Podcasts about folk alliance international conference

This show was a big preview of next week's Folk Alliance International Conference in Montreal. The last time it was not in the USA was 2019, also in Montreal. Most of this show was Canadian. Most of the showcases I plan to attend feature Canadian performers. I look forward to asking my American friends what the hell they were thinking! At the end I announced The Arrogant Worms song We Are The Beaver, but had to scale back to their (ironically) shorter / smaller song Canada Is Really Big, so as not to go over the allotted 4 hours. I will play that song next week!

As has happened quite often in the past 10 years or so, my curation of private showcase rooms at the Folk Alliance International Conference has yielded connections that provide continuing collaborations and opportunities for engagement.  Case in point… Chrislyn Lawrence and Mike “Mac” McClure also now known as the musical duo “Crow and Gazelle.”  Booking the duo at the 2002 Conference and subsequently for other listening room series in the Heartland has brought another welcome addition to my so called “Americana/Roots Music” family.  Mike McClure made his name as one of the founders of the Oklahoma Red Dirt Music Scene and producer of such Tasty  Brew Music favorites as the Turnpike Troubadours and Cross Canadian Ragweed.  Chrislyn, worked behind the scenes of that music world in supporting roles, including as a booking agent.  Circumstances kept them from pursuing a connection when they first met in 2003, but fate intervened and they've been professionally and personally a team since 2018. Their mission is to deconstruct the idea of separateness… that we humans are not separate from divinity… we are holy, everything and infinite. Enjoy this on air conversation with Crow and Gazelle in support of a Heartland appearance for the Green Guitar Folk House Listening Room Series.

Like so many musical discoveries in my Tasty Brew orbit, Heather Pierson came to my attention from Mike Paget, Director behind the Green Guitar Folk House Music Series in Lenexa, Kansas.  He discovered Heather's talent at her official showcase during a past Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City and brought her back to the Heartland as she was touring through the area.  You'll hear us mention another Heartland music series I've heard stellar reviews about hosted at The Bixler 108 in Unionville, Missouri.  It is so important that stops like the Bixler become available to those trying to lead a lyrical life as they try to connect the dots between major markets like St. Louis and Dallas or west to Denver.  Born to a Scottish émigré mother and Navy veteran machinist father in Joplin, Missouri, Heather started out life in the single-traffic-light town of Galena, Kansas.  Music was constantly spilling out of the speakers of her parents' stereo – a diverse playlist that included such artists as The Allman Brothers, Kansas, Cream, The Beatles, KISS, Cat Stevens, Mario Lanza, Jose Feliciano and Anne Murray.   This diversity served to open Heather's young mind to the rich and varied language of music and to lay the foundation for her future endeavors and experimentations. Heather is now based in New Hampshire's White Mountains…. a singer/songwriter, pianist, song leader, and performer with a passion for cultivating joy, both onstage and off.  With a toe in each of the realms of New Orleans jazz, blues, vocal chants, instrumental piano, and folk, her multi-genre songwriting places her firmly in a category all her own, one honed by decades of diligent practice and curious exploration.  Whether solo, as a duo, with her trio, or in a community sing, Heather's live performances feature her bell-tone vocals, ease at the piano, and are infused with happiness, honest self-reflection, and a genuine desire to connect and share from the heart.  In over twenty years on her own record label, Vessel Recordings, she has released fifteen albums and several singles of original music.  Her forthcoming sixteenth studio album, Back To The Light, is her most vibrant release yet.  It is slated for a September 2024 release, and it was recorded ‘live on the floor' at Acadia Recording Company in Portland, ME with her trio mates Shawn Nadeau on bass (Shawn joins us in the studio for this conversation) and Craig Bryan on drums and percussion.  I just know you're going to dig the seemingly effortless vocal and instrumental offerings from Heather Pierson and Shawn Nadeau during a mid-morning stint on the radio in the Heartland…. Enjoy!

