
36 episodes

American Songcatcher Nicholas Edward Williams
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- Music
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5.0 • 3 Ratings
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Tracing the roots of American music from its cultured past to artists playing it forward, join folk musician Nicholas Edward Williams in thi audio documentary-style podcast series. Each episode uncovers the lesser-known journey behind one traditional song, followed by four stories of musicians in American roots music, up to someone carrying tradition today. From immigrants who brought their music to Appalachia, to songs of the South: Gospel, Blues, Country, and the Folk music derived from it all. We'll go behind the curtain of the pioneers, and hear the stories of the under-represented. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/americansongcatcher/support
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S2:E6 // The Man in Black (Part 3)
Featured in this Episode:
Johnny Cash
Teaser:
The finale of this three part series on "The Man in Black" starts in the 70’s, when Johnny’s turnaround gets traction through learning to be a father, his activism and overtly religious period, several relapses of his addiction, the fall from Columbia Records, and his rise with Rick Rubin before passing away, as well as his legacy.
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"Shine A Light" | Johnny Cash: The Life
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Credits:
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution
Source Credits:
Johnny Cash: The Life | The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash | Official | Grunge | Biography | Live About | Achievement.org | Cheat Sheet | Britannica | Slate | Far Out Magazine | LA Times | Daily Mail UK | The Jamboree That Never Was | Outsider | Rolling Stone | The Boot | Taste of Country
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/americansongcatcher/support -
S2:E6 // The Man in Black (Part 2)
Featured in this Episode:
Johnny Cash
Teaser:
The story of the enigmatic “Man in Black” is a vast ocean that is impossible to cover every detail. But this three part series will attempt to further explain what listeners know about Johnny Cash, debunk a few myths, and uncover fascinating moments in his life that are lesser known. In essence, we’ll be looking further behind the curtain of the legend known as JR Cash, more than exceptional movies such as “Walk the Line” have portrayed.
Part 2 presents Johnny’s rise with Sun Records, the tumultuous years of his personal life and addiction, his turnaround, and when he first cleans up his act as a star.
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Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast
"Shine A Light" | Johnny Cash: The Life
Follow American Songcatcher
Support Independent Programming!
Join the Patreon
Send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal
Credits:
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution
Source Credits:
Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash: The Life | The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash | Official | Washington Post | Live About | Britannica | Town and Country | History.com | KHQA | Biography | VC Star | El Paso Times | Classic Country | Culture Trip
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/americansongcatcher/support -
S2:E6 // The Man in Black (Part 1)
Featured in this Episode:
Johnny Cash
Teaser:
The story of the enigmatic “Man in Black” is a vast ocean that is impossible to cover and give every detail. But this three part series will attempt to further explain what listeners may think they know about Johnny Cash, broaden the understanding of his personal life, and uncover fascinating moments in his career that are lesser known, misunderstood, or flat out wild. In essence, we’ll be looking WAY behind the curtain of the legend known as JR Cash, far more than even exceptional movies such as “Walk the Line” have portrayed.
In Part 1, we'll navigate Johnny’s childhood, teenage years, and his initial rise with Sun Records.
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Support Independent Programming
Join the Patreon
Send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal
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Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast
"Shine A Light" | Johnny Cash: The Life
Follow American Songcatcher
Credits:
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution
Source Credits:
Johnny Cash: Johnny Cash: The Life | The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash | Official | Grunge | Biography | Live About | Achievement.org | Cheat Sheet | Britannica | Action 5 News
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/americansongcatcher/support -
S2:E5 // That Bad Man
Celebrating Black History Month!
Featured in this Episode:
Traditional - “Stagger Lee” (:42)
Memphis Minnie (15:45)
Lightnin’ Hopkins (29:21)
Taj Mahal (48:55)
Teaser:
This notorious murder story has been covered in more genres, by more artists and across more multi-media platforms than any other in history, while somehow remaining relatively obscure. She’s known as the queen of the country blues, and queen of the Chicago blues, though she got her start while homeless and playing on the streets full time in Memphis. One of the last links that remained of the original country blues past the folk and blues revival, this Texas bluesman’s personal life was shrouded in mystery during both pinnacles in his near 60-year career. Born of Caribbean descent, he would go on to be a liaison between cultures and sounds from all over the world, wrapping it all into a tight package that makes the blues feel like an altogether human experience.
