Southern Songs and Stories

Joe Kendrick

5.0 (46)
MUSIC INTERVIEWS
UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Southern Songs and Stories is a documentary series about the music of the South and the artists who make it. We showcase their performances and discover the stories behind their songs with a look at their lives on stage, in the studio and at home as well as the family, friends, fans and music professionals around them.

23 HR. AGO

Of Wishing Wells and the Unattainable Woman With Lindsay Lou

In the music business, the words “influence” and “inspiration” get thrown around a lot. Artist Y is “influenced” by artists A, B and C, or “inspired” by their love of genres D and E, often with no elaboration of what that really might mean. Influence and inspiration are often overused to the point of meaninglessness in these contexts, or perhaps misunderstood as something akin to emulation. It is an easy shortcut for folks reading or hearing those words to insert the phrase “sounds like” into the sentence when given no more substantial footing than those hackneyed terms. But in spending time with Lindsay Lou and hearing her perspective on bluegrass as a primary influence, this opened up another way to approach this, which was to think of “influence” and “inspiration” as something akin to a key opening a door, of being a catalyst for change and growth. The musical world heard in Lindsay Lou’s fourth album Queen Of Time begins at a door which she unlocked over the years since first experiencing bluegrass jams as a kid. On this record, it is a world which welcomes bluegrass legends like Jerry Douglas, who makes a guest appearance, as well as first-call songwriter Jon Weisberger, plus maverick superstar Billy Strings. It is full of electric guitar and drums, adding synthesizers, organ and even djembe into the mix. Its lyrics and melodies flow from both a psychedelic experience with the sacred feminine, as well as her enduring bond with her extraordinary grandmother. It is a world where self-discovery incorporates but also supersedes tradition; it is a world where bluegrass is both there and is not there, all at once. Lindsay Lou performs at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival 08/31/24 Songs heard in this episode: “Queen Of Time” by Lindsay Lou, from Queen Of Time “I Can Help” by Lindsay Lou, from Queen Of Time, excerpt “Nothing’s Working” by Lindsay Lou, from Queen Of Time, excerpt “On Your Side (Starman)” by Lindsay Lou, from Queen Of Time Thanks for dropping by! We hope you can help spread awareness of what we are doing. It is as easy as telling a friend and following this podcast on your platform of choice. You can find us on Apple here, YouTube here and Spotify here — hundreds more episodes await, filled with artists you may know by name, or musicians and bands that are ready to become your next favorites. This series is a part of the lineup of both public radio WNCW and Osiris Media, with all of the Osiris shows available here. You can also hear new episodes on Bluegrass Planet Radio here. Thanks to everyone at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival for helping to make this interview possible, and to Jaclyn Anthony for producing the radio adaptations of this series on WNCW, where we worked with Joshua Meng, who wrote and performed our theme songs — you can link to his music here. This is Southern Songs and Stories: the music of the South and the artists who make it. - Joe Kendrick

30 min
JAN 28

Songs of Solidarity, Songs of Struggle: A Brief Introduction to Songs of Social Movements

