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WoodSongs 965: Amythyst Kiah and Joe Robinson Apr 16, 2020

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AMYTHYST KIAH is a professed Southern Gothic, alt-country blues singer/songwriter based in Johnson City, Tennessee. Her commanding stage presence is only matched by her raw and powerful vocals—a deeply moving, hypnotic sound that stirs echoes of a distant and restless past. Accoutered interchangeably with banjo, acoustic guitar, or a full band (Her Chest of Glass), Kiaht’s toolbox is augmented by her scholarship of African-American roots music. Provocative and coolly fierce, her ability to cross the boundaries of blues and old-time through reinterpretation is groundbreaking and simply unforgettable. She has two new releases this year: a solo project on Nonesuch Records produced by Joe Henry and Songs of Our Native Daughter the new roots music supergroup featuring her, Rhiannon Giddens (Carolina Chocolate Drops) Allison Russell (Birds of Chicago), and Leyla McCalla (Carolina Chocolate Drops). JOE ROBINSON is considered uniquely gifted as a virtuoso guitarist and singer/songwriter. He walks a tightrope between the instrumental music that has put him in the spotlight and a unique fusion of vocally based rock, blues, jazz, and R&B that is entirely his own. Born in the backwoods of Temagog, on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, Australia, his six-string ability and compositional insight have already earned him a worldwide following. Robinson’s talents were further recognized by Guitar Player magazine as part of a cover story entitled “Youthquake 2017: Ten Mind-Blowing Young Guitarists.” He'll perform songs from his new album 'Undertones'. WoodSong Kid: Bella Guerrie is a 13 year old singer/songwriter from Denver, Colorado..

WoodSongs 964: Tommy Emmanuel & John Knowles Apr 16, 2020

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Tommy Emmanuel & John Knowles are two of the world’s greatest guitarists. Both are masters of their instrument, honored by the iconic Chet Atkins with the rare designation of CGP (Certified Guitar Players). Emmanuel has twice been voted “Best Acoustic Guitarist” by readers of Guitar Player Magazine and honored as both a “Member of the Order of Australia” and an official “Kentucky Colonel”. Knowles is a Grammy winner, a member of the National Thumb Picker’s Hall of Fame, and editor of the respected FingerStyle Quarterly. They will be performing songs from ‘Heart Songs’ their new guitar duet project. Grace & Chelsea Constable are viral sensation guitar playing sisters from Jonesborough, Tennessee.

WoodSongs 963: Roan Yellowthorn and Chelsea Williams Apr 16, 2020

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ROAN YELLOWTHORN front woman Jackie McLean, accompanied by producer and multi-instrumentalist Shawn Strack, delivers ethereal indie-rock songs with a singer/songwriter heart. Musically, they are a combo of pop, indie rock and folk featuring Jackie's poetic lyrics backed by Shawn's exquisite mastery of keys, strings and more. Her skills as as a poignant storyteller is fitting, she grew up around music and songwriting being the daughter of legendary 1970's singer-songwriter Don McLean. They recently released ‘Indigo’, their first full-length album, on Blue Élan Records. CHELSEA WILLIAMS made a name for herself as a musician in Los Angeles in a less than traditional way. She managed to sell nearly 100,000 copies of her independently released records the old fashioned way, by playing on the street. She’s performed on The Today Show and has opened for big names such as the Avett Brothers and Dwight Yoakam, and she’s even had a high-profile guest shot on a Maroon 5 video, dueting with Adam Levine on the group’s No. 1 smash “Daylight (Playing For Change).” He debut album ‘Boomerang’ on Blue Élan Records is a transcendent mix of Americana, indie-folk and lush pop that places the young artist front and center among the preeminent performers of the day. WoodSongs Kid: Fiddle Frenzy is a performance group of fiddlers from Blair School of Music in Nashville, Tennesse, ranging in age from 7-17.

