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Featuring Tania Elizabeth, Johnson Jay & Yonder Grove

Layng Martine Jr. earned a slot in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame with numerous hits for a range of artists that included Reba McEntire, The Pointer Sisters, and Elvis himself. He thought he was retired, but when his son Tucker, one of the most respected producers and recording engineers in indie music, gave his father the studio time and resources to make his first real album as an artist as he approached 80 years old, a series of sessions in Portland, OR became Music Man. It's a joyful, sunny collection that sounds like nothing else in roots music, and Layng turns out to be a sunny and charming fellow himself. We talk about arriving in Nashville in the 70s, writing Elvis's last hit, and the renewing thrill of cutting songs he'd written between 1964 and the 2000s.

Canada’s coolest couple - more than 12 years into their joint venture called Whitehorse - went on a creative tear, releasing three albums in two years, all of which came with a portfolio of daring and whimsical graphic design, photography and video. The albums flow, from the zesty indie-rock leaning Modern Love in March 2021 to the psychedelic pop wonder whirl of Strike Me Down, which arrived six months later. Then in January of this year came I’m Not Crying You’re Crying, their most overtly country album yet.

Featuring Kevin Daniel, Mike Younger & Rodney Rice

This week Amy and I talk about the once-in-a-career moment when an artist releases their first single to radio in their chosen genre or format, because we’ve got no less than three such cuts to share. Dalton Harper came up with his family’s band in Missouri and then played with Cedar Hill. Caroline Owens of Denton, NC has a voice that recalls the early songs of Alison Krauss. And while Billy Gilman isn’t new to the music biz having had hits and a Grammy nomination for his country music before he was a teen. But he says he’s turning full time to bluegrass now at age 34 and his first gesture is here, the song “Rollercoaster.” Also, our set of old-time and traditional music from out West features the Stillhouse Junkies (Durango, CO), the Foghorn String Band (Oregon), Natalie Padilla (Montana), Ben Winship (Idaho) and David Braggar.

Some major bluegrass veterans are making moves this year. Members of Punch Brothers, Watchhouse, Leftover Salmon and the Billy Strings band have come together for a one-off supergroup project called Mighty Poplar. We’ve got their first single this week (plus older music from the various members), and boy are you going to love this full album when it drops on March 31. And we start the music this week with the first single from Missy Raines in anticipation of the album Highlander coming in the fall. Known for years as the leader of The New Hip, playing progressive string music, now the band is named Allegheny with a hard core bluegrass mission. Watch for both bands at festivals all over the country this year. Also this week, Bill and the Belles, Chatham Rabbits and the Price Sisters.

Featuring Peter One, Miko Marks & Mya Byrne

Featuring Tommy Prine, Patterson Barrett & Madeleine Kelson

One key reason that Dwight Yoakam exploded into country music consciousness in 1986 was the electric guitar and electrifying record production of his friend Pete Anderson. Anderson moved from his native Detroit to Los Angeles and found himself in a powerful partnership that changed the sound of country and sold around 25 million records. After more than 15 years, Anderson pursued his own interests, including a bluesier side of his guitar and record production in his own studio, including key Americana stars. Now he’s written a book compiling all he’s learned and realized about record production, and that became the basis of a fascinating conversation.

Amy and I reunite after a few weeks apart, co-hosting at a distance between Nashville and Bishop, CA for another week of traditional acoustic goodness. The Kody Norris Show kicks off the hour with a new single. Zoe & Cloyd showcase music from a new album that pays tributes to their respective music-making grandfathers. Robbie Fulks and Tim O’Brien team up for the Delmore Brothers classic “Nashville Blues” from Robbie’s new Bluegrass Vacation album. Phoebe Hunt sounds gorgeous singing one of many songs by bluegrass songwriter Murphy Hicks Henry on a new tribute album. But nothing sounds more energized, inspirational or international as Larry & Joe’s “Nuevo South Train.” The Durham, NC duo features Joe Troop of Che Appalache with his Venezuelan immigrant friend Larry Bellorín, on banjo and harp respectively. Yes, harp. It has to be heard to be believed, and this rollicking track tells the story of this cultural fusion.