Episode 252: The story of Peter One is as warming as his music. As a young man in his native Côte d’Ivoire, he latched on to folk and country music more than most of his peers, until he met collaborator Jess Sah Bi, with whom he formed a celebrated, socially conscious duo in West Africa. Both had to leave the country due to political turmoil, and Peter One started over in the US, first in Delaware then in Nashville where he moved for a career in nursing. A rediscovery and reissue of his best African record reignited a music career that had been interrupted for 30 years, and this summer he’s everywhere from the Opry to Newport Folk Fest. I spend an hour with this kind and fascinating songwriter/guitarist.

Episode 252: The story of Peter One is as warming as his music. As a young man in his native Côte d’Ivoire, he latched on to folk and country music more than most of his peers, until he met collaborator Jess Sah Bi, with whom he formed a celebrated, socially conscious duo in West Africa. Both had to leave the country due to political turmoil, and Peter One started over in the US, first in Delaware then in Nashville where he moved for a career in nursing. A rediscovery and reissue of his best African record reignited a music career that had been interrupted for 30 years, and this summer he’s everywhere from the Opry to Newport Folk Fest. I spend an hour with this kind and fascinating songwriter/guitarist.

Peter One

Episode 250: Craig contemplates genre-bending while introducing two guests this week who straddle the seemingly disparate worlds of indie rock and folk music. Eric D. Johnson is the veteran mastermind of the long running collective Fruit Bats. Raised in Chicago and based in Los Angeles, he came up with his friends in The Shins and Modest Mouse. Over time, his Fruit Bats project refined an esthetic all its own. The latest is A River Running To Your Heart. Meanwhile, in Canada, young songwriter Cat Clyde built a strong following for her first recordings before the pandemic stole her momentum. It took hard work and resilience to make her 2023 release Down Rounder, a labyrinth of emotion, sound and catharsis. Cat joins the show from a temporary base in Ontario.  

Episode 250: Craig contemplates genre-bending while introducing two guests this week who straddle the seemingly disparate worlds of indie rock and folk music. Eric D. Johnson is the veteran mastermind of the long running collective Fruit Bats. Raised in Chicago and based in Los Angeles, he came up with his friends in The Shins and Modest Mouse. Over time, his Fruit Bats project refined an esthetic all its own. The latest is A River Running To Your Heart. Meanwhile, in Canada, young songwriter Cat Clyde built a strong following for her first recordings before the pandemic stole her momentum. It took hard work and resilience to make her 2023 release Down Rounder, a labyrinth of emotion, sound and catharsis. Cat joins the show from a temporary base in Ontario.

Fruit Bats and Cat Clyde

Pete Anderson

Episode 249: One key reason that Dwight Yoakam exploded into country music consciousness in 1986 was the electric guitar and electrifying record production of his friend and bandmate Pete Anderson. Anderson moved from his native Detroit to Los Angeles and found himself in a powerful partnership that changed the sound of country and sold around 25 million records. After more than 15 years, Anderson pursued his own interests, including a bluesier side of his guitar and record production in his own studio, including key Americana stars. Now he’s written a book compiling all he’s learned and realized about record production, and that became the basis of a fascinating conversation.

Episode 249: One key reason that Dwight Yoakam exploded into country music consciousness in 1986 was the electric guitar and electrifying record production of his friend and bandmate Pete Anderson. Anderson moved from his native Detroit to Los Angeles and found himself in a powerful partnership that changed the sound of country and sold around 25 million records. After more than 15 years, Anderson pursued his own interests, including a bluesier side of his guitar and record production in his own studio, including key Americana stars. Now he’s written a book compiling all he’s learned and realized about record production, and that became the basis of a fascinating conversation.

Robbie Fulks

Episode 248: For all of the sardonic honky tonk music of his early albums and the more character-driven folk music on albums like Upland Stories and Gone Away Backward, Robbie Fulks can trace a strong bluegrass thread through his career. He grew up loving Doc Watson in North Carolina, picked up the banjo and flatpicked guitar as a kid, and joined the venerable bluegrass band Special Consensus as he established himself in the Chicago music scene. He’d touch on the genre here and there, but now he’s finally written and recorded Bluegrass Vacation, a 12-song collection that touches on classic themes and high lonesome textures. Also, a catch up from NYC with songwriter Laura Cantrell. 

Episode 248: For all of the sardonic honky tonk music of his early albums and the more character-driven folk music on albums like Upland Stories and Gone Away Backward, Robbie Fulks can trace a strong bluegrass thread through his career. He grew up loving Doc Watson in North Carolina, picked up the banjo and flatpicked guitar as a kid, and joined the venerable bluegrass band Special Consensus as he established himself in the Chicago music scene. He’d touch on the genre here and there, but now he’s finally written and recorded Bluegrass Vacation, a 12-song collection that touches on classic themes and high lonesome textures. Also, a catch up from NYC with songwriter Laura Cantrell.

Episode 247: Layng Martine Jr. earned a slot in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame with numerous hits for a range of artists that included Reba McEntire, The Pointer Sisters and Elvis himself. He thought he was retired, but when his son Tucker, one of the most respected producers and recording engineers in indie music, gave his father the studio time and resources to make his first real album as an artist as he approached 80 years old, a series of sessions in Portland, OR became Music Man. It's a joyful, sunny collection that sounds like nothing else in roots music, and Layng turns out to be a sunny and charming fellow himself. We talk about arriving in Nashville in the 70s, writing Elvis's last hit, and the renewing thrill of cutting songs he'd written between 1964 and the 2000s. Also in the hour, banjo star and record company owner Alison Brown. 