Welcome back to the third season of ReFolkUs. In this week's episode, we chat with Jennifer Roe, the Executive Director of Folk Alliance International.Jennifer dives into all things Folk Alliance, sharing insights about the organization's history, growth, and exciting plans for the future. She also discusses their annual conference, highlighting what makes next year's 2025 event in Montreal, Quebec unique. Additionally, Jennifer introduces FOLK+, an online music conference featuring expert panels, networking opportunities, showcases, and more.FOLK+ is taking place from June 5-6th, 2024. Registration is still open throughout the event here.Official Showcase applications are open for the 2025 Folk Alliance International Conference in Montreal, QC. Apply hereFind Folk Alliance online:FacebookInstagramLinkedInWebsiteAbout Jennifer RoeJennifer Roe is the Executive Director of Folk Alliance International (FAI) and the leader of the team and folk music community. Jennifer joined the FAI team in 2013 igniting a passion for folk music. With over a decade of private sector experience, she assumed a pivotal role in leading FAI's staff and contractors and overseeing the day-to-day operations. She plays a key role in orchestrating the international conference. Jennifer's journey began in Washington, DC, where she worked on Capitol Hill for the Majority Leader of the Senate before transitioning to serve on a Presidential campaign. Jennifer channels her political background to advocate for arts and culture at both federal and state levels through her position at FAI. Jennifer is a strong steward of folk music culture and the connections between FAI's members. Her long history with the organization has stabilized operations and funding over her tenure.______________This episode is brought to you by Bandzoogle. Bandzoogle makes it easy to build a stunning website and online store for your music in minutes. Our podcast listeners can go to Bandzoogle.com to try it free for 30 days, and use the promo code “refolkus” to get 15% off the first year of any subscription.Catch the latest episodes of the ReFolkUs Podcast with music from some of our special guests now broadcasting on CKCU FM 93.1. Presented by Folk Music OntarioHosted by Rosalyn DennettProduced by Kayla Nezon and Rosalyn DennettMixed by Jordan Moore of The Pod CabinTheme music “Amsterdam” by King CardiacArtwork by Jaymie Karn

Collaboration and networking are instrumental in whatever success I enjoyed in my former corporate work life and now in my post career volunteer world.  Nancy LaBerge of Calgary's “Backyard Betties” was introduced to me via email by Linda Wilson, a former radio colleague….giving me the heads up Nancy and her group would be coming to Kansas City for the 2024 Folk Alliance International Conference.  Might there be any broadcast or performance opportunities for the Backyard Betties on the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show?  Of course.  I soon came to know that Nancy, through her affiliation with the Calgary Songsmiths, had already come into my orbit through a songwriting collaboration exercise with our local Heartland Song Network members borne from a prior year's introduction at Folk Alliance. Joining Nancy LaBerge in three-part harmonies are Pip Hazel and Sarah Nielson on percussion with Mark Cassano on guitar.  The Backyard Betties are exceptionally talented with a strong commitment to connecting with their audiences through songs of love, life and loss while fostering the growth of emerging songwriters in their community.  Colin Cutler, an Army Vet, is a Greensboro, North Carolina-based singer-songwriter, folk musician, poet, and storyteller toting a banjo and guitar. Whether solo or with his band, Hot Pepper Jam, he is a wide-ranging performer whose musical roots draw from the breadth of American folk music—from Appalachian oldtime to blues to gospel to country to rock'n'roll—to form what No Depression has described as “one magnificent tapestry of roots music.”. In the course of curating a private showcase for a Folk Alliance International Conference, it becomes quite daunting to make decisions with so very many talented artists making submissions.  Colin Cutler made the decision easier for me to choose him when his bio revealed his latest work “Tarwater” was based upon the work of Georgia author Flannery O'Connor.  That was enough of a hook to send me down the rabbit hole of his background and discography.  Enjoy my conversations with and in studio performance by Backyard Betties and Colin Cutler.

It always lovely to welcome Montreal's Genevieve Racette back to the KKFI studios whenever she can make it to Kansas City; this visit was facilitated by Genevieve's attendance at the 2024 Folk Alliance International Conference.  Please excuse some background construction noise that may be discernible while she and I are having our conversation…Both the street in front of the station and our building itself is under some serious reconstruction to accommodate a street car line extension and new tenants. As a woman in the music industry, Genevieve prioritizes surrounding herself with like-minded women-identifying individuals, taking pride in the fact over 80% of her team consists of woman-identifying musicians and industry members.  She has showcased at prestigious music events such as Folk Alliance, Folk Music Ontario. Americanafest, Canadian Music Week and more.   Her fourth record, “Golden” is set to be released this Fall. Next up in the Folk Alliance 2024 Takeover… Arizona's Remi Goode is a trained classical guitarist and choral singer turned alternative folk/pop singer-songwriter. When she first decided to put her voice and guitar together and write original music, she quickly developed a style that highlights her careful classical sensibilities, pure vocal quality, and the distinctive sound of a nylon-string guitar. With an affinity for small arrangements and modest production, Remi's highest priority is lyricism. She writes with blunt honesty and introspection, searching for the root of the dynamics within a relationship or a deeper understanding of her own self-conception. Although Remi's analysis of herself and others is often unforgiving, her songs always contain a qualifying aspect of emotional ambiguity—an expression of both grief and acceptance at having to navigate a world that isn't black or white.    Enjoy  these conversations and performances in Episode 1 of the Folk Alliance 2024 Take Over of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast.

