How to Tour America Through Her Music

with host Brant Huddleston
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Tour the United States of America, learning about the music and musicians from the country's many regions. With the spirit of Woody Guthrie as our guide, we'll discover the roots of America through folk, gospel, bluegrass, R&B, and blues music. We'll migrate to rock and roll, the music that grew alongside, and even sparked, a tidal shift in American culture, politics, and power. It’s all Americana, and it’s all good. branthuddleston.substack.com

  1. 05/17/2025

    Episode Finale: Music for the End of the Road

    Dear Music Lover: It’s with pleasure and a touch of sadness that I bring you this last episode of my “How to Tour America Through Her Music” podcast. It’s been a fun ride, and I enjoyed hanging out with you on the magic bus. We had some good times, didn’t we? But the road calls me to other places, and I must move on. Before I go, I want to convey important information about the podcast, the show notes, and the playlist. An Important Notice As you may know, I donate 100% of the proceeds from my solo books and other creative works to charity. The exception is “Far and Wild,” which I co-wrote with Fabiana. I intend to keep all episodes of this podcast free for at least two more weeks so everyone can catch up, listen to them all, and share freely with friends. After that, I plan to move the podcast behind a paywall so that I can continue funding the two charities cited in my 2024 Annual Report — charitywater.org and Doctors Without Borders — plus two new ones: Innocence Project, who “work to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone.” I mentioned this group in Episode 12: The Music of Motown, in which I featured Stevie Wonder’s song “Living for the City” about an innocent Black man wrongly convicted and sentenced to prison. The song exemplifies one I thought I knew until I listened carefully to the words. The second opportunity is a new project led by our dear friends Haji Mohammed Ali and Francesca Micheli, shown below in a photo taken in May, 2025. You will recall that Haji is the African man I lectured (poor guy) about American Blues music in Episode Six: The Blues. Fabi and “Franchy” are old friends, from the days when Fabi lived on Zanzibar, and Haji is like a brother to me. Haji and Franchi built and operate the Sister Island school on the African island of Zanzibar, where they live. Fabi and I visited Zanzibar in 2021, and we were so impressed with their work with the children that we donated to the school. Starting in 2025, Haji and Franchi will start a new service of love on the nearby island of Pemba, where children suffer from a debilitating genetic disease. The team will build a hospital on the island, with doctors and staff specializing in treating the disease. Fabi and I also support that effort financially. Please join us by donating to the Pemba Island Hospital directly via the Sister PayPal. Show Notes and Playlist These ended up being long and wordy, so to not distract you from the audio, I put the show notes in a separate post. After you’ve listened to the final episode (tap the play button above), I encourage you to read through the notes and listen in full to the many fine songs I feature, including ones from Duane Allman, Joni Mitchell, the Neville Brothers, and Paul Simon. As I say in the audio, we just touched the tip of the iceberg in this musical tour of America, with hundreds, nay thousands, of songs waiting to be heard. There is so much more to learn about my country, and the music, as always, speaks volumes. So long, but not goodbye In the audio, I asked some rhetorical questions: What do you stand for? What do you believe in? What are you willing to fight and die for? What is in your soul? As I seek to answer those important questions for myself, I wrote a personal creed I hope to follow as I grow older. I’m sharing it with you here in case you also find it helpful. Stay curious. Keep an open mind. Don’t pre-hate anyone or anything. Listen. Give everyone and everything many chances to prove themselves. Forgive, as Jesus advised, 70 times seven. Love with wild abandon. I know it’s a lot to reach for, but I believe we can do it, especially if we have each other. I’m not saying goodbye — I’ve got plenty of creative endeavors planned for 2025, so stay tuned, and I’ll see you… on the road. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit branthuddleston.substack.com/subscribe

