Roots Rednecks and Radicals

Dissent is Patriotic: A Fourth of July celebration of protest music featuring music from Woody Guthrie, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lavender Country and Che Apalache.

America is one of the greatest ideas the world has ever had. Founded on incredible values. However, our history is much more complicated than many people would like to admit. In this episode I take a look at the idea that dissent really is patriotic. And we should all be working towards a more perfect union where every person is respected and treated with dignity. 

A reflection on Juneteenth. In 1865 the Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in the US. Today we take a look at the album by Our Native Daughters.

In 2019 Rhiannon Giddens put together a group of all women Black banjo players and made an amazing album. The group was called Our Native Daughters and the album reflects on the history of the influence of Black musicians on American folk/roots music. 

5 Songs I'm Diggin' Ep. 7! Today we take a look at new releases from Sarah Jarosz, Charley Crockett, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Boy Named Banjo and Waxahatchee. Hope you dig it!

All 5 of these artists have recent releases that are really incredible. Enjoy! 

Hip Hop is Folk Music Pt.2 Gangstagrass is on the show! This group blends hip hop with bluegrass emphasizing the working class root of both styles. We discuss the history of these genres and much more

Celebrating Black History month again with this weeks episode. Gangstagrass is a totally original group blending Hip Hop and Bluegrass in a way that stops you in your tracks. They have graced the stages of America's Got Talent, the Glastonbury Festival (right after Paul McCartney) and many other roots/rap festivals. We had a genuinely fun conversation about the roots of both of these styles of music, segregation in the music industry and much more. Enjoy! 

Hip Hop is Folk Music Part 1: To celebrate Black History Month we take a look at the development of Hip Hop through the lens of Folk music.

Hip Hop rarely gets described as Folk music, but the history of this musical genre is the story of working class people making music with the tools they have. They turned things like turntables, drum machines, and samplers into musical instruments that defined musical and cultural style. Folk music is music of the people, and Hip Hop/Rap are just that. Music by the working class, for the working class. Join me in a look at the development of the music, the instruments, and key figures who changed the world of music. 

5 Songs I'm Diggin' Vol. 6 today we take a look at new music from Sierra Ferrell, Black Pumas, Brent Cobb, Sarah Jarosz, and Van Plating. Enjoy!

Green Day's album "Dookie" turns 30 years old! It came out in February of 1994 and on this week we take a look at this classic album.

Ismay is an Indie-Folk singer/songwriter with deep roots in the Folk music community. Their music is introspective and insightful, and I have Ismay on the show today!

Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles was a tribute album that came out 30 years ago. The album featured some outstanding artists: Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn and Travis Tritt. Here's my look at it.

Amy Ray of Indigo Girls is on the show! We talk about the Barbie Movie, her collaborations with Brandi Carlile, Allison Russel, Sarah Jarosz, and Sarah Watkins and her group Amy Ray Band.