American Songcatcher

Good people! I'm so pleased to share my fourth guest to embark on this "Sitting In" mini-series, a local legend in my neck of the woods, Chattanooga's own Lon Eldridge. Harboring a unique blend of traditional pre-war blues, ragtime, jazz and swing, Lon has spent the last two decades evoking the styles of those who laid the framework of these genres, from the likes of Mississippi John Hurt to Robert Johnson to Blind Blake and countless other musical masters. He's an avid collector of 78rpm records and restores old Victrola record players, and showcases his deep collection under the guise of DJ Passe. Lon's also a member of a gypsy jazz and swing group called The 9th Street Stompers, who cull up the musical scenery of an era when the lines between swing, gypsy jazz, blues, rockabilly, and if all that wasn't enough, he also has his own bolo tie business, Lookout Bolo Ties.⁠

For this collaboration, Lon expanded his skills once again to celebrate the work of Hawaiian steel guitarist Pale K. Lua, who was instrumental in bringing the unique sound to America at the turn of the century, before it was adopted by blues, western, bluegrass and country music starting in the 1920's. Lon is the only person to assemble all of Pale's recordings and release them as a complete set. Here's his story, enjoy.⁠

Follow Lon: @dj_Passe

@bolo_knee Links:

Pale K. Lua Complete Recordings

Lon's Official Website

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Hey Folks! I'm so pleased to share the 3rd act of this "Sitting In" miniseries with you, none other than the inimitable Willi Carlisle. A multi-faceted writer, performer, and instrumentalist, Willi has spent the last several years collecting folklore, playing or calling square dances, and working in the avant-garde. He's a folksinger with a style forged in the fire of Ozark old-time, and has a masters degree in Poetry. He's spent years in the woods with poets and old folk singers and he's a queer-identifying storyteller whose musical stories hoot, stomp, and saunter through joys and troubles uniquely southern and timelessly true. He's equally comfortable on banjo, accordion, fiddle, and guitar, and has earned accolades for his versatility with performances in the UK, Canada, and across the USA, appearing with acts like Dom Flemons, Mary Gauthier, Los Texmaniacs and more.

The Washington Post said that:

"Carlisle has a poetry in describing songs passed down through generations as a most precious cultural commodity, and a passion and immediacy in performing them. Both down home and brainy, [Willi] is worth seeking out."

The following is classic Willi. Short stories of the Ozarks told over a collection of sounds and from Willi's pocket, followed by a talking' blues piece called "Peculiar, Missouri". Enjoy! Follow on Instagram:

@WilliCarlisle

Link:

Official Website

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Hey Folks! I'm thrilled to share the second part of the "Sitting In" mini-series, where I hand over the podcast reins to some of my folky friends, so that they can share a story that ties into music preservation and play a few songs in line with their story.

My guest today is Sparrow, who along with her partner Keith, leads the Asheville, NC group The Resonant Rogues, who seamlessly weave the threads of old time, country, swing, folk and more into a beautiful tapestry that simultaneously showcases tradition and innovation. In late 2020, she was immersed in a month-long mentorship program at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, which has a fascinating history, curriculum and mission. This is a journal of her experience.

Follow on Instagram:

@ResonantRogues

@SparrowPants

@JohncCampbellFolkschool

Links:

Official Website -

John Campbell Folk School

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Today, I'm delighted to share the first "Sitting In" mini-series episode with you, where I've handed the podcast reins over to a music preservationist and performer. First up, is a story of the African American spiritual turned protest song called "We Shall Not Be Moved", written and spoken by Matthew Sabatella.

Matthew's mission is to "connect people with music that is woven into the fabric of the United States". He's a singer, writer, multi-instrumentalist and award-winning old-time banjo player, music historian, leader of the Rambling String Band, and serves on the board of directors for Southeast regional chapter of Folk Alliance International. He's also the founder of Ballad of America, an educational non-profit that not only provides and develops vital resources for preserving all of the songs and genres that have shaped America, but also travels to colleges and universities to give educational lectures and presentations to spread awareness of this important history directly down the generational ladder.