    15 min

  2. 05/10/2025

    Episode 12: The Music of Motown

    Dear Music Lover: This is the next to the last episode in my “How to Tour America Through Her Music” podcast, and I’m on a roll! We have a rendezvous with destiny planned for the last show, at the famous Woodstock Music Festival of 1969. If you want to start the tour from the beginning, just tap the magic button below: For now, Detroit City and Motown’s music are a must-stop on our musical tour of the United States. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations, the Four Tops, the Marvelettes, the Spinners, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson, and so many more are all part of Motown’s musical legacy. Author Wesley Morris said in the book “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” that Motown’s many musical artists were disintegrating America’s: “political investment in a myth of racial separateness, the idea that art forms can be either “white” or “black” in character when aspects of many are at least both.” Motown, Mr. Morris said, gave us “the sound of America,” and that’s a sound we must explore! So kick back, relax, tap the fat “play” button found above, and listen to just a few Motown songs that changed America… for the better! Playlist and Show Notes I love Michael Jackson’s music and admire how he represented the spirit of what Mr. Morris said. Great music transcends color! It seemed fitting to start the show with “Black or White” by the King of Pop. The instrumental music you hear behind my rambling is the introduction to “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” by The Temptations. The Grammy-winning song, originally performed by Motown recording act the Undisputed Truth in 1972, tells the story of a father who fails his family. That, sadly, is a problem that harms families of all races. In a 2008 Father’s Day speech, then-Senator Barack Obama emphasized the importance of paternal responsibility, stating that children without fathers are more likely to face poverty, commit crimes, drop out of school, and end up incarcerated. I followed with “What’s Going On?” written and performed by the great Marvin Gaye. According to Wikipedia: The song’s inspiration came from Renaldo “Obie” Benson, a member of the Motown vocal group the Four Tops, after he and the group's tour bus arrived at Berkeley on May 15, 1969. While there, Benson witnessed police brutality and violence in the city's People’s Park during a protest held by anti-war activists in what was hailed later as “Bloody Thursday.” Upset by the situation, Benson said to author Ben Edmonds that as he saw this, he asked, “‘What is happening here?’ One question led to another. Why are they sending kids so far away from their families overseas? Why are they attacking their own children in the streets?” The story Stevie Wonder tells in “Living for the City” is heartbreaking. I am so grateful for the Innocence Project, who “work to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone.” Please consider making a donation. Finally, I played part of one of my favorite Motown songs — “Love Child,” by Diana Ross and the Supremes. Here are the Supremes performing that hit live on the Ed Sullivan TV show in 1969. Love child, never meant to be Love child, born in poverty Love child, never meant to be Love child, take a look at me Bonus Track Otis Redding, the “King of Soul,” while not a Motown artist, is regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of American popular music and a seminal artist in soul music and rhythm and blues. In 1966, he recorded the 1932 song “Try a Little Tenderness,” which offers sound advice for the world in any era. Here is the 2007 version of that song by the Richmond, Virginia band Five Spot and the Soul Patrol Horns. I play guitar, and my friend and fellow bandmate Tom Muldoon performs the vocals and drums. An Important Clarification About Race Lately, I’ve had plenty to say about music being colorblind, an idea also suggested by Wesley Morris in “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” — a book I recommend everyone read. While the entire book is well researched and written, Mr. Morris’s chapter on music is especially stupendous. I do not, however, believe it is either possible or advisable for humans to be color or gender-blind. Not only is it against our nature, but attempting to be so risks blinding ourselves to an essential part of what makes us human. Not being racist or sexist does not mean being blind to race or sex. Quite the opposite, it means being so acutely aware of differences that you love each one for the unique qualities it brings to the human mix, like loving a spice for how it affects the flavor of a dish. The differences are to be celebrated and savored! I pontificate further on this matter in my essay “How is it possible to be color and gender-blind?” Want to read it? Yay! You can. Coming Up Next! I wrap up the podcast with one final episode, where we find ourselves heading back to where our madcap tour started… New York! Along the way, we pick up an interesting hitchhiker. Hmmm! Who could it be? You won’t want to miss meeting her, so climb aboard the magic bus and hang on for the ride! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit branthuddleston.substack.com/subscribe

