Jack Barksdale's Roots Revival Jack Barksdale

In this episode, I sat down once again with Van Plating. Van and I last spoke in 2021 when she was releasing her sophomore album. Now, two years later, we’ve reconvened to discuss her third and most daring album yet, Orange Blossom Child. Chronicling the lives of her and her family, and others undergoing the Floridian experience. Self-produced with 11 songs and many collaborators, such as Elizabeth Cook, Reckless Kelly, and The Damn Quails, to name a few. It’s a great album. I hope you enjoy it and learn some cool facts about the album and Van in this episode. As always, email me at jack@jackbarksdale.com for any questions or show ideas.

Today I sat down with Ed Snodderly, an amazing roots singer-songwriter and musician from Johnson City, Tennessee. We got to talk about his new album (Chimney Smoke) coming out in July, the songwriting class he teaches at East Tennessee State University, how he got started in music, and much more. Ed has released LPs on Sugar Hill and other prestigious roots-oriented labels and, in addition to his solo work, he also recorded and performed as the Brother Boys with duet partner Eugene Wolf. Ed's songs have been recorded by such artists as Sam Bush, John Cowan, Reeltime Travelers, Missy Raines, Jerry Douglas, and several others. His original lyrics from "The Diamond Stream" are featured in Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Hall of Honor Rotunda beside A.P. Carter's standard "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." He also appeared in the Coen Brothers' 2000 award-winning film O Brother, Where Art Thou as the Village Idiot, and again as a ballroom musician alongside Alison Krauss’s band. So needless to say there was a lot to discuss and, though we didn’t get to touch on everything I was really glad to learn more about him and his music. As always email me at jack@jackbarksdale.com for any questions or show ideas.

This week I conversed with singer-songwriter, Will Payne Harrison. Will is a Nashville based Country/Roots artist. He just released his new ten song album, Tioga Titan. The album was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Will, himself. I highly recommend giving it a listen if you haven’t already. As always email me at jack@jackbarksdale.com for any questions or show ideas.

Today I had the pleasure of talking with Ever More Nest (specifically lead singer/songwriter Kelcy Mae). Ever More Nest’s new album, "Out Here Now" was produced by Neilson Hubbard. With contributions from multi-instrumentalists Will Kimbrough, Fats Kaplin and bassist Dean Marold, it’s hard to go wrong. I really love this new album. It’s so soulful and emotive. I highly recommend it as well as Ever More Nest’s 2018 album, "The Place That You Call Home." I loved getting to learn more about Ever More Nest, their story and their music and I hope you do too. As always email me at jack@jackbarksdale.com for any questions or show ideas.

This week I was able to visit with Caleb Caudle. Caleb’s new album, Forsythia, will be released in October 2022. It is a treasure trove of great songwriting and self-reflection. On this new album he worked with many fantastic artists and creatives such as John Carter Cash, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Carlene Carter, Elizabeth Cook and more. I hope you enjoy learning about Caleb and his music. I know I certainly did! As always email me at jack@jackbarksdale.com for any questions or show ideas.

On this episode of the podcast I talk with Kevin Houston, a music engineer and producer. He’s worked with bands and artists such as Robert Plant, North Mississippi All Stars, Patty Griffin, Buddy Guy, Walter Trout, Lucero and many more. In fact Kevin was the engineer on my new song “Gone”. It was fun getting to talk and learn more about the other side of the recording process. As always email me at jack@jackbarksdale.com for any questions or show ideas. Enjoy!