I am so honored when a friend and artist such as songwriter Kelly Hunt recommends a fellow musician to me for consideration.  In the case of songwriter and fellow Buckeye Ben Gage, she could not have been more spot on with her recommendation.    As you will  hear in this conversation and performance on a recent Tasty Brew Music Radio Show, Ben sounded totally at ease and seemingly is a rather comfortable space in his lyrical life.  A couple of corrections to note in my on air comments. The Folk Alliance International Conference for 2025 will be in Montreal not Toronto and although its true Travis Kelce played college ball at the University of Cincinnati, he is in fact from Cleveland.   I love how Ben blends folk and roots blues. I understand how he grew up in the rust belt of Northeast Ohio along the great Lake Erie with roots running  deep alongside hard working Ohio blue collars. His tenacity, love of family, and respect for a long day can be heard in his music.  He now travels the country full time sharing and collecting stories and songs.  Enjoy this episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast and be sure and check out Ben's work and schedule at https://www.bengagemusic.com/  

We'll dive into a stack of new releases. Everything we're playing came out in the last 4 weeks! We'll also start the show with a brief recap of our time at the Folk Alliance International Conference this past weekend.Tune in on Tuesday at 6PM via your radio dial or stream us live and hear new music from The Greeting Committee, Jo MacKenzie, IVORY BLUE, Honeybee (a new project with members of Blue False Indigo and Mess), Say That Again, Code Red teaming up with Shun Ann and NoLimit TC, Jeremy Nathan, Bquyet, Wizard Fan Club, yuzboy, Draper Family Band, and Copper Threading.With special programming over the last two weeks, our pile of new releases is growing and we're excited to share new music with you. Find us every Tuesday at 6PM on your radio dial at 90.9FM, steam us online, or via The Bridge app. If you miss the live broadcast, stream it from our archive on The Bridge site or app, or find us on Spotify - thanks!

We'll sit down with Nick Carswell, an area musician that wears many hats. This week he is one of the organizers of a showcase of musicians playing at the Folk Alliance International Conference. This week, WED-SAT, thousands of musicians, music industry folks, and fans alike will visit Kansas City and watch hundreds of musicians from very literally all around the world play music at The Westin at Crown Center. In the evenings from 6-11PM the hotel ballrooms become concert halls and from 11PM-3AM the individual hotel rooms become tiny, intimate venues.We'll talk about and play music from some of the acts that are traveling to KC this week like Strange Boy from Ireland, Moneka Arabic Jazz from Toronto, Crys Matthews from Nashville, and Rainbow Girls from Portland. We'll also hear new and recent releases from some KC area acts that are part of the event, Christena Graves, The Swallowtails featuring Miki P, and Bad Alaskan.We'll also hear a brand new song from a musician who visited KC last summer for Crossroads Music Fest, Elizabeth Moen - she's back in KC this week playing at The Ship on Thursday.At the start of the show, we'll turn our attention to the tragedy and huge loss that Kansas City and the Kansas City music community suffered last week, Lisa Lopez-Galvan. We'll talk about the radio show she co-hosted, A Taste of Tejano on KKFI 90.1 FM. Also, I would encourage you to tune into that show tonight at 8PM on your radio at 90.1FM or stream through their site. From their Facebook page about tonight's show, “we will reflect on the joy that our family member and friend brought to the world.” All of us at The Bridge love our radio friends at KKFI and can't imagine what you're going through.  

Happy Humpday (BAY-BAY!) From YOUR KC Morning Show!On the show today, we once again go INTERNATIONAL! We're joined by our new friends, Welsh/English folk band, The Trials of Cato! See The Trials of Cato, alongside Talisk, at the Folk Alliance International Conference in KC this February 21st -25th!LINK: KC Folk Alliance - https://folk.org/programs/conference/ LINK: The Trials of Cato (Website) - https://www.thetrialsofcato.com/ A Good Day To Be A Kansas Citian. Always.xoxo - @hartzell965, @holeyhearts, & @kcmorningshow

On February 3, 2023, I presented a four-hour edition of the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show, interviewing an array of local, national and international touring artists that were in Kansas City for the annual Folk Alliance International Conference. Last, but certainly not least for the show, was internationally reknown guitarist Pipo Romero. Although flamenco is not necessarily a genre of music heard on my radio show, when Pipo applied to play the Heartland Song Network Private Showcase Room and I had no room for him, I KNEW I had to get him on the radio so I could share his musical prowess with as many people as possible while we had him here in Kansas City. Romero is the new reality of the acoustic guitar in Spain, with a mixture of styles in which folk, flamenco or classical music merge, as well as Celtic or country touches that together crystallize into unique melodies with an innovative sound. From Cadiz, his music comes from music, influences and folklore from around the world. His unique approach to the instrument has made him one of the most respected acoustic guitar artists in the world. I would have loved to devote more time to Mr. Romero but I had to make way for the next program; although the language barrier proved to be a challenge the music was universally understood. It was an honor to be present as a witness and to share it with my listeners. Enjoy this musical interlude with the otherworldly Pipo Romero.