Episode 247: Layng Martine Jr. earned a slot in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame with numerous hits for a range of artists that included Reba McEntire, The Pointer Sisters and Elvis himself. He thought he was retired, but when his son Tucker, one of the most respected producers and recording engineers in indie music, gave his father the studio time and resources to make his first real album as an artist as he approached 80 years old, a series of sessions in Portland, OR became Music Man. It's a joyful, sunny collection that sounds like nothing else in roots music, and Layng turns out to be a sunny and charming fellow himself. We talk about arriving in Nashville in the 70s, writing Elvis's last hit, and the renewing thrill of cutting songs he'd written between 1964 and the 2000s. Also in the hour, banjo star and record company owner Alison Brown.

Layng Martine Jr. 

Alison Brown

Episode 246: Alison Brown found her life's work early when she started playing banjo as a pre-teen growing up in southern California. But it took some time and real life experience - a Harvard degree, another MBA and a couple of years in banking - before she finally gave herself permission to chase a music career. She toured with Alison Krauss in her early days and then formed her own bands, earning her rep as an innovative, jazz-oriented virtuoso player. She's released about a dozen albums of her own composing, including the latest On Banjo, featuring guests like Stuart Duncan, Steve Martin and Anat Cohen. We sat down in the studio of Compass Records, which she co-founded with her husband more than 25 years ago, for a wide-ranging talk about her instrument, her destiny, and her latest music. Also in the hour, a teaser of my interview with Nashville journalist Tim Ghianni. 

Episode 246: Alison Brown found her life's work early when she started playing banjo as a pre-teen growing up in southern California. But it took some time and real life experience - a Harvard degree, another MBA and a couple of years in banking - before she finally gave herself permission to chase a music career. She toured with Alison Krauss in her early days and then formed her own bands, earning her rep as an innovative, jazz-oriented virtuoso player. She's released about a dozen albums of her own composing, including the latest On Banjo, featuring guests like Stuart Duncan, Steve Martin and Anat Cohen. We sat down in the studio of Compass Records, which she co-founded with her husband more than 25 years ago, for a wide-ranging talk about her instrument, her destiny, and her latest music. Also in the hour, a teaser of my interview with Nashville journalist Tim Ghianni.

Dom Flemons

Episode 245: Dom Flemons made history founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an old-time band that changed the face of roots music in the 21st century. Through found songs and tunes learned at the feet of old masters, they won a Grammy Award, played the Grand Ole Opry and opened up new lanes for Black musicians finding their voice in folk. Since parting ways in 2013, Flemons has been a lynchpin of the folk music scene, an “American songster” who plays a wide range of instruments and who puts on magnetic solo shows. His 2018 concept album Black Cowboys dug up more potent history and earned a Grammy nomination. For his first album since then, he goes inward and leans into his life of songwriting for the first time, resulting in the vivacious and eclectic Traveling Wildfire. Also in the hour, guitarist Matthew Stevens on his work producing I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100. 

Episode 245: Dom Flemons made history founding the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an old-time band that changed the face of roots music in the 21st century. Through found songs and tunes learned at the feet of old masters, they won a Grammy Award, played the Grand Ole Opry and opened up new lanes for Black musicians finding their voice in folk. Since parting ways in 2013, Flemons has been a lynchpin of the folk music scene, an “American songster” who plays a wide range of instruments and who puts on magnetic solo shows. His 2018 concept album Black Cowboys dug up more potent history and earned a Grammy nomination. For his first album since then, he goes inward and leans into his life of songwriting for the first time, resulting in the vivacious and eclectic Traveling Wildfire. Also in the hour, guitarist Matthew Stevens on his work producing I Am A Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100.

William Prince

Erik Vincent Huey

Episode 244: William Prince grew up on country and gospel music in rural Manitoba on the Peguis First Nation reserve, getting a grounding from his minister/musician father. Now Prince is a musical minister of sorts, making a strong mark on north American folk music with his sincerity, gravitas and beautiful baritone voice. His formal debut won Canada's JUNO Award for best contemporary folk album, and his twin releases in 2020 were well attuned to the spiritual yearning of the pandemic lockdown. Now Stand In The Joy, produced by Dave Cobb, is a rich portrait of contentment and gratitude. I also speak with DC-based roots rocker Erik Vincent Huey about his late career solo debut, investigating his West Virginia roots. 

Episode 244: William Prince grew up on country and gospel music in rural Manitoba on the Peguis First Nation reserve, getting a grounding from his minister/musician father. Now Prince is a musical minister of sorts, making a strong mark on north American folk music with his sincerity, gravitas and beautiful baritone voice. His formal debut won Canada's JUNO Award for best contemporary folk album, and his twin releases in 2020 were well attuned to the spiritual yearning of the pandemic lockdown. Now Stand In The Joy, produced by Dave Cobb, is a rich portrait of contentment and gratitude. I also speak with DC-based roots rocker Erik Vincent Huey about his late career solo debut, investigating his West Virginia roots.

William Prince plus Erik Vincent Huey

Episode 243: Canada’s coolest couple - more than 12 years into their joint venture called Whitehorse - is on a creative tear, releasing three albums in two years, all of which came with a portfolio of daring and whimsical graphic design, photography and video. The albums flow, from the zesty indie-rock leaning Modern Love in March 2021 to the psychedelic wonder whirl of Strike Me Down, which arrived six months later. Then in January of this year came I’m Not Crying You’re Crying, the most overtly country album yet. From their studio in Winnipeg, we talk about a grand romantic folk-rock adventure. 

