Send us Fan Mail On Episode 167, I'm joined by Ricky Young of Americana rock band The Wild Feathers, who in late November, released Medium Rarities , a collection of covers, b-sides, and new songs from the band's first decade. During this one, Young and I talk about the makeup of Medium Rarities and how it's a nice reflection of what the band's first decade sounds like, how they've embraced newer territory with each studio album, co-writing and creating this past year, working on new material, a...
Mar 09, 2021•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 167
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 166, I'm joined by Texas Gulf & Western singer-songwriter Charley Crockett. On this one, we talk about his latest album, the honky-tonk classic, 10 For Slim: Charley Crockett Sings James Hand , which was released this past Friday (February 26). During this interview, Crockett talks about the late great Texas honky tonker James Hand, and why it was paramount that he cut an album of Hand-written tunes. We also touch on his previous album Welcome to Hard Times , embr...
Mar 05, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Season 6Ep. 166
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 165, I'm joined by Nathan Mongol Wells and Joshua Ray Walker of country garage rock outfit Ottoman Turks. The Dallas-based country punkers are releasing their sophomore album, the aptly titled Ottoman Turks II , this Friday, March 05. On their latest, they continue exploring the intersection at which honky-tonk country and dive bar punk collide. Songs like "35 to Life" are uniquely Texan as they explore the vengeful JFK plot with darkened overtones and piercing guitar...
Mar 01, 2021•2 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 165
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 164, I'm joined by Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs of The Local Honeys. Earlier this month, the Kentucky old-time duo released a pair of new songs--"Dying to Make a Living" and "Octavia Triangle"--that are drenched in history and lore while maintaining a level of relevancy for these modern times. There's a timelessness that resonates throughout the tragic, heartbreaking stories. During this interview, we talk about the stories behind the songs, why they're drawn ...
Feb 25, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 164
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 163, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Simon Flory. The Fort Worth-based Flory is releasing his latest album, Haul These Blues Away . Built around Flory's gift for country narrative, short story character sketches, and Flory's rural vernacular, Haul These Blues Away is an unassuming charmer--unassuming only because Flory's more interested in harkening back to those old school country stories and ramblers and less so in the idea of that brand as a form of nostalgia. Song...
Feb 22, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Season 6Ep. 163
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 162, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson. Wilson is releasing Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' this Friday, February 19. During this episode, we talk about recording this album with Jay Joyce, writing with the likes of Luke Dick and Lori McKenna, finding her voice as an artist and songwriter while continually growing as a storyteller and co-writer, the stories behind songs like "Sunday Best" and "Things A Man Oughta Know," and the process of shaping the feel and moo...
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 162
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 161, I'm joined by Soul Country singer-songwriter Tiera. The young country riser is releasing her debut EP in mid-March and stops by to talk about readying the project, finding her voice as a storyteller, vocalist, and artist, collaborating in Nashville, songwriting on Zoom, Taylor Swift, the current times in country music, and how country legends like Shania Twain and contemporaries like Carly Pearce and Kelsea Ballerini. This episode's presenting partner is Desert D...
Feb 11, 2021•54 min•Season 6Ep. 161
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 160, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Jillette Johnson. At week's end (Friday, Feb. 12), Johnson will be releasing her forthcoming album, the gleaming It's a Beautiful Day & I Love You . On this new album, Johnson works in a bright and sunny sonic palette into the mix. While she never ventures too far from her piano-laden work, punches of sharp guitar, light '70s pop-inspired harmonies, and upbeat melodies find the now Nashville-based Johnson delivering some of her...
Feb 08, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 160
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 159, I drive up to Turkey, Texas, and record a super-casual and relaxed conversation with Lubbock songwriters Brandon Adams, Daniel Markham, Dave Martinez, and Charlie Stout. During this conversation, we hear road stories, bad gigs, poor paying jobs, Lubbock music and landmarks, West Texas, and forming a band. This episode's presenting partner is Desert Door Texas Sotol . In addition, this episode is sponsored by The Blue Light Live and Hot Damn Coffee . New Slang Pat...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 6Ep. 159
Send us Fan Mail We kicked off the month of February being joined by singer-songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan. Tasjan is releasing his excellent new album Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan! this coming Friday (February 5). The East Nashville songwriter continues to explore the cosmic folk and space rock realms on the self-titled collection with songs like the infectious glam-pop anthem "Up All Night," the Elliott Smith channeling "Another Lonely Day," the swaggering shimmer of "Don't Overthink It," and the Beatl...
