Will McFarlane is one of the great unsung heroes of the Muscle Shoals sound, catch him in #13 unpacking five decades of soul, country and R&B from the inside out. Guitarist for Bonnie Raitt from age 22 to 26, session ace for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, and a master of the compact lick, McFarlane rode the late 70s with Bonnie through Little Feat, Tom Waits, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy before Jimmy Johnson of the Swampers called him down to Alabama. He never left.

From there he cut tracks for Etta James (with Jerry Wexler producing and Steve Winwood duetting), Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Rush and a deep run of Malaco sessions with Roger Hawkins and David Hood. He plays signature licks live, including Last Two Dollars, soul rhythm chops and two-string chord work, and breaks down the fatback feel, the art of listening on the floor, and why a Telecaster can cut a session at one dB and you'll still feel it.

Also in the mix: Jesse Ed Davis and Taj Mahal changing his life at 19, Roy Nichols and Chet Atkins on serving the melody, the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd passing through Muscle Shoals, the country-soul continuum from Percy Sledge to Little Milton, and a beautiful bit on Roger Hawkins' snare, just a hair behind the beat, and that's everything.

A conversation for guitar players, soul fans, and anyone who reads liner notes.

The King of the Chitlin Circuit, Bobby Rush holds court with host Ric Stewart in Soul Country on country, comedy and blues. In this 1 minute trailer get a preview of the podcast get a flavor for Bobby's comedy, blues and funkiness as he plays a snatch of "I'm a Funky Bluesman." All that and more in Soul Country #2.

Dylan, Elvis and Orbison sideman Charlie McCoy is a hall of fame harmonica-centric multi-instrumentalist. Born in the same hospital where Hank Williams perished, McCoy brings his own mastery to many hits including "Take This Job and Shove It," "Delta Dawn," "Mohair Sam," "Guitar Man" and "The Boxer" among thousands of tracks. Elvis entrusted him on 13 albums and Dylan made him bandleader for 5 records waxed in Nashville.

A visual blast of Jonathon "Boogie" Long through the years as checks in for Soul Country #5. The Baton Rouge native demonstrates his sizzling guitar work with "Chicken Pickin'" blues, country and Southern Soul styles and stories. With his intense, heartfelt performances, Boogie Long has established himself as a high performance sideman to Luther Kent and his album and stage work with Samantha Fish among many others. Hear some hot licks and stories from this expert craftsmen in this trailer to the podcast

Olivia Wolf brings a rare blend of country, folk, and bluegrass into Soul Country with her live band and new release, Silver Rounds. In the live cutaways check out their Band-like takes, and her startling variety of moods, sonics and rhythms making this an eye opener. She's carving a new path by telling how it is. In the full podcast hear about the funky sounds she attributes to her penchant for Daft Punk textured by 90's household favorites like Lucinda Williams and Tom Waits. Her ear for the psychedelic sounds informs the spiritual journey, or so I'm told. ✌🏻She also previews her version of Crazy Mama, the J.J. Cale staple of Soul Country. Check out season 3 for Ivan Neville, Dean Parks, Charlie McCoy and trailers and playlists at @——Olivia Wolf is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter whose soulful blend of country, folk, and bluegrass resonates with raw emotion and authenticity. Raised in Northern California and shaped by the Appalachian sounds of Virginia and Tennessee, her debut album Silver Rounds (January 2025) explores themes of loss, resilience, and spiritual connection. Produced by Sean McConnell, the album reflects her journey through personal tragedy, into a sound that’s both cosmic and grounded. Inspired by outlaw country legends like Townes Van Zandt and modern voices like Gillian Welch, Wolf’s introspective songwriting and evocative storytelling invite listeners into a world where vulnerability meets strength. @

Ivan Neville talks and plays The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards & The X-Pensive Winos and Robbie Robertson in the action-packed highlights to Soul Country #10. Seeped in the New Orleans funk and soul scene, Ivan has a unique spot classic rock history having recorded with the Rolling Stones on Dirty Work and Voodoo Lounge. His tasty piano licks make this a great spot to learn a bit about more in his full length podcast Ivan Neville where he plays a bit of what keyboard wizard James Booker taught him.

