Roots Music Rambler

Francesca Folinazzo & Jason Falls

Where there are people, there is music. In our celebration of melodies and lyrics, harmonies and riffs, we typically focus on the songs or the people who wrote them. We often overlook the where. Join Francesca and Falls for Roots Music Rambler, a podcast exploration of the where as much as the who or what. We’ll interview emerging and established artists, fans and others in Americana, Outlaw Country, Bluegrass, Blues, Roots, Soul, World and beyond. But we will always get to the stories of where they’re from and how that impacted the music we know and love. It’s more than just their influences. It’s their families. Communities. Cultures. This show is a fun combination of music, travel, history and more. We dig into the stories from artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, fans and beyond, that don’t just expose their musical influences, but their life influences.  Music follows the path of human movement. We trace the steps to bring better understanding to what we hear today and why we love it. Join us for the exploration of the real roots of music on Roots Music Rambler.

  1. Funny, Thoughtful Nathan Evans Fox creates Heirloom To Seed Bank Life’s Work 

    Jun 5

    Funny, Thoughtful Nathan Evans Fox creates Heirloom To Seed Bank Life’s Work 

    Heirloom, the new album from singer-songwriter Nathan Evans Fox, is out and an impressive manifestation of both creativity and almost historical documentation of an Appalachian artist. Fox joined Roots Music Rambler this week to talk about the new album, his journey to Nashville from the mountains of Western Carolina, fatherhood and more.  Like many artists today, Fox often shares little snippets of what he’s working on via social media posts. One nugget of a song-to-be he shared a few months back drove well over one million views across his channels and the song wasn’t more than a few lines. He took the queue to finish it in what became “Hillbilly Hymn (Okra & Cigarettes)” which anchors the album. It has a traditional mountain feel and was recorded in an a capella focus with what seems like family gathered round his singing on the front porch.  But the record traverses everything from fatherly advice for a child in Lots of Beginnings to a brilliant “f**k you” song for those Fox gives permission to hate in “Landlords Bill Lee Etc.” It’s an amazing mix of home spun advice and statements about the polarization of today’s world. He told us the record is a bit of a “seed bank” of his life for his children and the world he’ll leave behind. Fox has never shied away from politics or social issues. He even told us when thinking about commercial country music, “The songs about trucks and jello shots don’t come organically to me.” He told Frank and Falls a little about gourds, blueberries and seed banking, acknowledged participating in fundamentalist Christian rites like exorcisms, and told us he’s leading an anti-confederate southern history book club this summer. To say we were entertained is an understatement. We think you’ll be too.  Frank and Falls also share Roots Music Ramblers official member votes for this year's Americana Music Association awards and offer up music recommendations in our Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment. Falls recently finished Ken Burn’s documentary on Country Music. Frank shared an Instagrammer from Italy that just brings people joy in his feed named Metroman. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.  Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.  Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links:  Americana Music Association 2026 Award Nominations Nathan Evans Fox Online Heirloom on Spotify Nathan Evans Fox on Spotify  Nathan Evans Fox on Instagram Nathan Evans Fox on TikTok Kanopy App  The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Ken Burns’s Country Music Metroman on Instagram Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 7m
  2. Rachel Swain hits the ground running with first full-length solo album

