Woodsongs Vodcasts

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Woodsongs 653: Janie Fricke with The Roys and Matt Flinner Trio May 16, 2012

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JANIE FRICKE with THE ROYS: Country star Janie has gone from Indiana farm girl to internationally acclaimed recording artist. Fricke dominated the country charts with smash hits such as He's a Heartache, Don't Worry ' Bout Me Baby, and You're Heart's Not In It. She won the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and she was chosen to the Country Music Hall of Fame Walkway of Stars, nominated for a Grammy Award. Janie has released 23 albums and 36 hit singles. Now, she has moved into bluegrass territory, rearranging some of her best-known music on the album 'Country Side of Bluegrass.' She'll perform on the show with WoodSongs alum and good friends The Roys. MATT FLINNER is widely considered one of the hottest and most creative mandolin players on the acoustic scene. Starting out as a banjo prodigy who was playing bluegrass festivals before he entered his teens, Flinner later took up the mandolin, won the National Banjo Competition in Winfield, KS in 1990, and won the mandolin award there the following year. He has toured and recorded with a wide variety of bluegrass, new acoustic, classical and jazz artists, including Tim O'Brien, Frank Vignola, Steve Martin, Darrell Scott, the Modern Mandolin Quartet, Leftover Salmon, Alison Brown, The Ying Quartet, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra.

Woodsongs 652: Judy Collins May 16, 2012

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JUDY COLLINS has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes. She has a brand new CD called "Bohemian" and a brand new book "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes: My Life in Music." Her impressive career has spanned more than 40 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos" but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy Collins' love of lyrics. In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22. Her rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" on her classic 1967 album, Wildflowers. "Both Sides Now" has since been entered into the Grammy's Hall of Fame. Winning "Song of the Year" at the 1975 Grammy's Awards show was Judy's version of "Send in the Clowns." Judy's book, "Sanity and Grace, A Journey of Suicide, Survival and Strength" is a deeply moving memoir, focusing on the death of her only son and the healing process following the tragedy. The book speaks to all who have endured the sorrow of losing a loved one before their time. In a recent appearance on ABC's Good Morning America, Judy performed "Wings of Angels," the heartbreaking ballad that she wrote about the loss of her son. The song is currently available on Judy Collins Wildflower Festival CD and DVD, which also feature guest artists Arlo Guthrie, Tom Rush and Eric Andersen. Judy Collins continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart and WoodSonmgs is proud for her special event return to our show.

Woodsongs 651: Imelda May and April Verch Apr 13, 2012

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IMELDA MAY, born in Dublin, Ireland and raised in the Liberties, may be an unknown name to some, but to many she is already a superstar. She is unmistakable both in her music (a fusion of surf guitars, blues and rockabilly that wouldn't be out of place in a David Lynch film) and her style, with a solitary curl and shock of blonde in her jet black hair. In Ireland, her debut album 'Love Tattoo', which she recorded and released on her own label, has gone Triple Platinum. She has shared a stage with Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Van Morrison, Lionel Richie, Wanda Jackson, and Meatloaf. APRIL VERCH is a dynamic award winning Canadian fiddler, singer and stepdancer. With her band, she plays a traditional and original repertoire that is deeply rooted in the style she grew up with in the Ottawa Valley region of Ontario. She became the first women in history to win both of Canada's most prestigious fiddle championships, The Gran Masters and Canadian Open; and when Canada hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, she was asked to represent her country's music at the opening ceremonies. Her latest album 'That's How We Run' is her eighth release and explores Appalachian mountain music with her Northern roots.

Woodsongs 650: Ruthie Foster & Marquise Knox Mar 16, 2012

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RUTHIE FOSTER can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and making her one of the most dynamic voices that has ever graced the WoodSongs stage. Foster was catapulted to the forefront of the blues/roots world on the strength of her 2009 Grammy-nominated record, 'The Truth According To Ruthie Foster,' and her relentless touring. She then won seemingly contradictory Blues Music Association awards for both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years. Her latest record 'Let It Burn' was recorded in New Orleans and features Blind Boys of Alabama, soul legend William Bell, and songs by Adele, Black Keys, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash, The Band, Pete Seeger, Crosby, Stills & Nash and more. MARQUISE KNOX asks on his new record "Can a young man play the blues?" This 21 year old St. Louis native hails from a musical family deeply entrenched in the blues. He learned how to play guitar from his grandmother whose family were sharecroppers and whose great, great grandparents were slaves. He spent his early teenage years in St. Louis mentoring under the late great Blues legend Henry James Townsend. Marquise's talents have earned him performing rights with some of America's most notable blues performers such as blues legend B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins and David "Honeyboy" Edwards. He won a Living Blues Award for Best Debut and takes another big step forward with the release of his new CD.