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Collaboration | Basic Folk Podcast
"Shine A Light" | Blues Foundation
Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram
Support Independent Programming | Join the Patreon or send a one-time donation through Venmo or PayPal
Credits:
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing, editing, recording and distribution
Jack Browning - Writer
Ryan Eastridge - Writer
Source Credits:
Stagger Lee: Missouri Life | StaggerLee.com | American Blues Scene | StLouis-mo.gov
Memphis Minnie: Black Past | Musicians Guide | 64 Parishes
Lightnin’ Hopkins: Black Past | | Texas Monthly | Udiscovermusic | THSA.org
Taj Mahal: Berklee Interview | Harlem World Magazine | Hawaii Public Radio | New York Times
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/americansongcatcher/support -
AS Presents // Basic Folk feat. Chris Thile
Today on the program, I’m pleased to bring you a very special episode through American Songcatcher, sharing a wonderful podcast called Basic Folk in our feed. Now some of you may already be aware of these in-depth, honest interviews with host Cindy Howes, but I feel like the rest of you should get on board!
Sure, there are many conversational podcasts out there, but Basic Folk sets itself apart with honest and complex conversations about the human experience witnessed from an artistic angle. Cindy's questions are not only well-researched and carefully crafted, but the artists featured are among the most revered in the American roots music scene today, some of which have been covered or will be covered by this podcast, including Amethyst Kiah, Oliver Wood, Tom Rush, Alison Russell and several others.
One of Cindy and I’s favorite musicians, Chris Thile, stopped by Basic Folk several months back, and it seemed apropos to share their conversation since he was covered in Episode 1 of Season 2. Be sure to subscribe to Basic Folk wherever you get your podcasts!
We'll be back with Episode 5 in two weeks!
BF Links:
Spotify
Apple Music
Official Site
Instagram
Facebook
About Basic Folk:
Basic Folk is a podcast with honest conversations between musicians and Cindy Howes, a well-versed public radio host and music curator, and guest host Lizzie No, a talented singer/songwriter. Basic Folk approaches interviews with warmth, humor and insightful questions. This podcast fosters the folk community and showcases a genre that is often misunderstood. Basic Folk features complex conversations about the human experience witnessed from an artistic angle. Our definition of “folk” is extremely broad, so you’ll hear interviews from Amythyst Kiah, Tom Rush, The Lumineers and many more.
Basic Folk is dedicated to showcasing the best in folk and roots musicians including BIPOC musicians who have been excluded, or felt like they did not belong, in the folk world. Both Cindy and Lizzie bring unique perspectives to our honest conversations and are dedicated to changing the landscape and the gatekeepers of the folk music community.
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/americansongcatcher/support -
S2:E4 // Pioneering Women in Bluegrass and Old-Time
Featured in this Episode:
Jean Ritchie (:28)
Ola Belle Reed (17:48)
Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard (35:41)
Alison Krauss (55:54)
Teaser:
Her family is considered one of the wealthiest in the ballad tradition, preserving hundreds of songs from their lineage to Scotland in their home of Kentucky, and is single-handedly responsible for bringing the Appalachian dulcimer to prominence in America. Born in the mountains of North Carolina, she paved the way for both bluegrass music and old-time with her brother through their pioneering work at music parks, on the radio, and during the folk revival. They’re considered the first women to front a bluegrass band, and in their wake are generations of women thanks to their contributions. A child prodigy, she was signed to Rounder Records at 14 and now is one of the most decorated bluegrass and female musicians of all time, still turning heads today with her many collaborations.
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"Shine A Light" | Pretty Good For a Girl: Women in Bluegrass by Murphy Hicks Henry
Follow American Songcatcher | Instagram
Support | Join Patreon or send a one-time donation: Venmo // PayPal
Source Credits:
Jean Ritchie: KET | Library of Congress | NPR
Ola Belle Reed: Blue Ridge Heritage | Arts.gov | NC Pedia | SML
Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard: NY Times | Folkstreams | Official | BG Hall of Fame | Pinecone | Birthplace of Country Music
Alison Krauss: NPR | Britannica | Grammy | NY Times
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/americansongcatcher/support