    9 min

  3. 05/03/2025

    Episode 11: The Music of America's Pacific Northwest

    Dear Music Lover: Thanks again for joining me on this tour of America’s music and of the country itself. Before we get underway, allow me to plug my latest book, which I co-wrote with the love of my life, the Italian pirate lady Fabiana Capuano. Called “Far and Wild,” our book tells the story of Fabi’s twenty years of travel as a single woman through 100+ countries. Fabi posts a lot of fun pictures and videos from her travels, along with excerpts from the book, on her Substack. Check it out! It’s free! Better yet, pick up a copy of “Far and Wild” from Amazon. The ebook is only five bucks! Thank you! “Her” Music? Some of you may be wondering why I used the feminine pronoun “her” to describe the USA in the title of this podcast, and I honestly don’t know. It just felt right to me when I started writing the copy back in 2015. I put the question to ChatGPT (“Is using the feminine pronoun for the United States of America acceptable?”), and it (He? She? They?) responded as follows: Writers, orators, and poets—especially in the 18th and 19th centuries—often personified countries, ships, and abstract ideals using feminine pronouns. Referring to the U.S. as “she” or “her” can sound archaic or overly romantic unless used deliberately for stylistic or emotional effect. Well, shiver me timbers! I identify as archaic, overly romantic, and as a 19th-century poet and writer, so I guess it’s okay. She it is! My risky pronoun choice for the USA is not the only risk I took in this episode, but you’ll just have to listen to find out! Tap on the big PLAY button found above. Show Notes and Playlist I started with part of “White Privilege” by Macklemore. As I said in my episode about the music of Southern California, I believe hip-hop is the only genre of modern music that speaks with the same raw authenticity as the music of defiance from the 60s. “White Privilege and its follow-up, “White Privilege II,” reveal Macklemore struggling through a personal battle as a successful “white” rapper who “culturally appropriates” from “black” people. Relax Mackemore. I offer you some advice while playing “Cantaloupe Island” by Herbie Hancock. I sense you need it. While Hancock is not from the Pacific Northwest, the hip-hop superstar Snoop Dogg credited him for “inventing hip-hop.” But who invented what? Every musician since the dawn of time has culturally appropriated from those who came before, all the way back to when the first human banged a bone on a rock and said: “Ugh. That sounds cool.” I played “Soul Meets Body” by Death Cab for Cutie, “Down by the Water” by the Decemberists, and “Fell On Black Days” by Soundgarden. Jimi Hendrix and the Museum of Pop Culture I played “Third Stone From The Sun” by the Jimi Hendrix Experience while introducing the Museum of Pop Culture, dedicated to “the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary popular culture.” I visited the museum in 2017. Here are some pix. I played parts of “Spanish Castle Magic” and “If 6 Was 9” by the Jimi Hendrix Experience I’ve got my own world to live through And I ain’t gonna copy you Jimi Hendrix I closed the episode with the astoundingly good “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix, which amazes me every time I hear it. Bonus Tracks For some extra fun, here are two additional versions of “All Along the Watchtower.” The first is by the song’s composer, the great Bob Dylan. The second is by some goofball I found laying on the street in dirty clothes sucking on a wine bottle in a paper bag. Is it an AI deep fake? Oh no! That’s me! Coming Up Next! We nod to Chicago as we pass it by and head farther east to Detroit City, where we stop for the night at a modest white house located at 2648 West Grand Boulevard. Don’t recognize the address? You will surely recognize the music made there! I’ll see you next week. Until then… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit branthuddleston.substack.com/subscribe