    May 29

    Rachel Swain hits the ground running with first full-length solo album

    One of the Americana voices out of Chicago that you’ve heard Frank talk about on Roots Music Rambler drops her first full-length solo album today (Friday, May 29, 2026). So you know we’re going to talk to her, right? Rachel Swain’s Neon Lullaby is out and features a solid mix of the sounds that define Americana music. She brings plenty of country influence with a hint of rock and a touch of blues, has brilliantly written lyrics, a banger of a band to back her up, and even accompaniment from some other names in the Chicago Americana scene. Rachel joined Frank and Falls on Roots Music Rambler to talk to us about the album, her music and life journeys from Texas to Chicago, motherhood, and how she balances being a singer-songwriter, mom, wife, and full-time school teacher. In addition to all of that, Swain also plays in a country band with her dad. Also on this episode, Frank and Falls list the current musicians they think would be a good hang. You might be surprised who they chose. And of course, both share new Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices this week. Colter Wall gets a supportive nod after his announcement he’s taking a break from touring for his mental health. Colton Bowlin is a hot new singer-songwriter from Kentucky who is the other pick this week.  Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.  Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.  Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links:  Rachel Swain Online Rachel Swain on Spotify Rachel Swain on Instagram Colter Wall tour announcement The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Colter Wall on Spotify Colton Bowlin on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min
  3. Hollerhead poised for second full-length album, continued rise in Americana space

    May 22

    Hollerhead poised for second full-length album, continued rise in Americana space

    Jeremy Marshall, the singer-songwriter who founded and fronts the Alt-Country band Hollerhead, says he doesn’t know what to call the band’s genre of music. “We just play our music,” he told us when he joined Roots Music Rambler this week. The Western Kentucky-based band mixes a steady diet of southern rock with country, blues and even bluegrass influences, or Americana as we’ve come to say about a blending of genres. Marshall and his wife/vocalist/songwriter/manager/operations (i.e. – the person in charge) Della joined Frank and Falls to talk about the group’s existing catalog, new singles and a forthcoming second studio album. Jeremy told us the story behind the band and the band’s name, which at first glance aroused curiosity in Falls, our Eastern Kentuckian on staff. “Ain’t no heads of no hollers in Western Kentucky?!” he said. Turns out, that’s not why the band has the name. The Marshalls explained where the name came from, which is a far better story than Falls assumed.  Frank and Falls also dug into an interesting conversation on the show when Falls asked what artists Frank refuses to listen to or support because of non-musical reasons. The discussion and debate explored why controversial acts can be a holistic turn-off, but should also be given room for forgiveness. And, of course, hot off their visit to the Crossroads Acoustic Fest in Seymour, Ind., our co-hosts share new Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices this week. Logan Mac and Meels get a nod from RMR. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.  Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.  Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links:  Country Never Dies on Spotify The Facebook post from Tanner Horton Zoey Ball Breakfast clip with James Bay and Noel Gallagher Hollerhead Online Hollerhead on Spotify Hollerhead on Instagram The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Logan Mac on Spotify Meels on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 4m
  4. Americana and Folk artist Ismay goes Finding Lucinda, Discovers Self

    May 8

    Americana and Folk artist Ismay goes Finding Lucinda, Discovers Self

    Americana/Folk artist Ismay (Avery Hellman) was in a Lucinda Williams cover band started by their father early in her adult life. As a singer-songwriter herself, the musician, rancher and self-identified “dreamer” went looking for more understanding of the legendary singer-songwriter and produced an outstanding documentary called Finding Lucinda. The film documents their journey of more self-discovery than anything else, but their interviews and path to learn more about Lucinda led them to understand Williams grew up the daughter of, and surrounded by poets. The result, besides the beautifully done film, was Hellman decided to learn to write poetry. Those learnings and evolution in their artistry led to their next big project – a new album called Half Truth, due out June 12th on Fossil Records.  Frank and Falls chatted with Hellman about the film, Lucinda Williams, poetry, and the new album on this week’s episode of Roots Music Rambler. The trio also discussed Fossil Records, a new label co-founded by Hellman and friend of the show Margo Cilker (see Episode 35). There was a lot to cover and unpack with Hellman’s journey and art. Give the full episode a watch or listen. You’ll enjoy it. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.  Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.  Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links:  Finding Lucinda (film) Ismay Online Ismay on Spotify Ismay on Instagram David LaMotte on Spotify Roots Music Rambler Episode 12 - Does Wilco Suck? Fossil Records Roots Music Rambler interview with Margo Cilker The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Charley Pride on Spotify Kind Hearted Strangers on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    59 min
  5. Lucciana Costa is the busiest, badass woman in Nashville

