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Roots Rednecks and Radicals

Music Podcasts

The Roots, Rednecks, and Radicals podcast features in depth interviews with musicians, giving insight into their creative process. Guests include: Amanda Shires, Todd Snider, Charley Crocket, Frank Turner, and Dave Alvin.

Location:

United States

Description:

The Roots, Rednecks, and Radicals podcast features in depth interviews with musicians, giving insight into their creative process. Guests include: Amanda Shires, Todd Snider, Charley Crocket, Frank Turner, and Dave Alvin.

Language:

English

Contact:

775-815-1782


Episodes
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Tami Neilson's new album "Neon Cowgirl" is a powerhouse of an album. She joins me today to talk about the record, recording with Willie Nelson, and what a whirlwind the last few years have been!

8/4/2025
Tami Neilson has a new record out called "Neon Cowgirl" and it is a powerhouse of a record. The songwriting is great. It sounds incredible. And she collaborates with incredible artists like Neil Finn (Crowded House) Ashley McBride, Grace Bowers, and many other. We also talk about her connection with Willie Nelson, and how big of an influence Roy Orbison has on her sound. Check out the new album, it's a banger. Hope you dig it!

Duration:00:40:48

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Tribute to the music of Ozzy Osbourne!

7/30/2025
Ozzy passed away last week. He was a massively influential artists who is credited with laying the foundations of what became the genre of metal. I wanted to do an episode taking a look at the first three albums from Black Sabbath. Today we'll be listening to tracks from the albums "Black Sabbath/Paranoid/Master of Reality." These three albums are quintessential to the metal genre, and the just rock! Great riffs, arrangements, and lyrics. I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:17:22

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Amanda Shires reflects on her divorce with Jason Isbell in her new track "A Way It Goes."

7/28/2025
Amanda Shires has been pretty quiet over the last year or so after her divorce with Jason Isbell. She has a new album coming out soon and this is the first track off that new record. It is mindful, and sad, and beautiful. It explores real human emotions about love and loss, and new directions. Today we take a look at the track and what makes it a wonderful poetic expression of a person going through some really difficult times. I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:15:23

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Margo Price Comes Out Swinging With Her New Single "Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down"

7/23/2025
I have been a fan of Margo Price for years now. Her first album "Midwest Farmer's Daughter" was an incredible country album. On top of being a noteworthy songwriter, she lends her voice to causes she supports without flinching. Over the years she's toured with and become friends with legendary artists like Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson and she is making music in the spirit of those two artists. Today we take a look at her new single "Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down." I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:14:21

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Reno based alt-rock band Worm Shot is on the show performing live and talking about why we need more women in rock music!

7/14/2025
Over the last couple of years Worm Shot has been consistently gathering a fan base in Northern Nevada. They are a part of a growing scene largely based out of Reno that includes a variety of styles, and influences. I've gotten to see them live a couple of times now and I've just been really impressed with their sense of self. They are developing a sound that is really all their own, and the response from the Reno scene is palpable. I was happy to have them come in to our radio station KNVC 95.1 FM in Carson City. Shout out to Waylon Parr who set up, and took care of the interview. It was fun to have everyone in the studio to talk music, and have them perform a few songs. I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:41:52

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Laufey has a new song out called Tough Luck and it is a masterpiece!

7/7/2025
Laufey is a relatively new artist who is making really cool music. She has two new tracks out and this one really caught my attention. It has lots of different elements that I love, and I wanted to do a breakdown of what is so cool about this song. They lyrics, melodies and harmonies are all stellar, and they song is such a brain-worm. I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:09:48

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Turnstile has a new album out and it in experimental, hardcore, and incredible! We take a look at it on today's episode!

6/30/2025
Turnstile is a Baltimore based hardcore punk band that has been around for over a decade. Their new album takes an experimental look at new styles for the band, incorporating synths, flutes, drum sample, and an entirely new direction. I really love this album and I wanted to share my breakdown of what the band is up to on this episode. I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:43:20

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The Girlies Are Taking Over: Indie Rock

6/23/2025
This is the last of my series "The Girlies Are Taking Over!" and I wanted to share some new artists with you I haven't talked about on the show. There are so many great female artists out there in the world of Indie/Alternative music. This episode we take a look at Mitski, St. Vincent, The Marias, Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus, and Laufey. I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:41:29

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Drunken Prayer (Morgan Greer) talks about his new album out on Dial Back Sound headed up by Drive By Truckers/Laura Jane Grace bassist Matt Patton.

6/17/2025
Morgan Greer who goes by the name Drunken Prayer has a new album out on Dial Back Sound. The album sounds fantastic and explores some fascinating themes. Matt Patton who plays bass for Drive By Truckers and Laura Jane Grace is releasing the album on his label Dial Back Sound and he joined us for the conversation as well! I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:33:24

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Cowboy poet and singer/songwriter Mike Beck talks about working with Ian Tyson, Colter Wall, and why Nevada is King!

6/13/2025
Mike Beck is a singer/songwriter and cowboy poet who has been making music for decades. He was a working cowboy for years in Nevada, and now spends his time sharing his stories and songs around the world. He recently played a show in my hometown, and he graciously sat down for an interview with me at KNVC. We had a great time chatting as he told me about life on the range, and working with incredible artists like Ian Tyson and Colter Wall. I hope you dig it!

Duration:01:10:53

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The Girlies Are Taking Over: Punk! This week we take a look at Bikini Kill, Amyl and the Sniffers, The Linda Lindas and more!