A couple of weeks ago, I could not have predicted that I would come upon another way of crafting a Southern Songs and Stories podcast in this fashion. Regular or even casual listeners will be familiar with the go-to format of documentary style profiles of and interviews with music artists in this series; those of you who listen a lot will probably be familiar with some of the less traveled paths we have taken here as well, which include a remembrance for a friend and colleague who passed away unexpectedly, a survey of how western NC folks in the music business were coping in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, as well as an old school, comedic Christmas radio drama, among others. Add to that list this episode, which is a live podcast, at least for part of it. And we are talking about a subject that is incredibly deep and wide, a subject which could easily fill a year’s worth of episodes. It is a subject that I will revisit again in more depth in coming months — perhaps not here, but at least in person. More on that in the podcast itself, which I hope you enjoy hearing as much as I did in making it. Album art for the compilation Gastonia Gallop on Old Hat Records Here, we excerpt two parts of a presentation I gave at Queens University in Charlotte as part of their Senior Scholars series on January 17th, 2025. This episode adds to that original talk with additional commentary, music, and new avenues of exploration for the topic, which is essentially the impact from music born of social movements, especially as it relates to radio. At Queens, I gave an overview of 13 songs associated with four social movements: Labor, Civil Rights, Feminism and Environmentalism. Here, we focus on the portions of my talk on Labor and Civil Rights, with example songs ranging from hillbilly music from a 1930s cotton mill man (“Cotton Mill Colic”) to the most controversial and simultaneously most successful song in Billie Holiday’s career (“Strange Fruit”), and more. Host Joe Kendrick on stage during his presentation to the Queens University Senior Scholars series 1/17/25. Photo: Daniel Coston Songs heard in this episode: “Gastonia Gallop” by David McCarn, from Gastonia Gallop: Cotton Mill Songs and Hillbilly Blues “Which Side Are You On?” by Pete Seeger, from If I Had A Hammer, excerpt “Which Side Are You On?” by Ani Difranco, from Which Side Are You On?, excerpt “Cotton Mill Colic” by David McCarn, from Gastonia Gallop, excerpt “Cotton Mill Colic” by Mike Seeger, from Classic Labor Songs, excerpt “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday, excerpt “Blowin’ In the Wind” by Bob Dylan, from The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, excerpt “Blowin’ In the Wind” by Tangled Up In Bluegrass, from A Tribute To Bob Dylan Thanks for joining us! We hope you can help spread awareness of what we are doing. It is as easy as telling a friend and following this podcast on your platform of choice. You can find us on Apple here, and Spotify here — hundreds more episodes await, filled with artists you may know and love already, or musicians and bands that are ready to become your next favorites. This series is a part of the lineup of both public radio WNCW and Osiris Media, with all of the Osiris shows available here. You can also hear new episodes on Bluegrass Planet Radio here. Thanks to Tom Hanchett and to everyone at Queens University, especially Steve Lauer, for their help in making this episode possible. Thanks also to Jaclyn Anthony for producing the radio adaptations of this series on WNCW, where we worked with Joshua Meng, who wrote and performed our theme songs — you can link to his music here. This is Southern Songs and Stories: the music of the South and the artists who make it. - Joe Kendrick