Woodsongs 649: Billy Burnette and Lydia Loveless Mar 09, 2012

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BILLY BURNETTE is a songwriter for superstars, acclaimed sideman, member of Fleetwood Mac and enjoying a resurgence of success for his own solo career. Born in Memphis, Billy was recently inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He has penned hit songs for everyone from Ray Charles, Cher, Roy Orbison to Alan Jackson and Faith Hill. He's also known as an acclaimed guitarist touring with Bob Dylan John Fogerty among others, as well a member of Fleetwood Mac. His recent release of 'Rock & Roll With It' is his 1st studio album in a decade. LYDIA LOVELESS is blessed with a commanding, strong voice. The 21-year-old Lydia Loveless was raised on a family farm in the small rural town of Coshocton, Ohio. Her dad owned a country music bar and she often woke up with a house full of touring musicians scattered on couches and floors. When she got older, in the time-honored traditions of teenage rebellion, she moved to the big city (Columbus, OH) and immersed herself in the punk scene. These two worlds now collide on her debut CD on Bloodshot Records 'Indestructible Machine.' The album combines Lydia's country roots with punk rock candor -- sometimes within the same song.

Woodsongs 648: Noam Pikelny & Victor Furtado Mar 01, 2012

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NOAM PIKELNY returns to the WoodSongs Stage to celebrate his long awaited second album "Beat The Devil and Carry A Rail" on Compass Records. Pikelny is undeniably the next big thing to happen to the 5-string banjo, a player of unparalleled technique, he confounds and inspires listeners with his mastery of the instrument. As a member of Punch Brothers, he has helped to broaden the awareness of the banjo in the mainstream, earning the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music and a coveted appearance on Late Night with David Letterman with Martin. Noam will be joined on the show with a few of his friends: fellow Punch Brothers Gabe Witcher (fiddle) and Chris Eldridge (guitar), Aoife O'Donovan from Crooked Still (vocals), Jesse Cobb (mandolin) and Mark Schatz (bass). VICTOR FURTADO is an amazing 11 year old banjo player from Front Royal, VA. He has won numerous awards for his Old Time banjo playing, quite often competing in the adult categories. Some of the contests he has placed in are: Deer Creek Festival, Maryland 1st Place Adult Old Time Banjo, Maury River Fiddlers Convention, Virginia, 1st Place Adult Old Time Banjo and best in show, Grayson County Fiddlers Convention, Virginia, 1st Place Adult Old Time Banjo, Virginia State Fair, 1st Place Adult Banjo, National Old Time Banjo Championship,(Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival, Tennessee, and 2nd Place Adult Old Time Banjo. Victor recorded his first cd in 2011 titled "Sounds from the Openback."

Woodsongs 646: The McCrary Sisters & Danny Flowers Feb 24, 2012

Show notes

THE McCRARY SISTERS are the daughters of the late Rev. Samuel McCrary, who was one of the original members of the legendary gospel quartet, The Fairfield Four. Ann, Deborah, Regina, and Alfreda were raised in harmony, singing at home and at their father's church. The McCrary's home was filled with music, whether it was the Fairfield Four or frequent guests that included a pantheon of gospel greats, including Shirley Caesar and James Cleveland. Collectively the sisters have performed or recorded with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Stevie Wonder, Ray Stevens, and others. The sister's new CD "Our Journey," include stunning covers of Dylan's "Blowing In The Wind" and Julie Miller's "Broken Pieces" as well as six McCrary Sister originals (including one co-written by Regina and Bob Dylan. DANNY FLOWERS is the awe-inspiring guitar guru, soulful singer and hit songwriter. His hits included "Tulsa Time" for Don Williams and Eric Clapton; "Back In My Younger Days" for Don Williams; "Gulf Coast Highway" for Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, and Nanci Griffith (co-written with Griffith and James Hooker); and "Before Believing" from Harris' Pieces of the Sky. In addition he has been a session musician for Williams, Griffith, Vince Gill, Marshall Chapman, and Dobie Gray. Flowers has also enjoyed a solo recording career including the 2007 album, Tools For The Soul.