Episode 243: Canada’s coolest couple - more than 12 years into their joint venture called Whitehorse - is on a creative tear, releasing three albums in two years, all of which came with a portfolio of daring and whimsical graphic design, photography and video. The albums flow, from the zesty indie-rock leaning Modern Love in March 2021 to the psychedelic wonder whirl of Strike Me Down, which arrived six months later. Then in January of this year came I’m Not Crying You’re Crying, the most overtly country album yet. From their studio in Winnipeg, we talk about a grand romantic folk-rock adventure.

Whitehorse

Episode 242: Craig reports from Knoxville, TN and the tenth edition of the world-renowned Big Ears Festival. Conceived by Knoxville native Ashley Capps as a showcase for modern and avant-garde music, it’s broadened to encompass just about every genre and concept from around the world. This year saw a record number of folk/roots/Americana artists, playing alongside some of the world’s elite jazz, electronic and experimental creators. Craig offers a history of the festival, thoughts from Ashley Capps and conversations with Bela Fleck, Christian McBride, Sierra Ferrell, Rich Ruth and Jake Xerxes Fussell.

Episode 242: Craig reports from Knoxville, TN and the tenth edition of the world-renowned Big Ears Festival. Conceived by Knoxville native Ashley Capps as a showcase for modern and avant-garde music, it’s broadened to encompass just about every genre and concept from around the world. This year saw a record number of folk/roots/Americana artists, playing alongside some of the world’s elite jazz, electronic and experimental creators. Craig offers a history of the festival, thoughts from Ashley Capps and conversations with Bela Fleck, Christian McBride, Sierra Ferrell, Rich Ruth and Jake Xerxes Fussell.

Big Ears 2023

The String is weekly think radio featuring conversations and features on culture, media and American music - anchored by veteran journalist and broadcaster Craig Havighurst. Music makers, enablers, instigators and documentarians are featured with enough time to go deep and burrow into issues, while letting the music play too. Music news, previews, Time Machine Tape and 90 Second Spins round out the hour.

I loved the episode on Tulsa. Looking forward to the Blonde on Blonde episode as well as many others.

Great show!

So glad I found this show. Thoughtful, respectful interviews with important artists. Just great!

Terrific

The String

Episode 106: Ketch Secor is the fiddler and front man of the uncanny success story Old Crow Medicine Show. As they enter their third decade as a band, they can claim to have revived and re-imagined old-time string band and blues music for new generations. They've added at least one hit song to the country music repertoire in "Wagon Wheel" and reached millions with a show full of passion and classic country music values. Their latest, Live At The Ryman, is a collection of hand-picked tracks from roughly a decade of live recordings at the Mother Church. Ketch talks about the band's origins, the legacy of its forty-odd shows at the Ryman and being part of Ken Burns' Country Music documentary. 

Episode 106: Ketch Secor is the fiddler and front man of the uncanny success story Old Crow Medicine Show. As they enter their third decade as a band, they can claim to have revived and re-imagined old-time string band and blues music for new generations. They've added at least one hit song to the country music repertoire in "Wagon Wheel" and reached millions with a show full of passion and classic country music values. Their latest, Live At The Ryman, is a collection of hand-picked tracks from roughly a decade of live recordings at the Mother Church. Ketch talks about the band's origins, the legacy of its forty-odd shows at the Ryman and being part of Ken Burns' Country Music documentary.

Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show

Brittany Haas

Leah Blevins

Episode 68: At 31 years old, Brittany Haas has been in high level touring string bands more than half her life and she's already regarded as one of the finest fiddle players in the world. As part of Crooked Still, she helped shape a new strain of traditional Americana. Of late she's been touring with the Dave Rawlings Machine, playing as part of the house band on public radio's Live From Here with Chris Thile and producing stunning instrumental music with her quartet Hawktail. We talk about her mentors, learning the innovative chopping technique that gives her music such propulsion and juggling a busy creative schedule. She's nominated as one of four contenders for the Americana Instrumentalist of the Year. Rounding out the hour, a conversation with Kentucky raised singer songwriter Leah Blevins. There's deep country in her voice and soul but a spirit of exploration and growth that she fully embraces. She is showcasing at AmericanaFest 2018 with a tour ahead of her opening for Amanda Shires. 

Episode 68: At 31 years old, Brittany Haas has been in high level touring string bands more than half her life and she's already regarded as one of the finest fiddle players in the world. As part of Crooked Still, she helped shape a new strain of traditional Americana. Of late she's been touring with the Dave Rawlings Machine, playing as part of the house band on public radio's Live From Here with Chris Thile and producing stunning instrumental music with her quartet Hawktail. We talk about her mentors, learning the innovative chopping technique that gives her music such propulsion and juggling a busy creative schedule. She's nominated as one of four contenders for the Americana Instrumentalist of the Year. Rounding out the hour, a conversation with Kentucky raised singer songwriter Leah Blevins. There's deep country in her voice and soul but a spirit of exploration and growth that she fully embraces. She is showcasing at AmericanaFest 2018 with a tour ahead of her opening for Amanda Shires.

Brittany Haas plus Leah Blevins

This week, an evenly split hour with very different artists who have a lot to say about change and growth. The Gibson Brothers took their experience from two decades in bluegrass and poured it into a radically different project written and produced with Dan Auerbach. Ruby Boots has been "shedding her skin" regularly through a life on at least three continents. She's now a mainstay in the East Nashville scene and her 'Don't Talk About It' is a masterful album.

