After her set at the Green Parrot Festival in Cologne, Germany, Appalachian musician Martha Spencer shares her journey growing up in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and her deep-rooted connection to traditional music and dance. In this interview, Carol and Kikki ask Martha about everything from her beginnings in a family band to her experiences as a musician and as an instructor.

Tune in to hear Martha reflect with us on carrying forward Appalachian traditions, passing on the lessons she learned in her community, and most importantly: building bridges through music in every way she can.

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Created and produced by Carol B. Rebbel (2025)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time, we didn’t pick just one woman to talk about - we chose three: the incredible trio of Sara Watkins, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sarah Jarosz. Still dumbfounded after their concert in Amsterdam, we knew it would be nothing short of perfect to invite our friend Julia Zech, a.k.a. Lightening Jules from the band Stereo Naked, to join us for this episode.

We could talk for hours and hours about their prolific solo careers (and we just might, someday!), but for this episode, we focused entirely on the story of their band. I'm With Her was formed about a decade ago based on friendship and mutual admiration and has become this powerful unit; a three-headed creature, as they say themselves. This band has moved and inspired us and we're happy to share our thoughts and impressions with you. 

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Created and produced by Carol B. Rebbel (2025)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hazel was there - before it was even called bluegrass. By fronting a folk/bluegrass band with the great Alice Gerrard in a way that was true to her pure nature and roots, she created representativity for women to act as protagonists when putting their music out there. Her passion for singing and songwriting not only shaped and kept American folk music alive, but inspired several other musicians like Emmylou Harris, Laurie Lewis, Lynn Morris, two generations of the Judds and many many more women. And countless men as well.

It is with immense respect and love that we pay homage to her and her music by highlighting her incredible life on this episode. So tune in to find out more about her life, her significant contribution to folk and bluegrass music, her dedication to social activism, and the legacy she left us.

Intro song "Herby's Reel" by Bashed Potatoes, all right reserved.

Audio excerpt of the film "Matewan" (1987) directed by John Sayles.

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Created and produced by Carol B. Rebbel (2025)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One could say 2025 has been her year. We love her songs, her story and the way she's impressively making her way up in the Folk & Americana scene and beyond. In this episode, we'll talk about her roots, her experiences, her struggles, her music, her accomplishments and how she inspires us to be free and creative as artists and humans.

Intro song "Herby's Reel" by Bashed Potatoes, all right reserved.

Follow us on social media @purdypickers for news on upcoming episodes and extra content!

Created and produced by Carol B. Rebbel (2025)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is in introductory episode where we, Carol and Kikki, discuss the need for content about female musicians and representativity for women in bluegrass and folk. We'll introduce ourselves, talk all about what drove us to start this podcast and the many aspects of being a female musician in this world.

Intro song "Herby's Reel" by Bashed Potatoes, all right reserved.

Follow us on social media @purdypickers for news on upcoming episodes and extra content!

Created and produced by Carol B. Rebbel (2025)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.