    Apr 24

    Lucciana Costa is the busiest, badass woman in Nashville

    It’s not uncommon for a professional musician to juggle multiple gigs. Until they make it big or get a break playing in a band that does, there’s session jobs, maybe a songwriting contract, picking up live gigs in someone else’s band, slinging merch or someone, or even all that plus holding down a full-time job to pay the bills. Lucciana Costa can relate. She’s established herself as one in the current crop of up-and-coming singer-songwriters in Nashville. She’s half of the emerging and popular Americana duo King Margo. She plays in and with Gabe Lee’s band, even singing with Gabe and Rylie Bourne on a popular single in 2024 (“Long Time Ago”). Add to that time spent creating education curricula and writing a novel and you can see what we’re quick to call her the busiest, badass woman in Nashville. Lucciana sat in with Frank and Falls last week to talk about her musical background that runs from West Virginia to Ohio and Michigan before hitting Music City. We talked about her musical family and the lineage of talent that has culminated in her career. She told us how the King Margo collaboration with Rachel Coats and a lot more. Also in this episode, Frank opens a surprise gift from Falls and both share Kentucky-based Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices for music recommendations: Hunter Flynn and Ian Noe. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.  Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.  Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links:  Lucciana Costa online Lucciana Costa on Spotify  Lucciana Costa on Instagram King Margo online   King Margo on Spotify King Margo on Instagram “Long Time Ago” with Gabe Lee, Lucciana Costa and Rylie Bourne on Spotify The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Hunter Flynn on Spotify   Ian Noe on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m
  6. The Local Honeys talk music impact, the Kentucky music scene, hint at a new album

    Apr 3

    The Local Honeys talk music impact, the Kentucky music scene, hint at a new album

    It’s been four years since Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs released a full album. The two, better known collectively as The Local Honeys, dropped a 45 last summer and have blessed fans with a couple of new singles in the last couple of months. But there has been no official announcement of a new record coming. We think we may have squeaked out a hint or two that one might be as the two joined Frank and Falls for the latest episode of Roots Music Rambler. The interview was a bit of a Morehead State University reunion for the Honeys and Falls, all three of whom are graduates. And Falls tried to not lapse into his native mountain accent as he and Frank talked to the pair about everything from the purpose of music to protest songs and channeling Pink Floyd to the Kentucky music scene. At the end of the day, Linda Jean and Montana are and will forever be leaders in the use of mountain and traditional music influences in a modern Appalachian sound in Americana music. They not only make great folk-rock and country music, but teach and mentor young musicians with their involvement in programs like Cowan’s Creek Mountain Music School. The two are currently embarked on a spring tour with Cole Chaney and well worth the time and investment to see them live.  Frank and Falls also discuss the Grand Ole Opry’s 25th Anniversary Celebration of the film “O Brother Where Art Thou” and share Pickin’ the Grinnin’ recommendations. Falls pointed to a recent live act he saw in Stripmall Ballads. Frank shared a band her son Anthony was amused by on satellite radio: Buffalo Traffic Jam.  Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.  Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.  Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links:  Grand Ole Opry’s “O Brother Where Art Thou’ pics from Falls The Local Honeys online The Local Honeys on Spotify The Local Honeys on Instagram The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Stripmall Ballads on Spotify Buffalo Traffic Jam on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 27m
  7. Highway Junkie Andy Thomas’s first solo LP is out and rockin’ out!

    Mar 27

    Highway Junkie Andy Thomas’s first solo LP is out and rockin’ out!