I can't wait to share all the "Sitting In" episodes with you over the next several weeks, they're all very different, entertaining and educational. Matt's also got a great radio voice, so enjoy!

Follow on Instagram:

@Balladofamerica

@ramblingstringband

@sabatellamusic

Links:

Matthew Sabatella

Ballad of America

Rambling String Band

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Today I have the pleasure of sharing a conversation I had with multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Jay Cobb Anderson, co-founder of the group Fruition, who has been making big waves in the major festival circuit during the last decade with blends of traditional sounds, contemporary folk and bluegrass, and most recently the roots of rock and roll.

We talked about Jay's busking journey, how he reached the other members of Fruition, how they developed their sound, about Bob Dylan and the wake he left for so many to dive into old music, how traditional music fits into his life today and the music he creates, some interesting stories and a few artists that I hadn't heard of.

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Follow on Instagram:

@JayCobbAnderson

@fruitionpdx

@tkandtheholyknownothings

Jay's Musical Projects:

Fruition - https://www.fruitionband.com/home

TK and the Holy Know-Nothings - https://www.tkandtheholyknownothings.com/

Jay Cobb Anderson - https://www.jaycobbanderson.com/

Today, I'm delighted to share a talk I had with mandolin prodigy and Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Sierra Hull. Accomplishing more in her first 28 years of life than most could over a few lifetimes, Sierra made her Grand Ole Opry debut at the age of 10, played Carnegie Hall at age 12, then landed a deal with Rounder Records at 13. Sierra was mentored by Alison Krauss and Chris Thile, she's collaborated with all the big hitters in bluegrass from Ricky Skaggs, to Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglass and Sturgill Simpson. Despite all those big names I threw out there, as you'll hear Sierra could not be more humble.

In early 2020, she released her fourth critically acclaimed record "25 Trips", an inventive piece of work revealing her profound warmth as a storyteller, building off Sierra's bluegrass roots and venturing into entirely new terrain.

We talked about her childhood, small town living, the broad palette of music and bottomless well of traditional music, we geeked out on Tony Rice and Doc Watson, and Sierra shared r a few in depth wild stories that led her down the path she's on.

More on Sierra Hull:

Official - https://www.sierrahull.com/

Sierra and Husband Justin Moses "Little Liza Jane" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Eg2TotshKs

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Today, I have the pleasure of sharing a conversation I had with Oliver Wood. Since 2004, Oliver has been the frontman of The Wood Brothers, blurring the boundaries between folk, gospel, country-soul, and blues, earning an international audience and a Grammy Award-nomination along the way. Alongside his brother Chris Wood, of Medeski Martin and Wood, as well as percussionist Jano Rix, The Wood Brothers have embodied the future of roots music, while at the same time turning it on its head.

Released yesterday, Oliver's debut solo album, Always Smilin' reimagines his sharp songwriting, savvy guitar chops, and one-of-a-kind voice in a new light. He didn't do it alone, as Jano Rix, Susan Tedeschi, Hiss Golden Messenger's Phil Cook, John Medeski, and several others also make appearances. Embracing the full range of his musical heritage, Always Smilin' builds upon the blues and gospel sounds Oliver explored long before The Wood Brothers' formed, and galvanizes the roots music he's been making during the past two decades.

We talked about his long history before starting The Wood Brothers with Chris, their shared wealth of music education from their musical father, how traditional music has informed The Wood Brothers and his solo project, geek out on some unknown roots musicians and much more. Enjoy!

Listen to Oliver's new solo record Always Smilin' - https://oliverwoodmusic.bandcamp.com/album/always-smilin

Official Website - https://www.oliverwoodmusic.com

The Wood Brothers - https://www.thewoodbros.com

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This interview was made possible by the community on Patreon. For as little as $3 a month, you can directly support the team behind American Songcatcher make this program all it can be.