WoodSongs 962: Songs of Rural America Apr 25, 2019

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Folksinger Michael Johnathon and The Ohio Valley Symphony celebrate the music and stories of America's front porch, from Appalachia to Woody Guthrie, Buddy Holly to George Gershwin, Irving Berlin to Vincent Van Gogh and more. Conducted by Tim Berens and recorded at the historic Ariel Opera House in Gallipolis, Ohio.

WoodSongs 959: The Steel Wheels and Connla Apr 25, 2019

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THE STEEL WHEELS hail from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are familiar with the traditions of folk music and how a string band is supposed to sound. In fact, they’ve been drawing on those steadfast traditions for more than a decade. Yet, their name also evokes a sense of forward motion. Their musical style weaves through Americana and bluegrass, folk and old-time music, and the acoustic poetry of the finest singer-songwriters. CONNLA have been quickly making an impact on the folk/traditional scene. Labelled as the Hottest New Group out of Northern Ireland, they have received fantastic reviews at home and internationally. They have already gathered a big following in the UK, Ireland, Europe and the USA. Their sensitive and innovative arrangements of traditional and modern folk songs and tunes, have helped them create a sound which is very identifiable as Connla. WoodSongs Kid: Amber Brown is a 12 year old guitar player and singer from Williamsburg, Kentucky.

WoodSongs 972: Si Kahn & Friends Apr 25, 2019

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MURIEL ANDERSON is one of the world’s foremost fingerstyle guitarists and harp-guitarists. She is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship and has performed/recorded with Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Victor Wooten and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra. Her obvious joy of music, humor and her facility across the genres of folk, classical, jazz, bluegrass and international music is revered by guitarists worldwide. Muriel is host of the renowned Muriel Anderson’s ALL STAR GUITAR NIGHT® and founder of the MUSIC FOR LIFE ALLIANCE charity. Her current project is ‘Eclipse’ a CD of harp-guitar music to evoke the magic of the solar eclipse, enclosed in a greeting card by brilliant photo-artist Bryan Allen. SISTER SADIE is the all-female/all-star bluegrass group comprised of some of the best-known women in bluegrass including five time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Dale Ann Bradley, Tina Adair, Deanie Richardson, Gena Britt and Beth Lawrence. The group was born out of what was originally supposed to be a one time jam at The Station Inn in Nashville, Tennessee with five good friends. Shortly after that sold out show, the band began getting calls for gigs and the girls decided to officially form "Sister Sadie". The band’s highly-anticipated sophomore project has turned heads in a big way, garnering rave reviews by top publications, and also debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart. WoodSongs Kid: Tia Penny is a ten-year-old singer/songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona.

WoodSongs 957: Missy Raines and Willie Nile Apr 25, 2019

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MISSY RAINES has proven herself without doubt as one of the iconic bluegrass instrumentalist of all time. In 1998, Raines became the first woman to win IBMA's Bass Player of the Year award and she went on to win the title more than any other bass player in the history of the organization, male or female. On her newest release on Compass Records, ‘Royal Traveller’ Raines has stepped into the spotlight as a songwriter for the first time. The album digs deep into her family life and her upbringing in West Virginia. The stand out track “Swept Away”, features the 5 first women to win IBMA instrumentalist awards, Raines, Alison Brown (banjo), Sierra Hull (mandolin), Becky Buller (fiddle), and Molly Tuttle (guitar). “Swept Away” was named 2018 IBMA “Recorded Event of the Year”. WILLIE NILE was hailed by the New York Times as “one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years.” Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Townshend, Lou Reed, Lucinda Williams, Jim Jarmusch, and Little Steven are among those who have sung his praises. Willie has toured across the U.S. with the Who and has sung with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. As the induction program from the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame says: "His live performances are legendary.” His 12th studio album 'Children of Paradise' was released in the summer of 2018 to universal acclaim. WoodSongs Kid: Marissa Goings is an twelve-year-old singer from Kingman, Kansas.

