The Honky Tonk Papa Podcast

We're back with a brand new episode in the Songwriter Series! Guest host Lee Connah picks up where we left off and explores two final songs written by my father, and Lee's uncle, Atlanta artist and musician Whit Connah.  Episode 3 has been a long time coming, but it's well worth the wait. You'll hear two more Whit originals - Bon Rein and Roving Rounder - and the stories behind the songs.  But there's so much more... Lee interviews family and friends influenced by Whit and shares about his own experience receiving some very special harmonica lessons. And Whit's wife, Barbara Panter-Connah, tells the story of their friendship with some legendary Cajun musicians. If you missed Episodes 1 and 2, be sure to go back and catch the stories behind more of Whit's songs and the people whose lives he touched. - show host and producer Amy Connah Hudson

Your guest host, and my cousin, Lee Connah returns with a new episode filled with captivating stories and music about my father,  Atlanta artist and musician Whit Connah. Lee's exploration takes us back in time to revisit the antics of Whit and his longtime partner in crime,  Albert Smith, followed by a a virtual trip to the Galax Fiddlers Convention, insightful conversations about Whit’s songwriting process and a closer look at two more Whit originals, "Hungry Ghosts" and "Dark Angels." If you missed Episode 1, be sure to go back and listen for the back story behind this series and a deep dive into the songs "Holy Robes" and "Ponce de Leon Avenue."  - show host and producer Amy Connah Hudson

Guests in order of appearance:

John Ferguson, Albert Smith, Barbara Panter-Connah, Mitchell Gibbs and Michael Daves.

Music featured in this episode:

Roving Rounder. (Intro) Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy’s intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Cajun Intro. Performed by Hair of the Dog.

Soldier's Joy. Traditional old-time tune. Performed by friends and family. (Since the early 1970s, it's been a family tradition to play this song right before midnight every New Year's Eve.)

Medley (during John's Interview). Performed by Albert, Whit and Hurt Dog.

Cajun Instrumental. Performed by Barbara Panter-Connah.

The Cuckoo. Traditional old-time tune. Performed by The Rosin Sisters: Barbara Panter-Connah, Ann Whitley and Jan Smith.

Give the Fiddler a Dram. Traditional old-time tune. Performed by The Rosin Sisters: Barbara Panter-Connah, Ann Whitley and Jan Smith.

Long Tall Sally. Performed by Hurt Dog.

Sweet Magnolia from Mongolia. Written by Whit Connah, performed by Hurt Dog.

Cajun Interlude. Performed by Hair of the Dog.

Hungry Ghosts. Written by Whit Connah, performed by Hair of the Dog.

Dark Angels. Written by Whit Connah, performed by Whit Connah, Barbara Panter-Connah and Michael Daves.

Cajun Outro. Performed by Whit and Hair of the Dog.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Honky Tonk Papa podcast!

It is my extreme pleasure to introduce your guest host for this series, Lee Connah. Lee and his brother Graham, my Baltimore cousins, both caught the music bug early in their lives. As a singer, musician and songwriter himself, Lee was curious about his Uncle Whit’s songwriting process and began interviewing people close to the music. Those conversations became the drive behind this project.

With each episode, we will explore 2 of Whit's most beloved original songs:

E1 - Holy Robes & Ponce de Leon Avenue

E2 -  Hungry Ghosts & Dark Angels

E3 - Roving Rounder & Bon a Rein

– Show Host & Producer Amy Connah Hudson

Show Guests:

Doug Connah, Paul Connah, Barbara Panter-Connah, Albert Smith, John Ferguson and Michael Daves.

Music featured in this episode:

Roving Rounder. (Intro) Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy’s intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Cajun Intro. Performed by Hair of the Dog.

Roving Rounder (Background to Lee's Intro). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit, Barbara and Stepson John Ferguson, Thanksgiving 2009.

Improv Harmonica Interlude. Performed by Whit Connah and Hurt Dog.

Medley (during Albert’s Interview). Performed by Albert, Whit and Hurt Dog.

Holy Robes (back porch jam version). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by family & friends.

Holy Robes (backstage at the Ryman version). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit and Barbara.

Holy Robes (Old First Church version ). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Michael Daves (vocals & guitar) and Jen Larson (vocals).

Ponce De Leon Avenue. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit (vocals) and Hair of the Dog band members Barbara Panter-Connah (vocals & fiddle), John Ferguson (Telecaster), Bob Visentin (bass), Doug Landsberg (drums) and Bill Fleming (Pedal Steel). Recorded on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Ponce De Leon Avenue (live version). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Michael Daves (vocals & guitar), Tony Trischka (banjo), Brittany Haas (fiddle), Jenni Lyn Gardner (mandolin) and Mike Bub (bass).

Cajun Outro. Performed by Whit and Hair of the Dog.

It’s the love story we’ve all been waiting to hear.
When Barbara Panter and Whit Connah met on New Year’s Eve of 1972 going into 1973, they never imagined they’d be married a little more than 10 years later. Barbara sat with me and shared their love story in early February 2020. We kicked things off with a conversation about their annual Valentine’s Day Treasure Hunt which Whit carried out for 35 years. It was a tradition he picked up from his father who did the same for his mother as long as he could remember.

Barbara and Whit were musical partners for more than 40 years and marriage partners for 33 of those years.
They were in two Atlanta Bands - Hurt Dog and Hair of the Dog - and played venues across Atlanta and North Georgia, but also faraway places like Serbia, Ireland, and Wales. Whit and Barbara shared a rare love - the kind that most people dream of. Barbara takes us through the ups and downs, highs and lows. You might think Whit's illness would be the lowest of all points, but it was quite the opposite in many ways.

