Songwriters & Tour Riders

While Clay Street Unit was formed in Denver, most of their members are transplants, with lead singer Sam Walker originally hailing from Alabama. There, he was in a jam band that covered Phish and Grateful Dead songs.Clay Street Unit’s first album, titled Sin & Squalor, was scheduled for release last year through a Sony label. But, when the label folded and the release of the bluegrass band's album was uncertain, it was just another thing for Sam Walker and the group to weather.In this episode, Sam Walker talks about finally being able to release the album and the mix of influences that make up the sextet's sound.

Sam Westhoff almost quit music and started working at Lowe's.Now, under the moniker Haffway, he's starting his first headlining tour in Tulsa after releasing his album, Wither, last fall.The album purposefully is a roller coaster of highs and lows, reflecting Westhoff's mental health journey, one that took him from a psych ward in September 2024 to the stage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville just six months later.In this episode, he talks about moving from Tulsa to Nashville, and the difficulty of releasing his album Wither.

Horton Records has been a home for what president Brian Horton estimated to be more than 150 different artist releases. But he has always thought the label's goal was not just to release music, but have music connect the community.That's the plan for this weekend's Horton Fest, celebrating 20 years since the label began. Over the weekend, Horton Fest will bring together Tulsa musicians and others Horton considers friends of the scene.In this episode, he talks about how they've made it 20 years as an independent label that only releases Oklahoma music, the evolution of the Tulsa music scene and what he hopes the future looks like.

​It’s been 20 years since Oklahoma band Cheyenne’s first album “I Am Haunted, I Am Alive” was released and singer Beau Jennings is bringing the band back together to play through it.At the time, Jennings was graduating college and unsure of where his life would take him. On this episode, he reflected on the album and reconnecting to songs written by a younger him and the decades since.

Lance Roark was singing at an open mic at a bar in Tahlequah one night, where RC Edwards — bassist for the then-on hiatus Turnpike Troubadours — was in the audience.With Turnpike on hiatus at the time, Edwards asked Roark to join his Americana rock band, RC & the Ambers. When Turnpike returned to the studio in 2022, Roark joined Edwards to co-write the song "Chipping Mill."Now as a solo artist, the Gore-native and Tahlequah resident has toured with Turnpike, as well as Shane Smith and the Castellows. His solo debut album, Bad Reputation, is about evolving and earning a reputation that maybe others perceive as bad.

It's been seven years since Broncho's last album release. In the time since, singer Ryan Lindsey has had two children and moved to Tulsa. Broncho's latest album, Natural Pleasure, is a return to a pace more natural to Lindsey.In this conversation, Lindsey reflects on 15 years of Broncho, the origins of the band and his musical life, and how this album is different from previous Broncho albums.

The day Hayden Pedigo moved to Oklahoma City, he messaged Chat Pile, a metal band that puts Oklahoma front and center on their albums.And despite their wildly different genres, they found they got along, watching movies and going to shows together.Hayden Pedigo is known for beautiful acoustic guitar. While Chat Pile songs are full of noise and growled lyrics.In this episode, they talk about how they met, what it was like working together, and how the album is still shocking even for Pedigo to listen to.

Brent Cobb has been writing songs and playing music since he was a teenager.Inspired by his son's discovery of classic and southern rock, Brent's latest album, Ain't Rocked in a While, looks back at his earliest influences while also exploring what it takes to be a working musician, just trying to make a living for the last two decades.In this episode, he talks about the highs of touring with the likes of Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers and Luke Combs, while still having to deal with hecklers, like one he encountered in Oklahoma City.

When Kyle Ross isn't teaching English or coaching football in Bixby, he is the lead singer and songwriter of Americana band Keyland.They are opening up for The Droptines this Friday in Oklahoma City and will be playing Tiny Porch in Tulsa on Saturday.Matthew Viriyapah spoke to Ross before his show in Oklahoma City at Scissortail Park in June, opening up for Wilderado.

Noeline Hofmann was playing bars after quitting her job working on a ranch when Zach Bryan came across her singing on TikTok in 2023.The two recorded a duet of that song “Purple Gas” which kickstarted the Canadian twenty-something's country career that has continued to overlap with Oklahoma.She toured with Stillwater's Wyatt Flores and had her first American sold-out headlining date in Tulsa earlier this year.She’s spent this summer opening up for The Turnpike Troubadours and Zach Bryan on their European tour, and is opening for them and Oklahoma rock band Kings of Leon in San Francisco this Friday, Aug. 15.Matthew Viriyapah spoke to her before her show in Oklahoma City at 89th Street this spring to talk about those Oklahoma connections, her song "Purple Gas" and her latest music.