WoodSongs 956: Cedric Burnside and The Farmer & Adele Apr 25, 2019

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CEDRIC BURNSIDE still lives on several acres not far from the Holly Springs, Mississippi, home where he was raised by “Big Daddy,” his grandfather, the late singer/songwriter/guitarist R.L. Burnside whom Cedric famously played with, just as his own father, drummer Calvin Jackson, did. Cedric was literally born to the blues, more specifically, the “rhythmically unorthodox” Hill country variant which emerged from Mississippi, where he grew up surrounded (and influenced) by Junior Kimbrough, Jessie May Hemphill and Otha Turner, as well as delta musicians T-Model Ford and Paul “Wine” Jones. This Grammy-nominated and Blues Music Awards winner latest is ‘Benton County Relic’ which brings the blues alive for a new generation. THE FARMER & ADELE are reimaging the modern cowboy/cowgirl while respecting its beginnings. Based out of Nashville, TN, The Farmer & Adele – led by Grace Adele and Keenan Wade – leads the pack of a new wave of musicians revitalizing western swing music. With a star-studded record, award nominations and their own morning radio show on WSM’s Route 650, The Farmer & Adele are a one-two punch of classic meets modern. The band’s debut effort, ‘Into the Wide Open Sky’, combines original compositions rooted in familiar styles of the American landscape. Traces of classic country, jazz and Tin Pan Alley songwriting interweave throughout the group’s top-notch musicianship. WoodSongs Kid: Liam Farley is a nine-year-old fiddle champion from Chapman, West Virginia.

WoodSongs 955: Songs From The Road Band and Joe Crookston Apr 25, 2019

Show notes

SONGS FROM THE ROAD BAND is a North Carolina powerhouse group featuring Mark Schimick, Charles Humphrey, Ryan Cavanaugh, Sam Wharton, and James Schlender. Collectively, they have received top accolades in the bluegrass, Americana, and jazz genres. They are an all star band consisting of musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds including an IBMA award & Grammy recipient for songrwriting, performance, and producing, Banjo player in jazz pioneer Bill Evans Soul Grass project, a 2 time National Fiddle Champion, and played alongside legends likes of Larry Keel, Vassar Clements, Tony Rice, Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin,George Benson, and more. The band is currently touring in support of their 4th studio album release "Road To Nowhere." JOE CROOKSTON is a songwriter, guitarist, painter, fiddler, slide player, eco-village member and believer in all things possible. He’s a master storyteller. His music swirls with themes of lightness, darkness, clocks ticking, weeping willows, cynicism, hope, and the cycles of life and rebirth. Named 2016 Folk Alliance International Artist-in- Resident, he’s played with Suzanne Vega, Dar Williams, David Francey, John McCutcheon, John Gorka, Judy Collins and 100’s more. WoodSongs Kids: Kelsie and Jordan Willis are twins from Greenup, Kentucky and love playing roots music.

WoodSongs 954: Chris Stills and Abbie Gardner Apr 25, 2019

Show notes

CHRIS STILLS is the son of American rock musician Stephen Stills and French singer-songwriter Veronique Sanson and was raised between Paris and Los Angeles. His multicultural influences are infused in his work as a singer-songwriter and actor. Since his debut album on Atlantic Records, Chris has toured the world performing and recording with a variety of brilliant artists including, Don Was, Leanne Rimes, Ryan Adams, Government Mule, Smashing Pumpkins, Lucinda Williams, Ricky Lee Jones, and others. His songs have been featured in numerous movies and television including the hit Showtime series, ‘Shameless’ and films like ‘American Hustle’ and most recently ‘I, Tonya’. ABBIE GARDNER is a fiery dobro player with an infectious smile. Whether performing solo or with the Americana darlings Red Molly, her acclaimed tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, are propelled by her impeccable slide guitar playing. Solo performances feature truly unique use of the dobro as a solo instrument, bouncing between a solid rhythmic backbone and ripping lead lines, all in support of her voice and award-winning songs. WoodSongs Kid: Kevin Beddingfield is a ten-year old hot shot banjo picker from Flag Pond, Tennessee.

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