In what you could only characterize as an auspicious start, Mindy Smith’s first commercial song release was a cover of Jolene, on a tribute album put together by the record label Dolly herself was on. Shortly thereafter Smith released her debut album and started down a path to become an acclaimed Nashville songwriter. She’s about […]
Emily Frembgen On Instant Oatmeal and Stage Fright
New York City singer-songwriter Emily Frembgen talks about hosting shows at a vegan doughnut shop where she worked and reveals the song that she wrote when she was five years old.
Monday Morning Video – Joni Mitchell “Both Sides Now”
Let’s celebrate the greatness that is Joni Mitchell with these two performances of one of her signature songs at two legendary festivals. First is a 1970 appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival and then her surprise 2022 performance at the Newport Folk Festival.
Guy Davis – The Legend of Sugarbelly
For Guy Davis, keeping the blues alive means keeping it alive even its most stripped-down form. The Legend of Sugarbelly is a throwback to the blues’ purest, simplest acoustic form, so reminiscent of Lead Belly and the earliest masters one almost expects to hear the crackle of an old 78-inch record. Davis is a great […]
Tyson Davis of Blackwater Railroad Company on Touring in “Milk Milk” and Energetic Guitar Picking
Guitarist and vocalist Tyson Davis of Alaskan roots band Blackwater Railroad Company talks about the group’s rehearsal studio, where they recorded their most recent album, and his favorite day job.
Denitia on Coffee Shops, Her Kia Soul, and Following Her Intuition
Singer-songwriter Denitia talks about being resourceful when it comes to meals while on tour and shares a funny story about her rehearsal space.
Monday Morning Video – Joshua Ray Walker
Joshua Ray Walker has rapidly established himself as one of country music’s shining lights. He burst onto the scene with the stunning “Canyon” back in 2019 and has released music at a furious pace. Two studio albums of originals, an acoustic album, a covers album, and a live album, all tremendous showcases of his talent. […]
David Luning – Lessons
I think it’s rare when someone can look back on their life and point to a single event that made them change course. It’s more likely a series of things building up to something that becomes the proverbial straw. In the case of Californian David Luning, it was having friends turn him on to the […]
Larry & Joe – Manos Panamericanos
One of my highlights at Folk Alliance a couple of years ago was seeing a couple of sets from Larry & Joe. Their subsequent album, Nuevo South Train, was one of my top 5 that year. So when I heard they had a new record coming out, I had a little trepidation about whether their […]
Willie Watson on Touring in the “Wanderlodge”, Odetta, and Working in Vineyards
Singer-songwriter, poet, actor and multi-instrumentalist Willie Watson talks about 2 days spent at West Virginia’s Hillybilly Truck Repair and recalls his first gig, playing Bianca’s Daughters, an Italian restaurant in Watkin’s Glen, NY.