We met Steve Poltz in Nashville on July 4th, 2017 when he happened to walk into a local club where we were holding one of our free speech in music nights. He wasn’t on the bill, but about two minutes into his visit, he committed to performing. That spontaneity and commitment show up big time on his just-released album “Shine…
Category: Podcast
Americana One #32 Michael McDermott embraces his “Orphans”
In this week’s Americana One podcast, Michael McDermott talks about his rich career, his personal struggles and his new “Orphans” album, an engaging collection of songs that didn’t quite fit elsewhere.
The Strategic Songwriting of Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle knows how to pace himself. In a wide-ranging conversation at the 30A Songwriters Festival, Justin told us how he writes a new album: 12 songs written over the span of a year and astonishingly, in the exact order they show up on the finished collection. In this excerpt, he talks about how it all comes together. The…
Michael McDermott on writing the truth
We visited with Michael McDermott about his new collection “Orphans” at the 30A Songwriters Festival, but also spoke about his truthful songwriting and his penchant for performing the National Anthem. Here’s an excerpt: The full interview will be available soon on the Americana Music News Podcast (find it on iTunes) and broadcast on WMOT Roots Radio.
Steve Poltz at the 30A Songwriters Festival
Steve Poltz has something that most of the artists at the 30A Songwriters Festival can only dream of – an honest to goodness hit song. But his “You Were Meant For Me,” co-written and recorded by Jewel in the mid-’90s, was actually a bit of an impediment as Poltz tried to develop his own solo career. In this interview excerpt…
Aaron Lee Tasjan, New York Doll
We all know of Aaron Lee Tasjan’s success as an Americana music artist fresh off his success with “Karma for Cheap” and “Silver Tears,” but few know that he played guitar with the legendary New York Dolls. We caught up with Aaron Lee at the 30A Songwriters Festival to talk about his music and career, but couldn’t resist asking about…
Clare Dunn’s surprising path to success
Clare Dunn is a country artist and songwriter with a bright future and we spent some time with her at the 30A Songwriters Festival. We
Our Favorite Podcasts of 2018
It’s been a fun and rewarding year on the Americana Music News Podcast, featuring visits with some of the most vibrant artists in the field. Here are the five we’ll remember particularly fondly: Tony Joe White – We were honored to speak with Tony Joe White about his new album Bad Mouthin’ at the Americana Music Festival. Sadly, he passed…
Show 30: Kathy Mattea and her “Pretty Bird”
t’s been too long since a new Kathy Mattea album, but that’s been remedied with the release of “Pretty Bird,” a vibrant collection that includes outstanding versions of Mary Gauthier’s “Mercy Now” and Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe.”
Show 29 The Accidentals and Vanessa Peters
Today’s episode of the Americana Music News Podcast features the Accidentals, a talented young trio that floored us with their dynamic performances at this year’s Americana Music Festival and WMOT showcase. And just in time for election day, we offer Vanessa Peters’ “Carnival Barker,’ a pointed and powerful song from her striking new album “Foxhole Prayers.”
Show #28 Will Hoge’s “My American Dream”
At a time of intense polarization, surprisingly few artists have used their music to reflect their political beliefs. Will Hoge is the laudable exception to that, as evidenced by his compelling new collection of socially conscious songs.
Show 26: Tony Joe White’s “Bad Mouthin'”
Tony Joe White’s “Bad Mouthin'” is indeed a return to his roots. It’s stripped down and simple, distilling Tony Joe’s music to its essence. The title cut is also vintage, a long lost song from the very beginning of his songwriting efforts.
Podcast 25 Band of Heathens’ “Message from the People Revisited”
The Band of Heathens release “A Message from the People Revisited,” a breath of fresh air at a cynical time.
Podcast 24 Stephen Kellogg and Ruby Boots
It’s a double feature today featuring two talented artists that need to be known by a lot more people. First up is Stephen Kellogg, who’s just wrapping up the recording of a new album in Nashville, and then Ruby Boots, an Australian artist set to tour Great Britain in September behind her striking 2018 album “Don’t Talk About It.”
Bonus Podcast: Bruce Channel’s Classic “Hey Baby”
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the writing of the rock ‘n’ roll classic “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel (who recorded it) and Margaret Cobb. Earlier this year, we had the chance to visit with Bruce on board Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise and we heard the full story of the 1962 hit record, Delbert’s role and the song’s connection to the Beatles. It’s an entertaining tale from a true rock ‘n’ roll pioneer.
Podcast 22 The War and Treaty, plus Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets
There are fresh voices galore on this episode of Americana Music News. First, we’ll hear from the much-heralded duo War and Treaty, followed by a First Person segment featuring the Madison, Wisconsin-based trio Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets.
Podcast 21 The Milk Carton Kids and Seth Timbs
In this episode of the Americana Music News Podcast, The Milk Carton Kids – Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale – talk about the duo’s career, the mixed blessing of being compared to Simon and Garfunkel and their rich new album “All the Things That I Did and All the Things That I Didn’t Do.”
Podcast 17 “Outlaws and Armadillos” at the Country Music Hall of Fame
The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville has just opened “Outlaws and Armadillos,” a fascinating exploration of the fresh new music coming out of Austin and Nashville in the 1970s, courtesy of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Steve Young, Marshall Chapman, Doug Sahm and many more.
Podcast 16: Kim Richey in “Edgeland”
We first spotted Kim Richey in 1997 at the Exit/Inn in Nashville playing songs from her then-new album “Bitter Sweet.” 21 years on, we still marvel at the depth of her songwriting talent. We sat down with Kim recently to talk about her striking new release “Edgeland.”
Podcast 14 Marcia Ball continues to “Shine Bright”
Marcia Ball, the official 2018 Texas State Musician of the Year, has a just-released album called “Shine Bright,” her 12th. We caught up with her on board Delbert McClinton’s “Sandy Beaches Cruise” earlier this year. She talks about the new album and her colorful career on Episode 11 of the Americana Music News Podcast.