dead, Margaret Barry, Ewan MacColl, and Woody Guthrie. You can hear the entire show through the tags below, or by searching for “The Stirring Foot” wherever you get your podcasts. Enjoy!

Follow on Instagram

@dylanwalshe

@AmericanSongcatcher

Links:

The Stirring Foot

Dylan’s Official Site

Ramblin Jack Elliott’s Official Site

Support American Songcatcher!

Join the Patreon Community for as little as $3 a month - https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher

Send a one-time donation via:

Venmo - https://www.venmo.com/AmericanSongcatcher

PayPal - https://paypal.me/AmericanSongcatcher

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BONUS: Sitting In // Lon Eldridge and the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Jul 07, 2021

Good people! I'm so pleased to share my fourth guest to embark on this “Sitting In” mini-series, a local legend in my neck of the woods, Chattanooga’s own Lon Eldridge. Harboring a unique blend of traditional pre-war blues, ragtime, jazz and swing, Lon has spent the last two decades evoking the styles of those who laid the framework of these genres, from the likes of Mississippi John Hurt to Robert Johnson to Blind Blake and countless other musical masters. He’s an avid collector of 78rpm records and restores old Victrola record players, and showcases his deep collection under the guise of DJ Passe. Lon’s also a member of a gypsy jazz and swing group called The 9th Street Stompers, who cull up the musical scenery of an era when the lines between swing, gypsy jazz, blues, rockabilly, and if all that wasn’t enough, he also has his own bolo tie business, Lookout Bolo Ties.⁠

For this collaboration, Lon expanded his skills once again to celebrate the work of Hawaiian steel guitarist Pale K. Lua, who was instrumental in bringing the unique sound to America at the turn of the century, before it was adopted by blues, western, bluegrass and country music starting in the 1920’s. Lon is the only person to assemble all of Pale’s recordings and release them as a complete set. Here’s his story, enjoy.⁠

Follow Lon:
@dj_Passe

@bolo_knee

Links:

Pale K. Lua Complete Recordings

Lon's Official Website

---

Support American Songcatcher!

Join the Patreon Community for as little as $3 a month - https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher

Send a one-time donation via:

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BONUS: Sitting In // Willi Carlisle, Ozark Folksinger Jun 30, 2021

Hey Folks! I’m so pleased to share the 3rd act of this “Sitting In” miniseries with you, none other than the inimitable Willi Carlisle. A multi-faceted writer, performer, and instrumentalist, Willi has spent the last several years collecting folklore, playing or calling square dances, and working in the avant-garde. He’s a folksinger with a style forged in the fire of Ozark old-time, and has a masters degree in Poetry. He’s spent years in the woods with poets and old folk singers and he’s a queer-identifying storyteller whose musical stories hoot, stomp, and saunter through joys and troubles uniquely southern and timelessly true. He’s equally comfortable on banjo, accordion, fiddle, and guitar, and has earned accolades for his versatility with performances in the UK, Canada, and across the USA, appearing with acts like Dom Flemons, Mary Gauthier, Los Texmaniacs and more.

The Washington Post said that:

"Carlisle has a poetry in describing songs passed down through generations as a most precious cultural commodity, and a passion and immediacy in performing them. Both down home and brainy, [Willi] is worth seeking out."

The following is classic Willi. Short stories of the Ozarks told over a collection of sounds and from Willi’s pocket, followed by a talking’ blues piece called “Peculiar, Missouri”. Enjoy!
Follow on Instagram:

@WilliCarlisle

Link:

---

Support American Songcatcher!

Join the Patreon Community for as little as $3 a month - https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher

Send a one-time donation via:

John Campbell Folk School

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BONUS: Sitting In // Sparrow and The John C. Campbell Folk School Jun 23, 2021

Hey Folks! I’m thrilled to share the second part of the “Sitting In” mini-series, where I hand over the podcast reins to some of my folky friends, so that they can share a story that ties into music preservation and play a few songs in line with their story.

My guest today is Sparrow, who along with her partner Keith, leads the Asheville, NC group The Resonant Rogues, who seamlessly weave the threads of old time, country, swing, folk and more into a beautiful tapestry that simultaneously showcases tradition and innovation. In late 2020, she was immersed in a month-long mentorship program at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, which has a fascinating history, curriculum and mission. This is a journal of her experience.

Follow on Instagram:

@ResonantRogues

@SparrowPants

@JohncCampbellFolkschool

Links:

Official Website -

---

Support American Songcatcher!

Join the Patreon Community for as little as $3 a month - https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher

Send a one-time donation via:

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BONUS: Sitting In // Matthew Sabatella & “We Shall Not Be Moved” Jun 16, 2021

Today, I’m delighted to share the first “Sitting In” mini-series episode with you, where I’ve handed the podcast reins over to a music preservationist and performer. First up, is a story of the African American spiritual turned protest song called “We Shall Not Be Moved”, written and spoken by Matthew Sabatella.

Matthew’s mission is to “connect people with music that is woven into the fabric of the United States”. He’s a singer, writer, multi-instrumentalist and award-winning old-time banjo player, music historian, leader of the Rambling String Band, and serves on the board of directors for Southeast regional chapter of Folk Alliance International. He’s also the founder of Ballad of America, an educational non-profit that not only provides and develops vital resources for preserving all of the songs and genres that have shaped America, but also travels to colleges and universities to give educational lectures and presentations to spread awareness of this important history directly down the generational ladder.

I can’t wait to share all the “Sitting In” episodes with you over the next several weeks, they’re all very different, entertaining and educational. Matt’s also got a great radio voice, so enjoy!