On February 3, 2023, I presented a four-hour edition of the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show, interviewing an array of local, national and international touring artists that were in Kansas City for the annual Folk Alliance International Conference. Next up is Patterson Barrett from Austin, Texas and Beth Bombara from St. Louis. Patterson first came to my attention about 8 years ago at the Folk Alliance Conference as the side man for Songwriter Stephanie Urbina Jones. As you'll hear, we've stayed in touch over the years and I learn something new about Patterson with each visit. During this conversation, he casually drops new information to me that at the age of 17 he played pedal steel, dobro and guitar on Jerry Jeff Walker's rendition of Guy Clark's L.A. Freeway for Walker's first release on MCA Records. He has helped anchor the Buddy Miller House Band during an Americanafest Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium. I had the privilege of attending those Awards Show for a good number of years and the house band was always on fire! Not long after arriving in Austin, he formed the band Partners In Crime, which included Buddy and Julie Miller, sometimes referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Americana Music….releasing one album on their own label, Criminal Records. In the years since, Patterson produced some of Hal Ketchum's earliest demos, served in Al Kooper's back-up band, and performed before 10,000 festival-goers as Chuck Berry's pianist. He accompanied Nancy Griffith on Austin City Limits, legendary Austin singer Lou Ann Barton in music clubs around the country, and Buddy Miller on his Your Love And Other Lies CD, and more recently, on the Buddy & Jim CD. He has a continuing collaboration with Stephanie Urbina Jones as her accompanist, musical director and producer, including work with her Honky Tonk Mariachi project, appearing on the Grand Ole Opry multiple times. In addition to years of supporting other talented artists in every format imaginable, Barrett has maintained a career as a recording artist in his own right. Around 2015, I was introduced to Beth Bombara through a mutual musical friend, Sky Smeed. Although based in Missouri, Beth has spent much of her adulthood on the road, carving out her own award-winning mix of vintage folk and electric roots-rock. She's been a solo artist, a bandleader, and an occasional side musician for other artists. Her songs live in the same world as greats like Petty and Dylan; Gillian and Joni, and grow up like trees drawing nourishment from their roots music. But she never, ever sounds like the "typical" artist who claims these influences; Bombara to zig where someone else might zag, making harder or gentler turns, brushing up against jazz or taking rock toward its fulfillment.” - The Columbia Tribune It's been my pleasure to include Beth for the last three years now as part of the Heartland Song Network Private Showcase line up. Enjoy these conversations and performances with Patterson Barrett and Beth Bombara in Hour 3 of the Folk Alliance Takeover of the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show.

I had the chance to sit down and chat at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City with all three members of the Brooklyn based band Damn Tall Buildings: Sasha, Max, and Avery. Damn Tall Buildings make smart, witty, infectious music that has a bluegrass heart but swirls in some swing, blues, jazz, and other stuff-it's a winning recipe. The band met at Berklee College of Music, and we hear their take on the academic approach to songwriting and creativity and talk about songs from their excellent 2022 album Sleeping Dogs. Also discussed: rocking the Pasta Loft, writing with a lot of words, and does Sasha really hate me and my podcast?

On February 3, 2023, I presented a four hour edition of the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show, interviewing an array of local, national and international touring artists that were in Kansas City for the annual Folk Alliance International Conference. Next up is Miki P and Cameron Keeling and The Runaway Train. Miki is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter who shares her passion through music and performing. She decided when she was 11 years old that making music absolutely was it for her. She picked up her first guitar in 6th grade, and shortly after took up drum set, becoming a dedicated student of both instruments. A self-led musician, Miki now shares her stories through her voice, joined by playing either guitar, drums, piano, bass, or ukulele. “Miki P's voice is kind enough to squeeze your trembling hand, and strong enough to teach you to stand on your own.” Emma Ottinger – Manor Records Cameron Keeling has been saturated in bluegrass music for the last decade or more…. On the road playing clubs, festivals and honky tonks. He hosted weekly bluegrass jams for 4 years at the Westport Saloon in Kansas City while holding down a spot for five years in the touring powergrass trio of Grassfed. Cameron is writing new songs and performs “Haystack” and “Hey Hey Hey” here for us live in the studio with his Runaway Train line up… Zack Bozeman on upright bass and Corey Clark on mandolin. Enjoy Part 2 of the 2023 Folk Alliance Takeover of the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show.

On February 3, 2023, I presented a four hour edition of the Tasty Brew Music Radio Show, interviewing an array of local, national and international touring artists that were in Kansas City for the annual Folk Alliance International Conference. First up were Chris Hudson of Kansas City's Gullywasher and Australia's Nick Vulture. Hudson is a Guitarist, visual artist, Singer Songwriter for Kansas City- based Gullywasher, the Bard Owls and other projects, and Teacher at Kansas City Young Audiences. Vulture has moved into territory that couldn't be any further removed from his roots in the garage punk scene of Adelaide, South Australia with his band The Molting Vultures. His solo endeavor is gritty acoustic folk done raw and stripped back to its very core. Enjoy these on air musical interludes and conversations with Chris Hudson and Nick Vulture.