This week, an evenly split hour with very different artists who have a lot to say about change and growth. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thegibsonbros/?__tn__=KH-R&amp;eid=ARA3mZJ1tELh5Tsb_WdTKa0_Zr_TMOiF7rUOSJ2VKtp0bTGhB-hw0GInBFQMUT3nK8gaAqGWOqO1jjWx&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDwgM8GrOU_NDyzFNI54US2Z7jqmb-9P2m0tB7aSjTHgY7Y1X37IGs0Fo_YvE6zvPmMGCdDq213zPXAzzvoHd4cnPH5CLm6ZaZxP-ILcpM9rP4187TlkkSrB1K6XAlKfRwFD2UkJ0cv4Su7rgJoMd8zUCsZv0akQvJ62tToLh_xkvnOW67_eE2txwY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Gibson Brothers</a> took their experience from two decades in bluegrass and poured it into a radically different project written and produced with Dan Auerbach. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RubyBootsMusic/?__tn__=KH-R&amp;eid=ARA-sTgp9CzJQIaDW7WTvd_abt6HTqHQq0kSsz8lJlzZXNhww6YtoDPNYTv3WrCOUGkNVDJNkFo9iWXn&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDwgM8GrOU_NDyzFNI54US2Z7jqmb-9P2m0tB7aSjTHgY7Y1X37IGs0Fo_YvE6zvPmMGCdDq213zPXAzzvoHd4cnPH5CLm6ZaZxP-ILcpM9rP4187TlkkSrB1K6XAlKfRwFD2UkJ0cv4Su7rgJoMd8zUCsZv0akQvJ62tToLh_xkvnOW67_eE2txwY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ruby Boots</a> has been "shedding her skin" regularly through a life on at least three continents. She's now a mainstay in the East Nashville scene and her 'Don't Talk About It' is a masterful album.

The Gibson Brothers and Ruby Boots

Julie Miller

Episode 94: They've each had distinguished careers as songwriters and musicians in American roots music, but together they're especially sublime. Buddy and Julie Miller met in Austin in the 70s and pursued careers in New York and Los Angeles before moving to Nashville almost 30 years ago. Both of their prior duo albums were deemed best of the by the Americana Music Association. Now, following a remarkably busy period for Buddy, the two found their way back to working together, and the result is the new Breakdown On 20th Ave. South from New West Records. It will be one of the landmarks of 2019, and Craig sat down at the Millers' home to talk about two magical, interwoven lives in music. 

Episode 94: They've each had distinguished careers as songwriters and musicians in American roots music, but together they're especially sublime. Buddy and Julie Miller met in Austin in the 70s and pursued careers in New York and Los Angeles before moving to Nashville almost 30 years ago. Both of their prior duo albums were deemed best of the by the Americana Music Association. Now, following a remarkably busy period for Buddy, the two found their way back to working together, and the result is the new Breakdown On 20th Ave. South from New West Records. It will be one of the landmarks of 2019, and Craig sat down at the Millers' home to talk about two magical, interwoven lives in music.

Buddy and Julie Miller

As I browsed World of Bluegrass in Raleigh last September, I caught up with four artists who make for a pretty good cross section of the genre circa 2019: Tim Stafford of Blue Highway, an iconic band celebrating its 25th anniversary, Irene Kelley, a veteran songwriter who's on top of the charts as an artist, Appalachian Road Show, a new super-group with a cultural mission and The Dead South, a young band of Canadian folk rockers who represent the adventuresome edge of bluegrass music. Notes and full versions of these edited interviews can be found at WMOT.org. 

As I browsed World of Bluegrass in Raleigh last September, I caught up with four artists who make for a pretty good cross section of the genre circa 2019: Tim Stafford of Blue Highway, an iconic band celebrating its 25th anniversary, Irene Kelley, a veteran songwriter who's on top of the charts as an artist, Appalachian Road Show, a new super-group with a cultural mission and The Dead South, a young band of Canadian folk rockers who represent the adventuresome edge of bluegrass music. Notes and full versions of these edited interviews can be found at <a href="wmot.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WMOT.org</a>.

The Bluegrass Episode 2019

Rodney Crowell

Maya DeVitry

The String launches a new year with a conversation with Rodney Crowell, one of the legit icons of Americana music. The Texas born, Nashville based songwriter was one of the artists around whom the format was created 20 years ago, and indeed he won the Americana Music Association's lifetime achievement award for songwriting in 2006. He’s a valued collaborator, earning a Grammy Award for his recent work with his longtime friend and colleague Emmylou Harris. He became an acclaimed author with his memoir Chinaberry Sidewalks in 2011. Recently he's released a first-ever Christmas album and a volume of stripped down "Acoustic Classics" from his extensive catalog. We cover a range of times and topics. Also in the hour, Maya de Vitry talks about her difficult but necessary departure from the beloved acoustic trio The Stray Birds. She's set out on her own with the album Adaptations. 

The String launches a new year with a conversation with Rodney Crowell, one of the legit icons of Americana music. The Texas born, Nashville based songwriter was one of the artists around whom the format was created 20 years ago, and indeed he won the Americana Music Association's lifetime achievement award for songwriting in 2006. He’s a valued collaborator, earning a Grammy Award for his recent work with his longtime friend and colleague Emmylou Harris. He became an acclaimed author with his memoir Chinaberry Sidewalks in 2011. Recently he's released a first-ever Christmas album and a volume of stripped down "Acoustic Classics" from his extensive catalog. We cover a range of times and topics. Also in the hour, Maya de Vitry talks about her difficult but necessary departure from the beloved acoustic trio The Stray Birds. She's set out on her own with the album Adaptations.

