This legendary folk songwriter stops by the show to discuss her techniques for sculpting melody, structuring the bridge of a song, and navigating the ever-shifting sands of the music business.This episode was originally aired on August 20th, 2021.

This legendary folk songwriter stops by the show to discuss her techniques for sculpting melody, structuring the bridge of a song, and navigating the ever-shifting sands of the music business. This episode was originally aired on August 20th, 2021.

Classic Episode - Amy Ray

Our guest this week is one of the godfathers of modern roots and Americana music. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Gary Louris moved to Minneapolis as a young man in the 1970s and immersed himself in a Twin Cities music scene that punched way above its weight culturally. His group, The Jayhawks, would release a string of critically acclaimed and nationally beloved albums.One of Louris’s main gifts is his ability to contribute to the music of a wide array of artists, including Counting Crows, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Roger McGuinn, The Wallflowers, The Black Crowes, Nickel Creek and a host of others. As a member of the Jayhawks he’s appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night With Conan O'Brien. He’s recorded for what sounds like an anthology of record labels: Twin/Tone, American Recordings, Rykodisc, Lost Highway, Thirty Tigers, Rounder, Sony and New West Records. Over the years he’s appeared at Farm Aid, Stagecoach, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky festival.AllMusic calls him “one of the premiere songwriters of his generation.” The Bluegrass Situation, our host network, has written about him as a “musical Swiss Army knife.” Pitchfork has written that he and Mark Olson, his musical partner in the Jayhawks, “sang like they were born joined at the throat.”It’s an immense honor to have Gary on the show. I got a chance to catch up with him a few weeks ago to hear about his musical journey so far.Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Our guest this week is one of the godfathers of modern roots and Americana music. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Gary Louris moved to Minneapolis as a young man in the 1970s and immersed himself in a Twin Cities music scene that punched way above its weight culturally. His group, The Jayhawks, would release a string of critically acclaimed and nationally beloved albums. One of Louris’s main gifts is his ability to contribute to the music of a wide array of artists, including Counting Crows, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Roger McGuinn, The Wallflowers, The Black Crowes, Nickel Creek and a host of others. As a member of the Jayhawks he’s appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night With Conan O'Brien. He’s recorded for what sounds like an anthology of record labels: Twin/Tone, American Recordings, Rykodisc, Lost Highway, Thirty Tigers, Rounder, Sony and New West Records. Over the years he’s appeared at Farm Aid, Stagecoach, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky festival. AllMusic calls him “one of the premiere songwriters of his generation.” The Bluegrass Situation, our host network, has written about him as a “musical Swiss Army knife.” Pitchfork has written that he and Mark Olson, his musical partner in the Jayhawks, “sang like they were born joined at the throat.” It’s an immense honor to have Gary on the show. I got a chance to catch up with him a few weeks ago to hear about his musical journey so far. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Our guest this week is one of the godfathers of modern roots and Americana music. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Gary Louris moved to Minneapolis as a young man in the 1970s and immersed himself in a Twin Cities music scene that punched way above its weight culturally. His group, The Jayhawks, would release a string of critically acclaimed and nationally beloved albums.One of Louris’s main gifts is his ability to contribute to the music of a wide array of artists, including Counting Crows, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Roger McGuinn, The Wallflowers, The Black Crowes, Nickel Creek and a host of others. As a member of the Jayhawks he’s appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night With Conan O'Brien. He’s recorded for what sounds like an anthology of record labels: Twin/Tone, American Recordings, Rykodisc, Lost Highway, Thirty Tigers, Rounder, Sony and New West Records. Over the years he’s appeared at Farm Aid, Stagecoach, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, and Wilco’s Sky Blue Sky festival.AllMusic calls him “one of the premiere songwriters of his generation.” The Bluegrass Situation, our host network, has written about him as a “musical Swiss Army knife.” Pitchfork has written that he and Mark Olson, his musical partner in the Jayhawks, “sang like they were born joined at the throat.”It’s an immense honor to have Gary on the show. I got a chance to catch up with him a few weeks ago to hear about his musical journey so far.Interested in sponsoring us?&nbsp;Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gary Louris

Our guest this week is one of Chicago’s favorite sons. Eric D. Johnson is the songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist behind Fruit Bats, which started in the late 1990s as a four-track recording project before growing into a full touring band. Over the years, Johnson has been a member of The Shins and played with Califone and Vetiver. Besides Fruit Bats, Johnson is also one-third of Bonny Light Horseman alongside Anaïs Mitchell and Josh Kaufman.Fruit Bats have toured with acts including Modest Mouse, The Shins, Iron & Wine, My Morning Jacket, Son Volt, Ray LaMontagne and Guster. Bonny Light Horseman’s debut album earned two Grammy nominations in 2020 for Best Folk Album and Best American Roots Performance ("Deep in Love"). NPR described Fruit Bats as “sweetly flavored folk-pop.” Pitchfork wrote that Johnson has “got a good ear for a classic melody.” And Relix called him “a veteran of the contemporary folk-rock world” with an “instantly recognizable voice.”I got a chance to catch up with Eric about his journey since our last talk!Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Our guest this week is one of Chicago’s favorite sons. Eric D. Johnson is the songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist behind Fruit Bats, which started in the late 1990s as a four-track recording project before growing into a full touring band. Over the years, Johnson has been a member of The Shins and played with Califone and Vetiver. Besides Fruit Bats, Johnson is also one-third of Bonny Light Horseman alongside Anaïs Mitchell and Josh Kaufman. Fruit Bats have toured with acts including Modest Mouse, The Shins, Iron & Wine, My Morning Jacket, Son Volt, Ray LaMontagne and Guster. Bonny Light Horseman’s debut album earned two Grammy nominations in 2020 for Best Folk Album and Best American Roots Performance ("Deep in Love"). NPR described Fruit Bats as “sweetly flavored folk-pop.” Pitchfork wrote that Johnson has “got a good ear for a classic melody.” And Relix called him “a veteran of the contemporary folk-rock world” with an “instantly recognizable voice.” I got a chance to catch up with Eric about his journey since our last talk! Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Our guest this week is one of Chicago’s favorite sons. Eric D. Johnson is the songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist behind Fruit Bats, which started in the late 1990s as a four-track recording project before growing into a full touring band. Over the years, Johnson has been a member of The Shins and played with Califone and Vetiver. Besides Fruit Bats, Johnson is also one-third of Bonny Light Horseman alongside Anaïs Mitchell and Josh Kaufman.Fruit Bats have toured with acts including Modest Mouse, The Shins, Iron &amp; Wine, My Morning Jacket, Son Volt, Ray LaMontagne and Guster. Bonny Light Horseman’s debut album earned two Grammy nominations in 2020 for Best Folk Album and Best American Roots Performance ("Deep in Love"). NPR described Fruit Bats as “sweetly flavored folk-pop.” Pitchfork wrote that Johnson has “got a good ear for a classic melody.” And Relix called him “a veteran of the contemporary folk-rock world” with an “instantly recognizable voice.”I got a chance to catch up with Eric about his journey since our last talk!Interested in sponsoring us?&nbsp;Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fruit Bats return!

Zack Feinberg, one of the creative forces behind this platinum selling rock band, stops by the show to talk creative process.

Zack Feinberg, one of the creative forces behind this platinum selling rock band, stops by the show to talk creative process.

The Revivalists

This blues guitarist from Kansas City is also an ace songwriter and performer.

This blues guitarist from Kansas City is also an ace songwriter and performer.

Samantha Fish

This talented songwriter signed to Geffen Records as a senior in high school, and has headlined Red Rocks.

This talented songwriter signed to Geffen Records as a senior in high school, and has headlined Red Rocks.

Trevor Hall

This native of Greece has been blazing his own path in American music after an auspicious meeting the soul music star Leon Bridges.

This native of Greece has been blazing his own path in American music after an auspicious meeting the soul music star Leon Bridges.

Abraham Alexander

This homegrown Nashville artists has written for Morgan Wallen and Thomas Rhett, and now has a Gold Record of his own.

This homegrown Nashville artists has written for Morgan Wallen and Thomas Rhett, and now has a Gold Record of his own.

ERNEST

This artist has written songs for Amy Grant and the Pointer Sisters and has also worked as a session singer for Jewel and Freedy Johnston.

This artist has written songs for Amy Grant and the Pointer Sisters and has also worked as a session singer for Jewel and Freedy Johnston.

Mary Lee Kortes

This Grammy nominated and chart-topping artist from Breaux Bridge, LA stops by the show to recall his ascent in music and entertainment.

This Grammy nominated and chart-topping artist from Breaux Bridge, LA stops by the show to recall his ascent in music and entertainment.

Hunter Hayes

The former member of Styx and writer of hits for Patty Smyth, Don Henley and Randy Travis stops by the show.

The former member of Styx and writer of hits for Patty Smyth, Don Henley and Randy Travis stops by the show.

Glen Burtnik

The lead guitarist and one of the contributing songwriters to this iconic heavy metal band stops by the show to discuss his time in the studio and on the road with the group.

The lead guitarist and one of the contributing songwriters to this iconic heavy metal band stops by the show to discuss his time in the studio and on the road with the group.

Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest & Elegant Weapons

This Canadian born troubadour has seen platinum success, toured with Shania Twain, and has hosted "Canada's Got Talent".

This Canadian born troubadour has seen platinum success, toured with Shania Twain, and has hosted "Canada's Got Talent".

Lindsay Ell

Joe Pug hosts a weekly conversation with one of today&#39;s best songwriters.  

The Working Songwriter is a part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.  Interested in sponsoring us?  Contact: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Over 300 catalog episodes available to stream in the Nation of Heat Vault.  Visit joepugmusic.com/vault

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Joe Pug hosts a weekly conversation with one of today's best songwriters. The Working Songwriter is a part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods Over 300 catalog episodes available to stream in the Nation of Heat Vault. Visit joepugmusic.com/vault

Joe Pug hosts a weekly conversation with one of today's best songwriters.  

The Working Songwriter is a part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network.  Interested in sponsoring us?  Contact: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Over 300 catalog episodes available to stream in the Nation of Heat Vault.  Visit joepugmusic.com/vault

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