American Songcatcher

Today, we proudly present something a little different on American Songcatcher. Instead of the usual documentary podcast-style piece, this is a compilation of field recordings I did in Buncombe and Madison Counties just outside of Asheville, NC. Considered the mecca of the long held traditions in ballad singing and old-time mountain music, this area is also home to the “Minstrel of the Appalachians”, one of the most important yet lesser-known figures in folk and old time music, Bascom Lamar Lunsford - who was born on this day 142 years ago.  Over the last year, I was fortunate enough to visit North Carolina several times, to visit with Bascom’s old home and talk with head of the non-profit that now owns it, perform at the annual Lunsford Festival at Mars Hill University, and witness the return of filmmaker David Hoffman, who first filmed Bascom in the 1964, and was coming back to visit the area for the first time in the nearly 60 years since. This is a window into a living tradition. GoFundMe for Bascom's Home Restoration (for the Pondering Bascom non-profit) Documentaries mentioned: Music Makers of the Blue Ridge - David Hoffman (1965) Madison County, North Carolina - Where Music History is Alive (2023)⁠ Special thanks to: Rare Bird Farm Golden Shoals Madison County Mars Hill University Tim Duggan David Hoffman Support Educational Programming: Make a Tax Exempt Donation Join the Patreon Community Send a one-time donation via Venmo or PayPal Follow American Songcatcher on Instagram  Credits:  Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, editing, recording and distribution --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Today on the program, we present the story of the father of North Mississippi Hill Country Blues, Mississippi Fred McDowell. From humble beginnings, Fred was inspired from the likes of Charley Patton, his neighbor Eli “Booster” Green and the sounds he gathered from guitarists in Memphis, Mississippi and the Delta, and defined the often overlooked nuances of the blues. Like many of the great Southern pre-war blues guitarists born around the turn of the century, Fred was “discovered” by Alan Lomax in 1959, and continues to inspire slide guitarists to this day, despite not being a household name in the blues realm. Watch the full documentary “Shake Em On Down” Support Educational Programming: Join the Patreon Community Send a one-time donation on Venmo or PayPal Follow American Songcatcher: Instagram | TikTok Credits: Ryan Eastridge - Research, Writing  Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, editing, recording and distribution References: Shirley Collins Book | Alan Lomax Book | Laurence Cohn Book | UdiscoveredMusic |Allmusic| MS Blues Trail | KUNC | Mt. Zion Memorial Fund | John Szwed Book | Musicians Guide | Commercial Appeal | “Shake Em On Down” --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Today on our program, we present the story of one of the most iconic American Folk songs, born from the lineage of 16th century ballads brought by immigrants from the British Isles, “Shady Grove”. Often used in both dance and courtship, the timeless melody was the backbone for countless ballads and folk songs that made their way into North America and took root in the Appalachian and Ozark Mountain ranges. To date, “Shady Grove” has been estimated to have amassed over 300 stanzas since it was first sung in the Cumberland Plateau region of Eastern Kentucky in the mid-nineteenth century. Story by Ryan Eastridge. Support Educational Programming: Join the Patreon Community Send a one-time donation on Venmo or PayPal Follow American Songcatcher: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook Credits: Ryan Eastridge - Research, Writing  Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, editing, recording and distribution References: Discography of American Historical Recordings | LOC | “Songs and Rhymes from the South.” Journal of American Folklore | Tunearch.org |Wayfaring Strangers: The Musical Voyage from Scotland and Ulster to Appalachia | Ship History | English Broadside Ballad Archive --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Happy release day! Today on our program, we’re delighted to release the first episode of Season 3, diving into the life of renowned songwriter, riverboat pilot, folklorist, song collector, music historian, accomplished fiddler and banjoist, clog & shuffle dancer, storyteller and consummate entertainer, John Hartford. One of the most brilliant yet lesser-known musicians of the last century, John was the key figure in redefining Bluegrass and American roots music for future generations, the unofficial father of “newgrass”, who had a life that was anything but ordinary. Support Educational Programming: Join the Patreon Community Send a one-time donation on Venmo or PayPal Follow American Songcatcher: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook Credits: Ryan Eastridge - Research, Writing  Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, editing, recording and distribution References: Rolling Stone | Art Menius | Fretboard Journal | JohnCowan.com | Mike Bub Interview | AllMusic.com | No Depression | The Bluegrass Situation | Official Website --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Featured in