Music from some of the performers who will be showcasing at next week's Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City. I'll be heading down there to receive the great honour of a Spirit of Folk Award and to hear some amazing bands and meet some fellow DJs and journalists. It will be amazing! Also a whole bunch of new releases and concert previews - and a number of Kansas City references too.

Some of the official showcase artists in the upcoming 2022 Folk Alliance International Conference www.folk.org Amy Speace "Why I Wake Early" - Tuscon www.amyspeace.com Rebecca Loebe "Got Away" - Give Up Your Ghosts www.rebeccaloebe.com Buffalo Rose & Tom Paxton "I Give You The Morning" - Rabbit www.buffalirosemusic.com The Faux Paws "Southport" - s/t https://thefauxpawsmusic.com/ Ordinary Elephant "Scars We Keep" - Honest https://www.ordinaryelephant.net/ Jaimee Harris "Missing Someone" - Boomerang Town https://www.jaimeeharris.com/ Heather Pierson "Sad And Sorry" - Lines And Spaces www.heatherpierson.com Tish Hinojosa 'Church Of The Mission Bell" - West www.mundotish.com Joe Jencks "Wheelbarrow Johnny" - Poets, Philosophers, Workers, Wanderers www.joejencks.com ********************************* Burton Badman "The Savior" - The Opposite Way Around www.burtonbadmanband.com Black Market Karma (with The Underground Youth) "Wonky" - https://www.facebook.com/blackmarketkarm Grace de Gier "And Now" www.gracedegier.com Velveteen Queen "Kenny's Blues" - https://www.facebook.com/velveteenqueen.gbg Napoleon "Can't Forget" - Enemy Within www.napoleontoronto.com Tsunami Bomb "Naysayers" - The Spine That Binds www.tsunamibomb.net ************************ Shane Martin "Her Faith In Me" - Anywhere www.shanemartin.com Donna The Buffalo "Look Both Ways" - Dance In The Street www.donnathebuffalo.com Suzanne's Band "Something Else" - Ice And Fire www.suzannesband.com Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem "You Should See Me Now" - Violets Are Blue www.raniarbo.com The Ruta Beggars "Pass You By" - Ever-Changing www.therutabeggars.com ****************** Aztec Two Step 2.0 "Apocalypse (Now)" - Apocalypse (Now) www.aztectwostep.com Yarn "Good Lady" - Shine The Light On www.yarnmuisic.net Le Vent Du Nord "Vos amities le belle" - 20 printemps www.leventdunord.com Hungrytown "Highway Song" - Further West www.hungrytown.net John McCutcheon "Second Hand" - Leap! www.folkmusic.com ******************** Closing music: Open Book "A Way Out" - The Things We Keep www.openbookmusic.com Open Book "This Is Yours Now" - Grateful www.openbookmusic.com Running time: 5 hours, 0 minutes --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radiocblue/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/radiocblue/support

Opening: Bob Dylan "Maggie's Farm" - No Direction Home: Bootleg Volume 7 (movie soundtrack) **************** Jonathan Byrd "I Should Have Died" www.jonathanbyrd.com @jonathanbyrd Molasses Creek "Weeping Willow Blues" - Waterbound www.molassescreek.com Shanna In A Dress "Robot" - Robot www.shannainadress.com @shannainadress Golden Shoals "Dawn Of A New Morning" - s/t www.goldenshoals.com Blake Morgan "This One Wins" - Violent Delights https://www.ecrmusicgroup.com/artists/blake-morgan/ @theblakemorgan Tom Freund "Rebound" - The Year I Spent In Space www.tomfreund.com @tomfreund Wes Collins "Last Saturday" - Jabberwockies www.wescollins.com Olivia Frances "Moon To My Sun" - Orchid www.oliviafrancesmusic.com @oliviagrows Avi Wisnia "How To Fight Loneliness" - Catching Leaves www.aviwisnia.com @aviwisnia Meghan Cary "Sail Across The Water" - Sing Louder www.meghancary.com @meghancarysongs ************** These are some of the official showcase participants in this year's Folk Alliance International Conference www.folk.org : Giulia Millanta "The Ghost Of Yourself" - Woman On The Moon www.giuliamillanta.com @giuliamillanta HuDost "Testament" - Anthems Of Home www.hudost.com @hudost Buffalo Rose"I Give You The Morning" - Rabbit www.buffalorosemusic.com @buffalorose Julian Taylor "The Ridge" - The Ridge www.juliantaylormusic.ca @jtaylorband Dan Weber "Never" - The Way The River Goes www.danwebermusic.com @danwebermusic Claudia Nygaard "The Hero" - Lucky Girl www.claudianygaard.com @claudianygaard ******************** Sirsy "Sweet Dreams" - Like A Drum www.sirsy.com @sirsy Banditos "Deep End" - Right On www.banditosband.com @banditosband Bird Mancini "One Mistake" - Dreams and Illusions www.birdmancini.com @birdmancini Don't Panic "Time Machine" - www.dontpanictheband.com Antigone Rising "It's Gonna Be Alright (Hey Hey)" - True Joy www.antigonerising.com @antigonerising The Love Buzz "Harp" - Here Comes The Scum @TheLoveBuzz1 Darlingside "Mountain + Sea" - Fish Pond Fish www.darkingside.com @darlingside Owls & Aliens "These Vices" www.owlsandaliens.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/radiocblue/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/radiocblue/support

Please join us in welcoming Lilli Lewis into our studio to chat with Heart of Indie Radio Co-Host Emme Lentino. As the story goes, Lilli Lewis should never have been. Before she was born, Lewis' mother was told her baby probably wouldn't survive due to lung trouble, so the fact that Lewis now makes a living singing with those same lungs is a gift she never takes for granted. Lewis uses her voice to bring what she calls sacred songs into profane spaces, and though she's abandoned trying to define her sound, she hopes her audiences leave shows knowing two things: that they are brilliant as they are, and that they have the ability to use that brilliance to make a better world. Trained as an opera singer and classical pianist, Georgia native Lewis has been a composer, producer and performer for over two decades. After carving out space as an African American queer woman of size, Lewis' career has culminated in her album Americana being a top pick everywhere from NPR's All Songs Considered to Rolling Stone. The FolkRockDiva is a musical polyglot who glides easily between folk, roots, country soul, gospel, and jazz, and has integrated New Orleans traditions by singing lead for Dirty Dozen Brass Band founding member Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove. Lewis' Louisiana Red Hot Records releases include The Henderson Sessions, We Belong, and Americana. Powerhouse singer-songwriter Lilli Lewis has announced her 2022 tour, including dates at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Folk Alliance International Conference, and The Kennedy Center which has called her: “A powerhouse performer adding her unique voice and talent to the national discussion of the state of social justice in America.” Spotify> https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dh2iaRf6yHgqVmEJok53L

I was introduced to Jess Jocoy's music by Graham Jackson, a gentleman actively supporting Americana Music in the UK. I met Graham when he attended a Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City some years ago and introduced me to the UK's Danni Nicholls, the subject of another episode of this podcast. Graham regularly listens to my radio show online in the UK. We have similar musical tastes and I trust his judgment for music recommendations. Jess was raised two hours south of Seattle. As you'll discover in this conversation, she is following her dream of writing and singing country music by relocating to Nashville to attend college and plant her lyrical flag. Like thousands of others, Jess' cross-country travels were brought to a stop in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic halted her touring career. At the time, she was riding a wave of critical acclaim for Such a Long Way, a debut album inspired by grief, gratitude, the loss of her father, and the love of creating music. No Depression hailed the record's “insightful, open-hearted songs” and “smooth blend of traditional country and folk sounds,” while American Songwriter praised the “mournful effervescence” of songs like “The Ballad of Two Lovers.” The iconic radio station WSM, home to the Grand Ole Opry, made Jess their “Artist of the Week,” and her music even made its way onto national television, where she performed “Easy” during an episode of NBC's Songland. Those childhood dreams of making her mark in the same town as her musical heroes had finally started to come true, only to be postponed by a disease that sent the entire world indoors. It was an honor and privilege to extend the first opportunity to be interviewed on the radio to Jess. We started the session by launching immediately into a live performance of “Constellations” from her 2021 release “Brighter Eyes.” Enjoy.

There are beautiful, amazing and talented people in this world. Sometimes you have to travel to a music conference in Montreal to find out one of them, Kelly Dougherty, has lived a few houses down the street from you for years. Until recently, Kelly served as the Communications Director for Folk Alliance International…an organization whose mission is to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation, and promotion. She was poised to be instrumental in organizing and managing the annual Folk Alliance International Conference as it returned to it’s home base in Kansas City, Missouri in 2021. The Conference was cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic and the fallout has led to FAI staff cuts that included Kelly. We recently sat down for a conversation in my home, physically distant but close enough to record a wide ranging conversation that included discovering she started her music career as a young child performing pantomime, ala Marcel Marceau, in beauty pageants in Wyoming, followed by a stint singing and dancing with her dad’s honky tonk band in Western saloons, meeting the likes of country stars like Johnny Cash during Cheyenne’s Frontier Days. As an adult she has discovered and curated a love and respect for Irish music and culture, volunteering heavily at Kansas City’s Irish Center, Irish Fest and tending bar occasionally at Browne’s Irish Marketplace. Kelly actively volunteers in the dog rescue community and has teamed up with another talented neighbor, Jill Westra, performing locally as “Distant Cousins.” As you listen to Kelly’s story, I’m certain you will agree she has what it takes to come back stronger and engaged more than ever in the community she loves. And if I ever get to travel to my ancestral home….Ireland… I want Kelly to be my guide. Enjoy this sheltering in place conversation and musical interlude from Kelly's CD "Dair" courtesy of my friend and neighbor, Kelly Dougherty.

