Today we’re truly honored to welcome Americana music icon and trailblazer, Delbert McClinton, whose latest record Outdated Emotion debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart. Recently released on Hot Shot Records & Thirty Tigers, the 16-song collection marks a return to McClinton’s roots as he reinvents the music of his childhood heroes: Ray Charles, Hank Williams, Little Richard and more. The album offers listeners a backstage pass to some of the most significant musical moments in A...
Jun 16, 2022•54 min•Ep. 321
We’re excited to welcome multi-Grammy-nominated band Hanson. They’ve just released their highly anticipated new album, RED GREEN BLUE, and the brothers Taylor, Isaac, and Zac are with us this hour to chat about the album, which actually marks the band’s milestone 30th anniversary. It’s a unique and creative project featuring three separate albums in one, with one third of the album written and produced by each brother: Taylor’s RED, Isaac’s GREEN, and Zac’s BLUE. We’ll learn all about the inspir...
Jun 09, 2022•47 min•Ep. 320
Special guest Rebecca Wood will be joining Amy Wright in conversation to discuss her brand-new book, The Studio Mama Cookbook: A Collection of Cherished Southern Recipes, Real-Life Stories and Star-Studded Menus from the Music City. For nearly a decade, Rebecca was the chef at Zac Brown’s renowned Southern Ground Nashville studio, where she had the unique experience of preparing meals and hanging around with such notable musicians as Kacey Musgraves, Steven Tyler, Leon Bridges, Carrie Underwood,...
Jun 02, 2022•23 min•Ep. 319
Today we’re bringing you a one-on-one conversation between Amy Wright and Jonathan Russell, founding member of acclaimed Seattle-based band, The Head and the Heart. The Head And The Heart have just released their fifth studio album Every Shade of Blue on Reprise/Warner Records, followed by an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and now they’ve embarked on a North American tour with support from Jade Bird, Dawes, Shakey Graves, and Hiss Golden Messenger on select dates. In the mix of their busy sch...
May 26, 2022•48 min•Ep. 318
Our guest this hour is award-winning music journalist Marissa R. Moss. Marissa joins Amy Wright in conversation today to discuss her brand-new book, Her Country: How the Women of Country Music Became the Success They Were Never Supposed to Be, a book in which she shares the full inside story of women like Maren Morris, Mickey Guyton, and Kacey Musgraves, and how they’ve fought their way to the top of the male-dominated country music industry. Moss has written about the topic of gender inequality...
May 19, 2022•41 min•Ep. 317
Our guest this hour is Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and multi-Grammy-award-winner Timothy B. Schmit. Whether you know him from his work with the Eagles, Poco, his solo efforts, or any of his various collaborations with Steely Dan, Toto, Jimmy Buffet, and more, you’ve undoubtedly observed his charisma and fascinating presence in music over the last four decades. He’s dedicated an overwhelming amount of energy to music, and he’s not slowing down. He just released a new studio album titled Day By Da...
May 12, 2022•54 min•Ep. 316
You’ll be inspired this week by an honest conversation with punk icon and roots music veteran, John Doe. As you’re probably already aware, the Illinois native co-founded LA punk band X, a group whose impact can’t be calculated, and he’s played an important part in various other musical groups throughout the years, while also playing parts in TV and FILM, including Great Balls of Fire!, I’m Not There, Road House, Boogie Nights and more. In this conversation, John chats with Amy Wright plenty abou...
Apr 28, 2022•59 min•Ep. 315
This hour you’ll be treated to a one-on-one conversation between Amy Wright and veteran songstress Miko Marks. Marks recently released her first single off her next record, a track titled "Feel Like Going Home,” marking her first release since her 2021 standout offerings, her album Our Country and her EP, Race Records. Marks has also recently been inducted into CMT's Next Women of Country Class of 2022 and made her Ryman Auditorium debut, opening back to back nights for Tedeschi Trucks Band, com...
Apr 21, 2022•41 min•Ep. 314
Our guest this hour is veteran singer-songwriter and Americana music pioneer, Steve Forbert. This Mississippi native is considered one of America’s most perceptive songwriters. With over 20 albums to his name, and a new one on the way next month titled Moving Through America, Forbert is still going strong, maintaining a songwriting legacy like none other. From his 1978 debut album to today, Amy Wright chats with Forbert about his storied career and his creative process, highlighting key moments ...
Apr 14, 2022•52 min•Ep. 313
We’re excited to welcome Gerry Beckley, renowned co-founder of iconic rock band America, the group responsible for such classics as “Sister Golden Hair,” “Ventura Highway,” and their most famous, “A Horse with No Name.” America recently celebrated 50 years of music making and touring the world, and we wanted to catch up with Gerry to hear what’s on his mind as he reflects on the success they’ve had over the decades. Plus, he shares details relating to his new solo music and upcoming album releas...