Born August 19, 1959, in the Crescent City, Ivan—son of R&B icon Aaron Neville and nephew to The Neville Brothers—grew up steeped in funk, soul, and jazz. A multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire on keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums, he's left an indelible mark on the industry.Ivan's journey kicked off in the '80s with his debut album If My Ancestors Could See Me Now (1988), boasting hits like "Not Just Another Girl" and a duet with Bonnie Raitt. He toured with Raitt's band, played keys on The Rolling Stones' Dirty Work and Voodoo Lounge, and collaborated with Keith Richards, Don Henley, and more across 300+ recordings.Founding Dumpstaphunk in 2003, Ivan fused NOLA grooves with contemporary funk on albums like Everybody Want Sum (2010). Post-Katrina, his work on Sing Me Back Home (2006) highlighted resilience, while his 2023 solo effort Touch My Soul earned OffBeat's Best Piano/Keyboard award.Tune in as Ivan shares family tales, career highs, and fresh projects, embodying the enduring spirit of his hometown. Don't miss this soul-stirring chat! Sponsored in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.

Patrick Sweany and McKinley James from East Nashville's resident blues purists, The Tiger Beats, drop in for Soul Country episode 1. They talk blues, country, The Rolling Stones and British Blues, Hollywood Fats, Bobby Blue Bland, Magic Sam, Clifton Chenier, Louis Jordan, Jump Blues, Howlin’ Wolf, Ray Charles, Hank Williams, Little Milton, Nirvana and pursuing retro-purity in Nashville. Catch the podcast, playlists, trailers, bios, photos and more at soulcountry.com

Supported in part by grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation

Olivia Wolf brings her soulful blend of country, folk, and bluegrass into Soul Country. She plays a few and tells a few about how she put her band and latest release together. In this episode we hear clips of her band live in Nashville and her playing her tunes solo.The funky sounds she attributes to her penchant for Daft Punk textured by 90's household favorites like Lucinda Williams and Tom Waits. Her ear for the psychedelic sounds informs the spiritual journey, or so I'm told. ✌🏻She also previews her version of Crazy Mama, the J.J. Cale staple of Soul Country. ——Olivia Wolf is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter whose soulful blend of country, folk, and bluegrass resonates with raw emotion and authenticity. Raised in Northern California and shaped by the Appalachian sounds of Virginia and Tennessee, her debut album Silver Rounds (January 2025) explores themes of loss, resilience, and spiritual connection. Produced by Sean McConnell, the album reflects her journey through personal tragedy, into a sound that’s both cosmic and grounded. Inspired by outlaw country legends like Townes Van Zandt and modern voices like Gillian Welch, Wolf’s introspective songwriting and evocative storytelling invite listeners into a world where vulnerability meets strength. #oliviawolf #soulcountry #country #americana #thesouth #northerncalifornia #tomwaits #lucindawilliams

If you've heard Steely Dan - you've heard the guitar artistry of Dean Parks. He plays "Peg," "Josie," "Haitian Divorce" and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number." In this exclusive episode, Dean shares stories from his collaborations with music giants like Eric Clapton, Crosby & Nash, and Johnny Rivers. Discover how he became a key player on The Sonny and Cher Show and hear his expert advice for aspiring guitarists. We wrap up with a stunning improvised original performance, showcasing Parks’ soulful artistry. Don’t miss this deep dive into the career of a guitar legend whose riffs helped define an era. Tune in to Soul Country for an unforgettable journey through music history with Dean Parks!

Dean Parks is a legendary session guitarist whose versatile playing has shaped countless iconic recordings. Born in 1947 in Fort Worth, Texas, Parks began his musical journey early, mastering guitar across genres like jazz, rock, and pop. His distinctive style—marked by melodic precision and soulful phrasing—made him a go-to session musician in Los Angeles by the 1970s. Parks is best known for his work with Steely Dan, delivering unforgettable solos and rhythm parts on tracks like "Peg," "Josie," "Haitian Divorce," and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number." His collaborations span an impressive roster, including Eric Clapton, Crosby & Nash, Johnny Rivers, and Sonny & Cher, where he became a regular on their TV show. Parks’ ability to blend technical skill with emotional depth has earned him respect among peers and fans alike. Beyond studio work, he’s shared stages with top artists and offered invaluable advice to aspiring guitarists, emphasizing feel over flash. His contributions extend to composing and arranging, showcasing his multifaceted talent. In this episode of Soul Country, Parks reflects on his storied career and performs an original improvised piece, highlighting his enduring artistry.

#DeanParks #SteelyDan #SessionGuitarist #SoulCountry #MusicLegends #yachtrock #johnnyrivers

Ivan Neville plays and talks thru an illustrious history recording with the Rolling Stones in the 80's, becoming a sounding board for Robbie Robertson, stepping into his uncle Art's shoes for the Funky Meters show at Funk Fest and his festival dates with Dumpstaphunk. Ivan and seen it all, and taking the cue from his father Aaron Neville's golden pipes, he registers a great vocal every time. He plays Longhair, Dumsta, Keith and Mick and his own compositions in this down home and funky episode of Soul Country.