37 min
JAN 7

David Childers, Revisited

The new year arrived and “Auld Lang Syne” bubbled up to the top of playlists all over the land. There are so many versions of this classic, which speaks to the importance of remembering friends and happy times from years past, and it reminded me to pause and reflect on this series, which has featured a great many musical acquaintances and friends (and acquaintances who became friends) over a fairly wide span of time; Southern Songs and Stories began as a video documentary with Aaron Burdett (now in the band Steep Canyon Rangers) in 2015, and transitioned to a podcast in spring of 2017. So much has changed over this time, with both the artists profiled here as well as the podcast itself. In 2018, we partnered with the Osiris Media folks to share the series on their platform, as well as on the internet station Bluegrass Planet Radio, and later with public radio WNCW, where you can hear capsule versions of episodes on air. Thinking back to those early episodes, it is impossible not to feel the tug of nostalgia for that time -- it was an exciting beginning, full of hope for putting some of the music I loved onto the world stage of an emerging format, and a deep and rich period to experience and take part in the music scene in and around western North Carolina. I thought about David Childers after learning about his new collaboration with Abe Partridge, in a group called The Satan, You're a Liars, on the album Build This House Together. And so, to kick off 2025, here is a listen back to one of our first episodes on a musical hero to Abe Partridge, the Avett Brothers, and many, many more. (L to R) Joe Kendrick, David Childers and Dolph Ramseur at David’s home after taping their interview 10-17-17 David Childers is a western North Carolina singer songwriter who has been a lawyer, a poet, a man who has always made music, and is also now a visual artist. We’ll get to conversations from legendary producer Don Dixon, who worked with David again on his 2017 record Run Skeleton Run, and talk with his son, longtime band member and collaborator Robert Childers, as well as the head of Ramseur Records and Avett Brothers manager, Dolph Ramseur, plus Avett Brothers member Bob Crawford, and writer, musician and WNCW radio host Carol Rifkin. We’ll also highlight David’s music and the music that inspired him, and delve into many insights into Southern culture along the way. Songs heard in this episode: “Jesus Said” by Abe Partridge, from The Satan, You’re a Liars “Johnny Got A Mohawk” by David Childers & The Mount Holly Hellcats, excerpt “Radio Moscow” by David Childers, from Run Skeleton Run, excerpt “Jesus Set Me Free” by David Childers, from Serpents Of Reformation, excerpt “It’s Bad You Know” by R.L. Burnside, from Come On In, excerpt “Femme Fatale” by The Velvet Underground, from The Velvet Underground & Nico, excerpt “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” by Chuck Berry, from After School Session, excerpt “Belmont Ford” by David Childers, from Run Skeleton Run, excerpt “Collar and Bell” by David Childers, from Run Skeleton Run, excerpt “Price I Had To Pay” by David Childers, from Room 23, excerpt “Little Cindy” by David Childers & The Modern Don Juans , from Burning In Hell, excerpt Thank you for listening! We hope you can help spread awareness of what we are doing. It is as easy as telling a friend and following this podcast on your platform of choice, so easy! You can find us on Apple here, and Spotify here — hundreds more episodes await you. From there it takes just a moment to give us a top rating, and where it is an option, a review! It makes a great difference because the more top reviews and ratings we get, the more visible we become to everyone on those platforms, which means that more people just like you connect with artists like David Childers, Abe Partridge, and many more we have profiled that are at your fingertips. This series is a part of the lineup of both public radio WNCW and Osiris Media, with all of the Osiris shows available here. You can also hear new episodes on Bluegrass Planet Radio here. Thanks also to Jaclyn Anthony for producing the radio adaptations of this series on WNCW, where we worked with Joshua Meng, who wrote and performed our theme songs — you can link to his music here. This is Southern Songs and Stories: the music of the South and the artists who make it. - Joe Kendrick

49 min
12/13/2024

The 2024 Christmas and Holiday New Music (and 2009 Radio Nostalgia) Special

After surveying all of the available new Christmas and holiday themed music that I could find, I came up with a tidy playlist of nine noteworthy songs to share here in an episode that departs from our usual artist interview format. Here, we play full songs in several sets, with some back stories on each artist and song. Ranging from the elegant, folky take on “Coventry Carol” by The Milk Carton Kids to country leaning Americana in “Layaway Momma” from Adam Chaffins, to previous Southern Songs and Stories guest The Get Right Band and other fellow western NC artists, this episode celebrates an array of styles and perspectives on the season. With list in hand, little Joey Kendrick sits happily on Santa’s lap across from sister Leigh, who ponders the validity of the this oddly formal and forced tradition. Circa 1976. Included here is a special from Christmas past, from my days producing the radio show What It Is on public radio WNCW, with founding panelists Jeff Eason and Fred Mills. We celebrated Jeff’s life and many contributions to music and journalism after his passing in 2018 on this podcast, in the episode “Remembering Jeff Eason”. Following the music portion of this episode, we take you back fifteen years, to a time when What It Is was just two years old. You will hear a younger version of me (with a cold) talking by phone with Jeff and Fred in two short episodes, detailing some of our favorite holiday music as well as the Christmas and holiday music we would love to do without. Songs heard in this episode: Dulci Ellenberger “Colorful Christmas” Ana Egge “Silver Bells Ring” John Doyle and Mick McAuley “Gleann na-Ean” The Get Right Band “Christmas As A Kid” The Pinkerton Raid, “Happy XMas (War Is Over)”, from Winter Songs By Other People Adam Chaffins “Layaway Momma” JD Clayton “Your Favorite Christmas Song” The Milk Carton Kids “Coventry Carol”, from Christmas In A Minor Key Jenn Grant “Bells Are Ringing” Thanks for listening! We hope you can help spread awareness of what we are doing. It is as easy as telling a friend and following this podcast on your platform of choice, so easy! You can find us on Apple here, and Spotify here — hundreds more episodes and many hundreds more artists await you. From there it takes just a moment to give us a top rating, and where it is an option, a review! It makes a great difference because the more top reviews and ratings we get, the more visible we become to everyone on those platforms, which means that more people just like you connect with artists like The Get Right Band, Dulci Ellenberger, John Doyle, and literally hundreds more we have profiled that are at your fingertips. Speaking of Silas Durocher and The Get Right Band, their episode from 2023 stands the test of time, and you can find that by looking up “Psychedelia in the Carolinas Then and Now With The Get Right Band and Ken Friedman” on southernsongsandstories.com, as well as the search feature on your podcast platform of choice. This series is a part of the lineup of both public radio WNCW and Osiris Media, with all of the Osiris shows available here. You can also hear new episodes on Bluegrass Planet Radio here. Thanks also to Jaclyn Anthony for producing the radio adaptations of this series on WNCW, where we worked with Joshua Meng, who wrote and performed our theme songs — you can link to his music here. This is Southern Songs and Stories: the music of the South and the artists who make it. - Joe Kendrick

