In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen heads into the heart of Red Dirt country with none other than Evan Felker, frontman of the Turnpike Troubadours and one of the most compelling songwriters in modern Americana. From the dusty backroads of Oklahoma to the national stage, Felker has built a legacy rooted in grit, grace, and lyrical honesty. His songs, shaped by weathered landscapes and worn-in truths, echo the spirit of legends like Woody Guthrie and Townes...
Jul 29, 2025•52 min•Ep. 45
In this special episode of Americana Podcast, host Robert Earl Keen takes listeners on a journey from the heart of Nashville to the sun-soaked streets of Los Angeles, exploring the rich history and evolving future of Americana and Country music. His guest is Shooter Jennings, an outlaw by birth and a tastemaker by trade, who has carved out a unique role in shaping the genre's direction. As the son of country legend Waylon Jennings and a producer for artists like Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile, and...
Jun 30, 2025•55 min•Ep. 44
In this special episode, Americana Podcast steps beyond music to examine another vital thread of American culture: fashion. Host Robert Earl Keen sits down with Roger and Jackie Chieffalo, founders of Chieffalo Americana , a Fort Worth-based western outfitter reimagining classic style for the modern age. Together, they explore: The origins of Chieffalo Americana and how a shared love of tailoring sparked a creative partnership How fashion, like music, plays a key role in expressing cultural iden...
May 27, 2025•48 min•Ep. 43
Americana Podcast explores the artists and ideas shaping American roots music, focusing this episode on the genre-defying Steve Poltz. Poltz is celebrated for his originality, blending tradition with unpredictability in a career that spans decades. Born in Nova Scotia and raised in Southern California, he first gained widespread attention as the co-writer of Jewel’s hit You Were Meant for Me . However, his true impact lies in his continual reinvention and subversion of Americana norms. His work ...
Apr 29, 2025•52 min•Ep. 42
As Robert Earl Keen & team look forward to more touring, a new record, and a new season of the Americana Podcast, join us as we take a moment to look back, in order to look forward for what’s to come. This episode contains the previous season’s best-of moments from the 51st State. Hear conversation clips from bluegrass genre-bender Billy Strings (01:41), American Aquarium's BJ Barham (08:56), modern day troubadour Brent Cobb (14:45), REK’s good friend and touring pal Elizabeth Cook (18:23), ...
Mar 25, 2025•49 min•Ep. 41
Hello and welcome Americana Podcast listeners to a very special and celebratory episode. Long time listeners and new friends, we are so excited to share with you that as of April 29, 2024- we are celebrating the 5th Anniversary of this show. It has been such an honor to have been documenting the story of Americana through the artist’s lens. And we’ve heard some incredible stories, from Billy Strings to Lori McKenna, to Shinyribs and most recently Hiss Golden Messenger. From the young blood of Ja...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 40
Hello and welcome to a new episode and a new year Americana Podcast listeners. We’re so happy to be back and we have a very exciting episode for you today to celebrate the new year. I’m particularly excited for this show because it really brings us to a full circle moment in the history of this podcast. From long-time audience members to latest episode listeners, you know that every episode features a break in programming to feature the wonderfully written recommendations from our friend and con...
Jan 16, 2024•59 min•Ep. 39
Like what you hear? Feel free to support the Show! https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcast We have a very special guest in this episode. Today, we're diving into the rich tapestry of the extraordinary songwriter, Gretchen Peters. Growing up next to the legendary Greenwich Village folk scene, before moving to Colorado where she cut her teeth as a performer, and finally settling in Nashville at the height of the traditional country to pop country split in the 90’s and early aughts. Peters’ story is...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 38
It's time to break out the party hats and pop the champagne because the Americana Podcast is celebrating its 4th anniversary! For the past four years, this podcast has been a leading voice in the Americana music scene, sharing interviews, stories, and music from some of the genre's most talented artists. And in our tireless efforts to promote and celebrate the diverse range of sounds and styles, we’ve made plenty of memories and laughter along the way. We’ve strived to provide insights into the ...