Follow on Instagram:

@Balladofamerica

@ramblingstringband

@sabatellamusic

Links:

Matthew Sabatella

Ballad of America

Rambling String Band

---

Support American Songcatcher!

Join the Patreon Community for as little as $3 a month - https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher

Send a one-time donation via:

@tkandtheholyknownothings

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Talkin' Blues // Fruition's Jay Cobb Anderson Jun 05, 2021

Today I have the pleasure of sharing a conversation I had with multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Jay Cobb Anderson, co-founder of the group Fruition, who has been making big waves in the major festival circuit during the last decade with blends of traditional sounds, contemporary folk and bluegrass, and most recently the roots of rock and roll.

We talked about Jay’s busking journey, how he reached the other members of Fruition, how they developed their sound, about Bob Dylan and the wake he left for so many to dive into old music, how traditional music fits into his life today and the music he creates, some interesting stories and a few artists that I hadn’t heard of.

Follow on Instagram:

@JayCobbAnderson

@fruitionpdx

Jay's Musical Projects:

Fruition - https://www.fruitionband.com/home

TK and the Holy Know-Nothings - https://www.tkandtheholyknownothings.com/

Jay Cobb Anderson - https://www.jaycobbanderson.com/

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Talkin' Blues // Sierra Hull May 29, 2021

Today, I’m delighted to share a talk I had with mandolin prodigy and Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Sierra Hull. Accomplishing more in her first 28 years of life than most could over a few lifetimes,Sierra made her Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 10, played Carnegie Hall at age 12, then landed a deal with Rounder Records at 13. Sierra was mentored by Alison Krauss and Chris Thile, she’s collaborated with all the big hitters in bluegrass from Ricky Skaggs, to Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglass and Sturgill Simpson. Despite all those big names I threw out there, as you’ll hear Sierra could not be more humble.

In early 2020, she released her fourth critically acclaimed record “25 Trips”, an inventive piece of work revealing her profound warmth as a storyteller, building off Sierra’s bluegrass roots and venturing into entirely new terrain.

We talked about her childhood, small town living, the broad palette of music and bottomless well of traditional music, we geeked out on Tony Rice and Doc Watson, and Sierra shared r a few in depth wild stories that led her down the path she’s on.

More on Sierra Hull:

Official - https://www.sierrahull.com/

Sierra and Husband Justin Moses "Little Liza Jane" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Eg2TotshKs

Find American Songcatcher on Instagram - https://www.Instagram.com/AmericanSongcatcher

Want to help this independent program chug along? Visit the Patreon page to find out how you can support for as little as $3 a month!

https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher

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Talkin' Blues // Oliver Wood of The Wood Brothers May 22, 2021

Today, I have the pleasure of sharing a conversation I had with Oliver Wood. Since 2004, Oliver has been the frontman of The Wood Brothers, blurring the boundaries between folk, gospel, country-soul, and blues, earning an international audience and a Grammy Award-nomination along the way. Alongside his brother Chris Wood, of Medeski Martin and Wood, as well as percussionist Jano Rix, The Wood Brothers have embodied the future of roots music, while at the same time turning it on its head.

Released yesterday, Oliver’s debut solo album, Always Smilin' reimagines his sharp songwriting, savvy guitar chops, and one-of-a-kind voice in a new light. He didn’t do it alone, as Jano Rix, Susan Tedeschi, Hiss Golden Messenger's Phil Cook, John Medeski, and several others also make appearances. Embracingthe full range of his musical heritage, Always Smilin’ builds upon the blues and gospel sounds Oliver explored long before The Wood Brothers' formed, and galvanizes the roots music he's been making during the past two decades.

We talked about his long history before starting The Wood Brothers with Chris, their shared wealth of music education from their musical father, how traditional music has informed The Wood Brothers and his solo project, geek out on some unknown roots musicians and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Oliver’s new solo record Always Smilin’ - https://oliverwoodmusic.bandcamp.com/album/always-smilin

Official Website - https://www.oliverwoodmusic.com

The Wood Brothers - https://www.thewoodbros.com

This interview was made possible by the community on Patreon. For as little as $3 a month, you can directly support the team behind American Songcatcher make this program all it can be.

Visit the Patreon site today and support if you have the means - https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher

Follow AS on Instagram - https://www.Instagram.com/AmericanSongcatcher

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Talkin' Blues // David Holt May 13, 2021

When I first set out with this podcast there were a few people in particular that I wanted to talk to, and today's guest is at the top of that list.

David Holt is a four-time Grammy winner, multi-instrumentalist, and for 14 years performed as a duo on banjo with the legendary Doc Watson. He’s spent his life learning, performing and telling stories of traditional American music as the host of numerous radio and television shows including: Riverwalk Jazz, Folkways, Great Scenic Railway Journeys, Fire on the Mountain, and today, David Holt’s State of Music. The PBS TV series features modern masters of American roots music who share their stories, talk music history, and collaborate with David on a few tunes. He’s hosted the likes of Taj Mahal, Jerry Douglas, Keb Mo, Rhiannon Giddens, Steep Canyon Rangers, Dom Flemons, and Blind Boy Paxton.

We talked about his long history, how he got into storytelling and hosting, his mentors, the time he spent with Doc Watson and a few stories, how traditional music fits in today’s culture, and what he’s doing today with State of Music. There are some moments when David is showing me photographs while he talks, so if you’d like to see the video, it’s available through Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher.

Links:

Legacy Album with Doc Watson