Roots Music Rambler

It’s been four years since Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs released a full album. The two, better known collectively as The Local Honeys, dropped a 45 last summer and have blessed fans with a couple of new singles in the last couple of months. But there has been no official announcement of a new record coming. We think we may have squeaked out a hint or two that one might be as the two joined Frank and Falls for the latest episode of Roots Music Rambler. The interview was a bit of a Morehead State University reunion for the Honeys and Falls, all three of whom are graduates. And Falls tried to not lapse into his native mountain accent as he and Frank talked to the pair about everything from the purpose of music to protest songs and channeling Pink Floyd to the Kentucky music scene. At the end of the day, Linda Jean and Montana are and will forever be leaders in the use of mountain and traditional music influences in a modern Appalachian sound in Americana music. They not only make great folk-rock and country music, but teach and mentor young musicians with their involvement in programs like Cowan’s Creek Mountain Music School. The two are currently embarked on a spring tour with Cole Chaney and well worth the time and investment to see them live. Frank and Falls also discuss the Grand Ole Opry’s 25th Anniversary Celebration of the film “O Brother Where Art Thou” and share Pickin’ the Grinnin’ recommendations. Falls pointed to a recent live act he saw in Stripmall Ballads. Frank shared a band her son Anthony was amused by on satellite radio: Buffalo Traffic Jam. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Grand Ole Opry’s “O Brother Where Art Thou’ pics from Falls The Local Honeys online The Local Honeys on Spotify The Local Honeys on Instagram The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Stripmall Ballads on Spotify Buffalo Traffic Jam on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are few things we love better at Roots Music Rambler than talking to an artist about their first album. As this episode drops (March 27), so will southern rocker Andy Thomas’s debut solo record Highway Junkie. Andy spent some time with Frank and Falls recently to talk about the album, his songs and songwriting and a lot more. Thomas is Virginia-born but now based in Florida. He played in a couple of different bands from the time he was a teenager, jamming with his father and brother, until his most recent projects with The Trongone Band and Yarn. The real story of Highway Junkie is that it came after Thomas realized drugs, alcohol and partying were holding him back. This record is the journey of his sobriety as much as anything. Frank and Falls also had a very animated and pointed critique of fans of Treaty Oak Revival fan behavior at recent concerts. They showed clips from TikTok of a recent Lexington, Ky., concert at Rupp Arena in which fans carried on an alarming new tradition of throwing towers of not empty beer cups in the air. It left fans and the arena floor doused with alcohol and Falls called it "embarrassing" for Lexington. And as always, the hosts offer their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices for music recommendations. This week, Frank points us to the song “Heavy” by Noah Guthrie, which resonated with both hosts. Falls shares singer-songwriter Michaela Anne, whom he saw open for Emily Scott Robinson in February. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: TikTok video of Treaty Oak Revival’s Rupp Arena chaos Andy Thomas online Andy Thomas on Spotify The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices “Heavy” by Noah Guthrie Michaela Anne on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Roots Music Rambler did our 2025 year-in-review episode, Frank told us her favorite music festival last year was the Crossroads Acoustic Fest in Seymour, Ind. She’s going again this year (and has convinced Falls to come as well). It takes place April 24-25 and features wonderful singer-songwriters and Americana acts like John R. Miller, Jason Eady, The Tillers, Thunder and Rain and more. Friends of the show Magnolia Boulevard (see Maggie Noelle on Episode 49) and Emily Jamerson (Episode 64). Crossroads started as a small house concert series after Shawn Busby and his brother attended the 30a Songwriter’s Festival in Florida several years ago. They came home to Seymour and started hosting house concerts. The event has grown into a 400-500 person ticketed event with multiple listening room venues in walkable downtown Seymour. Busby joined us on Roots Music Rambler to talk more about the history of the event, what his hopes are for its growth, this year’s lineup and what it takes to put together an event like Crossroads Acoustic Fest. AND … Busby shared a 20% discount code toward the end of the episode which is helpful since the early bird prices have expired, so listen and get a ticket discount! Frank and Falls also tout the show’s choice for 2025 Song of the Year as Tyler Childers’s “Bitin’List” won the Grammy for Country Song of the Year and share some interesting Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices this week: One for a Loretta Lynn and Jack White collaboration. The other is a new cover song from West Virginia-based fiddle phenom Philip Bowen. Get 20% off your ticket to Crossroads Acoustic Fest when you use the code RAMBLER on checkout. Get tickets here. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Crossroads Acoustic Fest Online Crossroads Acoustic Fest on Instagram The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Portland, Oregon by Loretta Lynn and Jack White on YouTube Philip Bowen’s cover of Have You Ever Seen The Rain on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sophie Gault’s third studio album Unhinged dropped in early February of this year. But the singles rolled out as the record came to fruition and had already sold it for those familiar with her. The fiery guitar player and honky tonk songstress’s performance on the album mirrored its title. This record was Sophie being the Sophie people are used to seeing rattling the windows at bars and clubs around Nashville. Gault joined Frank and Falls for this week’s episode of Roots Music Rambler to talk about the album, produced by her manager Alex Torres, whose indy label picked Gault up after her original label decided to move on without her. With a nice mix of originals and cover tunes, including a banger with Buck Owens’s “Loves Gonna Live Here” which leads the track list, the record is fun, vibrant and, at times, raw, conveying Gault’s playing style and personality We also talked about Gault’s journey to music, growing up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., her collaborations with friends of the show Margo Cilker, Gabe Lee and Logan Ledger, and why she says her track with Gurf Morlix is the first of what should be many covers of his songs. Also in this episode, Frank and Falls discuss the new protest song from Bruce Springsteen and share their weekly Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices. Frank recommends “Can’t Find Your Way Out” by The Franklin Electric. Falls shares an EP he’s been digging lately: Arthur Hancock’s Alive at Hillbilly Central. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Sophie Gault online Sophie Gault on Spotify Sophie Gault on Instagram Unhinged on Spotify Death Vessel (Sophie’s recommendation) on Spotify The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices The Franklin Electric’s “Can’t Find Your Way Out” on Spotify Arthur Hancock’s EP Alive at Hillbilly Central on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the first of hopefully many shorter episodes of Roots Music Rambler, we’re calling our Backstage with episodes. These are short interviews Frank and Falls are able to grab backstage (or just somewhere in person rather than on our virtual, longer-form interview episodes) and catch up briefly. Our first such episode is with Josh Mitcham. The Breckenridge County, Kentucky native and farmer has a new solo album coming out in June called Gonna Be Alright. He’s dropped a couple of singles from the album already and the sound is a level up from previous work as he brought the Alabama Sound Company to the table to produce the album. Josh is the former frontman for Jericho Woods and a 2026 Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Ambassador. Falls caught him backstage at the Mercury Ballroom in early February, getting ready to open for Sundy Best. The two talked about the new songs and album, Josh’s approach to promoting the music and a lot more. Find Josh Mitcham online at joshmitcham.com, on Spotify, Instagram and Facebook. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Josh Mitcham online Josh Mitcham on Spotify Josh Mitcham on Instagram Josh Mitcham on Facebook The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The day this episode of Roots Music Rambler drops, so does a new album from virtual newcomer to the music scene, Trey Hedrick. But don’t let the debut album and baby-faced Hedrick fool you: This guy can write songs and play like you wouldn’t believe. In fact, Hedrick is a rare guest on Roots Music Rambler: Generally unproven with just a few social media followers more than the average bar band. But he’s got two things going for him that convinced us he’s well on his way to becoming the next big thing: He’s spent a few years touring and playing with other musicians many people couldn’t keep up with; And, his team sent us the album raw masters early to hear the whole thing. It’s good, y’all. Very good. We sat down with Trey back in the fall, well ahead of the album being finished. In fact, you’ll be able to tell from the conversation that we didn’t even know the name of the record (Sing, Appalachia) or the release date (today, Feb. 20, 2026) when we interviewed him. But we found, and you will discover, Trey has the mindset and maturity few