Rodney Crowell plus Maya DeVitry

Episode 121 is a field trip to Asheville, NC, which Rolling Stone last year touted as one of the best music scenes in the country. We who visit regularly already knew that, and this week's show surveys the talent and the institutions making the region important in roots music and beyond. Featuring Amanda Anne Platt of the Honeycutters, Echo Mountain Studio, WNCW radio, Crossroads Music, Sarah Siskind, Morgan Geer and more. 

Episode 121 is a field trip to Asheville, NC, which Rolling Stone last year touted as one of the best music scenes in the country. We who visit regularly already knew that, and this week's show surveys the talent and the institutions making the region important in roots music and beyond. Featuring Amanda Anne Platt of the Honeycutters, Echo Mountain Studio, WNCW radio, Crossroads Music, Sarah Siskind, Morgan Geer and more.

Music City Postcard: Asheville

Kathy Mattea

Episode 74: Kathy Mattea's new album Pretty Bird is her first release in six years. In the time between, she’s struggled through some problems with her voice and in so doing reached outside of her musical comfort zones. After a couple of albums dedicated to exploring her Appalachian heritage, this one’s more eclectic. She calls it a journey back to singing for the sheer joy of it. Mattea has always been a gifted interpreter from her younger days as a Music Row demo singer through her years as CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1989 and 90. Here she sings "Ode To Billie Joe," Bobbie Gentry’s mesmerizing hit from 1967, and an old traditional Irish ballad and Mary Gauthier’s new gospel Americana anthem "Mercy Now." But the title track, which closes the album, declares her continued allegiance to the old music of West Virginia. It’s by Hazel Dickens, herself a WV Music Hall of Famer and one of the most influential and powerful women to ever work in folk and bluegrass music. She’s a hero to Mattea and many others for her undiluted mountain sound and her down to earth feminism. Later in the show we’re going to hear the late great Hazel Dickens on tape from a biographical interview.

Episode 74: Kathy Mattea's new album Pretty Bird is her first release in six years. In the time between, she’s struggled through some problems with her voice and in so doing reached outside of her musical comfort zones. After a couple of albums dedicated to exploring her Appalachian heritage, this one’s more eclectic. She calls it a journey back to singing for the sheer joy of it. Mattea has always been a gifted interpreter from her younger days as a Music Row demo singer through her years as CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1989 and 90. Here she sings "Ode To Billie Joe," Bobbie Gentry’s mesmerizing hit from 1967, and an old traditional Irish ballad and Mary Gauthier’s new gospel Americana anthem "Mercy Now." But the title track, which closes the album, declares her continued allegiance to the old music of West Virginia. It’s by Hazel Dickens, herself a WV Music Hall of Famer and one of the most influential and powerful women to ever work in folk and bluegrass music. She’s a hero to Mattea and many others for her undiluted mountain sound and her down to earth feminism. Later in the show we’re going to hear the late great Hazel Dickens on tape from a biographical interview.

Dale Watson

John Smith

No. 90 - Honky tonk maestro Dale Watson grew up in Pasadena, TX, just on the Galveston Bay side of Houston. With a father and brother who played country music, he was playing professionally by his early teens. In 1988, alt-country pioneer Rosie Flores convinced him to move to Los Angeles, where he became integral to the scene at the Palomino Club. Then it was on to Austin, a debut album on Hightone Records and a long run of critical and popular acclaim as one of the proudest, silkiest voices carrying the torch for country music. Now he’s putting down new roots in Memphis TN. He’s the new owner of a legendary south Memphis road house called Hernando’s Hideaway, which he’ll reopen after renovations this summer. He’s taken his concept of Ameripolitan music to new heights with a growing Memphis festival and an awards show that just wrapped its sixth edition. And he made his new album there - his 32nd release. So there’s a lot to talk about. Also, getting to know English folk singer and master guitarist John Smith, whose new album Hummingbird blends a few originals with a collection of age-old English ballads. 

No. 90 - Honky tonk maestro Dale Watson grew up in Pasadena, TX, just on the Galveston Bay side of Houston. With a father and brother who played country music, he was playing professionally by his early teens. In 1988, alt-country pioneer Rosie Flores convinced him to move to Los Angeles, where he became integral to the scene at the Palomino Club. Then it was on to Austin, a debut album on Hightone Records and a long run of critical and popular acclaim as one of the proudest, silkiest voices carrying the torch for country music. Now he’s putting down new roots in Memphis TN. He’s the new owner of a legendary south Memphis road house called Hernando’s Hideaway, which he’ll reopen after renovations this summer. He’s taken his concept of Ameripolitan music to new heights with a growing Memphis festival and an awards show that just wrapped its sixth edition. And he made his new album there - his 32nd release. So there’s a lot to talk about. Also, getting to know English folk singer and master guitarist John Smith, whose new album Hummingbird blends a few originals with a collection of age-old English ballads.

Dale Watson plus John Smith

What is tradition in music? It turns out that's a tricky but illuminating question, and this week Craig puts it to a range of folks at the World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, NC. CJ Lewandowski of the hot new Po' Ramblin' Boys (pictured) want to build bridges between fans of the inside and outside. Doyle Lawson applies it to the atmosphere he's set at his 39-year-old festival in Denton, NC. John Showman describes how the Lonesome Ace String Band produces traditional sounding music without thinking like preservationists. Multiple IBMA Award winner Becky Buller knows how to write songs from across the trad/rad spectrum. Jordan Laney brings her scholarly background to the question. East Tennessee State bluegrass music program director Dan Boner says he's seen tradition take many forms in his students. Asheville fiddler Natalya Weinstein and her husband John Miller tap their respective family histories in their music. And string music educator Happy Traum has helped pass down tradition via video lessons. It's a fascinating ramble, with music throughout. 

What is tradition in music? It turns out that's a tricky but illuminating question, and this week Craig puts it to a range of folks at the World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, NC. CJ Lewandowski of the hot new Po' Ramblin' Boys (pictured) want to build bridges between fans of the inside and outside. Doyle Lawson applies it to the atmosphere he's set at his 39-year-old festival in Denton, NC. John Showman describes how the Lonesome Ace String Band produces traditional sounding music without thinking like preservationists. Multiple IBMA Award winner Becky Buller knows how to write songs from across the trad/rad spectrum. Jordan Laney brings her scholarly background to the question. East Tennessee State bluegrass music program director Dan Boner says he's seen tradition take many forms in his students. Asheville fiddler Natalya Weinstein and her husband John Miller tap their respective family histories in their music. And string music educator Happy Traum has helped pass down tradition via video lessons. It's a fascinating ramble, with music throughout.

Talking Tradition at the World of Bluegrass

Shawn Colvin

Ledger

Episode 108: The album Steady On in 1989 marked the pivot in Shawn Colvin's life between playing bars to make the rent and being a leader in the singer songwriter movement. Through a string of albums, including the hit-producing A Few Small Repairs, she became a multi Grammy winner and an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award winner. This year, she's revisited Steady On, recording and performing it in her signature solo acoustic guitar style. Stripped to its essence, the songs speak as clearly now as they did 30 years ago. Also, an introduction to new Rounder Records artist Logan Ledger, a Nashville transplant with a voice so arresting, his demo led to a production deal with T Bone Burnett. 

Episode 108: The album Steady On in 1989 marked the pivot in Shawn Colvin's life between playing bars to make the rent and being a leader in the singer songwriter movement. Through a string of albums, including the hit-producing A Few Small Repairs, she became a multi Grammy winner and an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award winner. This year, she's revisited Steady On, recording and performing it in her signature solo acoustic guitar style. Stripped to its essence, the songs speak as clearly now as they did 30 years ago. Also, an introduction to new Rounder Records artist Logan Ledger, a Nashville transplant with a voice so arresting, his demo led to a production deal with T Bone Burnett.

Shawn Colvin plus Logan Ledger

Will Kimbrough

Steve Earle

Will Kimbrough, 30-year veteran of Nashville TN is up to so many musical projects, it took a whole segment to cover them all. He's in three bands and an acoustic duo. He writes with and for Jimmy Buffett. He's been on the road over recent years with Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris, two of his heroes. He produces great records. And, lest we forget, he's a dynamic performing songwriter and guitarist, steaming ahead with a busy year of touring and a new album, the grooving and highly thought provoking I Like It Down Here. Also in the hour, an excerpt from a recent catch up with the mighty Steve Earle, who's just released his long awaited tribute to his late great friend Guy Clark. Full conversation is at WMOT.org. 

Will Kimbrough, 30-year veteran of Nashville TN is up to so many musical projects, it took a whole segment to cover them all. He's in three bands and an acoustic duo. He writes with and for Jimmy Buffett. He's been on the road over recent years with Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris, two of his heroes. He produces great records. And, lest we forget, he's a dynamic performing songwriter and guitarist, steaming ahead with a busy year of touring and a new album, the grooving and highly thought provoking I Like It Down Here. Also in the hour, an excerpt from a recent catch up with the mighty Steve Earle, who's just released his long awaited tribute to his late great friend Guy Clark. Full conversation is at <a href="http://WMOT.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WMOT.org</a>.

Will Kimbrough plus Steve Earle

Lillie Mae

Charley Crockett

 Charley Crockett has a story that's difficult to imagine playing out in the 21st century - he's hoboed around the country, lost loved ones, scuffled with the law, played on the streets for a decade. And recently he endured open-heart surgery. At 35, he's lived several of our lifetimes. And the thing is, he's poured it all into his remarkable country blues, and he's finally getting the renown he deserves. It's what roots music is all about. Get ready for his 9.20 release of The Valley with this conversation, which took place hours before his Grand Ole Opry debut in the WSM Room back stage. Also in the hour, Nashville's Lillie Mae is back on the program to discuss making her second album for Third Man Records at Studio A with the super-producer Dave Cobb. It's part of a longer conversation that will get posted soon at WMOT.org. 

