Category: Podcast

Americana One #33 Steve Poltz Shines On

 in Americana Music, Interviews, Nashville music, New releases, Podcast
Steve Poltz

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 On” on Compass Records. We had the chance to visit with Steve a few weeks ago at the 30A Songwriters Festival. Among the topics: our shared respect for his producer Will Kimbrough and a night two decades ago when he opened for Lisa Loeb in Nashville.

This week’s show:

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Americana One #32 Michael McDermott embraces his “Orphans”

 in Americana Music, Interviews, New releases, Podcast, WMOT Roots Radio
Michael McDermott
Michael McDermott at the 30A Songwriters Festival

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.

Americana One is a weekly radio show on the 100,000-watt WMOT Roots Radio station heard throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee and streamed to a national audience via the Roots Radio App. The show is also a podcast available on iTunes, Google Play and all the leading podcast providers. Subscribe now.

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The Strategic Songwriting of Justin Townes Earle

 in Festivals, Interviews, Podcast, Songwriters, WMOT Roots Radio
Justin Townes Earle at the 30A Music Festival

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.

Justin Townes Earle on Strategic Songwriting

The full interview will be available soon on the Americana Music News Podcast (find it on iTunes) and broadcast on WMOT Roots Radio.

Michael McDermott on writing the truth

 in Interviews, Podcast, Songwriters, WMOT Roots Radio
Michael McDermott at the 30A Songwriters Festival

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:

Michael McDermott


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

 in Festivals, Interviews, Nashville music, Podcast, Songwriters
Steve Poltz
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 with Americana Music News, Poltz explains how all of that changed when he moved to Nashville. His new album “Shine On,” produced by Will Kimbrough, is due March 1.

Stee Poltz talks about his breakthough hit

The full interview will be available soon on the Americana Music News Podcast (find it on iTunes) and broadcast on WMOT Roots Radio.

Aaron Lee Tasjan, New York Doll

 in Festivals, Interviews, Podcast, Songwriters
Aaron Lee Tasjan at the 30A Songwriters Festival

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 this unique chapter.

Aaron Lee Tasjan explains how he became a New York Doll.

The full interview will be available soon on the Americana Music News Podcast (find it on iTunes) and broadcast on WMOT Roots Radio.

Clare Dunn’s surprising path to success

 in Interviews, Podcast, Songwriters, WMOT Roots Radio
Clare Dunn at the 30A Songwriters Festival

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 took for granted that like so many young singer-songwriters her path began playing acoustic guitar in her bedroom and singing for high school friends, but she quickly set us straight:

Clare Dunn at the 30A Music Festival

Clare Dunn may have had a late start, but you wouldn’t know it from her performances. Here she tackles Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love.”

Our Favorite Podcasts of 2018

 in Americana Music, Podcast

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 away weeks later. A great artist.

Kathy Mattea – We talked with Kathy Mattea at WMOT’s Americana Music Festival stage event in September about her new album Pretty Bird and her work to regain use of her singing voice.

Will Hoge – We also connected with Will Hoge at the WMOT event. His My American Dream is a powerful and passionate statement about today’s world.

Raul Malo – We kicked off the year with this entertaining conversation with Raul Malo of the Mavericks on the Sandy Beaches Cruise.

Mary Gauthier – Rifles and Rosary Beads features songs written by Mary Gauthier with veterans and their families, Moving and illuminating.

 

 

Show 30: Kathy Mattea and her “Pretty Bird”

 in Americana Music, Nashville music, New releases, Podcast, WMOT Roots Radio

Kathy MatteaAmericana Music News – It’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.”

On this edition of the Americana Music Podcast, Kathy Mattea talks about the path to her new album and the vocal challenges she had to overcome to make it.

You can now  subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and Stitcher.

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Show 29 The Accidentals and Vanessa Peters

 in Americana Music, Americana Music Festival, New releases, Podcast, WMOT Roots Radio

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.”

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Show #28 Will Hoge’s “My American Dream”

 in Americana Music, Nashville music, New releases, Podcast

Will HogeBy Ken Paulson

Two great ways to celebrate democracy:

1. Vote on Nov. 6.

2. Buy 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. It’s no surprise; his earlier Modern American Protest Music was similarly striking.

This week’s edition of the Americana Music News Podcast features a conversation with Will about his music and the state of the Union.

 

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Show 26: Tony Joe White’s “Bad Mouthin'”

 in Americana Music, Americana Music Festival, Podcast

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe White discusses his new album at BMI in Nashville.

We were a little puzzled when we heard some describe Tony Joe White’s new release as a “blues album.” What Tony Joe White record isn’t a blues album?