first-album artists ever do. Hedrick grew up on a cattle farm in Southeast Ohio in a family peppered with seasoned musical talent. He’s played guitar and mandolin since he can remember and told us his grandmother would call the grandkids in on a hot day and ask them to play songs for her. (Sneaky way of getting them to cool off.) Hedtrick cut his professional teeth in the Athens, Ohio, music scene and sent some acoustic demos of a few songs to Nashville producer Sean Sullivan, who has worked with Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, John Prine and others. Sullivan liked the demos and the two went into the studio and cut the record at the Tractor Shed last summer. Hedrick’s storytelling stems from his upbringing in a proud, working-class family. Almost all the men in his family have ties to the coal mines, too, so he’s as Appalachian as they come. Our first impression of his songs was that he reminded us of a young Ricky Skaggs. We think you’ll agree. Also in this episode, Frank and Falls chat about a previous guest’s plans for new music this year and share our Pickin’ the Grinnin’ picks for the week. Frank called out Swedish rockers Sabaton. Falls recommended Damn Tall Buildings, whom we interviewed in Episode 66. Trey Hedrick’s interview fell before the Damn Tall Buildings one, but we saved it for debut day! Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Si Kahn online Si Kahn episode of Roots Music Rambler Trey Hedrick online Trey Hedrick on Spotify Trey Hedrick on Instagram The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Sabaton on Spotify Damn Tall Buildings on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If most of us grew up the way Dakota Ray Parker did, we’d have given up a long time ago. But the resilient, friendly Parker navigated his way through a rough and tumble childhood to funnel those traumatic experiences into outstanding songs and singing in his music. Parker joined us on Roots Music Rambler this week to talk about his turbulent upbringing, finding music was a natural escape to distract himself, then to writing and recording music that is now finding its way to a nice audience for the Kentucky native. His music is inspired by everything from Southern Gospel to 90s Country and even hip-hop. He told us his first musical dream was to be a rapper. Parker released two albums in 2025 and continues to knock out singles every so often. His latest single “Clown” has already amassed 150,000 streams on Spotify thanks to his traditional sounding vocals and catchy lyricism. His new single “Freeborn Man” drops the day this episode does (Feb. 13). We not only got to hear his story and how he approaches songwriting, but we’ll listen to snippets of four of his songs on the episode as well. Frank and Falls also chat about Falls’s recent trip to the Grand Ole Opry and rant a little about people who talk at certain types of concerts. The two also have new Pickin’ The Grinnin’ choices for music recommendations this week. Frank points to multi-instrumentalist and frequent session and guest musician John Calvin Abney. Falls shouts out The Wildmans. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Dakota Ray Parker Online Dakota Ray Parker on Spotify Dakota Ray Parker on Instagram The Grand Ole Opry online The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices John Calvin Abney on Spotify The Wildmans on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Scott Robinson may just be one of the most underrated singer-songwriters in the Americana space. When folks get hold of her fifth studio album Appalachia her status should rise considerably. Robinson joined us on Roots Music Rambler for an episode that drops on the very day Appalachia hits stores and streaming services to talk about the album, the songs, her background and so much more. Robinson, who is originally from North Carolina but now calls Colorado home, wrote the record on the tail end of Hurricane Helene which devastated much of the Western Carolinas and East Tennessee. Her songs elevate the beauty of that land and the people there. She talked about that beauty, especially the neighbors-helping-neighbors response to the flooding and devastation. Robinson also shared some behind the scenes stories of being and Oh Boy! Records artist, the legacy label of John Prine, recommended a Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choice of her own (Palymra) and a lot more in a fun, engaging conversation well worth the watch or listen. Also in this episode, Frank asks Falls about his new podcast client Katie Combs. Falls, who produces podcasts through his day job consultancy at Falls+Parnters, is now producing Listen, Honey! Combs’s new show has already offered up two episodes of particular interest to Roots Music Rambler listeners. She has in-depth and not music-focused episodes out now with Nicholas Jamerson and Tanner Horton (The Creekers) well worth watching. The two also share this week’s Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices for new music recommendations. Frank raves about King Margo’s song “Send Me Out Like Autumn” and Falls raves about Western Kentucky roots rock band Hollerhead. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Emily Scott Robinson online Emily Scott Robinson on Spotify Appalachia on Spotify Oh Boy! Records online Listen, Honey! Podcast on YouTube Listen, Honey! Episode with Nicholas Jamerson Listen, Honey! Episode with Tanner Horton The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Send Me Out Like Autumn by King Margo on Spotify Hollerhead on Spotify Palmyra (Emily Scott Robinson’s recommendation) on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elizabeth Sherman and Ryan Hardison started out as a couple. Then started tinkering with bluegrass music. Then the pandemic hit and they began recording multitracks of cover songs at home. As you may have guessed by now, that led to another step, then another and the duo heads into 2026 as Brand New Box of Matches, a bluegrass group with no fewer than three studio albums and an ever-growing list of both original and cover tunes in their repertoire. We sat down with Elizabeth and Ryan recently to learn more about their journey from music lovers to more serious, full-time musicians, their musical backgrounds and tastes, songwriting and a lot more. The Knoxville, Tennessee-based pair just announced a 2026 tour that includes a number of festivals and appearances sure to grow the fan base and get their music out there. Roots Music Rambler was tickled to be an outpost to help tell that story. Also in this episode, Frank and Falls talk about upcoming Roots Music Rambler “Backstage” episodes that will be shorter, informal catch-up interviews with various artists when the opportunities present themselves. The two also share this week’s Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices for new music recommendations. Frank calls out Durham, N.C.’s alt-country band Fust while Falls shares his new fascination with West Virginia songwriter Olivia Ellen Lloyd. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Brand New Box of Matches Online Brand New Box of Matches on Spotify Brand New Box of Matches on Instagram The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Fust Olivia Ellen Lloyd Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hunter Park quickly gained a reputation as one of the hottest up-and-coming singer-songwriters when her project She Returns from War made its first full album debut in 2015. Since, the road dogging and networking have done Hunter and the band well. A 2018 album, well-received by alt-country and alternative media, particularly in her native Charleston, S.C., was followed by the amazing Ruthless in 2023. And, hot off a fall tour opening for S.G. Goodman, She Returns From War is poised to drop a bonafide country album in 2026. Park joined us on Roots Music Rambler to talk about the project’s rise from Charleston open-mic group to touring band. We talked about her moving to Nashville, touring with S.G. Goodman, and her brave openness of being a transgendered country music singer. With the style and sophistication of her writing and the boldness of her position as a deserving artist in the space, we can’t wait to hear the new album and see where 2026 takes her and the group. Frank and Falls also made some music recommendations in their Pickin’ The Grinnin’ segment. Frank is big on Presley Haile while falls recommended a Kentucky-based rock/blues/country group called The Shelby Lore Band. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: She Returns from War on Spotify Ruthless (album) on Spotify She Returns from War on Instagram The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Presley Haile The Shelby Lore Band Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you say you’re in a bluegrass band from Brooklyn, N.Y., folks in Appalachia will look at you pretty funny. The reaction is almost like the Pace Picante sauce commercial in the 1990s. “New York City? Get a rope!” But when you dig a little deeper, as we did with Avery Ballotta from the group Damn Tall Buildings, you not only discover some fine pickers and songwriters, but there’s a thriving bluegrass scene in the New York City area. And that quality musicians like Ballotta and bandmates Sasha Dubyk and Max Capistran, honed their bluegrass chops during their time at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Ballotta joined Roots Music Rambler to talk about Damn Tall Buildings’ new album The Universe is Hungry, which dropped in late October. We explored his background, how the group came together and their “paying it forward” mentality. Dubyk and Capistran run a music education program in Brooklyn. The trio also recently returned from a second overseas trip in conjunction with the U.S. State Department’s cultural outreach program. They taught, jammed and collaborated with students and musicians in Saudi Arabia, which only recently legalized music for citizens. They’ve also toured Ethiopia as a group as well. Avery was such a delight to chat with and we had a lot of fun comparing notes and talking about what seems to be a resurgence of bluegrass music around the country and world. Frank and Falls also talked about the recent Bruce Springsteen biopic Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere starring Jeremy Allen White, and shared their Pickin’ The Grinnin’ picks this week which included Snowcaps and Joshua Slone. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Damn Tall Buildings online Damn Tall Buildings on Spotify Damn Tall Buildings on Instagram The Universe is Hungry (album) on Spotify Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere in IMDB Episode 9 - Mohammed Dohai The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Year 2025 has been a fairly impressive one in Americana and Roots Music and Roots Music Rambler fans have been there for it. On our year-ender episode, Frank and Falls not only recap their favorite new artists, albums and songs, but recall their favorite concerts and events of the year. And, as a bonus, Falls caught up with Ashton Bowling and Allen Hacker from The Creekers backstage at their recent holiday tour stop in Louisville, Ky. The short green room interview is an added bonus to an episode that celebrates the year we had. What’s your pick for Americana Album of the Year? The year 2025 had too many to choose from. Molly Tuttle, I’m With Her, Tyler Childers, Hayes Carll, Nicholas Jamerson, Patterson Hood, Jason Isbell and many, many more all produced great albums this year. And songs? From Kashsus Culpepper’s Believe to Molly Tuttle’s That’s Gonna Leave A Mark and Tyler Childers’ Bitin’ List to I’m With Her’s Ancient Light, there’s an entire playlist full of potential best songs of the year to choose from. Frank and Falls also talk about the best new artist for 2025. Depending on your definition of new artist, some names we had on our list include Jesse Wells, Cait Justice, Del Roscoe, Ramona & The Holy Smokes, and even our bonus guests, The Creekers could all be up for that honor. And in true Roots Music Rambler fashion, Frank and Falls look back on the best live shows they saw in 2025. Their top choices may surprise you. And, if you’re interested, Falls actually did a Top Songs countdown on our companion radio show, Appalachian Echoes. You can see his countdown, which includes a heavy bias toward Appalachian artists, on the Appalachian Echoes website. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: The Creekers online The Creekers on Spotify Manchester Music Fest Unbroken Circle Music Festival American Music Festival Evanston Folk Festival Crossroads Acoustic Fest The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Americana music enthusiasts and concert-goers are constantly in search of the “next big thing.” We all want to be in on the ground floor of watching and artist’s rise to fame so we can say we were a fan from “the beginning.” Whether it’s seeing Tyler Childers with 20 other people at a dive bar in 2017 or standing next to Wyatt Flores at Laurel Cove watching Jesse Wells play, the undiscovered are always discovered by those who remember running into them along the way. On more than one occasion in the last six months, the “next big thing” label has been said in the same sentence with Emily Jamerson. The younger sister of Sundy Best founder and underground country godfather Nicholas Jamerson, Emily has emerged with songs and stories as moving and thoughtful as her brother’s. She has yet to record a full album, but a strong set of singles and some live sessions have made their way to the streaming services. They’re consistently good with each new one revealing more of the Prestonsburg, Ky., native’s promise. Emily Jamerson joined Jason Falls for an interview with Roots Music Rambler back in late September. Since that time she has continued to build a strong road presence, expanding to a full band for many shows, and her duet with her older brother, “Sunday Dinners” (which she talks about in the interview) started getting radio play. It’s on Nicholas’s latest album, The Narrow Way. Emily shared more reflections on growing up in the Jamerson household to compliment her older brother’s stories he shared with us back in the summer. She also shared the formal and informal advice and encouragement Nicholas has provided along the way, including a book (Michael Singer’s The Surrender Experiment), he gave her that helped push past self-doubt and finally write and share her music. And we talked about and listened to some of her latest music like ”Dried Paint” and “Run, Run Baby.” Frank and Falls also chatted about Christmas plans and traditions, plus each shared their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ pics for recommended music this week. Frank kept with the holiday theme and shared the music of Ottmar Leibert, whose 1990 album Poets & Angels is one of her favorites for this time of year. Falls calls out upstart honky-tonkers Jason Scott & The High Heat who he saw open for The Mavericks and Dwight Yoakam last April. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Emily Jamerson on Spotify Emily Jamerson on Facebook Emily Jamerson on Instagram Nicholas Jamerson on Roots Music Rambler Sundy Best on Spotify World Chicken Festival Michael Singer’s The Surrender Experiment The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Ottmar Liebert’s Poets & Angels Jason Scott & The High Heat on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts.Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's no secret that at Roots Music Rambler we love music with that old school country sound. We’ve raved about previous guests like Kimmi Bitter, Logan Ledger and others. The latest episode reinforces our appreciation for the simpler tones of bygone eras as perhaps the queen of the sub-genre joined us. Melissa Carper’s blend of country and western, blues, gospel and even ragtime sounds has made an imprint on the country and Americana spaces since her earliest releases in 2015. Her latest regular, full-length studio album, Borned In Ya, was one of our top records of 2024. Carper recently released a new record, A Very Carper Christmas, which is an album of all original holiday tunes, and kicked off a holiday tour in Louisville, Ky., opening for J.D. McPherson, to support it. She joined us a few weeks back (so long ago she even “announced” the Christmas album to us during the recording) to talk about her journey growing up in a musical family, traveling the country on an adventure after deciding college wasn’t for her, and ultimately becoming one of the most unique sounding artists in the country and Americana space. We also talked about her recent collaboration with Theo Lawrence and her involvement with the super group Wonder Women of Country with Kelly Willis and Brennen Leigh. Frank and Falls also chatted about music venues they would like to see shows in and each shared their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ pics for recommended music this week. Falls calls out Frankfort, Ky., based singer-songwriter Jeri Katherine Howell while Frank recalls a visceral reaction to discovering The White Buffalo. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Melissa Carper Online Melissa Carper on Spotify Melissa Carper on Instagram Melissa Carper on Facebook The Wonder Women of Country The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Jeri Katherine Howell on Spotify The White Buffalo on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you, “Woke up this mornin’, dazed and confused,” and sung the lyric in your head, you’ve been bitten by the audio bug that is The Creekers. That line, the opening one from a song called “Tennessee” was the second-most played audio clip on TikTok this summer. It helped propel the Leslie County, Ky.-based bluegrass group to viral success, headline spots at music festivals, and ultimately a record deal with Warner Records. Co-founder Tanner Horton took time out from digging fence post holes on his home property one evening not long ago to sit in and tell us about the band’s success, songwriting, how they all came together and a lot more. It turns out all but one member of the band has some sort of familial relationship with each other, either as direct as brothers (Jagger and Ashton Bowling), cousins (Horton and Allen Hacker) or by marriage (Scott Sutton). And then there’s the outlier: fiddler Anna Blanton, whose live show antics have made The Creekers not just a sound for sore ears, but a sight to see live. She’s done everything from zip-lining to riding on her husband’s shoulders while jumping around the crowd. (Charlie Blanton incidentally, is the bass player for friend of the show Bill Taylor and the Appalachian Heatherns.) Horton told us the story of the band coming together, his history with cousin and fellow guitarist and vocalist Allen Hacker, how the TikTok virality happened and what exactly they’ve got in store in the coming months with the band’s new record deal. Frank and Falls also chatted about Falls’s recent trip outside of the Americana genre to take his daughter to a Tate McRae concert and they each share their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ pics for recommended music this week. Falls calls out Hazard, Ky., based vocalist Roy Caudill while Frank shares her experience seeing The Dirndolls live. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: The Creekers Online The Creekers on Spotify The TikTok viral video that launched the band into stardom Jason Falls’s rant against the “sellout” commenter The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Roy Caudill on Spotify The Kentucky Music Mafia on Spotify The Dirndolls on Instagram Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you’re first experience with a band is seeing a publicity photo of them and each member is wearing an oversized, paper mache mask for a head, you either run for the hills or start exploring more. At Roots Music Rambler, we dive in head first. That’s the typical first impression one encounters when finding the Atlanta-based band Del Roscoe. Their new self-titled album came out this fall and the sonic and visual aesthetic the group presents is enough to rouse curiosity. The band calls itself a “gothic indie Americana band.” And the experience aligns with that description. Co-founder Robert Lee, the group’s primary songwriter, and drummer Matt McKinney took time from their bowling night recently to dial in to Roots Music Rambler from the front of their car. We only point that out because it totally aligns with the experience of Del Roscoe, a band named after a pair of dogs: Del and Roscoe. We talked about how the band came together, the drivers behind the look and sound, the new album, and the political undertones of songs on the album like Black Hats. As one might expect, the conversation took some twists and turns and on a couple of occasions, nearly devolved into ridiculous. But all of it was a load of fun. This episode might be one of the more entertaining we’ve had in a while. Plus, Frank and Falls share their pickin’ the grinnin’ choices for music recommendations, and talk about the new Waylon Jennings album Songbird. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Waylon Jennings Songbird on Spotify Del Roscoe Online Del Roscoe on Spotify The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Cigarettes @ Sunset on Spotify Kelli Owens Hutton on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of Roots Music Rambler, singer-songwriter Taylor Lansdale opens up about his journey from the courtroom to the creative world of songwriting. Once a public defender in Montgomery County, Kentucky, Taylor found himself emotionally exhausted by the weight of his work. Turning to music, he discovered songwriting as a powerful form of therapy and storytelling. Now, with his debut album Headlong, he’s finding his voice and connecting deeply with audiences drawn to his raw honesty and heartfelt lyrics. The conversation explores the inspiration behind several tracks on Headlong, Taylor’s creative process, and how he channels emotion and experience into song. The hosts also dive into recent headlines surrounding Ryan Adams and share their latest Pickin’ the Grinnin’ music recommendations. Taylor Lansdale’s transition from public defender to singer-songwriter The emotional toll of life in the courtroom and how it shaped his music Behind the making of his debut album Headlong The songwriting process as a form of healing and reflection Commentary on Ryan Adams’ latest controversy Pickin’ the Grinnin’ music recommendations from the hosts Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Taylor Lansdale Online Taylor Lansdale on Spotify Taylor Lansdale on Instagram The latest Ryan Adams saga on NME The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Rock-N-Roll Story Guys Podcast on Spotify They Might Be Giants on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a band’s first album drops, it’s exciting. When it shoots up to a top three position on the charts – any chart for that matter – something is happening. That’s exactly what is happening to Ramona & The Holy Smokes whose eponymous debut album landed at No. 3 on the Alt Country Specialty Chart in early October. It has bounced around the top 10 since and debuted at No. 50 on the Americana Music Association charts on October 29. Founder and front woman Ramona Martinez joined Frank and Falls on Roots Music Rambler the day after the Alt-Country chart spike to talk about the new album, her decidedly old-school country sound, her journey to being an artist and much more. Martinez’s parents were military and diplomacy professionals, so she lived in several different countries growing up. She landed in Charlottesville, Va., where her music career took hold, after several years working in public radio. The new album is full of Texas-sounding honky tonk drinkin’ and thinkin’ songs. The band’s sound includes multicultural and bilingual numbers as well, underlining Martinez’s South Texas family roots. Frank and Falls also have their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ selections for new music recommendations and Falls actually joins the show from the radio studio in Pikeville, Ky., where he first broadcast at 14-years-old in 1987. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links: Ramona & The Holy Smokes Online Ramona & The Holy Smokes on Spotify Ramona & The Holy Smokes on Instagram Americana Music Association’s weekly album and singles charts Alt-Country Specialty weekly album charts Appalachian Echoes Online WXCC-FM Online The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Trey Hedrick on Spotify “Unknown Legend” by Neil Young on Spotify “Unknown Legend” by Lukas Nelson, Sierra Ferrell & The Travelin’ McCourys Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices