Americana Curious

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**Americana Curious**

The podcast that unearths hidden Americana gems, shares untold stories from legends, and proves music still has the power to move us all.

If you believe Americana music can transform the world, you’re in the right place.

Too many overlook its raw beauty and power to connect, heal, and inspire. We spotlight the artists carrying that torch — unsung heroes writing the soundtrack to something bigger.

Each week, hosts Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz bring you intimate, entertaining conversations with artists changing the world one song at a time — like Old Crow Medicine Show, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, The Wood Brothers, American Aquarium, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and rising stars you’ll soon love.

You’ll discover:
• New music to love
• Hard-earned lessons from the road
• The stories behind your favorite songs
• Big inspiration — and a good laugh

Join us to celebrate the voices, values, and stories that keep Americana alive — and prove why music still matters.

Latest Episodes:

Nicki Bluhm Moved 2,000 Miles to Find Her Real Voice (and Her New Sound on Rancho Deluxe) Dec 07, 2025

Show notes

The industry wanted virality. She wanted honesty.

Guess who won?

She walked away from the band, the marriage, the map — and somehow walked straight into her true voice.

Nikki Bluhm didn’t plan the reinvention.

She didn’t chase the algorithm.

She didn’t engineer a “moment.”

She just told the truth.

This is a woman whose band once went viral… in a van.

Millions and millions of people watched something recorded on an iPhone, mixed by flipping mics and shuffling bandmates between seats.

But her rebirth didn’t happen in front of millions.

It happened in a quiet little studio called Rancho Deluxe, built on a piece of land where artists walk in, breathe out, and finally relax enough to create something real.

Nikki left everything familiar behind — the band, the tour life, the relationship, the identity she’d built for a decade.

She moved 2,000 miles for a fresh start.

Recorded with people who didn’t know her pain.

And rebuilt her artistic compass from the inside out.

Because here’s the truth she discovered:

👉 You don’t need chaos to make great art.

👉 You don’t need drama to write something that matters.

👉 You don’t need to go viral to be real.

You need presence.

You need honesty.

You need soul.

And Rancho Deluxe became the ground where she reclaimed all three.

If you’ve ever felt crushed by the pressure to “perform” online…

If the noise, the speed, the expectations have ever made you forget why you started…

If you’re longing for something more grounded, more human, more you…

Nikki’s story will feel like fresh air.

🎙️ Subscribe now to Americana Curious.

Real art. Real stories. Real soul.

Let’s get Americana Curious.

Jake Owen's Americana Rebirth Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Jake Owen iis a platinum-selling artist with ten #1 hits, a Breakthrough Artist of the Year winner, and one of the most recognizable voices in modern country.

You know him from “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Beachin’,” and “American Country Love Song.”

But after two decades at the top, Jake Owen did something most artists never dare to do - he reinvented everything.

He stepped away from what was comfortable, bet on himself, and made the most honest music of his life.

In this powerful conversation, Jake opens up about taking risks, trusting his gut, and creating from a place of truth instead of expectation.

We talk about breaking free from Nashville’s major-label system, teaming up with Shooter Jennings, and rediscovering the joy of making music that feels good again.

This might be one of the most vulnerable and revealing conversations we’ve ever had on Americana Curious.

It’s a reminder that music can still move people — and sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is choose authenticity over approval.

🎧 You’ll Hear Jake Share:

🎵 Why he needed to trust himself again after 20 years of success

🔥 How he found the courage to take creative risks

🤝 The unexpected story behind his partnership with Shooter Jennings

💔 What a moment with his daughter taught him about pride, identity, and purpose

🎸 Why letting the music lead — not the business — changed everything

This isn’t a comeback story.

It’s a coming-home story.

A reminder that reinvention isn’t starting over — it’s stepping into who you really are.

And if you’ve ever felt torn between success and your soul…

Jake’s words will hit you right in the heart.

🎧 From Ben & Zach

We started Americana Curious because we believe real music still matters.

Too many overlook the artists carrying the torch for truth, connection, and heart — so every week, we bring you their stories.

Thanks for being here, for caring about the songs that still mean something.

