In the summer of 2018, we said  "We need to talk about Americana music". At the time it felt that there was an apparent disconnect in not only the discussion around the genre but in the would-be community as well. Industry workers and audiences were leading the conversation, but there appeared to be a disturbing absence of input from the most important individuals in American-roots-based music… The artists themselves. 

On April 30th, 2019, after a year of writing, recording, and refining- Americana Podcast was released into the world. We have recorded in studios, green rooms, and in front of live audiences. We have stayed up into the wee hours of the morning researching, conducting interviews, and editing.. (so much editing..) and have dedicated ourselves to defining not only the genre but the experience fo Americana artists, with parameters set by the artists themselves. 

On this one-year anniversary episode, Zach Chance and Jonathon Clay of Jamestown Revival are back...but on their recommendation, with a twist. Zach and John turn the tables and interview host and moderator of Americana Podcast, Robert Earl Keen.  So join us from the BMI offices in Austin, TX as we celebrate our one-year anniversary episode and look to the future of Americana music. 

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

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"Sentimental music has a great way of taking you back somewhere at the same time it takes you forward, so you feel nostalgic and hopeful at the same time."- Nick Hornby 

Robert Earl Keen speaks live from Railbird Music Festival with Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz of Mandolin Orange about developing a setlist from a large catalog, building a community, and the future of Americana music. 

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

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Drew Holcomb, originally from Memphis and currently residing in Nashville, TN, formed his band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors in 2006 and was an early adopter of the term "Americana". 

Holcomb's discography is impressive, extending as far back as 2005, and has a nearly consistent output of a 2-year album cycle. His most recent record, Dragons, was released in August of 2019. Holcomb's musical identity is far from the acoustic singer-songwriter. His adoption of big percussion lead sound, rich production value, and the embrace of his larger-than-life warm voice make his records feel more like a happy celebration in the summertime and less like an over-contemplative listening room. Most of his songs touch on the ideas of family, and community and serve as a reminder that those aspects of life are as rich of an experience as any heartbreak that we can relate to in a song. 

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

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Donate to the show!

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BE SURE TO LISTEN TO THE WALKING THE FLOOR PODCAST TO HEAR THE OTHER HALF OF THIS LIVE-RECORDED EVENT

Recorded life at AMERICANAFEST in Nashville, TN, host Robert Earl Keen speaks with Chris Shiflett. Some of you may recognize him as the guitarist of the famed rock-band the Foo Fighters while others (or both) might know him from his podcast Walking the Floor with Chris Shiflett.

Shiflett was podcasting before it was cool and has spoken with the likes of Merle Haggard, Yola, Tyler Childers and so many more. In addition to his work in music journalism and his career in the Foo Fighters, Shiflett released his 4th record "Hard Lessons" in 2019.  

Shiflett's career and pursuits are a path that can be considered a great crash course in learning about music. His interviews are insightful and warm as he takes a casual yet curious approach with his guests. And his records merge his rock and roll musicianship with his affection for Bakersfield country. You can learn a lot whether you listening to one, the other or both.

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

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Donate to the show!

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The individuals we bring into our lives are sources of happiness, pain, direction, growth, etc. Some may be new and others may have been there from what feels like the very beginning. And like that, there stands a physical embodiment of the intersection of time and influence all wrapped up into one person, or two… or maybe three.

On today's episode of Americana Podcast, recorded LIVE at Railbird, host Robert Earl Keen speaks with Sarah Jarosz, Sara Watkins, and Aoife O'Donovan. Collectively, since 2014, known as the band I'm With Her. They discuss their beginnings on the road before recording and releasing their 2018 record "See You Around".

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

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On today's episode of Americana podcast: the 51st State - Kevin Russell. Also known as Shinyribs.