Woodsongs 645: Masters of the Guitar featuring Muriel Anderson, Jack Pearson & Vicki Genfan Feb 01, 2012

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MURIEL ANDERSON is widely respected as one of the world's foremost fingerstyle guitarists and harp-guitarists. Muriel is the first woman to have won the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. She is host of the renowned Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night and founder of the Music for Life Alliance charity. Her music can be heard in Woody Allen's film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." JACK PEARSON is a former guitarist with The Allman Brothers Band and has been playing professionally since the age of 15. Although best known as a blues & jazz guitarist, he's also a singer, songwriter & producer. Jack has worked live or in the studio with a long list of artists including Vince Gill, Jimmy Buffett, Earl Scruggs, Chris LeDoux, Delbert McClinton, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and Chuck Leavell to name a few. VICKI GENFAN is a virtuoso guitarist, singer and composer. Guitar player magazine crowned her a new "Guitar Superstar" in 2008 Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music, Vicki is redefining 'singer/songwriter culture.' With a mastery of the acoustic guitar that borders on pure alchemy, audiences are mesmerized by the waves of sound Vicki creates with just two hands and her voice. Using 29 alternate tunings and the percussive technique she calls 'slap-tap', you'll find the addition of her pure, expressive vocals that dig deep and stir the heart to be the perfect accompaniment on many of her songs.

Woodsongs 644: Eric Brace & Peter Cooper and The Richter Uzur Duo Jan 20, 2012

Show notes

ERIC BRACE & PETER COOPER have a created a body of work that reflects their literate sensibilities as songwriters, a love of harmony and wry humor, and their deep respect for the masters they're lucky enough to play with. When Brace and Cooper play together, it's something special. The pair's last album, 'Master Sessions,' is a tour de force that made its way onto numerous critics' Best of 2010 lists.Their most recent project, 'I Love: Tom T. Hall's Songs of Fox Hollow,' was featured on NPR's All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. It's a tribute to country music's greatest storytelling songwriter and Kentucky native Tom T. Hall. THE RICHTER UZUR DUO are each classical musicians of the highest caliber with successful international solo careers and intensive training from two of the world's most lauded musical institutions: The Moscow Conservatory and The Royal College of Music respectively. Their musical interests and abilities, however, are far from limited to classical music. In their teens and twenties, while developing into classical virtuosi, they cut their teeth in rock bands and delved into folk and world music. The duo's uniqueness is how they combine classical, rock and folk music and themes into truly original new compositions. The duo's latest recording is 'String Theory' and it was named best new release by Classical Guitar Alive in 2010.

Woodsongs 643: Jake Schepps and Harpeth Rising Jan 11, 2012

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JAKE SCHEPPS has made a name for himself as a banjo renaissance man, an artist with not only an adroit touch on his instrument but an intrepid, imaginative vision for contemporary stringband music. Although a student of traditional and progressive bluegrass styles as a player, Schepps has stretched beyond those genres to take his place alongside the Punch Brothers, Matt Flinner and other notables in a field the Colorado-based banjoist likes to call simply "new acoustic music." His venturesome new album, 'An Evening in the Village: The Music of B�la Bart�k,' finds common ground between the piquant beauty of the great Hungarian composer's take on Eastern European folk melodies and the big-sky vibrancy of new American acoustic music. HARPETH RISING is a group of four young classically trained musicians exploring the Americana genre. With a banjo and fiddle, you might think they're traditional bluegrass, but think again: cello and hand drums round out the group, creating a truly new sound. A little bit bluegrass, a little bit folk, a little bit classical and whole lot of original, Harpeth Rising is a band to watch. The band just released their second album, with Grammy-award winning producer Bil VornDick, entitled 'Dead Man's Hand'.

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