Wildwood Flower

Season 2 Finale Update

Jack explains the delay in the release of the Season 2 finale and opens up a call for collaborators.

Episode Twenty Six: The DeZurik Sisters (The Cackle Sisters)

Jack marvels at the much-more-than-novelty sister duo, the DeZurik Sisters. Listen to hear what won the hearts of both the National Barn Dance and the Grand Ole Opry audiences. Songs The DeZurik Sisters - Arizona Yodeler Bradley Kincaid - Will the Angels Play...

Episode Twenty Five: Louise Massey

She wrote one of the greatest odes to one's house in "My Adobe Hacienda." This week we look at the songs, the career, and the family of one of country music's most influential artists: Louise Massey. Songs Louise Massey and the Westerners...

Episode Twenty Four: Patsy Montana, Part 3

We look at Patsy's "paying her dues" years of the 40s and early 50s, including her interactions with some of country's biggest legends. Songs: Patsy Montana and the Prairie Ramblers - I Wanna Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart 2 (I’ve Found My Cowboy’s...

Episode Twenty Three: Patsy Montana, Part 2

Part 2 of 3 Patsy Montana episodes this season. We take a look at Patsy's time with the Prairie Ramblers and WLS in the 30s. We also get to hear her talk about the writing of the song that put...

Episode Twenty Two: Patsy Montana, Part I

Patsy Montana: the first female country musician to have a million-selling record. Patsy's not great with facts, so Jack does what he can to get a reasonably accurate account of the early life and career of this icon. Songs: Enrico Caruso -...

Episode Twenty One: The Girls of the Golden West

Jack is back from a two-month hiatus to tell you all he can about the pioneering close-harmony sister duo The Girls of the Golden West. Songs: Girls of the Golden West - Started out from Texas Gene Autry - Cowboy Yodel Girls of the...

Episode Twenty: The Three Little Maids, Part Three - Eva Overstake

Jack closes out The Three Little Maids trilogy by looking at the brief, tragic, yet influential life of Eva Overstake. References: Berry, C. (Ed.). (2008). The Hayloft Gang: The Story of the National Barn Dance (Vol. 543). University of Illinois Press. Bufwack, M....

Episode Nineteen: The Three Little Maids, Part 2: Lucille Overstake (Jenny Lou Carson)

The legendary Jenny Lou Carson (Lucille Overstake) is the first woman to write a #1 country song. We hear her story, plus things get blue as we get into the dirty thirties with a strain of hillbilly music you wouldn't...

Episode Eighteen: The Three Little Maids, Part 1: Evelyn Overstake

An introduction to the Three Little Maids and a focused look on Evelyn Overstake, the oldest of the three sisters. Songs:  Irene Harvey, Vivain Hart, and Carita Crawford - Three Little Maids from School Madge Chrichton - Something Sweet About Me The Chalk Farm...

Episode Seventeen: Lulu Belle, Part 2

We find Lulu Belle at her professional peak in 1936, discuss her musical highlights of her time with Scotty, and follow her post-country music career to the North Carolina General Assembly where she makes a lasting mark on American history. Songs:  Jessica...

Episode Sixteen: Lulu Belle, Part 1

Lulu Belle, kicking against the pricks of National Barn Dance, sets the template for feisty country music women for years to come. Songs:  West Wing Theme - Snuffy Walden Elviry Weaver - Square dance call from The Grand Ole Opry Lulu Belle and Burrhead...

Episode Fifteen: Linda Parker

Jack tries to separate the virtuous stage persona of Linda Parker, the Little Sunbonnet Girl, from the performer and alleged “juvenile delinquent” Jeanne Muenich, the Red-Headed Rascal.  Songs:  Linda Parker - I’ll Be all Smiles Tonight Ruth Etting - Love me or Leave...

Episode Fourteen: Grace Wilson

Jack tries to understand and relate to the longest-running member of the National Barn Dance, Grace Wilson. Lots of good history on the early days of the Barn Dance in this episode. Jack breaks his silence on Disney animated features....

Introduction to Season 2: Women of the National Barn Dance

Jack introduces Season 2 and spends a little too much time talking about Culver's. Help Momma Molasses fix her car and release her album! https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-fix-my-car-release-an-album?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=m_pd%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR2smnMqSHoyRjV9f3GJNrVqYkK0VKAkNm4xNBKY1mHkPLtaxQ_rqQefK3o Songs: Momma Molasses - Sing Girl, Married Girl Theme to the 10th Anniversary Show of the National Barn Dance Outkast -...

Season 2 Trailer

Episode Thirteen: Lil Hardin

In the season one finale, Jack finds his way through the life and career of jazz legend Lil Hardin Armstrong, who performed on exactly one country record: the groundbreaking Blue Yodel #9 with Jimmie Rodgers and her husband Louis Armstrong. Songs:...