Visit the Patreon site today and support if you have the means - https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher

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When I first set out with this podcast there were a few people in particular that I wanted to talk to, and today's guest is at the top of that list.

David Holt is a four-time Grammy winner, multi-instrumentalist, and for 14 years performed as a duo on banjo with the legendary Doc Watson. He's spent his life learning, performing and telling stories of traditional American music as the host of numerous radio and television shows including: Riverwalk Jazz, Folkways, Great Scenic Railway Journeys, Fire on the Mountain, and today, David Holt's State of Music. The PBS TV series features modern masters of American roots music who share their stories, talk music history, and collaborate with David on a few tunes. He's hosted the likes of Taj Mahal, Jerry Douglas, Keb Mo, Rhiannon Giddens, Steep Canyon Rangers, Dom Flemons, and Blind Boy Paxton.

We talked about his long history, how he got into storytelling and hosting, his mentors, the time he spent with Doc Watson and a few stories, how traditional music fits in today's culture, and what he's doing today with State of Music. There are some moments when David is showing me photographs while he talks, so if you'd like to see the video, it's available through Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher.

Links:

Legacy Album with Doc Watson

Official Website

PBS: David Holt's State of Music

Follow State of Music on Instagram

Season 1, Episode 10 // She Warbles When She Flies (SEASON FINALE)

Featured in this Episode:

Willie Nelson - “Lucky Old Sun’” (13:30)

Jerry Garcia - “Walkin’ Boss” (31:40)

Blaze Foley - “Oval Room” (52:50)

Jontavious Willis - “Pistol Slappin’ Blues” (1:12:38)

Teaser:

This traditional tune is based off of England’s oldest known documented song, dating back to the 13th century, centered around a bird who calls in spring. He’s one of America’s most well known musicians, responsible for completely changing the face of country music, though originally, he didn’t fit in because of his odd vocal phrasing. Most know him as the laid back lead guitarist of one of the most prolific jam bands, gone too soon, but he brought more traditional songs to the fold than most folk singers. The duct tape messiah, a living obscurity from the Austin singer-songwriter scene of the 70’s and 80’s, and one of the greatest poets to be hardly known. There aren’t many young African Americans taking up pre-war blues and the original stylings of the acoustic guitar, but this infectious young man takes people back in time.

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"Shine A Light":

Club Passim - https://www.passim.org/

Source Credits:

#1: OldWeirdAmerica | Anthology of American Folk Music | MamaLisa.com | Mainly Norfolk | Duke.edu

#2: Willie nelson Museum | Biography | The Famous People | The Guardian | PBS

#3: Blacklisted Journal Levity.com | Aforum.com | Variety | Rolling Stone | Living Room Candidate

#4: Rolling Stone | Official Blaze Foley Site | Wide Open Country  |

Blaze Foley Movie

#5: Official Website | The Kurland Agency | Handy Blues | The Country Blues

Today on the program, I have the distinct pleasure of sharing a wonderful conversation I had with Leah Song, one half of the world folk fusion group Rising Appalachia. Over the last decade, Rising Appalachia has reimagined a huge body of traditional songs to a massive audience over the seven records they’ve released since forging their musical path. We talked about how she and her sister Chloe grew up, how they will continue unpacking the musicology lessons they’ve received from their fiddle folklorist mother, how traditional music fits into their landscape of sounds, the importance of preservation, and the wild stories of how they came to be.

Leah was also kind enough to record a few videos of traditional songs for the show, and for the AS Patreon supporters. Become a part of the AS Patreon Community for as little as $3 a month to the see the videos in full, and more exclusive content here: https://www.Patreon.com/AmericanSongcatcher

Follow:

@LeahSongMusic - https://www.instagram.com/LeahSongMusic

@RisingAppalachia - https://www.instagram.com/Rising Appalachia

@AmericanSongcatcher - https://www.instagram.com/AmericanSongcatcher