    12 min

  4. 04/26/2025

    Episode Ten: The Music of Northern California

    Hello Music Lover! Thanks for listening to Episode Ten about the music of Northern California. In it, I feature the San Francisco sound, the 1967 Summer of Love, and songs of revolution, defiance, and change. Please feel free to listen to just this episode, or if you prefer, start the tour from the beginning and follow our spirit guide Woody Guthrie on a musical tour of America. Either way, it’s nice to have you come along. As with all the episodes, the “Show Notes” feature links to the complete recordings of the songs, additional comments about the music, associated images, and bonus material. But please don’t allow those notes to distract you from listening to the audio, because that’s where the real meat is. Show Notes & Playlist “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)” by Scott McKenzie is the natural opener for this show, and this video will really get you in the mood. It shows the zeitgeist of the era, which was oh so groovy. “Everyday People” by Sly & the Family Stone. I love the lyrics to this song — written almost 60 years ago, and yet apropos for our modern times. There is a blue one who can’t accept the green one For living with a fat one trying to be a skinny one There is a long hair that doesn't like the short hair For bein’ such a rich one that will not help the poor one There is a yellow one that won't accept the black one That won’t accept the red one that won't accept the white one And different strokes for different folks I recently saw an interview with Canadians who said they don’t want to be “Americans.” Notwithstanding that they are already American (Canada is part of North America, as is Mexico), I wondered: What the hell does it even mean to be “American?” There are nearly 400 million U.S. citizens of every stripe and color. There is space for everyone. “Different strokes for different folks,” as Sly said. That’s the very essence of what it means to be American. Here’s a fabulous video of Sly & the Family Stone, at the height of their powers, performing their hits “Hot Fun in the Summertime” and “Don’t Call Me N****r, Whitey.” Note the interracial makeup of the band and the audience. There is no doubt Sly influenced other artists, like Hendrix, Prince, and Outkast. In respect for those who march and stand for what they believe in, I played the studio recording of “Stand” by Sly & the Family Stone. Here is a live recording of the same song. There’s a cross for you to bear Things to go through if you're going anywhere Stand For the things you know are right It’s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight Stand Bonus Track For a little extra Sly & the Family Stone fun, check out yours truly singing and playing guitar on “Hot Fun in the Summertime” as performed by Five Spot & the Soul Patrol Horns. Next, I played “Reach Out in the Darkness” by Friend & Lover. Environmental Protest Songs I played one of my all-time favorite songs about the environment, “Nature’s Way,” by the band Spirit. Here is a live version from 1990, including some sweet guitar work by composer Randy California. Seven years later, at the age of 45, Randy California drowned in the Pacific Ocean while rescuing his 12-year-old son from a rip current. Before perishing, Randy managed to push his son (who survived) toward the shore. “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)” by Marvin Gaye. Here is a live version. Below is Dan Campbell’s artistic visualization of the song, which he painted in honor of Earth Day, which started in 1970 and is celebrated every year on April 22. Tragically, Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father in 1984. Where did all the blue skies go? Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east Woo mercy, mercy me, mercy father Ah, things ain't what they used to be, no no Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas, fish full of mercury Ah oh mercy, mercy me Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no Radiation underground and in the sky Animals and birds who live nearby are dying Oh mercy, mercy me I played “Big Yellow Taxi,” by Joni Mitchell. This video has great visual images. The Summer of Love During the introduction of this segment, I play a bit of “The End,” by The Doors. That’s the studio version, but of course, the only way to really “get” The Doors and their enigmatic lead singer Jim Morrison, The Serpent King, was to see them live. If you are up for a 12-minute dark ride, here is a live performance of “The End.” “We Can Be Together,” by the Jefferson Airplane. This video does an excellent job of syncing the studio recording of the song with the band’s live performance at the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969. The people shown in the video are the “Boomers” so many Gen Zers love to hate. I have a message for those young punks: “We don’t like you either.” The Jefferson Airplane’s fifth album, “Volunteers of America,” was originally titled “Volunteers of Amerika,” reflecting the band’s fiercely political views. Record company execs forced them to change the title. That record, released in 1969, was controversial because of its revolutionary, anti-war lyrics, and its use of profanity. We are all outlaws in the eyes of America In order to survive we steal cheat lie forge hide and deal We are obscene lawless hideous dangerous dirty violent and young We are forces of chaos and anarchy Everything they say we are we are And we are very Proud of ourselves Comparison for Comment I compared “Talkin’ Dust Bowl Blues” by Woody Guthrie with “Hot Rod Lincoln” by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. If you don’t know what a “Hot Rod” car looks like, watch the Commander Cody video. It’s super fun! The Grateful Dead To introduce the band, I play just a bit of The Grateful Dead’s psychedelic jam “Space,” followed by “Truckin’” and “Uncle John’s Band.” The live performance is from 1972, right about the time I heard the Dead play live. They blew me away. I closed out the show with “Age of Aquarius,” by The Fifth Dimension. Holy Mystic crystal revelation! Talk about starry-eyed naïveté, this song says it all, and I still like it. Honorable Mention I want to thank friend and listener Jay Dobis for introducing me to a San Francisco musician I did not know — Davie Allan & the Arrows. The news came too late to include Allan’s music in the podcast, but here’s a taste of guitarist Davie Allan’s unique sound. Jay, shown below with his lovely wife Oya, is the Crown Prince of Obscure Music. He is always turning me on to music and musicians I’ve never heard of. Thanks Jay! That’s a Wrap! Thanks for listening. Next week, we’ll take the magic bus to America’s picturesque and enchanting Pacific Northwest territory, where we’ll meet a diverse group of musicians and learn about the eclectic music they create. I’ll see you there and then! About Me To learn more about me, my books, my other podcast, and various mad musings, tap on the big orange button below. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit branthuddleston.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min