56 min
11/26/2024

The Liminal Spaces and Myriad Phases Of Twisted Pine

An interview delving into their unique approach, being at home in a liminal space, collaborating with fellow acoustic innovator Casey Driessen, and more in this conversation from their appearance at the 2024 Earl Scruggs Music Festival. Includes music excerpts from the band's third album, Love Your Mind.

39 min
11/15/2024

Of Triumph, Tragedy and the Solace of Solitude With Steve Earle

Joe Kendrick speaks with Steve Earle by video call in June 2024, a conversation which took place after losing Jeremy Tepper just two days before, a conversation where he talks about his rigorous summer tour, his relationship with his music before he became sober, his favorite cover songs from both artists covering his music and vice versa, aspirations to record Irish music and perhaps even a jazz record, and memories of growing up in the midst of musical greats like Doug Sahm. All that and more, including his love of North Carolina trout fishing as well as music from Steve Earle’s latest album, Alone Again (Live)

37 min
10/30/2024

Stages Of Grief, Songs Of Hope: Helene's Aftermath For the Western NC Music Scene

Conversations with music artists Jesse Iaquinto and Josh Blake, as well as music professionals Jessica Tomasin, Liz Whalen Tallent, Jason Guadagnino, Rachel Shea and Russell Keith, including flood songs from Jake Blount, Rhiannon Giddens, Songs From The Road Band and The Seldom Scene. Included is a new song from Fireside Collective, "Whippoorwill".

44 min
10/11/2024

Twin Tragedy Travelogue: An Update

Joe Kendrick posts an audio diary of the last several weeks events in western NC beginning with a lead up to Helene's arrival, and continuing with a trip to Raleigh for IBMA, a trip back home to the land of no utilities and then to the storm's aftermath, as well as a personal tragedy and a great loss for all of WNCW.

12 min

See All (99)

5

out of 5

46 Ratings

Insightful, educational and thoughtful

03/28/2023

Rick Shanley

Joe and the team are doing us music lovers a great public service with this podcast. Very organic and a wonderful dive into the people and music that make this region so special.
Southern Songs & Stories is Great!!!

09/01/2022

Tom the Governor

Joe Kendrick does a great job bringing entertaining and enlightening stories about the music and people of the South. I’ve lived in the South my whole life and Joe still manages to surprise me!!
Insightful look into Southern culture

06/29/2021

aliciakenworthy

“Southern Songs and Stories” is a cultural gem. The show not only features up and coming singer/songwriters but long forgotten stories like that of the Shelton Laurel massacre. A must listen!
Olivia Ellen Lloyd podcast

06/19/2021

Horse lover9999

Really enjoyed this podcast and the musical talent by Olivia Ellen Lloyd. Joe Kendrick asks some terrific and thoughtful questions.

Southern Songs and Stories is a documentary series about the music of the South and the artists who make it. We showcase their performances and discover the stories behind their songs with a look at their lives on stage, in the studio and at home as well as the family, friends, fans and music professionals around them.