Woodsongs Vodcasts

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WoodSongs 862: Tommy Emmanuel plus John Knowles, Pat Bergerson & Annie Sellick Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

TOMMY EMMANUEL is arguably one of the most exciting, brilliant and powerful guitar masters on earth. Walking in the legacy of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and many others Tommy has dazzled audiences worldwide with his sheer mastery of the instrument. WoodSongs is excited to welcome back our friend for his seventh appearance on our broadcast. Joining Tommy on stage will be certified guitar player John Knowles, Nashville session ace Pat Begerson and award winning vocalist jazz Annie Sellick. This is a show not to be missed. Expect a few surprises including a preview of the ensembles new Christmas release �Let's Make A Christmas Memory�.

WoodSongs 861: Celebration of Michael Hedges featuring Andy McKee and Christie Lenee Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

MICHAEL HEDGES was a trailblazing acoustic guitarist. He pioneered percussive finger style guitar, the influence of which can now be heard in the compositions and playing of many guitarists. ANDY MCKEE is among the world�s finest acoustic guitarists. His youthful energy and attention to song structure and melodic content elevates him above the rest. He entertains both the eye and the ear as he magically transforms the steel string guitar into a full orchestra via his use of altered tunings, tapping, partial capos, percussive hits and a signature two-handed technique. McKee�s crossover success has helped him to achieve millions upon millions of YouTube viewers, underscoring his emergence as one of today�s most unique and influential artists. McKee is the first artist to be signed CGP Sounds, the record label founded by fellow guitarist Tommy Emmanuel. �Live Book� is McKee�s first release for the label. CHRISTIE LENEE unique guitar work is often compared to visionaries like Michael Hedges, Joni Mitchell and Dave Matthews- fusing folky/funky playfulness with pop/rock inspired songs and virtuosic guitar compositions. Being a compositional pioneer for this product inspired an abundance of innovative techniques and a unique percussive approach to the guitar. Christie is now in the process of mixing tracks for her next album that will deliver her innovative music, empowering vocals and inspirational lyrics. WoodSongs Kid: Logan Florence is 15 year-old guitarist from Lexington, Kentucky. Andy McKee and Michael Hedges are two of Logan�s guitar heroes.

WoodSongs 860: Celebration of Merle Travis featuring Thom Bresh, Eddie Pennington and more. Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

MERLE TRAVIS is a Kentucky guitar hero and an American music icon. Born in Rosewood, Ky his lyrics often discussed the life and exploitation of coal miners. Among his many well-known songs are “Sixteen Tons,� “Re-Enlistment Blues,� “I am a Pilgrim� and “Dark as a Dungeon�. However, it is his masterly guitar playing and his interpretations of the rich musical traditions of his native Muhlenberg County, Kentucky for which he is best known today. “Travis picking�, a syncopated style of finger-picking, is named after him. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977. THOM BRESH is the son of Merle Travis and a world-class guitar master in his own right. Bresh did not begin his music career until his adult years. From age 3 to age 17, he worked as an actor and one of the youngest stuntman in TV and movies, where such programs as The Lone Ranger and the Billy the Kidd trilogy were filmed. Ever since he was old enough to hold a guitar pick, he�s followed the unique fingerpicking style his father made famous, bringing it to new audiences. Travis� trademark style incorporated elements of ragtime, blues, boogie, and Western swing, and was marked by rich chord progressions, harmonics, slides, and bends, with rapid changes in key. EDDIE PENNINGTON is one of the true guitar legends from Kentucky in the same tradition popularized by Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. PARKER HASTINGS is only 15 years old and already one of Kentucky�s premier thumbpicking champions in the tradition of Merle Travis, Eddie Pennington and Tommy Emmanuel. KATELYN PRIEBOY is 19 and from Tampa, Florida. She was recently crowned grand champion at Legends Thumbpicking Competition in Muhlenberg County, Ky., in late September.

WoodSongs 859: Janiva Magness and Matt Andersen Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

JANIVA MAGNESS is one of the most beloved figures in the Americana, blues and roots music world. She is the winner of seven Blues Music Awards (with 25 nominations) including awards for B.B. King Entertainer of the year, Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year and Song Of The Year. Her new album �Love Wins Again� is yet another evolutionary step for the soulful, elegant, award-winning singer-songwriter. Also in the works, Magness explores her own turbulent youth, her rise to stardom and more in her just-finished, yet-untitled memoir�a book that took three years to write and has already inspired an in-the-works musical. MATT ANDERSEN is a powerhouse performer with a giant soul-filled voice and commanding stage presence. With nearly 10 million views on YouTube, a 2013 European Blues Award, and winning Best Solo Performer at the Memphis Blues Challenge, it appears that the entire world is now discovering Matt. His new album 'Honest Man' follows up the JUNO Award nominated Weightless and sees the songwriter pushing himself into new territory. WoodSongs Kid: Mikaya Taylor is from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky and has a deep love for bluegrass and country music. This ten year old young vocalist just released her first CD.

WoodSongs 858: Blue Sisters and Jimmy "Duck" Holmes Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

THE BLUE SISTERS are Ina Forsman (Finland), Layla Zoe (Canada), and Tasha Taylor (USA). Three of blues scene�s next-big-things that are showcasing in Ruf Records 2016 Blues Caravan in it�s 12th triumphant year. These three tremendous singers all have new studio records, but are performing together for fans who want to catch them before lift- off. Their careers are ready to explode. JIMMY “DUCK� HOLMES is one of the most celebrated rural blues musicians performing today. He is the last living practitioner of the celebrated style of Bentonia blues made famous by Skip James and Jack Owens. In addition, Holmes operates what is arguably the oldest juke joint left in Mississippi and is the organizer of one of the longest-running festivals in the state - the Bentonia Blues Festival. Holmes has released a new album �It Is What It Is� on his own label Blue Front Records. WoodSongs Kid: Vivian Leigh is 12 year- old from Lexington, Kentucky. She performs Elizabeth Cotten timeless song“Freight Train� for the broadcast.