Texas singer-songwriter Vincent Neil Emerson released his latest album, Golden Crystal Kingdom in 2023.In this episode, Vincent Neil Emerson talks about the title track, the song he wrote inspired by Uvalde, Texas, and connecting with other Native musicians.

Despite a valiant effort by KOSU listeners and public media supporters nationwide, Congress has voted to rescind $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.This money had already been promised and budgeted for at KOSU and public media stations across the country. Losing it is devastating, and one NPR estimate shows that roughly 18% of the country’s public radio stations will close imminently, and nearly a third of listeners would lose access to NPR programming.The rescission package is expected to be signed by President Trump soon, as he initially requested the move from Congress.To be clear, this does not mean KOSU is going away. Thanks to you, KOSU is set up well for the future. However, this loss of foundational funding will likely result in a reduction of programming or local news without additional support.What can I do to help?Support KOSU directly by making a donation, or increasing your existing monthly or annual gift. This is the most effective thing you can do for KOSU. Support from people like you makes up the largest part of KOSU’s budget.Sign up for email alerts from KOSU so you never miss an update. You can do that here.Spread the word. Share this page with your family and friends, and tell them what KOSU's news, information and music service means to you and our community.Still have questions about how you can help?Please reach out to us at director@kosu.org.

On this episode is Douglas K Miller. He's an OSU professor and author Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star: Jesse Ed Davis.Our previous episode we explored the life and legacy of the native Guitarist who played with Bob Dylan, Jackson Brown, and more.On this episode we talk about the process of putting together the book, working on the Bob Dylan exhibit with poet in residence Joy Harjo, and the album of previously unreleased Jesse Ed Davis tracks.

In the next few days, the U.S. Senate will consider a package that would devastate many public radio stations by clawing back two years of previously approved funding. At KOSU, it would significantly impact our ability to provide emergency alerts and Oklahoma news.You can help by calling Senator Lankford and Senator Mullin to ask them to resist the rescission because of the impact it would have on Oklahoma. Here is a sample script.Sen. James Lankford: 202-224-5754Sen. Markwayne Mullin: 202-224-4721Don't live in Oklahoma? Check this listing for your Senator's contact information.Find out more on how you can make a difference at kosu.org/cuts.

From different members of The Beatles, Jackson Browne and Taj Mahal to Bob Dylan, Leon Russell and John Trudell, Jesse Ed Davis resided in a universe of classic rock superstars, but is not as well known as those he shared the stage with.In this first episode of a two-part series, Miller takes us through the life and work of Jesse Ed Davis and how his legacy carries on since his death in 1988.

Oklahoma Singer-songwriter Samantha Crain new album is titled Gumshoe, named in part about how she became a detective to solve the mystery of being a lone wolf but wanting to find community.In this episode, hear her talk about overcoming newfound stage fright, spending hours beading her album cover, and how studying Choctaw helped solve her personal mystery.

Johnny Manchild revisits KOSU's music podcast Songwriters & Tour Riders. He was previously on the 4th episode and since then, he has put out 2 more albums, moved to LA and back, and even married.Matthew Viriyapah catches up with Johnny about the years since, how LA compares to OKC, and the new book club he's starting at Commonplace Books.

A music video showcase titled OKC MTV is coming to the historic Rodeo Cinema at the Stockyards in Oklahoma City.Composer and classical musician Steven Stark talks about what inspired the event and how he hopes to foster more connections between Oklahoma's film and music industries.

Rolling Stone writer and New York Times editor Josh Crutchmer has spent years in the Red Dirt music scene, from the back of bars and concert halls to being on stage at Cain's Ballroom. He also recently gave Oklahoma State University's fall commencement speech.Matthew Viriyapah spoke to him about his journey from Oklahoma State University student to covering artists like The Great Divide, Turnpike Troubadours, and attending more than 30 shows of Wyatt Flores for his latest book, Red Dirt Unplugged.

Matthew Viriyapah spoke with Steven Jenkins, the director of the Bob Dylan Center, ahead of the biopic 'A Complete Unknown' starring Timothee Chalamet about his favorite parts of the film, the impact he hopes the film will have on younger viewers, and other films in Bob Dylan's filmography.