Red Barn Radio

Red Barn Radio
  • 4.7 (9)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Roots Music Southern Style! Weekly interviews and performances from talented guests exemplifying Appalachian folk heritage - as it lives today. Join us as we bring musicians from all parts of the country who have roots in traditional genres founded in the southern United States. Red Barn Radio is a syndicated weekly radio show produced via live recordings in Lexington, Kentucky.

  1. 5d ago

    Matt Axton and Badmoon

    Episode 256 First Air 09-20-26 Matt Axton and Badmoon Badmoon Gravey Home Sweet Home Same Old Story Matt Axton is a gifted singer/songwriter. Granted, that’s a claim made by many artists that inhabit the world of Americana these days, but in Matt’s case, it’s more than a mere boast. The ability to make music is firmly infused in his genes, courtesy of a family history that implanted that ability in him early on. While he modestly describes his sound as a “humble slice of Americana,” it’s clear that it possesses so much more. With a style that encompasses country, folk, roots, rock, R&B, and pure pop proficiency, he defies easy categorization. With a rich reservoir of original tunes — over 300 in fact — and three well received albums (Blue Sky Rain, Matthew C. Axton and Badmoon), he’s established himself as a prolific and proficient singer, songwriter and guitarist, both on his own and at the helm of his various ensembles. Even a small sampling of his musical output proves the point. His “Blue Sky Rain” is both stirring and seductive, an easy amble that belies its description of the topsy turvy travails that accompany the entanglements of relationships. “Born of Chains” is flush with steadfast determination, a rugged, relentless bluesy-rocker that conveys clear conviction and a desire to overcome whatever obstacles are tossed in his way. On the other hand, “Everything” is an homage to romance, desire and faithfulness shared with some upbeat bluegrass banter. Here again, Matt demonstrates his remarkable fluidity and a decidedly affable attitude. Notably, he also keeps good company. Matt has recorded original material with Steve Ferrone (drummer for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) and Hal Cragin (bassist for Iggy Pop), and shared sessions at the legendary East West Studios in Hollywood where Tom Petty recorded much of his work. The songs include: “Last Search”, a Southern rock-style anthem; “Born of Chains,” which shares a sparse and dark singer/songwriter vibe; the Americana style “What a Day”; the soulful strains of “Soul to Sell” and “The Big South”, a blues groove reminiscent ZZ Top. He has collaborated on projects such as “Abbey Road Reimaged – A Tribute to the Beatles” where Aaron Badgley of Spill Magazine called Axton’s cover of ‘Octopus’ Garden’ “pure genius.” “Matt’s powerful songwriting and vocals, along with his natural rapport with the audience, was the highlight of the 4th of July celebration where we hired him to play for the 3,500 people at Donner Lake,” said Ben Martin, executive director of the Tahoe Truckee School of Music and Tahoe Music Professionals booking service.

  2. Sep 8

    Grace Rogers

    Grace Rogers is a musician & writer from Kentucky having just released her debut full length album Mad Dogs (Sophomore Lounge, 2025). Grace Rogers blends rock, country, and traditional influences into tunes that, in the words of Leigh Viner, "hum like hymns and drive like rain." Pitchfork named Mad Dogs one of the 30 best Rock Albums of 2025, and Stereogum writes, “Rogers has the kind of talent and irrepressible per-sonality that makes a singer-songwriter stand out in a crowded field.” Long Bio: Kentucky singer, songwriter and poet, Grace Rogers, comes from a family of old time, traditional and string band musicians. Her great grandpa Charlie Rogers played guitar in the Kentucky String Ticklers, recorded on the Gennett Record Label in Richmond Indiana during the Great Depression. Grace, herself, has been playing solo shows and tradi-tional music for around ten years. But on Mad Dogs (Sophomore Lounge, May 2025, Worried Songs, Nov 2025) her debut studio album, Rogers has ventured beyond the music she cut her teeth on with the help of a group of skillful, kind-hearted musician friends: Ian Gordon on electric guitar, Chris Cupp on bass and cello, and Fiona Palensky on drums and vocal harmonies. Drawing nourishment from the deep roots of her home place in Bath County and watered by the freak waters of Louisville, Rogers has crafted eight original tracks that hum like hymns and drive like rain. The album was recorded by Jim Marlowe at End of an Ear (Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, Joan Shelley, Young Widows) in Louisville, KY, and mixed and mastered by Carl Saff at SaffMastering. Pitchfork named Mad Dogs one of the 30 best Rock Albums of 2025, and Stere-ogum writes, “Rogers has the kind of talent and irrepressible personality that makes a singer-songwriter stand out in a crowded field.”

  3. Aug 12

    Garrett Dearing

    Every so often we have the chance to introduce you to an artist who's still at the be-ginning of the journey. Those are some of my favorite evenings, because years later you can say, "I remember hearing them before everyone else did." I think you'll feel that way about Garrett Dearing, our guest next week on Red Barn Radio. Garrett has turned a lifetime of Kentucky memories, a mix of colorful characters, sad times and hopeful times, into songs that are we like a lot not because they're flashy or trying to be clever, but because they are honest and accessible to all. Raised in Barren County, Garrett began singing in church before discovering that songwriting could help him make sense of the life he's lived.