this Episode: Traditional - Whiskey in the Jar Billie Holiday Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee Charlie Parr Support American Songcatcher: Join the Patreon Send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal Teaser: Arguably the most popular Irish drinking song has a more unique origin than being sung at the pub, celebrating the spirit of Whiskey. She’s one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, yet her personal life was ripe with adversity from family, abusive relationships, and a war with the United States Government over a song. They blurred the lines for white and black audiences alike through the 60’s revival as a duo, yet both men’s legacies stand on their own footing. A man redefining the definitions of independent success, overcoming each obstacle thrown at him while reviving fingerpicking styles of Piedmont and Delta blues. — Follow American Songcatcher Credits: Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording Jack Browning - Writing Source Credits: Whiskey in the Jar | Irish Central | Accordeon World | Keston Primary | AV Club Billie Holiday | Ronnie Deschepper | Downbeat | Woman Around Town | Flood Mag | Legacy | Learning English | ASU | EOnline | PBS Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee | All About Blues | Early Blues | Keeping the Blues Alive | Arts.Gov | Blues & Country | Black History Now Charlie Parr | Country Blues | Official | Minnesota Monthly | Erica Rivera | First Avenue | Kennedy Center | Issue Magazine --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Today I’m sharing a conversation I had with American roots singer and guitarist Seth Walker, who has spent the last 20 years putting out incredibly diverse records, inspired by early blues to jazz, folk, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, early country and anything else he’s been able to gobble up. Recently mentored by the likes of Oliver Wood and the Wood Brothers, Seth just released his 11th studio record, titled I Hope I Know, a tasty, seasoned array of roots songs that navigate a host of emotions and comforts, a record I highly suggest listening to, courtesy of Royal Potato Family Records. We talked about his unique childhood, raised among a community of Quakers, the constant evolution of self and artistry, his love for writing not just music but a recent book titled Your Van is on Fire, his newest record and the deep changes that surfaced before, during and after, and as usual, we geeked out on some music history. Enjoy! More on Seth Walker: Listen Book Socials : Instagram | Facebook Watch ______ Follow American Songcatcher: Instagram | TikTok Support Independent Programming! Join the Patreon Send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Featured in this Episode: Johnny Cash Teaser: The finale of this three part series on "The Man in Black" starts in the 70’s, when Johnny’s turnaround gets traction through learning to be a father, his activism and overtly religious period, several relapses of his addiction, the fall from Columbia Records, and his rise with Rick Rubin before passing away, as well as his legacy. — "Shine A Light" | Johnny Cash: The Life Follow American Songcatcher  Support Independent Programming! Join the Patreon Send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal Credits: Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution Source Credits: Johnny Cash: The Life | The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash | Official | Grunge | Biography | Live About | Achievement.org | Cheat Sheet | Britannica | Slate | Far Out Magazine | LA Times | Daily Mail UK | The Jamboree That Never Was | Outsider | Rolling Stone | The Boot | Taste of Country --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Featured in this Episode: Johnny Cash Teaser: The story of the enigmatic “Man in Black” is a vast ocean that is impossible to cover every detail. But this three part series will attempt to further explain what listeners know about Johnny Cash, debunk a few myths, and uncover fascinating moments in his life that are lesser known. In essence, we’ll be looking further behind the curtain of the legend known as JR Cash, more than exceptional movies such as “Walk the Line” have portrayed.   Part 2 presents Johnny’s rise with Sun Records, the tumultuous years of his personal life and addiction, his turnaround, and when he first cleans up his act as a star. — Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast  "Shine A Light" | Johnny Cash: The Life Follow American Songcatcher Support Independent Programming! Join the Patreon Send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal Credits: Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution Source Credits: Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash: The Life | The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash | Official | Washington Post |  Live About | Britannica | Town and Country | History.com | KHQA | Biography | VC Star | El Paso Times | Classic Country | Culture Trip --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Featured in this Episode: Johnny Cash Teaser: The story of the enigmatic “Man in Black” is a vast ocean that is impossible to cover and give every detail. But this three part series will attempt to further explain what listeners may think they know about Johnny Cash, broaden the understanding of his personal life, and uncover fascinating moments in his career that are lesser known, misunderstood, or flat out wild. In essence, we’ll be looking WAY behind the curtain of the legend known as JR Cash, far more than even exceptional movies such as “Walk the Line” have portrayed.   