Apr 07, 2022•45 min•Ep. 312
Amy Wright chats with acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter, Jeremie Albino, about his upcoming EP release, Past Dawn. Past Dawn was produced by Michael Trent of renowned Americana Rock band Shovels & Rope, and Jeremie is on tour now with Shovels & Rope on the east coast, so be sure to check his tour dates and get out to a show. Albino has expanded the boundaries of Americana, folk and country with his signature brand of soulful storytelling and kinetic performance. With releases like Har...
Mar 24, 2022•46 min•Ep. 311
Our guests this hour are the leaders and organizers of Luck Presents, Luck Reunion and other various outstanding music and cultural experiences, Matt Bizer and granddaughter of the late Sister Bobbie Nelson, Ellee Fletcher Durniak. Luck Presents is a very highly respected collective based in Willie Nelson’s backyard of “Luck, TX,” and these days, they offer a new kind of live music experience, which you’ll learn all about in today’s show. With Luck Reunion and other big events on the horizon, we...
Mar 17, 2022•49 min•Ep. 310
Our guest this hour is Noel Paul Stookey, better known as the “Paul” of legendary 1960s folk trio, Peter, Paul & Mary. Today, Noel chats with Amy Wright about his lifelong journey as a musician. You’ll find out where Noel grew up, how he got introduced to the Greenwich Village folk scene, how Peter, Paul, & Mary formed and even how he got the name "Paul." They also chat about his upcoming album FAZZ: Now & Then, and how the songs on the record reflect how the interpretative nature of...
Mar 10, 2022•54 min•Ep. 309
Our guest this hour is legendary funk, rock, and blues artist, Lester Chambers. Best known for his work with The Chambers Brothers in the 1960s, with hits including, "Time Has Come Today," and, "All Strung Out Over You." Amy Wright chats with Chambers today about landmark moments in his life, including being backstage at Newport Folk Festival when Bob Dylan went electric, and being greeted by The Beatles when he visited London. They also cover his recent feature in the Questlove documentary, 'Su...
Mar 03, 2022•51 min•Ep. 308
Our guest this hour is husband-and-wife Americana rock duo, The HawtThorns, an immediately loveable group whose smart twang, pop hooks, and feel-good vibes are alive like never before on their brand-new album, Tarot Cards and Shooting Stars, which is available this week via Mule Kick Records. The HawtThorns are KP and Johnny Hawthorn – both very well-respected artists and producers in their own right – KP having toured the country with Jaime Wyatt and others as a member of CALICO and co-founder ...
Feb 24, 2022•52 min•Ep. 307
Our guest this hour is country rock artist, Sarah Shook. As the leader of the widely acclaimed North Carolina-based band, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, they chat with Amy Wright about the band’s new album Nightroamer, as well as causes close to their heart, such as the Manifest Music Festival in Chapel Hill, the Safe Space initiative, and a whole lot more beyond that. We’ve been big fans of theirs for a long time now, and it’s a pleasure to welcome them to the show. Part of Pantheon Podcasts ...
Feb 17, 2022•55 min•Ep. 306
Our guest this hour is Grammy and Oscar-nominated singer-songwriter, Allison Moorer. Allison joins Amy Wright in conversation today to discuss her highly-admired music career, having recorded 10 albums of her own and written songs for many other artists, including Trisha Yearwood, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Hayes Carll, and others. They also cover Moorer’s upcoming EP Wish For You, and her new book I Dream He Talks to Me: A Memoir of Learning How to Listen, both of which were inspired by he...
Feb 10, 2022•33 min•Ep. 305
Our guest this hour is American roots music pioneer, Jesse Colin Young. From the countercultural era of the 1960s, leading The Youngbloods and making his mark with hits like “Get Together,” all the way into the 21st century with albums including Dreamers and Highway Troubadour, Jesse Colin Young has remained a wildly inspiring figure in music. Young most recently recorded a new version of the Youngbloods’ hit “Get Together” in 2021 with Steve Miller, and he’s also playing and recording new music...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 304
Our guests this hour are Page Burkum and Jack Torrey a.k.a. The Cactus Blossoms, easily one of the most listenable bands we’ve had the pleasure of discovering in recent years. Today, Page and Jack chat with Amy Wright about the making of their upcoming studio album, One Day, which is set to release on February 11th via their own label Walkie Talkie Records. They also talk about their early years and formation as a band, what it was like to be featured on the hit TV show, David Lynch’s Twin Peaks...
Jan 27, 2022•39 min•Ep. 303
Our guest this hour is Andy Falco, longtime member of Grammy and IBMA award-winning progressive bluegrass band Infamous Stringdusters. In the next hour, you’ll get to hear from Andy and Amy Wright as they discuss the nuances of bluegrass music, the Stringdusters’ formation and background, the band’s current Grammy nomination for its work on the album A Tribute to Bill Monroe, the upcoming release of its new studio album Toward the Fray, and a whole lot more. Part of Pantheon Podcasts Learn more ...