Since emerging in 1969 by recording “Polk Salad Annie” and writing the brilliant “Rainy Night in Georgia,” a hit in the hands of Brook Benton in 1970. White has turned out decades of soulful and bluesy recordings, all stamped with his signature sound.

Yet “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.

Tony Joe White explains how it all came about in this edition of the Americana Music News podcast.

 

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Podcast 25 Band of Heathens’ “Message from the People Revisited”

 in Americana Music, Podcast, Reviews

By Ken Paulson

Ray Charles Band of HeathensBand of Heathens Ray CharlesSeven months ago, we posted this podcast featuring Gordy Quist of the Band of Heathens talking about the band re-recording in its entirety Ray Charles’ 1972 album “A Message for the People.” Gordy was excited about it, but it was one of those projects that we figured might never see the light of day.

After all, the album is little-known today and wouldn’t loom as a likely release from a vibrant Americana band in 2018.

Until now. This month the Band of Heathens will in fact release “A Message from the People Revisited.” And it’s very good.

In 1972, America was badly divided over the Vietnam War and there were the first stirrings of Watergate. Charles’ album compiled songs of patriotism, faith and social awareness, including “America the Beautiful” and covers of John Denver’s “Country Roads” and the Stevie Wonder hit “Heaven Help Us All.”

The Band of Heathens treat the material respectfully and thoughtfully, though they can’t help camping up Melanie’s “Look What They Done to My Song, Ma.”

The entire album is well done,  a breath of fresh air at a cynical time.

 

 

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Podcast 24 Stephen Kellogg and Ruby Boots

 in Americana Music, New releases, Podcast

Stephen KelloggIt’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.” We caught up with both at the Folk Alliance International Conference.

 

Please subscribe to the Americana Music News Podcast on iTunes.

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Bonus Podcast: Bruce Channel’s Classic “Hey Baby”

 in Music Cruise News, Podcast

Bruce ChannelNext 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.
Please subscribe to the Americana Music News Podcast on iTunes .

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Podcast 22 The War and Treaty, plus Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets

 in Americana Music, New releases, Podcast

War and TreatyThere are fresh voices galore on this episode of Americana Music News. First, we’ll hear from the much-heralded duo The War and Treaty, followed by a First Person segment featuring the Madison, Wisconsin-based trio Gin, Chocolate and Bottle Rockets.

About  Americana Music News: We’re in our eighth year covering Americana, roots, country and folk music from our base in Nashville. Please subscribe to the  Americana Music News podcast, available free of charge through all the leading podcast providers, including iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play Music.  And  please join our 24,000 Twitter followers to continue the conversation.

 

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Podcast 21 The Milk Carton Kids and Seth Timbs

 in Americana Music, Nashville music, New releases, Podcast

Milk Carton KidsWe caught up with the Milk Carton Kids minutes after they hosted this year’s announcement of the Americana Music Association’s 2018 nominees at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In this episode of the Americana Music News Podcast,  Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale talk about their shared 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.”

Seth TimbsIn “First Person,” we hear from Seth Timbs, the talented Nashville singer-songwriter, about his engaging new album “Record and Pause.”

About  Americana Music News: We’re in our eighth year covering Americana, roots, country and folk music from our base in Nashville. We’ve just launched a new Americana Music News podcast, available free of charge through all the leading podcast providers, including iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play Music.  And  please join our 24,000 Twitter followers to continue the conversation.

 

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Podcast 17 “Outlaws and Armadillos” at the Country Music Hall of Fame

 in Americana Music, Nashville music, Podcast, Songwriters

Outlaws and ArmadillosThe 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.

We had the opportunity to talk with Michael Gray of the Country Music Hall of Fame, who curated “Outlaws and Armadillos” with Peter Cooper. He offers his insights into the music and the era.

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Podcast 16: Kim Richey in “Edgeland”

 in Americana Music, Podcast, Songwriters

Kim Richey Edgeland

We first spotted Kim Richey in 1997 at the Exit/Inn 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.”

About  Americana Music News: We’re in our seventh year covering Americana, roots, country and folk music from our base in Nashville. We’ve just launched a new Americana Music News podcast, available free of charge through all the leading podcast providers, including iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play Music.  And  please join our 23,000 Twitter followers to continue the conversation.

 

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Podcast 14 Marcia Ball continues to “Shine Bright”

 in Music Cruise News, New releases, Podcast

 

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.

About  Americana Music News: We’re in our seventh year covering Americana, roots, country and folk music from our base in Nashville. We’ve just launched a new Americana Music News podcast, available free of charge through all the leading podcast providers, including iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play Music.  And  please join our 23,000 Twitter followers to continue the conversation.

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