Singer-songwriter Jeffrey Foucault has taken "the small roads," building his independent career through a relentless international touring schedule and his critically-acclaimed recordings. The New Yorker praises his work as "Stark, literate songs that are as wide-open as the landscape of his native Midwest." (Broadcast: " Musicians' Spotlight ," 9/29/16 and 1/5/17. Listen weekly on on the radio Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., or via podcast .)

From humble beginnings in Moscow, ID, acclaimed singer-songwriter Josh Ritter recorded and released his self-titled debut in 1999 after graduating from Oberlin College with a self-created “American History Through Narrative Folk Music” major. His albums have been praised for their beautifully spare songwriting, textured imagery and simple lyrics.

John Floridis talks with Ingrid Korvits, the director of Estonia's acclaimed Ellerhein Girls’ Choir . Estonian choral music is a reflection of the country’s centuries-old singing tradition, one that sustained Estonians through the brutality of WWII and the fifty-year Soviet occupation. Even though Estonia overflows with choral music, the Ellerhein choir stands out; they’ve won competitions around the world and have made numerous major-label recordings.

With "Tumbleweed," his third recording in five years, singer/songwriter/guitarist Mike Murray brings a new level of maturity to his bluesy, folk-rock music. Murray, from Kalispell, Montana, credits new fatherhood for the personal lyrics and rich production qualities of this group of songs.

Ben Sollee , who describes himself as "cellist, composer, storyteller," brings a sweet grace and gritty groove to his diverse mix of styles. Appalachian mountain music segues into blues, a Bach cello suite leads to a Paul Simon cover, then to the bluegrass music of Sollee's native Kentucky. (Broadcast: " Musicians' Spotlight ," 6/16/16 and 9/22/16. Listen weekly on on the radio Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., or via podcast .)

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter makes her first visit to Musicians’ Spotlight to talk about her debut solo recording, which comes after a decade of touring and recording with The Nocturnals. Known for her magnetic stage presence, soaring vocals and adventurous keyboard solos, Grace’s new album, Midnight, reveals a more personal and reflective side of her music.

Lauded as “the greatest living exponent of the electric violin,” Tracy Silverman ’s groundbreaking work with the 6-string electric violin defies musical boundaries. Silverman joins John Floridis in the Musicians' Spotlight this week.

Born in Philipsburg, Montana and holding a master’s degree in Appalachian studies, instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Coty Hogue immersed herself in old music, studying with Ginny Hawker, before starting to write and record a few of her own songs alongside favorite traditional gems.

"The Shape Of Things Gone Missing, The Shape Of Things to Come” - that’s the poetic title of singer-songwriter Martha Scanlan ’s most recent album. Martha returns to “Musicians’ Spotlight” to discuss this recording project as well as her efforts to shine a spotlight on threats to southeastern Montana’s unique Tongue River Valley: its landscape, pace, and way of life.

This week's “Musicians’ Spotlight” is a St. Patrick's Day special honoring some of the best Irish music we've featured on the program - traditional, contemporary, and something in between. Highlights include the duo John Doyle and Karan Casey , and sean-nós singer and former member of the Hothouse Flowers, Liam Ó Maonlaí .