In Part 1, we'll navigate Johnny’s childhood, teenage years, and his initial rise with Sun Records. — Support Independent Programming Join the Patreon Send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal — Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast  "Shine A Light" | Johnny Cash: The Life Follow American Songcatcher  Credits: Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution Source Credits: Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash: The Life | The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash | Official | Grunge | Biography | Live About | Achievement.org | Cheat Sheet | Britannica | Action 5 News --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Celebrating Black History Month!  Featured in this Episode: Traditional - “Stagger Lee” (:42) Memphis Minnie (15:45) Lightnin’ Hopkins (29:21) Taj Mahal (48:55) Teaser: This notorious murder story has been covered in more genres, by more artists and across more multi-media platforms than any other in history, while somehow remaining relatively obscure. She’s known as the queen of the country blues, and queen of the Chicago blues, though she got her start while homeless and playing on the streets full time in Memphis. One of the last links that remained of the original country blues past the folk and blues revival, this Texas bluesman’s personal life was shrouded in mystery during both pinnacles in his near 60-year career. Born of Caribbean descent, he would go on to be a liaison between cultures and sounds from all over the world, wrapping it all into a tight package that makes the blues feel like an altogether human experience. — Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast  "Shine A Light" | Blues Foundation Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram Support Independent Programming | Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal Credits: Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution Jack Browning - Writer Ryan Eastridge - Writer Source Credits: Stagger Lee: Missouri Life | StaggerLee.com | American Blues Scene | StLouis-mo.gov Memphis Minnie: Black Past | Musicians Guide | 64 Parishes Lightnin’ Hopkins: Black Past | | Texas Monthly | Udiscovermusic | THSA.org Taj Mahal: Berklee Interview | Harlem World Magazine | Hawaii Public Radio | New York Times --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Today on the program, I’m pleased to bring you a very special episode through American Songcatcher, sharing a wonderful podcast called Basic Folk in our feed. Now some of you may already be aware of these in-depth, honest interviews with host Cindy Howes, but I feel like the rest of you should get on board! Sure, there are many conversational podcasts out there, but Basic Folk sets itself apart with honest and complex conversations about the human experience witnessed from an artistic angle. Cindy's questions are not only well-researched and carefully crafted, but the artists featured are among the most revered in the American roots music scene today, some of which have been covered or will be covered by this podcast, including Amethyst Kiah, Oliver Wood, Tom Rush, Alison Russell and several others. One of Cindy and I’s favorite musicians, Chris Thile, stopped by Basic Folk several months back, and it seemed apropos to share their conversation since he was covered in Episode 1 of Season 2. Be sure to subscribe to Basic Folk wherever you get your podcasts! We'll be back with Episode 5 in two weeks! BF Links: Spotify Apple Music Official Site Instagram Facebook About Basic Folk: Basic Folk is a podcast with honest conversations between musicians and Cindy Howes, a well-versed public radio host and music curator, and guest host Lizzie No, a talented singer/songwriter. Basic Folk approaches interviews with warmth, humor and insightful questions. This podcast fosters the folk community and showcases a genre that is often misunderstood. Basic Folk features complex conversations about the human experience witnessed from an artistic angle. Our definition of “folk” is extremely broad, so you’ll hear interviews from Amythyst Kiah, Tom Rush, The Lumineers and many more. Basic Folk is dedicated to showcasing the best in folk and roots musicians including BIPOC musicians who have been excluded, or felt like they did not belong, in the folk world. Both Cindy and Lizzie bring unique perspectives to our honest conversations and are dedicated to changing the landscape and the gatekeepers of the folk music community. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Featured in this Episode: Jean Ritchie (:28) Ola Belle Reed (17:48) Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard (35:41) Alison Krauss (55:54) Teaser: Her family is considered one of the wealthiest in the ballad tradition, preserving hundreds of songs from their lineage to Scotland in their home of Kentucky, and is single-handedly responsible for bringing the Appalachian dulcimer to prominence in America. Born in the mountains of North Carolina, she paved the way for both bluegrass music and old-time with her brother through their pioneering work at music parks, on the radio, and during the folk revival. They’re considered the first women to front a bluegrass band, and in their wake are generations of women thanks to their contributions. A child prodigy, she was signed to Rounder Records at 14 and now is one of the most decorated bluegrass and female musicians of all time, still turning heads today with her many collaborations. --- "Shine A Light" | Pretty Good For a Girl: Women in Bluegrass by Murphy Hicks Henry Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram Support | Join Patreon or send a one-time donation: Venmo // PayPal Source Credits: Jean Ritchie: KET | Library of Congress | NPR Ola Belle Reed: Blue Ridge Heritage | Arts.gov | NC Pedia | SML Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard: NY Times | Folkstreams | Official | BG Hall of Fame | Pinecone | Birthplace of Country Music Alison Krauss: NPR | Britannica | Grammy |  NY Times --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Season 2, Episode 3 // God's Golden Shore Featured in this Episode: Traditional - “Man of Constant Sorrow” (:28) Ma Rainey (13:08) Bill Monroe (31:40) Patsy Cline (51:29) Bruce Molsky (1:08:17) Teaser: Thought to be rooted in the early hymns brought to America, this old-time folk song has reveled in the spotlight more than once in the roots music community, especially after being featured in the 2000 film “O’ Brother Where Art Thou.” A defining voice of the 1920’s and 1930’s, this female artist wrote the book on fashion, songwriting, and entrepreneurship while harnessing the soul of the blues in some of the earliest recordings of the genre. Dubbed the Father and creator of Bluegrass music, this mandolin aficionado learned how to weave the blues with old-time with piercing tenor mountain harmonies and blistering fast tempos. A life taken too soon, this woman’s voice epitomized country music for nearly a decade, and inspired generations of singers in her wake, even until today. A scholar, teacher and virtuosic fiddle and banjo player, he’s a quintessential “musician’s musician” and is widely considered among the premier ambassadors of America’s old-time mountain music. ⁠Listen to my new traditional record: FOLK SONGS FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE Performances: “Man of Constant Sorrow” - Traditional (10:14) “Prove It On Me Blues” - Ma Rainey (28:26) “In the Pines” - Traditional (47:50) “Walkin’ After Midnight” 1:06:20 “Red Rocking Chair” | 1:20:48 --- "Shine A Light" | Cultural Equity Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram Support Independent Programming | Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal Source Credits: Traditional: Black Deer Festival | American Songwriter  Ma Rainey:  Women’s HIstory | National Museum AAH |  Black Past  Bill Monroe: Folkways | Britannica | Alan Cackett | Bluegrass HOF Patsy Cline: Grunge | Biography | Britannica Bruce Molsky: Official | WBUR | Banjo News --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

It’s a pleasure to bring you the second half of this special short series Side A // Side B, bringing some depth to the songs from my recently released traditional record “Folk Songs For Old Times’ Sake”. Today, we’re flipping the record over, and diving in to the history behind Side B. Side B Tracklist: Goin’ Down This Road Feelin’ Bad (Traditional) Saint James Infirmary (Traditional) Midnight Special (Traditional) Barbry Allen (Traditional) Mississippi River Blues (Jimmie Rodgers) Peggy-O (Traditional) Pay Day (Mississippi John Hurt) Vinyl Orders: Email AmericanSongcatcherPodcast@gmail.com OR Order through Bandcamp Listen on: Spotify Apple Music/iTunes Amazon Soundcloud Bandcamp This episode was produced, edited, recorded and distributed by Nicholas Edward Williams. ---- Praise for Folk Songs For Old Times' Sake: “I’ve got to say, I can genuinely appreciate another young folkie taking traditional tunes and truly making them their own. Nicholas’ voice sounds natural, unaffected, and without any trite attempts at emulation; rather, it seems wholly a product of his surroundings, with small nods to the phrasing and inflection that are the signatures of traditional American music. This is to say nothing of the sparse-yet-deliberate production of the songs themselves, with nothing sitting too far out front, nothing lost in the shadows, as if the listener found themselves in an empty country church with Williams simply playing to the steeple above.” - JP Harris As always, it’s Williams’ gentle laid back soothing vocals that win you over.” - FOLK RADIO UK "The guitar playing and vocal performance are fantastic, and I love the sparse production. I think people are gonna love this, it’s a great record.” - Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers) “This record of well-known and well-loved folk songs is easy to like. With tasteful guitar arrangements and a voice that draws you right in, Nicholas has created recordings that roll along like a mountain stream.” - David Holt (PBS TV/Radio Host, Four-Time Grammy Winner and Banjoist for Doc Watson) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Since releasing the