FolkPod

Benjamin Dakota Rogers is a new voice with the sound of an old soul. At just 25, this Gen Z-er is already a four-time international songwriting competition winner, and from his first word to his newest single, music has infused every part of his life. Now Benjamin tells Cheryl how he came to live and work in a barn, his songwriting secrets, and how he became a social media sensation, literally overnight.

It's International Women's Day, so FolkPod brings you a very special episode with not just one, but TWO of Cheryl's favorite women! Mama's Broke is our first Canadian duo (and first duo EVER on FolkPod). Don't miss a minute of them sharing their gorgeous harmonies, incredible chemistry and the stories behind the songs.

Mary Gauthier has so many accolades it's hard to even list them all... Grammy Nominee, International Folk Music Awards Artist of the Year Winner, GLAAD Media Awards Nominee, and many, MANY more! Plus, her songs have been covered by by performers including Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Kathy Mattea, and Jimmy Buffett. Finding success, however, was a bumpy road. Now, Mary has a wide-ranging chat with Cheryl about protecting herself from falling iguanas, her first spark of inspiration, starting over at 40, the myth of sex, drugs, & rock and roll, her healing work with Songwriting with Soldiers, and of course, her new book "Saved by a Song," which Cheryl calls a must-read! 

From New York City's High School of Music and Art, to Sundays in Washington Square Park and Woodstock, Happy Traum has been the heart and soul of the American folk music scene. He's cold-called guitar legend Brownie McGhee, hit the big time with his brother Artie, played with dozens of folk music luminaries, and taught hundreds of thousands how to play through Homespun Music. He even designed his own signature guitar to rave reviews! Now hear him tell Cheryl his 60 year story in under an hour! Plus, he even plays a previously unreleased song just for our FolkPod fans! 

Long-time listener, first time guest Darryl Purpose chats with Cheryl about his journey from world-class blackjack player to globetrotting musician, how a protest march turned into the first ever stadium concert in Russia, and a run-in with the law that jumpstarted his music career. Plus, hear how he won a million dollars sitting in a Starbucks and about the dream about Darryl that Dave Carter turned into a song. 

Happy One Year Anniversary, FolkPodders! We're turning the tables by having Cheryl interviewed by our friend of more than 20 years, fellow musician, and guest host extraordinaire Carolann Solebello! Cheryl's been drumming pretty much as long as she can remember, but if think performing and schmoozing come naturally to her, has she got stories for you! Plus how she saved Lou Reed's voice AND David Bowie's birthday, all in one week! Find out (almost) everything you wanted to know about Cheryl Prashker when she hits the guest chair and in the hot seat with guest host Carolann Solebello! It's our very special anniversary gift to YOU! Thanks for being the best listeners ever!

John Davidson's been everywhere! From Broadway to Vegas, to The Hollywood Squares, The Tonight Show, and now to Club Sandwich, John's talents as an actor, comedian, TV host, singer/songwriter, and all around entertainer are truly incredible! He really HAS done it all! John talks to our own Cheryl Prashker about figuring out what to do with your life, his philosophy on buying your own shoes, and what you'll really get at Club Sandwich. (Hint: It's not a deli!)

You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll listen again & again! Don't miss Cheryl Prashker's incredible interview Joe Crookston. Joe believes in showing up as your quirkiest, truest, most essential self, and he believes in taking chances...even when that means playing a famous cover in an industry showcase where he only gets two songs. Learning the stories of people he meets in his travels and writing songs from their point of view, Joe's music elicits a deep, emotional reaction. Just take Blue Tattoo, his song about Holocaust survivor Dina Jacobson who immigrated after the war, settling near the Finger Lakes, where Joe happens to live. Hear the whole story of this song and many of his others this week, on this must-listen episode.

Meet L.A. guitarist, singer-songwriter, Janet Robin...or as Cheryl likes to call her, Cousin Janet. When one of your first guitar teachers is Randy Rhoades who played with Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osborne, you're already off to, shall we say, an unusual start. Playing in Precious Metal before she was old enough to drink, Janet was only allowed in for sound checks and shows at some of the hottest clubs on the L.A. scene. She moved on to tour with Lindsey Buckingham, Meredith Brooks, Michelle Shocked, and Air Supply, and had a solo album “Everything Has Changed,” produced by John Carter Cash. Janet talks to Cheryl about all she’s done, and the one gig she turned down that taught her never to say “no.” Plus find out who was her toughest boss, what IS The String Revolution, and what on Earth has Janet done to the Blues???

Sonny Ochs is the older sister of legendary sing-songwriter and activist, Phil Ochs. She has also been a teacher, an ambulance driver, a tireless festival volunteer & concert series organizer, a folk music DJ, and so much more. Now, she sits down to talk to her dear friend and our host Cheryl Prashker to talk about it all. How did this all happen? Some of it she was born into, some of it was a mailman named Gus, and a lot of it was kind of an accident.