Today’s guest is a Canadian artist, Adyn Townes. We got the opportunity to meet Adyn at the Folk Alliance International Conference in New Orleans. His music sounds like Death Cab meets David Gray; high energy, but intimate, beautiful, and clever. He has been nominated for multiple Canadian music awards. His new single "Leave It Alone" is available everywhere now! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shadowscaperecords/support

I caught up with singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalists Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore at the 2020 Folk Alliance International Conference in New Orleans. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were booted out of the Media Room I had reserved so that NPR’s Anne Powers could do an impromptu interview with Ani DiFranco. No worries, The Mastersons went with the flow and we conducted our conversation in my hotel room while they were perched on my bedside with my lavalier mic attached to my water bottle handle. They could not have been more gracious and accommodating. When they're not touring the world as valued longtime members of Steve Earle's band the Dukes, the musical and marital twosome make inspired albums of their own emotionally vivid, deeply humanistic songs. Experience is something they have aplenty. Prior to coming together as a musical duo (they married in 2009), Masterson and Whitmore were both seasoned veterans of the Americana and Texas music scenes. Masterson spent his teens playing the blues in Houston clubs before landing hired-gun gigs with acts as varied as Jack Ingram and Son Volt, while the Denton-born Whitmore grew up performing in a family band with her folk- singer dad, Alex, and sister Bonnie (now a solo singer-songwriter) before playing fiddle and violin on dozens of album sessions for the likes of Bruce Robison, Slaid Cleaves, and Shooter Jennings. By their own admission, they are here to “serve the songs.” The Mastersons, who now call Los Angeles home after stints in Austin, Brooklyn and Terlingua, Texas; recorded their soon to be released “No Time for Love Songs” at L.A.'s legendary Sunset Sound Recorders with Shooter Jennings; it was engineered and mixed by five-time Grammy Award-winning engineer, Ryan Freeland. Shooter had recruited The Mastersons to play on his albums Family Man (2012) and The Other Life (2013), and they’d recently reunited to work on the now Grammy award winning Tanya Tucker's comeback album While I'm Livin', which Jennings co-produced with Brandi Carlile. As our country becomes more divided," Chris observes, "it makes it harder to connect with loved ones and friends that disagree. Fundamentally we all want the same things, but we're pitted against each other by extreme rhetoric on both sides. If we can lead with kindness and empathy, there is a way out." "Only by cataloging and acknowledging loss and grief can we move forward with gratitude for what we have." I agree 100%. Enjoy this conversation with Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore, The Mastersons!

Katie presents a mini-feature on some of the Australian artists appearing at this month’s Folk Alliance International Conference in New Orleans, including past Miss Chat guests Alice Skye, Charm of Finches, This Way North and […] http://media.rawvoice.com/joy_misschatalaine/p/joy.org.au/misschatelaine/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2020/01/Miss-Chatelaine-No-137B.mp3 Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:50 — 36.3MB) Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Android | Spotify | RSS The post Folk Alliance International Conference special – Show #137 (part 2), 19 January 2020 appeared first on Miss Chatelaine.

On my way to New Orleans in the morning for the Folk Alliance International Conference. Played a lot of music by artists who will be showcasing there, plus local concert previews and new music from Africa - North and Central.

My introduction to Israeli guitarist, singer and songwriter, Bat-Or Kalo, or “B” as her friends call her, came some years back when she played a show at a very unlikely venue for her…a cocktail bar in the Waldo neighborhood in Kansas City. She came to play on my Tasty Brew Music radio show. We’ve stayed in touch over the years as she has come to play solo at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City and most recently a duo show in Carl Butler’s Gospel Lounge with bassist Jared Gaiser. As you will hear in our conversation recorded recently when she and Jared visited my home, she is fiery and electrifying, her guitar chops and contralto voice a force of nature. KALO defies convention, channeling power trios like The Police, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Rush or Cream but her solo and duo acoustic performances are just as powerful. Within the past two years, KALO has opened for Los Angeles-based rocker Andy Frasco, the godfather of British blues, John Mayall, Texas guitar phenom Chris Duarte and has shared billing with acts like Avett Brothers and Robert Randolph & the Family Band. She was nominated for an Independent Music Award in the 2017 Best Alt/Indie Rock Album category for her album Wild Change. B was intent on interviewing me instead of the other way around but B, her bass player and musical companion, Jared Gaiser and I managed to have a wide ranging conversation … from discussing the fine attributes of dirt, Disney Movies, Albert Einstein, learning disabilities, the importance of connection and community, the magic and humanity of music and what B wants us to know about the community and experience of her homeland…Israel. Please enjoy this time with Bat-or Kalo and Jared Gaiser.