Feb 01, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 6Ep. 158
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 157, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Ben Nichols of the Memphis alt-country outfit Lucero. Lucero is releasing their latest efforts, the atmospheric adventure When You Found Me , this Friday, January 29. It marks as the band's 10th studio album and finds Nichols and company further expanding their sonic and storytelling legs. Songs like "Coffin Nails" is one of Nichols' finest moments as he details the complex relationships between fathers & sons and the things we...
Jan 28, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 6Ep. 157
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 156, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Pony Bradshaw to discuss the writing, storytelling, and mythos of his new album, Calico Jim , which is due out Friday, January 29. Bradshaw's Calico Jim taps into the Northwest corner of Georgia--Bradshaw's rural Dade County--for intricate and detailed storytelling that feels familiar, yet just left of center enough that keep you off balance and engaged. The Southern Gothic-tinged narratives of down-trodden poor folks, drug smuggle...
Jan 26, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 156
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 155, I'm joined by Mason Server, the lead vocalist and chief lyricist of Mason & The Gin Line. Server and company released Caprock Composition , a five-song collection with West Texas & Panhandle touchpoints and is a throwback to the energy and feel of Texas country and songwriting of the late '90s and early '00s. At times, Caprock can feel like it was unearthed from a recently opened time capsule buried deep in the red dirt canyons or rolling plains of the Pa...
Jan 19, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 6Ep. 155
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 154, I am joined by Andrew Leahey. Leahey is a singer-songwriter--frontman of the open road highway rock band Andrew Leahey & The Homestead--lead guitarist for country artist Elizabeth Cook (among others), and a writer and music journalist. That's all helped Leahey become one of the most well-balanced and nuanced thinkers and writers in the "Americana" world. In many respects, having a variety of roles has made Leahey more informed when approaching the others. In ...
Jan 14, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 154
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 153, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Ross Cooper. The Nashville by way of Lubbock songwriter is readying his latest batch of songs, the introspective Chasing Old Highs . Much like his breakout album, 2018's I Rode the Wild Horses , Cooper's tunes come with a worn-in and a weathered grit and seasoned moxie. And as a veteran songwriter and an ex-rodeo cowboy, he blends authenticity and genuineness with the best of them. This go-around, Cooper further ventures into uncha...
Jan 11, 2021•1 hr 36 min•Season 6Ep. 153
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 152, I am joined by Oklahoma songwriter and musician John Calvin Abney. Abney's long been one of Oklahoma's best for his contributions as a solo artist and a side musician working with the likes of John Moreland, Samantha Crain, and several others. His latest album, November's Familiar Ground , finds the Oklahoman delivering some of his finest work to date. It was recorded remotely with friend and fellow songwriter, the aforementioned Moreland this past Spring and ear...
Jan 07, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 152
Send us Fan Mail We kick off 2021 and Episode 151 with singer-songwriter Molly Parden. Parden released her latest EP, the stunningly sublime Rosemary , this past Fall. Throughout the six-songs, she pairs her velvety vocals with a dreamy soundscape that's just right for her intimate and richly detailed folk songs. Standouts like the introspective "Kitchen Table" find Parden chronicling her day as she begins to fully recognize, rationalize, and break down a recent breakup. She pulls you in near to...
Jan 04, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 151
Send us Fan Mail On the final episode of the year, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Bella White. White released her debut album, the excellent and endearing Just Like Leaving this past September and is not only one of the best debuts of recent memory, Just Like Leaving is one of 2020's best moments overall. Even though she's a newcomer, White delivers like a seasoned artist on the bluegrass and Appalachian-tinged collection. There's a crisp warmth to the album that pairs nicely with White's cryst...
Dec 31, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Season 5Ep. 150
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 149, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Kree Harrison. Harrison released the wonderful Chosen Family Tree , her latest full-length album, this past August. Harrison seamlessly blends classic country, smart pop hooks, and a hearty southern soulfulness on Family Tree . Right from the opening notes of the first song, the crystalline "Nothing in This World," it's a remindful nod to those iconic country sounds of the past--straight from the George Jones or Tammy Wynette playb...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 149
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 148, I'm joined by Southern Indiana singer-songwriter Nick Dittmeier. I was joined by Dittmeier a little before Christmas for a conversation about his Indiana meets Western Kentucky roots and how those blue-collar characters have long been a touchstone in his storytelling and songs. In the past few years, Dittmeier has released the alt-country rocking All Damn Day of 2018, the strong, introspective four-song EP Companion , and the intimate live EP Alive from a Barbers...
