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Woodsongs 685: Michael Martin Murphey and The Mastersons Feb 20, 2013

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MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY's song "Wildfire" was one of the biggest pop hits of the 70's. He returns to the WoodSongs stage with a brand new bluegrass CD called 'Tall Grass & Cool Water.' It's his third album in this Grammy nominated series that explores the similarities between Bluegrass and American Cowboy Music. This "singing cowboy poet", is not only the number one, best-selling singer/songwriter of American Cowboy Music, he's one of the world's most respected singer/songwriters in the Pop and Country-Western field. Michael Martin Murphey is also a recent inductee into the Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame. THE MASTERSONS are each deft instrumentalists, and they've spent years playing in others' bands before coming together as a unit. Both the Denton, Texas-born Eleanor Whitmore and Houston-reared Chris Masterson have been musicians for as long as they can recall. Whitmore and Masterson apprenticed for years with other musicians, she with Regina Spektor, Susan Gibson, Kelly Willis, Diana Ross, Will Hoge and others, he in the bands of Jack Ingram, Son Volt, Bobby Bare Jr. and more but found themselves compelled to write and sing together. They met in 2005 and joined Steve Earle band in May of 2011. Their debut album is "Birds Fly South" on New West Records.

Woodsongs 684: The Wailers and Junior Toots Feb 20, 2013

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THE WAILERS, together with Bob Marley, have sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide. In England alone, they've notched up over twenty chart hits, including seven Top 10 entries. Outside of their groundbreaking work with Marley, the Wailers have also played or performed with international acts like Sting, the Fugees, Stevie Wonder, Carlos Santana, and Alpha Blondy, as well as reggae legends such as Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Burning Spear. As the greatest living exponents of Jamaica's reggae tradition, the Wailers have completed innumerable other tours, playing to an estimated 24 million people across the globe. Yet there's a great deal more to the Wailers than reliving the past. The band, anchored by original bassist Aston "Family Man," is still going strong today. A forthcoming Wailers' album with a star studded celebrity guest artists is in the works. As well as the band's two latest tracks featuring Koolant on lead vocals. One is a future lovers' rock classic called "Shining Star," and the other a heartfelt appeal � "A Step For Mankind" � made on behalf of the World Food Program, co-starring Duane Stephenson. JUNIOR TOOTS, son of Toots Hibbert of the Toots & the Maytals, is a uniquely talented recording artist and performer whose passion for reggae is evident in his moving live performances & recordings that inspire all. Born and raised in Jamaica & the US, he has a genuine commitment to socially conscious lyrics and a determination to express himself sincerely from within. This passion can be felt through his deeply soulful vocal style that is reminiscent of his father. With a mixture of Reggae, Roots, Ska, & Dancehall, Junior Toots reaches out to all supporters of conscious music with a message to unite & uplift. His new album, "A Little Bit of Love" is his finest work so far & is receiving lots of positive reviews.

Woodsongs 683: Martha Redbone Roots Project and Ben Miller Band Feb 01, 2013

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MARTHA REDBONE is a leading voice in contemporary Native American music. Her award winning work is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian. Redbone's musical talent has caught the ears of legends and she has recorded and/or performed with Bonnie Raitt, Pete Seeger, Youssou N'Dour, George Clinton, Rita Coolidge, Randy Brecker and Nona Hendryx. Her new album "The Garden of Love - Songs of William Blake" takes the immortal words of poet William Blake, the great Romantic visionary from 18th century England, and sets them in the Appalachian Mountains, bringing her uniquely soulful voice to hollered melodies, lullabies, ancient chants and inspired hymns. The result, produced by Grammy Award-winning Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founder John McEuen and David Hoffner, is a wondrous folk, country, gospel and blues reading in which the songs feel like timeless mountain classics with lyrics that are strikingly relevant. BEN MILLER BAND is a one-of-a kind trio that combines the frenetic energy of bluegrass, the soul of the delta blues and the haunted spirit of Appalachian mountain music. Band members Ben Miller, Scott Leeper, and Doug Dicharry create a unique and modern sound while continuing the tradition of blending together many different musical styles, which has long been a trait of their native Ozarks in Joplin, Missouri.