Kevin Russell, or as we've been calling him "the physical embodiment of sound"- was born in the late '60s in Beaumont, Texas. In his formative years, Russell's family relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was exposed to one of the richest hotbeds for roots-based music. At 17 he began to play in various bars and venues across the state and in the early 90's he relocated to Austin, TX. In 1994 he became a member of the cult-classic band "The Gourds" which lasted until 2013. 

Since then Russell has been performing as Shinyribs - a musical hodgepodge of anything from gritty swamp rock, to smooth soul, to just flat-out groovy songs. Also the purveyor of one of the most fun and entertaining live shows, ever.  

Russell's timeline exemplifies not only a part of where Americana music started "officially" but hopefully where it's going as well. 

Shinyribs is also joining our host Robert Earl Keen, not only on the podcast but on Keen's annual Christmas tour this year!

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

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Donate to the show!

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Up to this point, Americana has been defined as American root-based music. What then when the roots grow deeper and expand beyond the borders of the continent? What if the sounds, cadence, and singer-songwriter qualities of Americana are there.. just not the language? 

Baptiste W. Hamon has been playing and writing music professionally since about 2015. Releasing his first record in 2016 and his second, "Soleil, Soleil Bleu" in April of 2019. Hamon's music is reflective of traditional American singer-songwriter style but innovative in his approach because.. well, you guessed it- he writes in French.

On Americana Podcast: the 51st State, Robert Earl Keen sits down with Baptiste Hamon to discuss the influence of American songwriters, the surprises of touring non-french speaking countries, his latest record and his thoughts on being considered an "Americana artist".

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

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Americana, for all intents and purposes, is roots-based music. Sounds, songs, and stories are as much a part of the region as they are apart of the artist. Although the Americana generally adopts regional sounds and sub-genres and provides a platform with a wider national and international reach, we have to wonder what we as listeners might be losing when not defining a song or a band by where it/they come from. Geographically where does Americana start and better yet... where does it end? 

Cody Canada, formerly of "Cross Canadian Ragweed" and currently of his new band Cody Canada & The Departed"- is a poster-child for the sub-genre known as Red Dirt Country. A form of music developed between Oklahoma and Texas that generally mixes rock and roll-based sound with country-style songwriting. With a style of music that's pretty well-defined as such, does it count as Americana? On Americana Podcast: The 51st State, Canada discusses regionality, influences, and his newest work in music education on the first-ever live episode- recorded at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, TX. 

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

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Host, Robert Earl Keen speaks with frontman and lyricist BJ Barham of the band American Aquarium.

BJ Barham, originally from Rockingham, North Carolina, started American Aquarium in 2006. Despite going through a number of members, Barham has stuck with the band through and through acting as the frontman and primary lyricist throughout its changes. Touring anywhere from 200 to just over 300 dates a year in its earlier years, BJ recognized early on that in order to have a career as a musician it would take hard work and dedication. Leaving no market untouched, and no stoned unturned - American Aquarium has traveled all over the world and has gained a deeply loyal fan base. With seven records to their name and an additional solo record of BJ's, American Aquarium is is notable for songs lyrically geared towards the working class but backed by Tom Petty-esque sound. In writing personal takes on life, and songs about struggling points in the south, American Aquarium's discography almost acts as a musical love letter from one hard worker to another.

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

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Donate to the show!

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Historic music venues are such special places. Beacons of history and culture, these venues are ones act almost as a road between the past and the present. For newer musicians taking the same stage as their heroes- and audiences getting to be apart of that moment, is a magical experience. 

On this episode of Word on the Street, Americana Podcast speaks with talent buyer, Mark McKinney of Floore's Country Story. Floore's celebrated its 75th anniversary of operation in 2017 and has been a staple for Texas audience and touring musicians alike. Mark has worked at Floore's for the last 18 years and his work there has always been in the interest of making for a better experience for bands and fans whilst preserving the venue's historical integrity. 

Americana Podcast is proudly a part of the American Songwriter Podcast Network. Make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for info on new episodes and peeks behind the scenes.

Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!

https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial 

Donate to the show!

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