It’s not often Rolling Stone compares a singer-songwriter to John Prine. But they did just that when they heard “Steelhead Trout” by Margo Cilker. The Oregon-based artist’s first two albums have turned her into an emerging star in the Americana music scene. 

Pohorylle, her debut, was so good, the UK Americana Music Association nominated it for Album of the Year alongside Brandi Carlile, Robert Plant & Allison Kraus and Charley Crockett. She went on tour with Drive-By Truckers and Hayes Carll.

Her sophomore album, Valley of Heart’s Delight, is better. Not just by our estimation, but every music publication that’s reviewed it says so. The songs are deeper, more introspective, and perhaps more universal. 

Cilker joined us for a chat from her Snake River Valley ranch recently to talk about songwriting, her success, and what the future holds for her music. She and Francesca connected at a performance over the summer and had a conversation about the song and fish that brought about the Prine comparisons. Needless to say, we had a fun conversation.

Falls also talks about his new favorite TikTok account (@rockabuyrecords) and its protagonist (Dean) who is Falls’s new hero. Falls also shares his first take on Dwight Yoakam’s new album Brighter Days.

Be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. 

Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler.

Notes and links:

• Rock-a-Buy Records on TikTok


• Rolling Stones article on Valley of Heart’s Delight


• Margo Cilker online


• Margo Cilker on Spotify


• Pohorylle (album) on Spotify


• Valley of Heart’s Delight on Spotify


• Forrest Vantuyl (Margo’s husband) online


• Forrest Vantuyl on Spotify


• Brighter Days by Dwight Yoakam on Spotify


• ”Keep on the Sunny Side” cover by Dwight Yoakam


• The Roots Music Rambler Store


• Roots Music Rambler on Instagram


• 
  Roots Music Rambler on TikTok 


• Roots Music Rambler on Facebook


• Jason Falls on Instagram


• Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram

Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations

• The Cleverlys on Spotify


• Corner Boy on Spotify

And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! - https://gomuskox.com/rambler

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