5/12/2025
Hey all! This is the latest episode in my series on how the Girlies are taking over different genres. We started with Americana, the Pop, and now Punk! I've been super impressed with how many women led punk bands have been killing it. This week we take a look at Bikini Kill, Amyl and the Sniffers, The Linda Lindas, BABYMETAL, Hanabie, Destroy Boys, Scowl, Mannequin Pussy, and a local favorite of mine Worm Shot. I hope you dig it and go check these bands out! They're so good!

Duration:00:41:41

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Roots Rewind: A White Guy Listens to Mexican Music Pt. 1

5/5/2025
Hey all! Today is Cinco de Mayo and I wanted to republish this episode I did a number of years back. Hope you dig it! This is the first installment in a new series I'll be doing on the show. I've been intrigued with the history of Mexican music for a number of years now. I decided to take a deep dive into the fascinating history of the music, the instruments, and the people who make this incredible music. Along the way I discovered all sorts of fascinating things like the influence of European styles of music, the working class and folk music roots of the styles, as well as a ton of great tunes. I hope you enjoy this series and learn something new. There is a plethora of music to explore, so join me on this journey into the history of Mexican Music! If you are interested in learning more here are a few resources I found to be helpful. The Texas-Mexican Conjunto: History of a Working-class Music by Manuel Pena https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Mexican-Conjunto-Working-class-American-Monographs/dp/029278080X Smithsonian Folkways Que Viva la Musica Latina! https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Mexican-Conjunto-Working-class-American-Monographs/dp/029278080X NY Times "Where Mexican Folk Ballads Meet Trap Music." https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/style/trapcorridos-chicano-los-angeles.html

Duration:00:41:01

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Melody Walker talks songwriting with Sierra Ferrell, and Molly Tuttle. Also her plethora of projects including a Grateful Dead Drag Band!

4/3/2025
Melody Walker has been making a name for herself in Nashville over the last few years as a go-to songwriter. She first came on to my radar with her work with Molly Tuttle on her album "Crooked Tree." And just recently she was honored with a Grammy for co-writing the song "American Dreaming" with Sierra Ferrell. That song was one of my favorites last year. I wanted to chat with her about the craft, and what it's like being a woman in the music industry. We had a great long conversation about her journey and all of her projects going on. Including BERTHA a Grateful Dead Drag Band. I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:55:32

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Is The Patronage Model The Way Forward For Musicians?

3/17/2025
Over the last decade or so there has been a hollowing out of money for musicians in the music industry. Streaming services like Spotify have siphoned off record sales, and touring is no longer viable for many musicians. What are they left to do? Ford Goodman thinks he has one solution that may be helpful. He started an organization that brings artists to areas that they often wouldn't come to, and makes sure they are well taken care of financially. We had a great conversation about what he's doing in Northern Nevada, and why it might work throughout the country. Check out his organization For The Song here: https://www.forthesong.com/

Duration:00:28:18

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The Girlies Are Taking Over! Pop Music

3/3/2025
The last few years have been pretty wild when it comes to the influence of women in music. In the world of Pop, Taylor Swift led the way with her Eras Tour. But there were so many others out there making incredible music and changing the face of pop. Sabrina Carpetner has developed her own sense of who she is. And Chappell Roan is bringing Drag to the masses with her makeup and stage performances. It's really a cool time for pop music, and in this episode we take a look at these three artists and their art!

Duration:00:49:40

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We Need To Talk About The Kendrick Lamar Halftime Show!

2/24/2025
Kendrick Lamar put on one of the greatest halftime performances I've ever seen. And as we wrap up Black History Month, I take a look at the symbolism and meaning in this incredible show!

Duration:00:26:00

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TopHouse is on the show today talking about their new EP!

2/17/2025
TopHouse is a folk/roots music band from the great state of Montana! Well, they live in Nashville now but their roots in the beautiful state are very evident on this new record. The band blends folk, bluegrass, Americana, and Western motifs into their sound and create style all their own. Their new EP is a follow up to a release from last year finishing up a look into the idea of Theory vs Practice. The record sounds great and I'm excited to bring you this conversation. Hope you dig it!

Duration:00:30:29

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Celebrating Black History Month With Gangstagrass!

2/10/2025
It's Black History Month and I wanted to bring you some of the best shows I've done about contributions to roots music from Black musicians. I did this interview last year with Gangstagrass, an incredible band that blends elements of roots music with hip hop. We had a great conversation, these guys were a blast to talk to. So brilliant. Here you go, I hope you dig it!

Duration:00:40:41

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Celebrating Black History Month With The American Songster Dom Flemons!

2/3/2025
It's Black History Month and this month we'll be taking a look at contributions to roots music by Black musicians. I spoke with Dom Flemons a few years ago at the Father's Day Bluegrass Festival. He sat down with me and chatted about roots music, the banjo, Mexican music and all sorts of fun things. Dom has an incredible catalog of music that includes his album Black Cowboys that takes a look at the contributions of Black musicians to Western Culture. I loved chatting with him, hope you dig it!

Duration:00:48:46

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Cowboy Poets Andy Hedges and Brenn Hill Talk the Music and Culture of The West!

1/27/2025
The history and culture of the West is alive and well. There has been a resurgence over the last few decades of artists throughout the West celebrating Cowboy Culture. It is much more diverse and fascinating than many people think. Poetry, music, storytelling, saddle making, it's incredible what there is to see. The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a place where artists of the West gather each year to share this diverse culture, and that's where I became familiar with Andy and Brenn. I got to sit down with them before a show in Reno last year to chat with them about this topic and I bring it to you this week!

Duration:00:24:35