If this episode moves you, share it with a friend who needs a reminder that it’s never too late to start over.

🎙 Subscribe for more stories that prove Americana is alive and well.

Stella Prince - Just Booked 1,000 Shows (All By Herself) Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

At just 21 years old, Stella Prince has already done what most artists spend a lifetime chasing.

She’s been called “the artist bringing folk music to Gen Z” by Forbes, sang at a John Prine tribute in Nashville, and will record her debut album under the Northern Lights in Iceland.

But what struck me most wasn’t her voice (which has shades of Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile)…

It was her work ethic and gratitude.

For seven years, she handled everything — booking, performing, social, promotion — completely solo.

Then, in the last nine months, her dream team came together.

And her reflection is powerful:

“It’s really life-changing to finally have support from other people. It’s the biggest shift I’ve ever felt.”

💡 It’s a reminder for every creator, leader, and dreamer:

You can carry your dream far on your own — but it grows wings assemble your team of supporters!

✨ Don’t miss this moving Americana Curious episode featuring Stella Prince, the rising voice of modern folk.

Them Coulee Boys - “Change breaks you before it makes you.” (Soren Staff) Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

There’s a kind of wisdom that only comes from the road.

Soren Staff from Them Coolee Boys summed it up in six words:

“Change breaks you before it makes you.”

He wasn’t being dramatic — just honest.

Because for them, it’s not theory.

They’ve lived it.

From playing 10 a.m. festival slots while people were still setting up tents —

“The first time we played there… it was like 10 a.m. on a Friday… the next year they were like, ‘How would you like to headline Friday night?’”

—to those late nights when it’s equal parts joy and exhaustion.

“We like to say it’s simultaneously the best job in the world, but also one of the hardest.”

And then he said the line that’s still echoing in my head:

“Change is hard… but you have to go through it if you want to grow.”

That’s not just about music.

That’s about life.

Because the breaking is part of the making.

🎧 Hear the full story on of Them Coulee Boys now on Americana Curious

Briscoe: From DMB, Newport Folk Festival, and Campfires Sep 22, 2025

Show notes

Briscoe has an incredible story, and you need to hear it now!

Two redheaded kids in the same pair of Chaco sandals at summer camp. A back-porch pact to start a band if they ever wound up at the same college.

And now—sharing the stage with Dave Matthews and lighting up the Newport Folk Festival.

You’ll want to say you discovered this band first.

🔥 From campfire harmonies of John Prine’s “Paradise”…

🔥 …to self-producing their earliest tracks, experimenting with banjos, saxophones, and mandolins…

🔥 …to commanding 20,000 strangers who didn’t know their name—until they earned every ounce of attention.

But here’s what makes them unforgettable:

“I don’t think there’s any greater gift than people that sing our songs back to us… people that care about the songs that we’re writing.” – Philip Lupton

🔔 Don’t miss new episodes: Subscribe to Americana Curious now!

Wagon Wheel, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Ketch Secor (The Untold Story of Americana’s Biggest Hit) Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

He’s the man behind “Wagon Wheel” — the song that went from a Bob Dylan fragment to a global anthem, covered by Darius Rucker, sung at campfires, weddings, and stadiums everywhere. But few know the real story of how it was written.

In this exclusive interview, Ketch Secor, founder of Old Crow Medicine Show, shares:

-How “Wagon Wheel” was finished when he was just 17

-What it was like taking old-time string band music from the streets to the Grand Ole Opry

-The wild early days of busking, sleeping on couches, and chasing the dream

-His vision for the future of Americana music

-Why he thinks “Americana” might not even be the right label for the genre

👉 If you believe music still has the power to inspire, heal, and change the world — this episode will give you chills.

🔔 Don’t miss new episodes: Subscribe to Americana Curious now!

Why Country Radio Will Never Play Luke Tyler Shelton (And That’s a Good Thing) Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

Mainstream country radio has no room for voices like Luke Tyler Shelton—and that’s exactly why his music matters.

In this episode of Americana Curious, Ben and Zach sit down with rising Americana artist Luke Tyler Shelton, whose debut album Blue Sky (produced by Shooter Jennings) is already winning over true music lovers.

