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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.

This week’s show, hosted by Amy, pays tribute to folklorist and record producer Chris Strachwitz, who died in mid May at the age of 91. Founder of deep roots label Arhoolie Records, he was a giant in American music as a talent scout, a writer, a promoter, and a field recordist. His first Arhoolie release was with Mance Lipscomb in 1960, and the New York Times noted he’d go on to bolster the careers of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Big Mama Thornton. He’ll be missed. Also this hour, new music from Songs From The Road Band and Josie Toney, plus a remarkable cowboy ballad by Australian musician William Alexander.

If you saw my feature about Tony Rice and Gordon Lightfoot, you’ll understand how my appreciation for the late, great Canadian songwriter was awakened and enhanced by the fandom of the late, great bluegrass star. It was a match made in roots music heaven, but Tony was far from the only bluegrasser to cover Gordon beautifully. I took this show – hosted solo by me – as an opportunity to explore that thread of history with Lightfoot songs as interpreted by Mac Wiseman, the Country Gentelmen, Claire Lynch, Chris Jones and others. Also here, the first single in advance of Molly Tuttle’s newly announced 2023 album City Of Gold, a new one from Robbie Fulks’s superb new Bluegrass Vacation album and Gina Furtado interpreting Bill Monroe.

We’re enjoying the recent album The Band Is Playing Covers by The Fly Birds out of Winchester, VA (Patsy Cline’s hometown FYI), and we salute them on their truth-in-advertising approach to album titles. I was captivated by their version of John Prine’s “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness,” and that got me thinking about other bluegrass and trad artists who’d interpreted Prine over the years. Many years in fact. I found the Country Gentlemen singing “Souvenirs” from 50 years ago when that song was new. I remembered Tim and Mollie O’Brien’s gorgeous take on “Unwed Fathers.” So it just felt natural to build a set around bluegrass Prine songs. Also this week, new songs from Tina Adair, Chris Jones and the fiery duo of Billy Strings and Tommy Emmanuel. And in another great cover, Liam Purcell and Cane Mill road take on a great one by Darrell Scott.

Welcome to our first guest host! On her springtime travels, Amy Alvey met up with her good friend Brad Kolodner, the banjo player, radio host, and show promoter from Baltimore MD, and this show was curated and co-hosted by them on location. They spin artists that first connected them to traditional music including Bill Monroe himself, songs from Baltimore artists like the High and Wides and the Honey Dewdrops, leading young artists like Jake Blount and the Local Honeys – and more. You’ll also hear selections by Brad and Amy as artists.

This week's broadcast of Finally Friday featuring The Vegabonds, Dallas Burrow and Gabe Lee.

Featuring The Pink Stones, Ian Flanigan & Allie Dunn.