Episode Twelve: Billie Maxwell

Jack learns about the first woman to record cowboy music, and the first Arizonan to make commercial music: Billie Maxwell. Songs: Dale Evans & Roy Rogers - Home on the Range Bing Crosby - Home on the Range Lisa Loeb - Home on...

Episode Eleven: Annie Kerr

Jack learns about Hawaiian music legend and steel guitarist Annie Kerr. This episode has range. Songs: Ray Kinney and His Coral Islanders - Aloha Oe Quartet of Hawaiian Girls from Kawaiahao Seminary - Aloha Oe Kuulei Music - The Queen's Prayer Myrtle K. Hilo...

Episode Ten: Adelyne Hood

Jack takes a look at Adelyne Hood's contributions to the "citybilly" vein of country music. Songs: Adelyne Hood and Vernon Dalhart: Calamity Jane Eddie Cantor - The Dumber they Come Judy Garland - Americana (Every Sunday) Vernon Dalhart - Wreck of the Old '97 Vernon...

Epidode Nine: Lydia Mendoza

Jack (at last) learns about Tejano music superstar Lydia Mendoza.  Songs: The Carter Family - You are my Flower Kitty Wells - Amigo’s Guitar Faron Young - The Yellow Bandana Patsy Cline - South of the Border (Down Mexico Way) Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire Marty...

Episode Eight: Cleoma Breaux

Jack learns about the very first person, let alone woman, to record commercial Cajun music: Cleoma Breaux Falcon. Gorgeous music throughout this one. Songs: Joseph Falcon - Lafayette (Allons a Luafette) Hank Williams - Jambalaya on the Bayou Joseph F. Falcon & Cleoma Beaux...

Episode Seven: Elsie McWilliams

Jack learns about the reluctantly influential Elsie McWilliams, who wrote 39 songs for the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers, just to help out her brother-in-law. Songs Featured: Jimmie Rodgers - You and my old guitar Jimmie Rodgers - Blue Yodel #1 (T...

Episode Six: Maybelle Carter

In which Jack learns about Mother Maybelle Carter's contributions to American music history and compares her to David Bowie. Also, Durham trio Julia Reeves, Dan Clouse, and Matt Stutzman cover the Carter Family's "Wildwood Flower" for us all to enjoy. Watch...

Introducing: Feel For the Game, Season 2

Welcome back to the Area Code neighborhood: Feel For the Game. Nick and Noah return with a series of (mainly basketball) conversations about nostalgic moments in NBA history, current issues plaguing the league, how coping and mental health play a...

Episode Five: Sara Carter

Jack learns about the life of Sara Carter of the Carter Family through the year 1941. Also, Momma Molasses covers Single Girl, Married Girl! Support Momma Molasses Hear more great Momma Molasses Music and keep in touch through: Instagram: @mommamolasses https://www.facebook.com/mommamolasses www.mommamolasses.org Support Women in...

Episode Four: Moonshine Kate

Jack learns about Atlanta guitarist and singer Moonshine Kate. Songs: Rosa Lee Carson - Little Mary Phagan Rosa Lee Carson and Fiddlin' John Carson - Moonshine Kate Moonshine Kate - My Man's a Jolly Railroad Man Moonshine Kate - A Poor Girl's Story Roba Stanley -...

Episode Three: Roba Stanley

Jack shares what he's learned about Roba Stanley, the Atlanta music scene in the mid-1920s, and what Henry Ford has to do with country music. Songs: Usher (feat. Lil' John & Ludacris) - Yeah! Gid Tanner and his Skillet Lickers - Turkey in...

Episode Two: Lottie Kimbrough

Jack shares what he has learned about the life and music of Lottie Kimbrough and how her music exemplifies the genrefying of music along the lines of race in the 1920s. Songs Featured: Daddy Lessons (live at the 2016 CMAs) - Beyoncé...

Episode One: Samantha Bumgarner

Jack explores the myth-making of musicologists and shares what he's learned about the first women to record country music: Samantha Bumgarner and Eva Davis. Songs featured: Fly Around my Pretty Little Miss - Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Fly Around my Pretty Little...

Introduction to Wildwood Flower

Welcome to Wildwood Flower: Stories of Women who Built Country Music. In this pre-episode, Jack introduces himself and his reasons for doing this podcast. He explains why he is a country music outsider, some memorable country music experiences of his life,...

Wildwood Flower Trailer

Welcome to Wildwood Flower: Stories of Women who Built Country Music. Season 1 premiering on June 4th! Available on all platforms. To find out more about the podcast, listen to the introductory episode here. Subscribe and follow on Instagram at wildwoodflowerpod to...