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/charleycrockettmusic/?__tn__=K-R&amp;eid=ARB7LBml19MBYMz7lRLm4stogno-8ggnyExk4-szXjnLDXnAALg_XjG6BJ5xOR_r8palxUfbAFpGO3PR&amp;fref=mentions&amp;__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARARXgspANMQe-W_gf_nVZDNSp6ntuokNbmSAzI-WF_ZT-7vHHcjvSs7RcWALS5DnQN0_U6OZ9zw7X9y17PJqBsIi-HzHnazSjTYe7N09BM6gOKb0Bta-EnfvUTwm5NOLQN6g6tazhpd_sWXS1KK6l3U8Ce6sMl29yrD1qz5kQ0jCvLJNMgvw4fcVfjbATSciF1oUggll0YpDuffYQD-A_Dh3z_SzRfNoGRk5yCDCNERbVSztvRQKDZwZh_f7MNeONGeUYaD7BWVPF_CXVpkIObq75T_0ewRw0Z1EYulOSG3W6Xo4ZtqgtYSIiW_yUpCRn21cDyEJNvBtZjGBNY3B-K11g" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Charley Crockett</a> has a story that's difficult to imagine playing out in the 21st century - he's hoboed around the country, lost loved ones, scuffled with the law, played on the streets for a decade. And recently he endured open-heart surgery. At 35, he's lived several of our lifetimes. And the thing is, he's poured it all into his remarkable country blues, and he's finally getting the renown he deserves. It's what roots music is all about. Get ready for his 9.20 release of The Valley with this conversation, which took place hours before his Grand Ole Opry debut in the WSM Room back stage. Also in the hour, Nashville's Lillie Mae is back on the program to discuss making her second album for Third Man Records at Studio A with the super-producer Dave Cobb. It's part of a longer conversation that will get posted soon at <a href="http://WMOT.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WMOT.org</a>.

Charley Crockett plus Lillie Mae

Byron Berline

Andy Statman

Episode 92: This week's show is split between two string instrument masters who have little in common save for a lifelong commitment to nurturing traditional music while allowing it to grow and adapt to the times. Byron Berline is an Oklahoma based fiddler who's a hero in bluegrass music but who also led the way in the country rock movement out of Los Angeles for 25 years. He's recently had a setback when his famous and beloved Double Stop Fiddle Shop in Guthrie, OK burned down, with a huge loss of valuable instruments. Also in the show, Andy Statman talks about how and why he mastered the bluegrass mandolin and the Klezmer clarinet. He's released more than 30 exceptional albums, his latest being Monroe Bus, a tribute to Bill Monroe instrumentals that took on unexpected range and dimension. 

Episode 92: This week's show is split between two string instrument masters who have little in common save for a lifelong commitment to nurturing traditional music while allowing it to grow and adapt to the times. Byron Berline is an Oklahoma based fiddler who's a hero in bluegrass music but who also led the way in the country rock movement out of Los Angeles for 25 years. He's recently had a setback when his famous and beloved Double Stop Fiddle Shop in Guthrie, OK burned down, with a huge loss of valuable instruments. Also in the show, Andy Statman talks about how and why he mastered the bluegrass mandolin and the Klezmer clarinet. He's released more than 30 exceptional albums, his latest being Monroe Bus, a tribute to Bill Monroe instrumentals that took on unexpected range and dimension.

Byron Berline and Andy Statman

In this special hour, a roundtable talk with two outstanding managers from the world of roots and Americana music. Denise Stiff went from college event booking to working for agencies and through that world took on management - first of Irish singer Maura O’Connell and then Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch and Sarah Jarosz - among others - a kind of defining list of magnificent talent to emerge from bluegrass and roots. Michelle Concesion came from advertising but eventually her love of music drew her to helping artists and it seemed destiny that she’d take them on as clients and start her own firm, Nashville based Market Monkeys. She has worked with the multi-dimensional songwriter Susan Werner and Canadian folk star Rose Cousins. Her current roster includes prog-bluegrass band Della Mae, NC songwriter Sarah Siskind and English folk singer John Smith.

In this special hour, a roundtable talk with two outstanding managers from the world of roots and Americana music. Denise Stiff went from college event booking to working for agencies and through that world took on management - first of Irish singer Maura O’Connell and then Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch and Sarah Jarosz - among others - a kind of defining list of magnificent talent to emerge from bluegrass and roots. Michelle Concesion came from advertising but eventually her love of music drew her to helping artists and it seemed destiny that she’d take them on as clients and start her own firm, Nashville based Market Monkeys. She has worked with the multi-dimensional songwriter Susan Werner and Canadian folk star Rose Cousins. Her current roster includes prog-bluegrass band Della Mae, NC songwriter Sarah Siskind and English folk singer John Smith.

The Managers Episode

Chuck Mead

Courtney Hartman

Plus Courtney

The decade-plus since the conclusion of his era-shifting band BR549 have been a case study in creative evolution for Chuck Mead. He's still a stalwart of classic country music and an original songwriter, but he's found new ways to express his expertise. Most significantly has been supervising the music for the Tony Award-winning musical The Million Dollar Quartet and the CMT series Sun Records. Those deep dives into Memphis music culture led to his most recent album Close To Home, which was made at Sam Phillips Recording. Also in the hour, the fresh new direction of songwriter/guitarist Courtney Hartman. Her life after string band Della Mae has been introspective and exploratory, culminating in a 500-mile pilgrimage in Spain and a solo debut album, Ready Reckoner. 

The decade-plus since the conclusion of his era-shifting band BR549 have been a case study in creative evolution for Chuck Mead. He's still a stalwart of classic country music and an original songwriter, but he's found new ways to express his expertise. Most significantly has been supervising the music for the Tony Award-winning musical The Million Dollar Quartet and the CMT series Sun Records. Those deep dives into Memphis music culture led to his most recent album Close To Home, which was made at Sam Phillips Recording. Also in the hour, the fresh new direction of songwriter/guitarist Courtney Hartman. Her life after string band Della Mae has been introspective and exploratory, culminating in a 500-mile pilgrimage in Spain and a solo debut album, Ready Reckoner.

Chuck Mead plus Courtney Hartman

Rob Baird

Ruthie Foster

If Americana values all American roots forms and the fusion thereof, then nobody's more Americana than Austin singer/songwriter Ruthie Foster. She grew up singing in church in rural TX, developed a variety of skills in bands while serving in the US Navy, then became a folk troubadour who slips from country to soul to blues to gospel with ease. She has been one of if not the flagship artist for Austin’s excellent Blue Corn Music record label since 2002. She’s been featured on a guitar blues tour with Jorma Kaukonen and Robben Ford, and that's just one fragment of a rich collaborative life. She’s won the Blues Foundation’s Koko Taylor award for best traditional blues female singer SIX times, and she’s nominated again this year. She's also a charming person who radiates kindness. Also in the hour, Autin's Rob Baird, a funny, easy-going artist who's just released his fourth album, After All. It's an all Austin talk-fest with a ton of music.

If Americana values all American roots forms and the fusion thereof, then nobody's more Americana than Austin singer/songwriter Ruthie Foster. She grew up singing in church in rural TX, developed a variety of skills in bands while serving in the US Navy, then became a folk troubadour who slips from country to soul to blues to gospel with ease. She has been one of if not the flagship artist for Austin’s excellent Blue Corn Music record label since 2002. She’s been featured on a guitar blues tour with Jorma Kaukonen and Robben Ford, and that's just one fragment of a rich collaborative life. She’s won the Blues Foundation’s Koko Taylor award for best traditional blues female singer SIX times, and she’s nominated again this year. She's also a charming person who radiates kindness. Also in the hour, Autin's Rob Baird, a funny, easy-going artist who's just released his fourth album, After All. It's an all Austin talk-fest with a ton of music.

Ruthie Foster plus Rob Baird

Michael Cleveland

Episode 85 offers two remarkable stories from the always-dynamic world of bluegrass music. Michael Cleveland is the record-setting, 11-time winner of the IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year award. He's a traditionally grounded player who's reaching into new terrain as a 38-year-old phenomenon. He's also been blind since birth and he's overcome a lot, a story told in the new documentary Flamekeeper. Rounding out the hour, the married duo bandleaders Eric and Doni of Nefesh Mountain, a New York-based band that boldly and brilliantly fuses bluegrass and Jewish music. They sing in Hebrew and English. The melodies are beguiling and ancient-feeling. The musicianship is excellent. They talk about their four-year adventure together as the first band of their kind. 

Episode 85 offers two remarkable stories from the always-dynamic world of bluegrass music. Michael Cleveland is the record-setting, 11-time winner of the IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year award. He's a traditionally grounded player who's reaching into new terrain as a 38-year-old phenomenon. He's also been blind since birth and he's overcome a lot, a story told in the new documentary Flamekeeper. Rounding out the hour, the married duo bandleaders Eric and Doni of Nefesh Mountain, a New York-based band that boldly and brilliantly fuses bluegrass and Jewish music. They sing in Hebrew and English. The melodies are beguiling and ancient-feeling. The musicianship is excellent. They talk about their four-year adventure together as the first band of their kind.

Michael Cleveland and Nefesh Mountain

How and why this humble collection of towns hugging the Tennessee River in northern Alabama became a historic musical hot spot is an improbable, wonderful American story. But I grew interested in Muscle Shoals of today. More and more, roots and rock and roll musicians have been traveling there to record. A string of remarkable bands and songwriters, including Jason Isbell, John Paul White, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Dylan LeBlanc and The Secret Sisters, has emerged from the area in recent years. A half dozen studios are in demand and busy. It’s became clear that Muscle Shoals is no museum. It’s a scene. So the only thing to do was to go there and listen.

How and why this humble collection of towns hugging the Tennessee River in northern Alabama became a historic musical hot spot is an improbable, wonderful American story. But I grew interested in Muscle Shoals of today. More and more, roots and rock and roll musicians have been traveling there to record. A string of remarkable bands and songwriters, including Jason Isbell, John Paul White, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Dylan LeBlanc and The Secret Sisters, has emerged from the area in recent years. A half dozen studios are in demand and busy. It’s became clear that Muscle Shoals is no museum. It’s a scene. So the only thing to do was to go there and listen.

Single Lock Records and Muscle Shoals

Tulsa, OK has an important musical past but also a dynamic present built on the legacies and impact of Bob Wills, Leon Russell, J.J. Cale, Woody Guthrie and more. This special field trip edition of The String tours the exciting music scene in Tulsa with visits to Cain's Ballroom, Russell's Church Studio, currently under renovation, the Woody Guthrie Center, the Bob Dylan Archive and iconic honky tonk The Colony. We meet locals who are championing the next wave of Tulsa music, including singer/songwriter and producer Jared Tyler. See WMOT.org for photos, a playlist and more resources. 

Tulsa, OK has an important musical past but also a dynamic present built on the legacies and impact of Bob Wills, Leon Russell, J.J. Cale, Woody Guthrie and more. This special field trip edition of The String tours the exciting music scene in Tulsa with visits to Cain's Ballroom, Russell's Church Studio, currently under renovation, the Woody Guthrie Center, the Bob Dylan Archive and iconic honky tonk The Colony. We meet locals who are championing the next wave of Tulsa music, including singer/songwriter and producer Jared Tyler. See <a href="http://WMOT.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">WMOT.org</a> for photos, a playlist and more resources.

Music City Postcard: TULSA

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