  5. 04/19/2025

    Episode Nine: The Music of Southern California

    Start Anywhere Welcome to this episode of the “How to Tour America Through Her Music” podcast. You can listen to just this one episode, or if you prefer, start the tour from its beginning. A Gentle Reminder Although I add a lot more content in the show notes, the real “meat” of the show is in the audio. Remember the hot dog from last week? So if you are short on time, please just listen to the audio and skip the show notes. Show Notes I featured “So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll Star,” by the Byrds. This music video from 1967 is very cool. A young David Crosby introduces the band, and although the video is synced with the studio recording of the song, you get a sense of how tight the Byrds were live. I also like the lyrics to this song, which shed light on the inauthenticity of the music industry, plus call for the listener, as Shakespeare said, “To thine own self be true.” Where the agent man won't let you down Sell your soul to the company Who are waiting there to sell plastic ware And in a week or two If you make the charts The girls’ll tear you apart The price you paid for your riches and fame Was it all a strange game? You’re a little insane The money, the fame, the public acclaim Don't forget what you are You’re a rock ‘n’ roll star! “Mr. Tambourine Man,” written by Bob Dylan and performed here in 1965 by the Byrds on the Ed Sullivan show. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Ed Sullivan, who looked like a total square but who had an open mind and a good ear for talent. I heard many great rock bands on his show, including The Beatles, Elvis, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, and The Jefferson Airplane. Sullivan’s show was also racially integrated, frequently featuring Motown stars such as The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and The Jackson 5. Well done, Mr. Sullivan. Thank you. I know I went a bit heavy on The Byrds in this episode, so in addition to featuring their version of the song “Turn, Turn, Turn,” allow me to direct your attention to another version by Judy Collins and Pete Seeger, who composed the music. The lyrics are based on the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter Three. I was a bit hard on Ms. Collins and her contemporaries in my last show about the music of Texas when I unfairly compared her to Janis Joplin. As I said in that show, that’s like comparing a Kawasaki to a Harley-Davidson, or apples to hand grenades. It just ain’t fittin’! I played part of “My Back Pages,” also written by Bob Dylan and made famous by The Byrds. Here are two versions to choose from: the original Byrds recording, remastered, with a fun video of scenes from the Woodstock Music Festival of 1969, including a rare inside shot of Ken Kesey’s magic bus. But for something fun and different, check out this updated version of “My Back Pages” featuring Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, and George Harrison, each of whom sings a verse. Those voices sound so familiar and comforting to me, like a favorite pair of slippers. For you guitar nuts, notice that McGuinn is still playing the same blonde 12-string Rickenbacker he used in the ‘60s, and that gave The Byrds their signature jangly sound. Did I play the theme song from the Brady Bunch? Yes, I did. At the risk of tearing a rift in the space-time continuum, I shifted from the Bunch to DJ Premier x Snoop Dogg and their “Can U Dig That?” featuring Daz Dillinger. I couldn’t get enough of the Dogg, so I also featured his “Gang Signs” featuring Mozzy. While there are plenty of half-naked women in this video, it was the restored old cars that sent a blast of smoke down past my wrinkly old gozzle. A 1972 Chevy Caprice? I want one, preferably a jacked-up lowrider with a leaping front end. I could be gansta. Although I wasn’t a huge Beach Boys fan, they do a damn good job keeping their complex harmony tight and in tune in this live version of their song “Surfer Girl.” They mention the “Woody” car in the song. I also want one of those. I close out the show with Jackson Browne’s “You Know the Night,” which was brought to my attention by new friend and listener Bill Boultbee, whom Fabi and I met in Thailand in March 2025. Coming Up Next! On next week’s show, we’ll move north to San Francisco along California’s picturesque Route 1 highway. I lived in Northern California for a spell in 2019 and wrote about that experience in my book “Blue Skyways.” Here’s an excerpt: Can you dance, my friend? Then travel inwardly and outwardly until you hear something, a distant and unfamiliar melody, sung in a foreign tongue around a strange fire. Break bread with those you find there, the “others.” Listen to their stories. Pay tribute to their gods and warriors. Honor their ancestors. Feel their hearts. You can read, or listen to my reading of, the whole chapter from here, and below are a few photos I took not far from the cabin where I lived in Sebastopol. I also lived in Los Angeles in the mid-60s, and wrote about that experience in my book “Making the Second Half Man: How I Became the Ogre-King.” That book is normally for paid subscribers only, but for a season, I freed up the California chapter, “Dead Man’s Curve,” in reference to a Jan & Dean song I liked then. Here’s an excerpt: JFK’s death was the end of an era, the end of Camelot and the hope it imbued, the end of 1950s innocence and naiveté. Then dark clouds appeared on America’s horizon — a warning of things to come. And they did come. First one assassination, then another, then another. It was a turning point for America, reminding me of that moment in the afternoon of a blistering summer day when the wind kicks up, just a bit, but enough to flip the maple leaves so you see their silver underbellies. The family dog starts to pace, and a whisper of coolness is in the stiffening breeze. Those are subtle changes, but enough for those paying attention to know — a storm is coming. Thanks for joining me. I’ll see you… next time. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit branthuddleston.substack.com/subscribe