  4. Aug 4

    Caden Glover

    Growing up in the small town of Union, West Virginia, Caden was sur-rounded by old timers. While no one in his family played an instrument, he got bored and decided he would learn to play the banjo. He taught himself to play bluegrass banjo at a young age. That lead to Caden pick-ing up a guitar as well. Eventually he would grow to love southern rock, blues, country, and folk music with big inspirations such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Doc Watson, Jim Croce, The Allman Brothers and many more! These inspirations molded his voice to what it is today! His knowledge and playability of music is a wide variety of all genres! Caden has music across all platforms telling tales of Appalachia.

  5. Jul 29

    Full Spectrum Bluegrass Band

    The only thing Full SpectrumBluegrass has to prove is that bluegrass music is for everyone.  Their debut EP Homesick (releasedNovember 2025) virtuosically showcases the driving rhythm of classic artistslike Bill Monroe and JD Crowe, while intertwining original songwriting thatexplores the modern queer, trans, and urban experience. Without losing sight oftradition, Full Spectrum invites people from all walks to access everythingthat makes bluegrass special.   ‘Full Spex’ finds fans in oldschool grassers, deadheads, Americana fans, and everyone who enjoys apassionate live performance. Their live set is a high energy mix of originals,bluegrass standards, and unexpected deep cuts.

  6. Jul 22

    Erik Stucky

    Erik Stucky is a internationally touring producer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. Growing up in the mountains of Western Colorado, Stucky picked up his first mandolin at the age of eight. Following the release of his debut album Stray Clouds in 2017, Stucky packed up his instruments and headed for Nashville. Since then he’s released his sophomore album, Good Vibrations, and held stages across the United States and Europe. Stucky has been featured multiple times by RFD-TV and Today in Nashville, as well as The Cowboy Channel, The Bluegrass Situation, Nashville Entertainment Weekly, and many other media outlets. His music has been praised by Americana UK, Roots Music Report, M Music & Musicians Magazine, and CMA, AMA, and ACM award-winner Crystal Gayle.

  7. Jul 15

    The Tan and Sober Gentlemen

    The music of the Carolinas (and Appalachia in general) stems from the marriage of the Irish fiddle and the African banjo, which first met in the South before the revolution. The Tan and Sober Gentlemen aim to bring these traditions full circle, blending Irish tunes, ballads, and pub songs with the Appalachian old-time and bluegrass music they grew up on. The result is a ruckus known affectionately as “Irish-American hill-billy music”. Renowned as one of the South’s most electrifying live folk bands, The Tan and Sober Gentlemen are known for blazing tempos, raw energy, and unforgettable shows. Their performances are raucous celebra-tions of the Carolinas’ Irish heritage, filled with drinking, dancing, and downright joy, and have earned them a devoted following across the folk, bluegrass, celtic, and roots music scenes. Since forming in 2017, the Tan and Sober Gentlemen have toured across the United States and Ireland, per-forming at festivals including MerleFest, Blue Ox Festival, IBMA Bluegrass Live!, Bristol Rhythm & Roots, Appaloosa Festival, FloydFest, Ramble Fest, Shakori Hills, and internationally at Electric Picnic, Spraoi, and the world’s largest Irish traditional music festival, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. In January 2024, the band sold out the Haw River Ballroom on their home turf of Alamance County, North Carolina, performing to 800 fans and recording a live album. Live at the Haw River Ballroom was released in February 2025. Their sophomore studio album, Regressive Folk Music (2022), followed their debut Ve-racity, which was named by Shite’n’Onions as one of the five best Celtic punk albums of 2019–2020.

  8. Jun 30

    The Gasoline Gypsies

    Four-part vocal harmonies, dual lead guitars, and a tasty rhythm section built on drums, bass, and keys make up the music of The Gasoline Gypsies. But, the magic in their music is born of a driving work ethic that has earned them the reputation of being one of the tightest bands on the Mitten Music scene. Four part vocal harmonies, dual lead guitars, and a tasty rhythm section built on drums, bass, and keys make up the music of Port Huron Michigan’s The Gasoline Gypsies. But, the real magic in their music is born of a driving work ethic that’s earned them a reputation of being one of the tightest bands on the Mitten Music scene. Drawing influence from the roots of rock, folk, bluegrass, and country The Gasoline Gypsies craft a unique style of original Americana Rock. Often evoking themes of nature while engaging mature poetry, they de-sign music to serve songs and build sets that invite listeners to take journeys through self awareness, while breathing in the rhythms of the world around us, and enthusiastically celebrating the joys of life. They are a band with range. The Gasoline Gypsies can plug in and rock large venues, or unplugged they can mesmer-ize small listening rooms. The eight time Detroit Music Award winners, are feverishly followed by their fan tribe, The Vagabundos. Find them at a show, and you’ll likely experience an alchemy that draws together the music, the people, and the family that is The Gasoline Gypsies experience.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Roots Music Southern Style! Weekly interviews and performances from talented guests exemplifying Appalachian folk heritage - as it lives today. Join us as we bring musicians from all parts of the country who have roots in traditional genres founded in the southern United States. Red Barn Radio is a syndicated weekly radio show produced via live recordings in Lexington, Kentucky.

Information

  • Creator
    Red Barn Radio
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    363
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Red Barn Radio
  • Show Website
    Red Barn Radio

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