WoodSongs 857: Royal Southern Brotherhood and We Banjo 3 Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD are an acclaimed U.S. soul-blues collective. Band leader, Cyril Neville, known for his amazing vocals and percussion skills as a member of the Grammy Award winning Neville Brothers and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame nominees the Meters, are joined by other band founding member drummer Yonrico Scott, the double guitar attack of Tyrone Vaughan (the son of Jimmie Vaughan and the nephew of the iconic SRV) and Bart Walker and bassist Darryl Phillips. �The Royal Gospel� is the fourth album in their rocket-heeled rise and further proof of a lineup born to play together. WE BANJO 3 are an award-winning quartet from Galway, Ireland. The quartet combine Irish Music with Old-Time American and Bluegrass influences to reveal the banjo�s rich legacy and roots. When this band of brothers take flight in a wave of virtuosity, verve and joie-de-vivre, feet tap and pulses race. Enda & Fergal Scahill and Martin & David Howley are among the most celebrated and distinguished young musicians in Ireland today. The band�s latest release is �String Theory�. WoodSongs Kid: Ruth Shumway is an award winning fiddler from Charlotte, North Carolina. Ruth will be performing with her family band the High Ridge Pickers.

WoodSongs 856: The Earls of Leicester Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

The Earls of Leicester is a bluegrass group assembled by master musician and multi-Grammy winner Jerry Douglas to present the music of Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and their band the Foggy Mountain Boys. Their self-titled debut album on Rounder Records just earned a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album. The band�s music focuses on the music of Flatt and Scruggs during the period when the band consisted of Lester Flatt on guitar and lead vocals, Earl Scruggs on banjo and guitar, �Uncle� Josh Graves on dobro, Paul Warren on fiddle, Curly Seckler on mandolin, and �Cousin� Jake Tullock on bass. _ The band�s name is a play on the names of “Earl� Scruggs and “Lester� Flatt. Onstage for tonights special event broadcast taping is Jerry Douglas (dobro) Shawn Camp (lead vocals and guitar) Charlie Cushman (banjo) Jeff White(mandolin) Johnny Warren (fiddle) and Barry Bales (upright bass). WoodSongs Kids: Presley Barker and Clay Russell are two young bluegrass musicians from the Western North Carolina area. They been honored with many awards in the bluegrass competitions within their regions.

WoodSongs 855: John McEuen and Bill & The Belles Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

JOHN McEUEN brings with him 45+ years of worldwide performing with his banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. Often referred to as �the String Wizard�, John founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1966. He instigated the 1972 classic Will the Circle Be Unbroken album, (inducted in to the Library of Congress as �one of America�s most important recordings). He has earned Emmy nominations, Grammy Awards, CMA acclaim, The Western Heritage Award, and many other accolades. He is celebrating the release of his latest solo album �Made in Brooklyn�. BILL AND THE BELLES has made waves in the world of roots music with striking three-part harmonies and masterful instrumentation. Based at the foothills of the Blue Ridge and the forefront of old time music, Bill and the Belles (Johnson City, Tennessee) continue to further the music traditions of their region. From sentimental Southern ballads to the popular songs of Tin Pan Alley to regional fiddle breakdowns, the group�s shows are a celebration of the diversity country music once represented. WoodSongs Kid: Victor Furtado is an award winning 15 year-old claw hammer banjo virtuoso from Front Royal, Virginia.

WoodSongs 854: Celebration of Barbershop Harmony Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

Barbershop Singing is a passionate, joyful celebration of the human voice � It originated in the late 1800s and early 1900s of America, a hybrid of both black and white expressive cultural forms at the time. The African American influence is sometimes overlooked although these quartets had a very formative role in the development of this style of singing. Popularity of the style faded in the 1920s and was revived in the mid-20th century with help by the Society for Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, founded in 1938 is now known as the Barbershop Harmony Society. On this broadcast you will be spellbound by traditional groups, international groups � even an amazing kid Barber Shop ensemble.

WoodSongs 853: Davina and The Vagabonds & Al Scorch Mar 30, 2017

Show notes

DAVINA AND THE VAGABONDS have created a stir on the national music scene with their high-energy live shows, level A musicianship, sharp-dressed professionalism, and Sowers� commanding stage presence. DATV�s shows are filled with New Orleans charm, Memphis soul swagger, dark theatrical moments that evoke Kurt Weill, and tender gospel passages. Davina�s voice and stage presence defy category in a different way. Davina has been compared to Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday and Betty Boop, but comparisons don�t suffice: Sowers is a true original. AL SCORCH grew up in Chicago, with its storied history of corrupt power at the top and righteous fighters and big dreamers at the bottom. Balanced on wedges of punk, old-time string band, American and European folk, and soulful balladry, Al is an entertainer, road warrior, storyteller, and one helluva musician. His second album and Bloodshot debut �Circle Round the Signs� is built on a sonic framework sharing an intersection with the Bad Livers� lawless next-gen take on traditional country & bluegrass, and Black Flag�s burn-it-all-down revolt and breakneck tempos. WoodSongs Kid: Beth Davis is a 12-Year-Old award winning fiddle player and vocalist from Carbondale, Illinois.

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