Roots Rednecks and Radicals

The Carolina Chocolate Drops (Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons, and Justin Robinson) put out their album Genuine Negro Jig over 10 years ago. And it is still amazing. I wanted to take a look at this album because it is such an important piece of work in the folk community. It gave all the artists national attention, and launched the careers of Rhiannon and Dom. I hope you dig it! 

Bob Weir passed away just over a month ago. He was a giant in the world of American roots music. A founding member of the Grateful Dead, after Jerry Garcia's death he went on the play with RatDog, Dead & Company, and of course Bob Weird and Wolf Bros. His musical legacy is unparalleled and his tunes will live on! In this episode we take a look at three songs he wrote; Truckin', Sugar Magnolia, and Touch of Grey. RIP Bob Weir! 

I've got 5 more songs for you that I'm diggin' this month! Lucinda Williams, Mitski, Ecca Vandal, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) all have new music out and I wanted to bring these songs to you. They cover a range of styles from alt-country to indie rock and they are all great. I hope you dig it! 

This is the first episode in a series I plan on doing on protest music. Decades ago Woody Guthrie wrote a song that told the story of Tom Joad from Grapes of Wrath. After that Bruce Springsteen wrote an interpolation of Guthrie's song, and not long after that Rage Against The Machine covered Bruce's song in their own style. The story of Tom Joad still resonates today, and I wanted to share the history of this American classic. I hope you dig it! 

Lots of good music to go over with you this month. As always I try and keep you up to date on what's happening in the world of Indie/Alternative music. And I have some fun ones for you today. From jangly indie, to honky-tonking country this is what is tickling my fancy currently. As always, I hope you dig it! 

Justin Townes Earle passed away nearly six years ago. His death came as a shock to the roots music community. The son of Steve Earle was a bright shining star in the world of songwriters. Sammy Brue was a huge fan, and he's written a touching and heartfelt album dedicated to Justin's memory. He joins me on the show today to discuss this album. 

These two folk artists have made an incredible piece of art. It came out at the end of last year, and it's been on repeat in my headphones for awhile now. I've always loved to socially conscious lyrics of Woody Guthrie and this album feels like the best parts of what he was doing decades ago. I hope you dig it! 

MJ Lenderman and Waxahatchie (Katie Crutchfiled) have both had an amazing last few years. They've worked with each other, and played in either Wednesday or Snocaps, both bands that have been garnering a ton of attention lately. I wanted to share some of their tunes with you, I hope you dig it! 

I feel like this year gave us some incredible music from a variety of artists. I wanted to share with you some of the bands and songwriters that were on repeat for me this year. We'll be talking about Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Nathan Evans Fox, Wednesday, Turnstile, Scowl, Lucy Dacus and Jay Som. I hope you dig it!