In the words of his daughter Jenny, "He brought light and laughter and pure joy into his circumstance. His answer was to live! And live he did. Even from his paralytic bed, he lived life to the fullest. It was a beautiful thing to behold." Indeed, it was. He was able to live the last three months of his life from home, surrounded by his colorful art and the people he loved. The front door revolved continually, and the rollers on his hospital bed became his legs, as he moved into the main room to enjoy the stream of friends, neighbors and family visiting from near and far. There was always music, and people prepared the most wonderful meals. Even the caretakers felt like members of the family. 

This episode includes some priceless music and audio bits which provide an unforgettable listening experience! Episode #4 Music (in order of appearance):

Roving Rounder. (Intro) Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy’s intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Valse De Cercle De La Vie. (Throughout episode). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Improv Cajun Musical Interludes. Performed by Hair of the Dog.

Improv Harmonica Interlude. Performed by Whit Connah and Hurt Dog.

Improv Musical Interlude. Performed by Whit Connah and Michael Daves.

Ponce De Leon Avenue. Written and performed by Whit Connah.

Dark Angels. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit, Barbara and Michael Daves.

Have you ever given away a prized possession because you had a feeling it might really make a difference for the person receiving it? My guest Cameron Connah returns for the second in a two-parter to share the fascinating story of someone who did just that for him more than 20 years ago. It not only changed the trajectory of his life, but played a key role in the creative endeavors of three close friends. Get ready to be inspired by the lovely sounds of "the gift" in this beautiful tapestry of story and song.

Most of our episodes include stories about the legacy of Atlanta artist and musician Whit Connah - aka Honky Tonk Papa - and the impact he made on the lives of people who encountered him. But we'll often explore other legacy makers, like the people you'll hear about in today's show.

If you didn’t catch part 1 with Cameron, you'll want to go back and listen to Episode #2: Whit Songs. It’s filled with original music and some mind blowing surprises!

Learn more about Taylor Brown’s fiction at www.taylorbrownfiction.com.

Learn more about Blaine Capone’s art at www.blainecapone.art.

Episode #3 Music (in order of appearance):

Roving Rounder. (Intro) Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy's intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band's album, Mongrel.

Suzy (Guitar & Harmonica Instrumental). Written and performed by Cameron and Lee Connah (aka The Urban Tumbleweeds).

Roving Rounder (Guitar & Harmonica Instrumental). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Cameron and Lee Connah.

Various Instrumentals. Composed and performed by Cameron Connah.

Old Time Instrumental. Performed by Hurt Dog with Paul Connah on guitar.

The Wolfman. Lyrics written by Taylor Brown. Composed and performed by Cameron Connah.

Seamus O’Malley. Lyrics written by Taylor Brown. Composed and performed by Cameron Connah.

Suzy.  Lyrics written by Lee Connah. Composed by Cameron Connah. Performed by Cameron and Lee (aka The Urban Tumbleweeds) with cameo by Heron Connah. Hear Suzy and other great tracks on their album “Love & Tumble” at www.bandcamp.com.

Before show host Amy Connah Hudson ever knew she’d be producing a podcast, she was simply on a mission. She was determined to visit with as many people as she could to capture stories about her parents who had both passed away in 2016. This mission brought her to Baltimore, MD in the summer of 2017 where she interviewed family members, including cousins Lee and Cameron Connah. They each shared about the impact her father, Atlanta artist and musician Whit Connah, had on their lives. Today’s show takes us back in time to Cameron’s basement where Amy sat down to talk with Cameron.

Whether you knew Whit or not, you’re going to feel the essence of the man in Episode #2. And you’re going to hear some really good music! Cameron talks about Whit’s musical tastes and style, then dives deep into his favorite Whit songs. He describes how – through their musical connection – he discovered a kinship with his uncle that goes deeper than blood. Listen to hear the rest of the story. 

Episode #2 Music (in order of appearance):

Roving Rounder. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy's intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band's album, Mongrel.

Harmonica Interlude. Composed by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit and Hurt Dog.

Hungry Ghosts. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Bon à Rien.

Valse De Cercle De La Vie. Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Ponce De Leon Avenue. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Ponce De Leon Avenue (Thanksgiving 2009 Impromptu). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Cameron Connah with Barbara, Whit and other family/guests joining in.

Roving Rounder (Thanksgiving 2009 Impromptu). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit, Barbara and John Ferguson.

In Episode 1, Amy Connah Hudson and guest host Cira Lara discuss how and why Amy decided to create a podcast about the legacy of her father, Atlanta artist and musician Whit Connah. Several months after Amy lost her mother and father in 2016, she went on a mission to get their stories. She conducted audio interviews with close friends and family members in Atlanta and across the country. Listen to hear the rest of the story.

In future episodes Amy will invite you into some of these early interviews, as well as many more new conversations to come. Hop on board the Honky Tonk Papa Podcast, and subscribe to the show so you don't miss an episode! 
. . . .
https://www.honkytonkpapa.com 

#honkytonkpapapodcast #honkytonkpapa

Welcome to The Honky Tonk Papa Podcast, a journey into the life and legacy of Atlanta legend Whit Connah. Whit was a powerhouse singer and musician, who loved nothing better than making art in his studio and music with his friends. He’s touched lives from Atlanta to Appalachia, New Orleans to New York - and beyond. If you love roots music – old-time country, Cajun and blues – AND you love a good story… hop on board and join us for the ride. Head on over to honkytonkpapa.com to subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast app.