From writing songs in parking lots to sharing the stage at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion, Luke’s story is proof that the future of country music isn’t on the radio—it’s in the raw, soulful spaces where authenticity lives.

🎶 What you’ll hear in this episode:

Why Luke’s songs will never fit into the Nashville machine (and why that’s good news)
The Laurel Canyon legends who shaped his sound (Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Gram Parsons)
The moment Shooter Jennings and Jonathan Wilson jumped in to produce his debut
How playing Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion became a career-defining moment
Why Luke believes every song should hit hard enough to make you cry

If you’ve been craving real storytelling, timeless melodies, and music that still has a soul, this conversation will remind you why you fell in love with Americana in the first place.

👉 Discover Luke Tyler Shelton right now!

📌 Don’t miss future episodes featuring the hidden gems and legends of Americana. Subscribe, stay curious, and help us keep real music alive.

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We WANT to hear from you. Please share a review on Youtube, Spotify and Apple.

AND follow Americana Curious on Instagram for the latest interviews and the behind-the-scenes with your favorite artists! https://www.instagram.com/americanacurious

Sammy Rae and The Friends: The Wild Story You’ve Never Heard Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Sammy Rae and The Friends didn’t just start a band—they sparked a movement. 🎤✨

In this unforgettable interview, Sammy Rae and The Friends reveal the wild story behind a tour bus breakdown that turned into something legendary…and the moment a single letter changed everything.

From sold-out shows at Red Rocks to creating a global community of belonging, Sammy Rae and The Friends share how their high-octane, genre-defying energy is inspiring fans around the world.

Watch now to discover why this band is something you have to see to believe.

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Go here to check out Sammy Rae & The Friends! https://www.sammyrae.com/

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We WANT to hear from you. Please share a review on Youtube, Spotify and Apple.

👉 Subscribe for more powerful stories from the artists redefining music.

AND follow Americana Curious on Instagram for the latest interviews and the behind-the-scenes with your favorite artists! https://www.instagram.com/americanacurious

The Last Revel Just Bet EVERYTHING on This Album (Americana will NEVER be the Same) Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

From Dive Bars to John Mayer: The Last Revel’s Journey is Unbelievable!

Three musicians.

One relentless vision.

And a record that feels like the point of no return.

From Midwest dive bars to sharing stages with John Mayer, The Last Revel has always played like there’s something at stake.

But this time…it’s different.

They locked themselves away in a legendary studio.

They called in heroes to push them past their limits.

They bet everything on one album — the fastest, rawest, most unapologetic music they’ve ever made.

Curious how far a band will go when there’s no Plan B?

Press play.

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We WANT to hear from you. Please share a review on Youtube, Spotify and Apple.

AND follow Americana Curious on Instagram for the latest interviews and the behind-the-scenes with your favorite artists! https://www.instagram.com/americanacurious

Ryan Necci - Truth. Trauma. Viral Harmony Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

He didn’t chase the spotlight. He built a bonfire of truth—and let the crowd find him.

Ryan Necci never set out to be a full-time musician and songwriter.

He was a graphic designer. A weekend warrior.

Then life cracked wide open.

A brain tumor.

A rescue dog fighting cancer.

A marriage ending.

And through it all—songs poured out.

🎶 Songs that bruised like Springsteen.

🖤 Lyrics that cut like Isbell.

🔥 A growl that hits you in the gut like Stapleton.

One video. One verse. One million views later… the world started listening. And they haven’t stopped.

In this episode of Americana Curious, Ryan gets real about:

Turning heartbreak into harmony

Writing for Luke Grimes, Flatland Cavalry, and more

Why authenticity—not algorithms—is your superpower

How a raw Instagram clip resurrected a 10-year-old song

And the letting go that saved his life

If you’ve ever been told to chase trends or keep quiet about your pain—this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now. Get Americana Curious with Ryan Necci.

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We WANT to hear from you. Please share a review on Youtube, Spotify and Apple.

AND follow Americana Curious on Instagram for the latest interviews and the behind-the-scenes with your favorite artists! https://www.instagram.com/americanacurious

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