podcast, I’ve had a lot of people ask if the renditions at the end of each segment will be released, or streamable. Well I’m happy to say that over the last six months, I’ve been hard at work on a traditional record called Folk Songs For Old Times’ Sake, that is now available on all platforms, as well as limited edition vinyl. Several of these rearranged songs are traditionals, and some are from artists covered in the first season of this program. This is the first of a special two-part  short series called Side A / Side B, where you can get a little scope into the history behind each of the tracks, followed by the recordings themselves, some of which are stripped, and several of which feature accompaniment in clarinet, fiddle, banjo, upright bass, harmonies, lap steel, jug sounds, harmonica and stomp box. Side A Tracklist: Shake Sugaree (Elizabeth Cotten) East Virginia Blues (Traditional) Wish I Was A Mole (Traditional) Green Rocky Road (Dave Van Ronk/Bob Kaufman) Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes (The Carter Family) Railroad Bill (Traditional) Cotton Mill Girls (Traditional) Vinyl Orders: Email AmericanSongcatcherPodcast@gmail.com OR Order through Bandcamp Listen on: Spotify Apple Music/iTunes Amazon Soundcloud Bandcamp This episode was produced, edited, recorded and distributed by Nicholas Edward Williams. ---- Praise for Folk Songs For Old Times' Sake: “I’ve got to say, I can genuinely appreciate another young folkie taking traditional tunes and truly making them their own. Nicholas’ voice sounds natural, unaffected, and without any trite attempts at emulation; rather, it seems wholly a product of his surroundings, with small nods to the phrasing and inflection that are the signatures of traditional American music. This is to say nothing of the sparse-yet-deliberate production of the songs themselves, with nothing sitting too far out front, nothing lost in the shadows, as if the listener found themselves in an empty country church with Williams simply playing to the steeple above.” - JP Harris As always, it’s Williams’ gentle laid back soothing vocals that win you over.” - FOLK RADIO UK "The guitar playing and vocal performance are fantastic, and I love the sparse production. I think people are gonna love this, it’s a great record.” - Oliver Wood (The Wood Brothers) “This record of well-known and well-loved folk songs is easy to like. With tasteful guitar arrangements and a voice that draws you right in, Nicholas has created recordings that roll along like a mountain stream.” - David Holt (PBS TV/Radio Host, Four-Time Grammy Winner and Banjoist for Doc Watson) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Season 2, Episode 2 // Oh Little Liza Featured in this Episode: Traditional - “Lil' Liza Jane” (:28) Dock Boggs (11:22) Snooks Eaglin (25:54) Nina Simone (43:36) Billy Strings (1:04:18) Teaser: Today, this song is a standard in New Orleans brass bands as well as old-time music, but its earliest iterations started as a sea shanty. His three finger-style banjo picking was directly inspired by early African American string bands, and his early recordings helped standardize nearly a dozen old-time songs from the Cumberland mountain range. Blind at age one, he’s one of the most versatile and inspirational guitarists in blues music, and one of the least known, unless you’re from New Orleans. A renowned civil rights activist, arranger, singer, songwriter and pianist who covered a broad range of genres including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel and pop. At just 29 years old, this multi-instrumentalist has taken the traditional and progressive bluegrass world in the palm of his hand, and he’s only getting started. Listen to my new traditional record: FOLK SONGS FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE Performances: “Little Liza Jane” - Traditional (9:25) “Wild Bill Jones” - Traditional (23:04) “Saint James Infirmary” - Traditional (39:42) “Sinnerman” - Traditional (1:02:01) “Walk on Boy” - Doc Watson (1:13:07) --- "Shine A Light" | Music Maker Relief Foundation Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram Support Independent Programming | Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal Source Credits: Traditional: Cultural Equity | Jazz Fandom  Dock Boggs: Dock Boggs - “Life in Music” | Encyclopedia.com Snooks Eaglin’: Nola.com | Blues access | All About Blues Nina Simone: Official Site | History Collection | Black past  Billy Strings: Rolling Stone | Acoustic Guitar | Official  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Season 2, Episode 1 // Ain't Gonna Study War No More Featured in this Episode: Traditional - “Down by The Riverside” (00:27) Mance Lipscomb (10:28) Ramblin’ Jack Elliot (23:31) Emmylou Harris (45:17) Chris Thile (57:27) Teaser: After the civil war, songs such as these were created and sung from Alabama to Ohio for a perilous journey through the Underground Railroad, where the enslaved were in pursuit of their freedom. He wasn’t a bluesman as much as a songster, known for his incredibly broad catalogue of songs and his front porch philosophizing. The student of Woody Guthrie, the father of Bob Dylan, the son who ran away to become a cowboy, and America’s purveyor of folk music at 90 years old today. She’s one of the most influential female singers of the 20th century, not just in country music but folk, pop and bluegrass, and is considered an American icon Widely considered the greatest mandolin player alive today, and perhaps to ever live, his acclaim reaches far and wide through several Grammy-winning projects and over 30 albums, despite only being 40 years old. Performances by the Host: “Down By The Riverside” - Traditional (8:16) “Take Me Back Babe” - Traditional (21:29) “Roving Gambler” - Traditional (42:37) “Angels Rejoiced Last Night” - The Louvin Brothers (55:08) “Bury Me Beneath the Willow” - Traditional (1:13:03) --- "Shine A Light" | Arhoolie Foundation Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram Support Independent Programming | Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