May 01, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 37
It seems we’re back in that strange space in time where there are days that can 70 degrees and sunny and beautiful. The birds are singing and the blossoms on trees are beginning to light up the branches like a holy and natural Christmas lights… and then the next day we’re right back into the holds of a winter that every year seems to overstay its welcome. You get a taste of that warmth in your bones, and it’s just enough to whet your appetite for all the things that feel so far away… long walks ...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 36
It’s a new year Americana Podcast listeners! And with a new year, means new discussions on what makes Americana… well Americana. When we look at this genre, we talk a lot its history and its future. And over time we’ve been able to piece together this ongoing timeline and certain elements that are key to its existence. Base influences in songwriting, certain instrumentation, and geography. If you’ve been a long-time listener, you know that many of our previous guests have attributed a great deal...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 35
Many would know Vince Herman as the guitarist and primary lead vocalist and songwriter of the renowned jam band, Leftover Salmon. Herman has been playing professionally since the late 80’s and, Leftover Salmon aside, also formed and played in ever-evolving project group Great American Taxi. Between the two bands, Herman has recorded over 10 albums and has toured the world over, whilst simultaneously developing his festival guru persona. Sometime in 2021, Vince Herman moved from Colorado to Nashv...
Nov 22, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 34
Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin but raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, Paul Thorn has had quite the roundabout career. Son of a Pentecostal preacher, Thorn wasn't allowed to indulge in music outside of the church, but honed his skills early on within its walls. Thorn worked as everything from a professional boxer to a furniture manufacturer before being discovered by famed manager Miles Copeland. In 1997, Thorn released his first record Hammer and Nail and has been on the road ever since. Paul Thorn's st...
Oct 19, 2022•53 min•Ep. 33
There are four types of discourse in language- descriptive, narrative, expository and argumentative. And it seems that all four of those are readily present in any niche interest group on the internet these days. Anything from the way a machine works (descriptive), the exact timeline of Tolkien's world building (narrative), someone breaking down the latest universe development in a comic-book based film (expository), and argumentative which that one goes without example. If you need one, go to t...
Aug 04, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 32
If it’s one thing that we love here at americana podcast, it is the concept of the artistic process. We’re not alone in this, it seems that when anyone speaks about artists, musical, visual, conceptual- you name it- one of the first things people will go into or ask about, is how a piece of art came to exist. We’ve been doing it for three years on this show. And even when you ask an artist “how did you do this?” There’s no guarantee you’re going to get a straight answer. If anything, in the inte...
Apr 11, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 31
Over the course of nearly three years, we at Americana podcast have spoken with a wonderful collective of artists and industry professionals alike about the workings in and of this ever expanding umbrella of music we lovingly refer to as Americana music. Parts of that discussion have at times touched on its history- but we have never really broached the subject of its early days and what that entailed. And who exactly was there at the beginning. With that in mind, we’ve decided to shake it up a ...
Jan 25, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 30
This show is going to be a little different from our usual programming. As I’m sure you’ve noticed- we’ve taken a little bit of a break over the last few months as we’ve taken the time to regroup, and reconstruct etc. As we move forward, it is important to us to reiterate that we are still very much dedicated as a platform to the expansion and definition of Americana Music through conversations with those working within its spectrum. This show has come a very long way from its initial launch. Fr...
Dec 12, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 29
We’ve all heard the common phrase “a master of none” in reference to an individual who is seemingly versatile, flexible, and knowledgeable in their pursuits. Regardless of what they are. We’re not surprised when an artist is an avid reader nor are we shocked when a mathematician takes an interest in subjects like music. The term “master of none” alone, suggests that having multiple interests and being good at them is part of the deal. In today’s vernacular a “master of none” is good at most thin...
Jul 03, 2021•58 min•Ep. 28
It’s happened to all of us. we’re chatting with another person, getting to know each other and then the question “What kind of music do you like” comes up.. At which point many of us are better off reading a thesaurus outloud trying to describe it as we do our best impression of that scene in High Fidelity where Dick is describing the enigmatic Mardie de Salle to Rob “She's kind of Sheryl Crow-ish crossed with a post-Partridge Family pre-L.A. Law Susan Dey kind of thing”... As a non-artist it’s ...