    There are few things we love better at Roots Music Rambler than talking to an artist about their first album. As this episode drops (March 27), so will southern rocker Andy Thomas’s debut solo record Highway Junkie. Andy spent some time with Frank and Falls recently to talk about the album, his songs and songwriting and a lot more.  Thomas is Virginia-born but now based in Florida. He played in a couple of different bands from the time he was a teenager, jamming with his father and brother, until his most recent projects with The Trongone Band and Yarn. The real story of Highway Junkie is that it came after Thomas realized drugs, alcohol and partying were holding him back. This record is the journey of his sobriety as much as anything. Frank and Falls also had a very animated and pointed critique of fans of Treaty Oak Revival fan behavior at recent concerts. They showed clips from TikTok of a recent Lexington, Ky., concert at Rupp Arena in which fans carried on an alarming new tradition of throwing towers of not empty beer cups in the air. It left fans and the arena floor doused with alcohol and Falls called it "embarrassing" for Lexington.  And as always, the hosts offer their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices for music recommendations. This week, Frank points us to the song “Heavy” by Noah Guthrie, which resonated with both hosts. Falls shares singer-songwriter Michaela Anne, whom he saw open for Emily Scott Robinson in February. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.  Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.  Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links:  TikTok video of Treaty Oak Revival’s Rupp Arena chaos Andy Thomas online Andy Thomas on Spotify The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices “Heavy” by Noah Guthrie Michaela Anne on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 8m
  8. The Story Behind Crossroads Acoustic Fest (Plus an Exclusive Ticket Discount)

    Mar 13

    The Story Behind Crossroads Acoustic Fest (Plus an Exclusive Ticket Discount)

    When Roots Music Rambler did our 2025 year-in-review episode, Frank told us her favorite music festival last year was the Crossroads Acoustic Fest in Seymour, Ind. She’s going again this year (and has convinced Falls to come as well). It takes place April 24-25 and features wonderful singer-songwriters and Americana acts  like John R. Miller, Jason Eady, The Tillers, Thunder and Rain and more. Friends of the show Magnolia Boulevard (see Maggie Noelle on Episode 49) and Emily Jamerson (Episode 64). Crossroads started as a small house concert series after Shawn Busby and his brother attended the 30a Songwriter’s Festival in Florida several years ago. They came home to Seymour and started hosting house concerts. The event has grown into a 400-500 person ticketed event with multiple listening room venues in walkable downtown Seymour.  Busby joined us on Roots Music Rambler to talk more about the history of the event, what his hopes are for its growth, this year’s lineup and what it takes to put together an event like Crossroads Acoustic Fest. AND … Busby shared a 20% discount code toward the end of the episode which is helpful since the early bird prices have expired, so listen and get a ticket discount! Frank and Falls also tout the show’s choice for 2025 Song of the Year as Tyler Childers’s “Bitin’List” won the Grammy for Country Song of the Year and share some interesting Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices this week: One for a Loretta Lynn and Jack White collaboration. The other is a new cover song from West Virginia-based fiddle phenom Philip Bowen. Get 20% off your ticket to Crossroads Acoustic Fest when you use the code RAMBLER on checkout. Get tickets here. Watch the Episode on YouTube Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.  Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.  Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Notes and links:  Crossroads Acoustic Fest Online Crossroads Acoustic Fest on Instagram The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Jason Falls on TikTok Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices Portland, Oregon by Loretta Lynn and Jack White on YouTube Philip Bowen’s cover of Have You Ever Seen The Rain on Spotify Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Where there are people, there is music. In our celebration of melodies and lyrics, harmonies and riffs, we typically focus on the songs or the people who wrote them. We often overlook the where. Join Francesca and Falls for Roots Music Rambler, a podcast exploration of the where as much as the who or what. We’ll interview emerging and established artists, fans and others in Americana, Outlaw Country, Bluegrass, Blues, Roots, Soul, World and beyond. But we will always get to the stories of where they’re from and how that impacted the music we know and love. It’s more than just their influences. It’s their families. Communities. Cultures. This show is a fun combination of music, travel, history and more. We dig into the stories from artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, fans and beyond, that don’t just expose their musical influences, but their life influences.  Music follows the path of human movement. We trace the steps to bring better understanding to what we hear today and why we love it. Join us for the exploration of the real roots of music on Roots Music Rambler.

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