For the final collaboration of the “Sitting In” miniseries, I’m excited to share a fantastic multi-instrumentalist, fluent in clawhammer banjo and slide blues guitar, named Cristina Vane. Born in Italy, and living many places overseas before arriving in America at 18 years old, Cristina accumulated a wealth of culture and a diverse range of songs before discovering her love for pre-war blues and the likes of the pioneers Skip James, Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson and Rory Block who have all shaped her guitar technique and song catalogue. She worked at the famous McCabe’s Guitar Shop in LA, and studied finger-style guitar under her mentor Pete Steinberg before exploring country blues picking and old folk guitar styles on her own in the years that followed. She has said, “I’m essentially a rock kid who is obsessed with old music.”⁠ ⁠Cristina just released her debut full length record on April 2nd, titled "Nowhere Sounds Lovely", and American Songwriter premiered one track titled “Badlands” adding: “Like a young Bonnie Raitt, Vane sings from both her voice and her supple, bluesy guitar playing almost simultaneously–her sound as earthen as the South Dakota landscape…”⁠ Cristina shares a story of how she got into American Folk and Blues music outside America, and her quest to music preservation. Enjoy! Links: Cristina’s Official Site Stream Music Buy Music Follow Cristina on Social Media: Instagram Facebook --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

Today on the program will be my sixth guest for the “Sitting In” mini-series, Jody Carroll. Jody is a performer and songwriter who effortlessly creates bold interpretations of old Blues and American Folk music, and makes them his own improvisational musical journeys. He’s a finger-style and slide guitar master, and a soulful singer blending flavors of Blues, Folk, Mountain music, Jazz and Rock all together into a true power- packed gumbo. Raised on Willie Nelson and AM Country Radio in the late 60’s, he’s toured with or shared the stage with legends such as Buddy Guy, Honey Boy Edwards, R.L Burnside, Johnny Winter, John Mayhall, George Thorogood, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeski, Robert Cray, Canned Heat, Robert Earl Keen, and Sonny Landreth just to name a few. No Depression magazine says “If there is one artist who embodies roots music to it's fullest, it has to be Jody Carroll" Jody was forever changed when he heard a collection of recordings from the Newport Folk Festival, between 1963-1965. This is a short story of his journey to and from there, enjoy. Links: Jody's Official Site Buy His Music Follow Jody on Social Media: Instagram Facebook -- Support American Songcatcher! Join the Patreon Community for as little as $3 a month! -OR- Send a one-time donation via: Venmo PayPal  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support

The fifth edition of the “Sitting In” miniseries features a new project by international touring Irish musician Dylan Walshe. Steeped in the traditions of folk, Irish, Blues, Singer-songwriter and roots music, Dylan has received wide acclaim from all over, including Dave King of Flogging Molly who has said that “The future of songwriting is safe in the hands of this man.” This episode features Dylan’s new music podcast, The Stirring Foot, and the first 20 minutes of a conversation he had with none other than Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, who Dylan first met at Tennessee’s Muddy Roots Music Festival back in 2015. If you’re not familiar with the legendary Ramblin’ Jack, you should be. Now 90 years old, he’s been described as the "son of Woody Guthrie & the father of Bob Dylan". They talked about trips to Ireland, Europe & the UK, The Clancy Brothers, Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, Odetta, The Grateful Dead, Margaret Barry, Ewan MacColl, and Woody Guthrie. You can hear the entire show through the tags below, or by searching for “The Stirring Foot” wherever you get your podcasts. Enjoy! Follow on Instagram @dylanwalshe @AmericanSongcatcher Links: The Stirring Foot Dylan’s Official Site Ramblin Jack Elliott’s Official Site -- Support American Songcatcher! Join the Patreon Community for as little as $3 a month - https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher Send a one-time donation via: Venmo - https://www.venmo.com/AmericanSongcatcher PayPal - https://paypal.me/AmericanSongcatcher --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/americansongcatcher/support