Dec 29, 2020•1 hr 25 min•Season 5Ep. 148
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the first ever 2020 Album Draft. On this episode, I am joined by Grady Smith and Garrett McKie & Mike Hart of The Hippies & Cowboys Podcast to discuss some of our favorite albums, EPs, and artists of the year. This Album Draft is 10 Rounds long and each draft must fill out 10 specific categories for their roster. Categories: Chart Topper, Duo/Band, Collab, Living Legend, Debut, Small Following, EP Picker, Amerikinda, Wild Card, and Social Media Personality. Ch...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 33 min•Season 5Ep. 147
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode with Kentucky's Adam Chaffins. Chaffins released an excellent album called Some Things Won't Last last February. Chaffins' soulful vocals and bass-playing style (he's an accomplished bass player as well with plenty of work on some of your favorites in recent memory) are really the heart and soul of the album. There's a boldness to both--it's often a loose, simple sway that's organic and warm. Songs like "Further Away" and his take on the country classic "I'm Over...
Dec 14, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 146
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 145, I'm joined by Texas outfit The Wilder Blue--Zane Williams, Paul Eason, Lyndon Hughes, Andy Rogers, and Sean Rodriguez. On this one, I'm joined by the entire band for a conversation about their debut album and the origins of the band. Originally dubbed Hill Country, they released their self-titled debut back in the Spring. They've gone through a name change, now going with The Wilder Blue--a phrase plucked from the standout song "Dixie Darlin'." At any rate, they ...
Dec 10, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Season 5Ep. 145
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 144, I'm joined by country singer-songwriter Randall King, who at the end of the week (Friday, Dec 11), will be releasing Leanna. The four-song EP is named after King's late sister who unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. It's as heartfelt and endearing a tribute you'd expect from King. On songs like "Takin' It As It Comes" and "Around Forever," King offers nuggets of wisdom, valuable perspective, and some life lessons he's learned over the past few years from ...
Dec 07, 2020•1 hr 23 min•Season 5Ep. 144
Send us Fan Mail We're kicking off the month of December being joined by singer-songwriter Kelsey Waldon. The Kentucky songwriter released They'll Never Keep Us Down , a seven-song collection of covers just two weeks ago. With songs such as Kris Kristofferson's "The Law is for Protection of the People," Bob Dylan's "With God on Our Side," and the Hazel Dickens title track, Waldon offers songs that are just as emotionally charged as they are statements about humanity, equality, and freedom. She s...
Dec 03, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Season 5Ep. 143
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 142, I'm joined by country singer-songwriter Shelby Lee Lowe. About a month back, Lowe released Something in Me , a strong three-song EP that embraces Lowe's country croon, warbling pedal steel, and the gentle lean of neo-traditional sonic sways. Lowe's brand of heartache storytelling falls right in line as well. Much of 2020 has seen the Tennessee songwriter continually lean in and explore those down-home roots. During this interview, we talk about those Tennessee ro...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 5Ep. 142
Send us Fan Mail Episode 141 is with The Panhandlers--the West Texas collaboration between songwriters Josh Abbott, William Clark Green, John Baumann, and Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry--who released their debut self-titled last Spring. As their namesake alludes, these songs are about the Panhandle of Texas and the greater West Texas area in general. As sons of The Panhandle and Far West Texas, their solo catalogs have often echoed the howling winds that drive Heaven and earth across the Sout...
Nov 27, 2020•42 min•Season 5Ep. 141
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 140, I'm joined by Andrew Nelson, vocalist/guitarist of Great Peacock, and Sadler Vaden, singer-songwriter and guitarist of Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit. This episode is more of a roundtable conversation where Nelson, Vaden, and I discuss Heartland Rock, Americana, genre labels as a whole, Spotify playlists, pushing artist narratives more than albums, and what all that has to do with being heard in 2020. While we only touch briefly on the new albums by Great Peacoc...
Nov 23, 2020•1 hr 52 min•Season 5Ep. 140
Send us Fan Mail We're closing the week being joined by Ward Davis. The country singer-songwriter is releasing Black Cats and Crows tomorrow, Friday, November 20. These haunting undertones are a real driving force for the album. They mainly come in the brooding baritone in Davis' powerful, whiskey-soaked vocals and the midnight black vibrato of warbling guitars, but perhaps most of all, they come in Davis' raw and highly emotional piano playing. Often, that happens in the form of stark ballads l...
Nov 19, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 5Ep. 139
Send us Fan Mail We're kicking off the week being joined by singer-songwriter Bo Armstrong, who next week, Tuesday, November 24, will be releasing his full-length debut album, Chasing Ballads . The Nashville via Dallas songwriter collaborated with producer Brian Douglas Phillips (David Ramirez, Thomas Csorba, Rob Baird) on the effort and created a hearty soundscape that pulls from the Heartland rock meets Americana well. Combined with Armstrong's gift for narrative, the pair often create driving...
Nov 16, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 138