Welcome to Episode 11 of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast…a conversation I had during the 2018 Folk Alliance International Conference with Doug and Telisha Williams also known as The Wild Ponies. They grew up together in Southwest Virginia, an area steeped in a powerful and rugged musical tradition. Musically, they are somewhat of a pinball, bouncing between folk, rock and roll and country music interwoven with an old-time style that informs everything they do. As you will hear, I was first introduced to them by a fellow DJ at KKFI and continued the acquaintanceship over the years making sure to attend their annual Happy Hour get together during Americanafest in Nashville. In addition to being wonderful musicians who tour the world, they have an entrepreneurial spirit that has garnered them a regular show on WSM Radio’s Route 650 line up, a guided Kentucky Bourbon Trail Ride Series, and whiskey tastings all over America that get served up with a Wild Ponies Show as the musical highlight. As you’ll hear they are always open to new music centered adventures. Enjoy my wide ranging conversation with Doug and Telisha Williams….the Wild Ponies. Now that’s Americana!

This episode of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast brings a conversation with Canadian born, Austin based Roots Musician Ray Bonneville. Ray had a former life as a Marine in Viet Nam, a bush pilot in the Canadian wilderness and the leader of a garage blues band. Ray’s music came to me at the suggestion of fellow KKFI DJ John “Junebug” Stuerke, host of the weekly Blues Kitchen Show. He said I should check out Ray’s “Bad Man’s Blood;” that it would be a good fit for The Tasty Brew. He was right! Some years later, I wrangled Ray into the radio station for a live interview and performance in between private showcases during a Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City. I don’t think I’ve missed a Ray Bonneville performance in Kansas City since. His music is blues informed but greatly influenced by the musical gumbo found in his former home of New Orleans. The tones he accomplishes with just a guitar and harmonica are uniquely his own. Before a recent Kansas City show, we had a wide ranging conversation in the Green Room, next to the railroad tracks, at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City…that at times was accompanied by train whistles, steel on the rails, horns and the country band doing sound check in the Gospel Lounge below us. Now THAT’s Americana! Enjoy a conversation with the incomparable Ray Bonneville.

Episode 2 of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast is a conversation with American music icon, John Oates (Hall & Oates), recorded in Kansas City in February 2018 during the Folk Alliance International Conference. John was at the Conference to promote his latest musical release “Arkansas” and his written memoir “Change of Seasons.” There was a bit of background drama before the conversation started as there was a mix up with John’s staff as to what time the interview was to start. Long story short, when I arrived in the suite, John was already there talking to the sound engineer who astutely kept him in the room, conducting an interview well enough John thought it had already begun. He was a bit taken aback when I walked into the room and the sound engineer announced…oh here’s Diana Linn…she will be interviewing you. John took it all in stride, as you will hear; we had a lovely conversation about his full circle journey with Roots Music….feeling compelled in his later years to curate content from the 1920’s and 30’s American music catalogue and sharing some details on his recent infiltration of the Nashville music scene…all the while being warmly embraced by the Americana/ Roots Music Community. You will also hear a thoughtful duo of questions posed by my sister DJ at 90.1 FM KKFI, Kasey Rausch. Enjoy Episode 2 of the Tasty Brew Podcast with my very special guest John Oates! #johnoates #americanamusic #tastybrewmusic #folkalliance

Welcome to Episode #1 of the Tasty Brew Music Podcast! Host Diana Linn met and had a conversation with Singer/Songerwriter Ilona Pal in Montreal, Canada during the 2019 Folk Alliance International Conference. They quickly established a connection not only via Ilona's music, but through the spirit of Hollywood icon James Dean. Ilona Pal has traveled the rails between Montreal and Ottawa many times over, but in November of 2017, that train ride, and a movie about friendship, love and loss inspired a song that gave her wings to fly. The movie was the 2015 feature film “Life”: the story of photographer Dennis Stock’s historic 1955 photo shoot of iconic actor James Dean in Fairmount, Indiana, for that still famous spread in Life Magazine. “The song was a gift,” says Ilona. “I wasn’t looking to write a song about James Dean that day, the song was looking for me”. But when the last frame of the film faded to black and the words ‘James Dean died 6 months later’ appeared on the screen, she felt a wave of emotion well-up in her chest. That wave soon reached her creative spirit, and all at once, most of the lyrics and melody that would become A Farm In Indiana were born. Pal first emerged as an independent Canadian New Country artist with her debut single Hold On Heart and self-titled album. She landed a spot on the roster at Peter Asher Management in LA, alongside such notable artists as Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. French recordings of her songs have ranked #1 in Quebec and received ADISQ award nominations. Film credits include the closing theme song for Time At The Top (Showtime, HBO). Learn all things Ilona Pal here.

Featuring excerpts from an interview with Richard Thompson conducted by Steve Winick (Library of Congress) at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City - interspersed with some of the music they discussed. Also brand new music from Altan (Donegal) and I'm With Her (Aoife O'Donovan, Sarah Jarosz, and Sara Watkins) and some old favourites and Kansas City songs.

British Folk Legend Billy Bragg was in town last month for the Folk Alliance International Conference last month. He rocked the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City with his fiery […] The post Billy Bragg’s FAI Keynote Speech appeared first on KKFI.