Woodsongs 682: Iris DeMent Jan 24, 2013

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IRIS DEMENT is one of the most beloved and respected writers and singers in American music. After a series of jobs waitressing and typing, Dement first began composing songs at the age of 25. Honing her skills at open-mic nights, in 1988 she moved to Nashville, where she contacted producer Jim Rooney, who helped her land a record contract. Dement did not make her recording debut until 1992, when her independent label offering, "Infamous Angel," won almost universal acclaim thanks to her pure, evocative vocal style and spare, heartfelt songcraft. Her next two albums received Grammy nods. In 1999, she collaborated with country man John Prine on his album, "In Spite of Ourselves." Dement recorded four duets with Prine that earned her another Grammy nod the following year. "Sing The Delta" is her first LP of original material in 16 years and is being released on her own label Flariella Records. She will be the sole guest for this WoodSongs Special Event Broadcast.,

Woodsongs 681: Adam Cohen and Lac La Belle Jan 24, 2013

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ADAM COHEN is the son of the legendary songwriter Leonard Cohen. All his life Adam had sought an artistic space beyond the reach of his father's looming shadow. But in January 2007, at the age of 34, Adam Cohen owned up to his legacy. His new album "Like A Man," is a "strikingly personal album" of ten intimate songs that is "truly fit to bear the family name" (Sunday Times of London) on Decca Records. Cohen had been writing these songs and poems for a number of years, but kept them hidden away. However, the birth of his son inspired a major change of heart in Cohen. This epiphany came about during a family meal: "I was sitting at the dinner table with my father to my left and my son to my right, and I realized that it was imperative that I try and make a record worthy of my father's legacy." LAC LA BELLE is an acoustic duo from Detroit, Michigan that juxtaposes the early decades of recorded rural American music with decaying Rustbelt aesthetic. A tradition is re-imagined- or maybe just resumed- in the 'future-rustic' swirl of accordion, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, and resonator guitar. The instrumentation echos another era, but is employed for a music of now. Their soon to be released album, "Bring on the Light" boasts 12 original works and one traditional arrangement, performed with a variety of instruments from accordion to banjitar. Each song presents a melodic tale, be it an intimate anecdote, or stories on their hometown Detroit, "Bring on the Light" captures the drifting spirit of early America.

Woodsongs 680: Adrian Legg and The Dunwells Dec 13, 2012

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ADRIAN LEGG is one of the wizards of the acoustic guitar. Since the 1990 release of his first U.S. recording Guitars and Other Cathedrals, this English guitar music has more than lived up to the expectations stirred by an ongoing avalanche of praise from critics, fans, top guitar mags and peers alike. Joe Satriani once said, "He's simply the best acoustic guitar player I've ever heard." The genius that the Boston Globe has called "technical brilliance paired with a troubadour's tale-weaving skill" led him from 1993-96 to be voted Best Fingerstyle Guitarist four years straight and "Guitarist of the Decade" by the readers of Guitar Player magazine. His new album is "Slow Guitar." THE DUNWELLS are an acclaimed British folk quintet that are utterly natural. There's no more fitting description for both the music of The Dunwells as well as the story of their magical rise from the pubs of Leeds, England to an American record deal and a stunning debut album in just two short years. The group is two brothers, two cousins and totaling five best mates who simply love to sing and play music, and do so together. Striking an organic blend between acoustic and electric roots music laced by luscious vocal harmonies by all five members, their songs and sound feel both bracingly fresh while at the same time as warm and familiar as a dear longtime friend. Their debut album is "Blind Sighted Faith."

Woodsongs 679: Kat Edmonson and Spirit Family Reunion Dec 13, 2012

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KAT EDMONSON is a buoyant singer-songwriter from Texas whose tiny stature belies a powerful voice. She makes smart, familiar pop; though steeped in vintage tradition, her style leans left of center. She's performed with Willie Nelson, opened for Smokey Robinson, toured with Boz Scaggs and Lyle Lovett, and headlined the Taichung Jazz Festival in Taiwan. She also recorded "Baby It's Cold Outside" with Lovett for his new album "Release Me." Now splitting her time between Austin and NYC, Kat is eager to release her second record, 'Way Down Low.' She hopes it will be "a launching pad to play all over the world and travel wherever I can." SPIRIT FAMILY REUNION play homegrown American music to stomp, clap, shake and holler with. Ever since they started singing together on the street corners, farmer's markets and subway stations of New York City, their songs have rung-out in a pure and timeless way. When Spirit Family Reunion gather to sing, there is communion. Strangers and neighbors come to rejoice in the sound, and there is no divide between performer and spectator. The band's latest is "No Separation" and they will be playing at the historic Newport Folk Festival over the summer.

Woodsongs 678: Balsam Range and Sonny Moorman Dec 06, 2012

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BALSAM RANGE is a group of five outstanding acoustic musicians and singers from Haywood County, North Carolina. All the guys in the band grew up in the rich musical heritage of the Appalachian South, surrounded by culture and heritage steeped in traditions of The Grand Ole Opry and other important influences. For their band name, they thoughtfully and respectfully adopted the name of a majestic range of mountains that surround part of their home county...where the Smokies meet the Blue Ridge. The band won the 2011 IBMA Song of the Year winner for their song "Trains I Missed" and were nominated IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year nominee in 2010 & 2011. The band's latest is "Papertown." SONNY MOORMAN is an award winning blues musician that hails from Hamilton, OH. Whether Sonny is deftly fingerpicking his Zeiler acoustic guitar, or playing sinewy slide on his Oahu lap guitar and Dobro resophonic guitar, this is classic Blues -- played and sung the way it was supposed to be. Sonny's current release is More Live as Hell - Up to My Neck in the Blues. Sonny will performing solo acoustic on WoodSongs.

Woodsongs 677: Janiva Magness Dec 06, 2012

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JANIVA MAGNESS is among the premier blues and R&B singers in the world today. Her voice possesses an earthy, raw honesty and beauty born from her life experience. A charismatic performer known for her electrifying live shows, Magness is a gutsy and dynamic musical powerhouse. She received the coveted 2009 Blues Music Awards for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year (she is only the second woman to ever win this award, Koko Taylor being the first) and for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year, an honor she also received in 2006 and 2007. She returns to the WoodSongs stage with a brand new CD "Stronger For It" , where she co-wrote three remarkable, autobiographical songs for the album.

Woodsongs 676: Loren & Mark and Etta Britt Nov 27, 2012

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LOREN & MARK are Central New York acoustic guitar standout Loren Barrigar and New Zealand star Mark Mazengarb. The two were instantly aware of the musical magic that was created the first time they played guitar together, working with the great Tommy Emmanuel at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp. It is difficult to classify the genre of music Barrigar and Mazengarb perform; they simply describe it as 'fingerstyle guitar'. The music is influenced by Bluegrass, Jazz, and Country, and their style of guitar playing is largely built upon the thumb-picking techniques pioneered by guitar greats Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed. ETTA BRITT is one of the most versatile singers working out of Nashville today. Born in Lancaster, Ky., this seasoned veteran has toured the world and shared a stage or recording studio with everyone from Engelbert Humperdinck to REO Speedwagon to Waylon Jennings. In 1978, she joined Dave Rowland and Sue Powell in the country-music trio Dave & Sugar. She stayed with the trio from 1979 to 1985, during which time they received CMA Vocal Group of the Year nominations five years in a row. Etta has a brand new album "Out of the Shadows" and will be joined on-stage with her husband and renowned guitarist Bob Britt who has toured with Bob Dylan and John Fogerty.

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