Jun 09, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 27
Hailing from Americus Georgia, Brent Cobb got his start with his first record “No Place to Leave” in 2006, a roots meets red hot chilli peppers- esque album produced by his cousin Dave Cobb. After “no place to leave”, Brent returned to Georgia but moved to Nashville shortly after with the encouragement of singer Luke Bryan- where Cobb then joined carnival music publishing as a regular songwriter. Since then Cobb has written songs for artists such as kenny chesney, miranda lambert, luke bryan, an...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 26
Okay y'all… We need to talk about something. at first we only heard about it in whispers or read it in citations or saw the occasional New Yorker comic about it. But now’s it’s been going on for a bit and we can’t ignore the elephant in the room any longer.. Bluegrass music is considered cool now. I know. I'd like to say i’m surprised, but I’m really not. Bluegrass music has a rich and vibrant history, dating back to the early 20th century. It is a genre that encapsulates regional identity, crea...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 25
John Craigie began his career like many artists of the early 2000’s- playing in coffee shops up and down the coast of California with the occasional intrastate appearances in other coffee shops. during this time, Craigie honed his craft as a songwriter but also took the time to develop a real stage experience. looking to artists he admired such as Todd snider and Arlo Guthrie- John Craigie adopted storytelling as a regular interlude in his set (a facet of performance which remains to this day). ...
Feb 14, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 24
Storytelling is as old as communal language itself and songwriters are an extension of the great tradition of sharing experience through words... And Americana music is as loyal to that part of our history as it is dedicated to continuing to share those experiences between artists and listeners. Possibly one of the most talented of those writers working now is Todd Snider. Originally born in Portland, Oregon snider hopped around from place to place at a young age before finally landing in Austin...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 23
Waylon Payne's road to country music stardom seemed to be paved with gold. Son of songwriting legend Sammi Smith, guitar player Jodi Payne, and godson to Waylon Jennings.. The pedigree was there and it didn't take long to see that Waylon Payne's way with words and musical ability were also flourishing.. But sometimes life takes us on different paths and we find that our story becomes one fo redemption. Waylon has battled a plethora of his own demons but has regained clarity and has becomeone of ...
Nov 03, 2020•55 min•Ep. 22
Originally from Funkstown, Maryland- Josh is a singer-songwriter now based in Kentucky. He’s toured with the contemporary greats including Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, Shooter Jennings, and Todd Snider- and has written hit songs for artists including Cody Jinks and Hayes Carll and is just an overall song-smithing son of a gun. Morningstar only has one album out currently - but it’s the kind of record where its content surpasses sophomore slumps. The manner in which Morningstar interweaves homegr...
Oct 03, 2020•49 min•Ep. 21
Grammy-winning Lori Mckenna was born, raised in, and remains in Stoughton Massachusetts. If you’re unfamiliar with her solo career I would personally bet that you’re still familiar with her songwriting. Having penned and/or co-penned songs like Faith Hill’s “Stealing Kisses”, Little Big Town’s Girl Crush, and Tim McGraw’s “Humble & Kind”. Her work has not only rooted itself in every class of Nashville but it has also taken a stronghold hold of her listener’s. McKenna’s songwriting usually de...
Sep 01, 2020•57 min•Ep. 20
Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan have been writing and working together as the Milk Carton Kids since 2011. In that time they have released five records, been included in various small and big screen enterprises and, as of 2018, are the acting hosts of the Americana Music Awards. This colorful history can most likely be particularly attributed to two aspects of their work together: there mellifluous discography (detailed instrumentation and harmonic vocals), and their rapid-fire chemistry. Patte...
Jun 29, 2020•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 19
In the summer of 2018, we said "We need to talk about Americana music". At the time it felt that there was an apparent disconnect in not only the discussion around the genre but in the would-be community as well. Industry workers and audiences were leading the conversation, but there appeared to be a disturbing absence of input from the most important individuals in American-roots-based music… The artists themselves. On April 30th, 2019, after a year of writing, recording, and refining- American...
Apr 30, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 18
"Sentimental music has a great way of taking you back somewhere at the same time it takes you forward, so you feel nostalgic and hopeful at the same time."- Nick Hornby Robert Earl Keen speaks live from Railbird Music Festival with Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz of Mandolin Orange about developing a setlist from a large catalog, building a community, and the future of Americana music. Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network . Make sure to follow along on Fa...
Mar 27, 2020•50 min•Ep. 17
Drew Holcomb, originally from Memphis and currently residing in Nashville, TN, formed his band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors in 2006 and was an early adopter of the term "Americana". Holcomb's discography is impressive, extending as far back as 2005, and has a nearly consistent output of a 2-year album cycle. His most recent record, Dragons , was released in August of 2019. Holcomb's musical identity is far from the acoustic singer-songwriter. His adoption of big percussion lead sound, rich pro...
Feb 19, 2020•42 min•Ep. 16