Jan 20, 2022•44 min•Ep. 302
Atlanta native Russell Carter is our guest this hour. He’s joining Amy Wright to discuss his exciting career, which began in entertainment law, representing bands like R.E.M. and Widespread Panic and led to the establishment of his own management company, working with artists including Shawn Mullins and Indigo Girls. Carter is also to thank for the Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival in Alpharetta, GA, and the 30A Songwriters Festival in South Walton, Florida, a premier festival with past perfo...
Jan 13, 2022•53 min•Ep. 301
Community is the key word for today’s show. We had the honor of catching up with Mike, Dave, and Michael of Greensky Bluegrass, a bluegrass-fueled band that’s created a unique community of its own that’s been absolutely thriving for the last two decades. Amy Wright connected with the guys on video call to learn about how Greensky initially got together and built its fanbase, how the band decided which songs to include in its upcoming album Stress Dreams, how Covid-19 forced them to take a break ...
Jan 10, 2022•51 min•Ep. 300
Our guest today is Barry Waldrep, an acclaimed Bluegrass, Americana, and Jam Band artist, bandleader, and record producer who's just released a new tribute album, Barry Waldrep and Friends Celebrate Tony Rice, which features a long list of luminaries, including Larry Campbell, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Kim Richey, Emmylou Harris, Warren Haynes, and many more. Truly an all-star cast of players. In this conversation, Barry and Amy Wright dig into the making of the record, how Tony Rice’s music f...
Jan 06, 2022•35 min•Ep. 299
We're really excited to share a conversation that Amy Wright recently had with sisters Eleanor and Bonnie Whitmore, two highly accomplished singer-songwriters who are releasing their first album together as The Whitmore Sisters. Titled Ghost Stories, the album is inspired by the loss of family, friends, ex-boyfriends and, on the title track, people who have died by police violence. These “ghosts” chose to appear right as Covid became entrenched, when live music evaporated and people were isolate...
Jan 03, 2022•35 min•Ep. 298
We're excited to share a conversation that Amy Wright recently had with acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter, Cedaredge, CO’s own, David Starr. Unable to tour his 2020, John Oates-produced album, Beauty & Ruin, Starr decided to record a set of cover songs that have inspired him over the years. Starting in November 2020 with a cover of “Every Kind of People” (by Robert Palmer), Starr consistently released one single a month ending with the crown jewel of the project - “One” by U2. Starr then...
Dec 30, 2021•43 min•Ep. 297
We're excited to share a recent conversation that Amy Wright had over video call with Oklahoma native Jason Boland, who along with his band The Stragglers recently released their UFO-inspired, and Shooter Jennings-produced concept album The Light Saw Me. In today’s talk, we dig into the origins of Red Dirt music, the state of pop music today, and of course the writing of The Light Saw Me. This incredibly insightful conversation shines a light on Bob Childers and the growth of the Stillwater musi...
Dec 27, 2021•34 min•Ep. 296
Our guest today is singer/songwriter Chris Roberts. Chris is a man who is most alive when he’s creating and expressing himself through music and art, art which includes hat making, a craft he’s quite good at, and that he shares with other artists, cowboys and celebrities alike. In today’s conversation, Amy Wright and Chris discuss everything from the writing and recording of Chris’s new EPs during the pandemic, to playing baseball growing up, and his hat shop Aspen Hatter, featuring hats made in...
Dec 23, 2021•35 min•Ep. 295
Welcome to Insights, everyone. Our guest today is Kansas City native Samantha Fish, the magnetic and original blues-rock and Americana artist behind the new studio album, Faster, which is available now via Rounder Records. If you know Samantha, you know she has a great sense of fashion and great musical taste, and she loves performing, especially her new songs. She recorded the new album, on which she channels her blues heroes but always gives it a unique spin, at The Village Studios in LA, a re...
Dec 20, 2021•40 min•Ep. 294
Welcome to Insights, everyone. Today, we’re excited to share a recent conversation between Amy Wright and acclaimed Nashville-based Americana rock artist, Andrew Leahey. In today’s talk, they dig into Andrew’s musical journey, which started when he was just a little a kid, and they work their way up the present where Andrew stays very, very busy, touring as a hired gun for artists like Elizabeth Cook, leading his own band, Andrew Leahey and the Homestead, who just released a new album titled Ame...
Dec 16, 2021•49 min•Ep. 293
Welcome to Insights, everyone. Today, our guest is one of the most acclaimed female country artists of our time, West Virginia native and multi-Grammy award-winner, Kathy Mattea. When chatting with an artist of Kathy’s caliber and who’s been at it as long as she has (the early 80s to be exact), there’s obviously so much ground to cover and so many roads to go down. Today, what we focus on mainly is her new role as host of NPR Music and West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Stage show. Kat...
Dec 13, 2021•33 min•Ep. 292
