The String

Episode 153: Two great roots songwriters at different stages of their careers. Brent Cobb is a laid-back Georgian who got his first chance to record through his cousin Dave Cobb but who earned his stripes in Nashville and beyond thanks to his sensitive eye and relatable way with a lyric. He's released his fourth album Keep Em On They Toes. Dave Alvin is an icon of Americana who translated a musically rich upbringing in southern CA to a world-hopping career with the Blasters and his own unmistakable roots rock sound. His new album is a collection of side-project recording sessions cut for fun of songs he loves. 

Episode 152: As recently as five years ago, Nashville's Margo Price was having trouble making ends meet after many years of "playing dives trying to stay alive" as she says in her new song "Twinkle Twinkle." But as that song also documents, she hit on the right sound with the right team. Third Man Records released her debut album in 2016 and it's been a remarkable ride ever since. By her side the entire time has been her husband, co-writer and bandmate Jeremy Ivey. I got a chance to talk to them together about the new music both of them released in the strange days of 2020. 

Episode 151: The Steep Canyon Rangers emerged from the collegiate scene in central North Carolina around 2000 with a traditional sound that started winning them awards. Over 20+ years, they've broadened and deepened their sound through 13 albums on their own - including a bluegrass Grammy winner - and three with Steve Martin. Now they've released three very different albums in a calendar year, displaying range and mastery. In this hour, conversations with singer/guitarist Woody Platt, fiddler Nicky Sanders and banjo player/songwriter Graham Sharp. The new studio album is 'Arm In Arm.'

Episode 150: As a teenager, Philadelphia native Ray Benson fell hard for traditional American roots music and by 1970 he'd become the founding leader of a nimble, road-rambling band called Asleep At The Wheel. After a stint in California, they found their natural home in Austin TX and became icons of the scene there, while reaching the world as modern day masters of western swing music. This Fall, Austin City Limits aired a special featuring performances by the band from its very first show in 1976 until present day. We talk about an iconic 50 year career in country music. 

Episode 149: Randall Bramblett is a powerhouse journeyman and veteran of southern roots and soul music, with a dense and deep resume working for others, from the Allman Brothers to Widespread Panic. But between his stints as a sax player, keyboardist, singer and songwriter he's released more than ten albums as an artist, and his fans know them to be a blend of sharp writing, a sensuous voice and spicy beats and ambience. The newest is Pine Needle Fire on New West Records, Bramblett's loyal home since 2001. Also in the hour, a visit with Nashville's Brennen Leigh about her nostalgic thematic album Prairie Love Letter. 

Episode 148: Dirk Powell has build a Grammy-winning career by standing out in all aspects of folk and roots music. He's an outstanding fiddler and banjo player, a singer and songwriter, a curator and producer. And he's made marks in three related realms of music - Appalachian, Cajun and Celtic. Now the Louisiana-based Powell has turned back as he periodically does to recording his own music, and he's released When I Wait For You, a rangy album of songs that dip into new territory. Also, as we say farewell to our latest theme music, I meet the artist behind it, Scottish harpist Maeve Gilchrist. 

Episode 147: As a literal child of the 1970s country outlaw movement, Waylon Payne had access to opportunity and temptation, and for most of his 48 years, temptation won. While immensely talented as a singer, songwriter and actor, he struggled with some harsh drug addictions and personal trauma. On the new album Blue Eyes, the Harlot, the Queer, the Pusher & Me, Payne chronicles his crash, his recovery and his return to the functioning world with incredible candor and grace. He's an extremely forthright conversationalist too. Also, a catch up with Ben and Dorothy of The Danberrys, a married duo from Nashville who've been through a journey of recovery of their own. 

Episode 146: Wendy Moten is one of Nashville's most versatile and accomplished singers. She's been a solo R&B artist, a jazz singer, a duet partner with Julio Iglesias and a road vocalist with Martina McBride and Vince Gill. But lately she's taken on a storied role, singing lead with Nashville's extraordinary western swing band The Time Jumpers and she's released a new album of classic country covers. How a preacher's daughter from Memphis became a country artist with a meaningful platform is a great story. Also, the duo Granville Automatic brings a powerful sense of history and narrative to their eclectic, catchy songs. 

Episode 145: Elizabeth Cook was welcomed with celebration into the Nashville country music fold in the early 2000s, because of her charm, her fascinating story and her bracing traditional country songs and songwriting. She's become an Americana star in these intervening years, but she had some rough times in the 2010s. Now back with the album Aftermath, she's on solid ground and reflective about a creative life with ups and downs. While Cook has played the Grand Ole Opry more than 400 times, Jeannie Seely has been on the show steadily since 1967. We catch up with the beloved veteran as she releases An American Classic at 80 years young. 

Episode 144: New Grass Revival showed the world new ways of playing and thinking about bluegrass music between 1972 and 1989. Founded and led by fiddler, mandolinist and singer Sam Bush, two different lineups reached new audiences, interpreted and wrote important repertoire and ushered in today's modern and very popular jamgrass scene. The String talks with Bush and the rest of the 1980s lineup, banjo player Bela Fleck, singer and bass player John Cowan and singer, guitarist Pat Flynn in a special episode on the even of NGR's induction into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.