    12 min

  6. 04/12/2025

    Episode Eight: The Music of Texas

    Attention Cowboys and Cowgirls! Heavens to Murgatroyd! I just learned some folks are skipping the podcast’s audio and only reading the show notes! ¡Ay, caramba! Is this because they mistakenly believe the audio contains only music? The audio is the best part! If you are not playing the audio, then you are not hearing the show. Yikes! Think of the podcast like a hotdog in a bun. The show notes are just a complement, like mustard or relish. I offer show notes so that it’s easy for you to hear the songs in full, should you want to, plus a few extra comments and associated art. Most of the show is my commentary on the music, musicians, and the geographic region from which they come. You don’t want to miss it! I only include short clips of the songs, just enough to give you a taste. So eat the hot dog and not just the mustard! That’s my public service announcement. Now let’s get on with the show…notes. Episode Seven Show Notes When you play the audio (tap on play button above), you’ll hear my comments on the music of Texas. There is plenty to learn about this great state, so don’t miss it! Included in my comments you’ll hear short excerpts of songs, such as: “La Grange,” by ZZ Top. “My Head’s In Mississippi,” by ZZ Top. This is one of my fav songs by The Beards. “Mi Gente,” by The Kumbia Kings. The Kumbia Kings are a Mexican-American cumbia group from Corpus Christi, Texas, created by A.B. Quintanilla, the brother of the late “Queen of Tejano,” Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. “Las Cadenas,” by Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. “Velha Infancia,” by Brant Huddleston. I sing this song and also play guitar. “Summertime,” by Janis Joplin. “Ball and Chain,” by Janis Joplin. “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In),” by Kenny Rogers and The First Edition. The link takes you to the live version, which I like even better than the recorded one. Note Roger’s earring and the matching blue outfits. This was the 70s! You know their performance is live when the band makes a tiny error at the end of the song and the drummer can’t help keeping a smirk from his face. I love it. It reminds me of my days playing in a band, which was more fun than I can mention. “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” by Kenny Rogers and The First Edition. “Long Road Out of Eden,” by the Eagles, written by Texan Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Timothy B. Schmit. I mention in the podcast the masterful lyrics of this song. One of my favorite verses says: Music blasting from an SUV On a bright and sunny day Rolling down the interstate In the good ole USA Having lunch at the Petroleum Club Smoking fine cigars and swapping lies I say: “Give me another slice of that barbecue brisket, Give me another piece of that pecan pie.” That pretty much says it all — how those who fan the flames of war manage to stay far away from the heat, insulating themselves with money and privilege. It’s so easy to be cavalier about war when you don’t have any skin in it. I perform my own anti-war song in a cover of David Crosby’s “Almost Cut My Hair.” I also feature: “The Ballad of Davey Crockett,” by Fess Parker. “Oh, Pretty Woman,” by Roy Orbison. “Not Alone Any More,” by the Traveling Willburys. I can only imagine how much fun it must have been for these guys to be in that band together. I’m glad Tom Petty, George Harrison, and Texan Roy Orbison had that opportunity before they passed on to that great rock & roll band in the sky. I know The Beatles are not an American Band, but since George Harrison was in The Traveling Willburys, it gives me the opportunity to showcase two more pieces of Dan Campbell’s art. Coming Up Next Our Magic Bus takes us to Los Angeles, where, in the late 60s and 70s, some of the best American music was written by the likes of the Byrds, Jackson Brown, and the Mamas & the Papas. Then we move north to San Francisco, where we celebrate The Summer of Love and some of the music from the Bay area. It’s all groovy, and you won’t want to miss it.Yo. Are you just joining me? Want to start the tour from the beginning? It’s easy to do. Just click on the big orange button below! Okay, cowkids, that’s it for now. I’ll see you next week. Until then… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit branthuddleston.substack.com/subscribe

    19 min

  7. 04/05/2025

    Episode Seven: New Orleans & the Bayou

    Hi Everyone! We have a lot of music to cover in this episode, but before we get into it, allow me to thank you for sharing this show with your friends. Here’s the share button again in case you missed it last time. If you are just joining me and want to start the tour from the beginning, just tap the magic button below. Show Notes When possible, I provide links to videos accompanying the songs featured in the episode. Here’s the list of songs as they appear. “Used Cars,” by Bruce Springsteen. “Roll Away the Stone,” by Leon Russell. For something a little different, here is a groovy animation accompanying that same song. I also mentioned Leon’s songs “Delta Lady,” “Stranger in a Strange Land,” and the one for which he is best known, “A Song for You.” I am a big Leon Russell fan and remember seeing the video of his 1971 “Hollywood Sessions” around the time it was made and when he was at his grooviest. I saw Leon play live in Richmond, Virginia, shortly before he passed away in 2016. “Down South in New Orleans,” by The Band. This is the live version featuring Dr. John on piano. “House of the Rising Sun,” by Woody Guthrie and the same song by The Animals. The latter is considered the “first folk rock hit.” It was perhaps the first song I learned to play on the guitar. “Zydeco la Lousianne,” by Buckwheat Zydeco. Saw these guys live and they were wonderful! “Dr. Jazz,” by Jelly Roll Morton and his Red Hot Peppers. “Ain’t That a Shame,” by Fats Domino. “Didn’t It Rain,” by Mahalia Jackson. Watch this video to see this master glistening with sweat and reaching heaven and hell with her voice. Truly awesome. “What a Wonderful World,” by Louis Armstrong. What can I say? Satchmo is unparalleled. “Blind Lemon,” by Leadbelly. I intentionally feature this song in the podcast in homage to Blind Lemon Jefferson, another one of the great Blues masters. For something fun, watch this dramatic depiction of Leadbelly and Blind Lemon cruising down the road taken from the 1976 film “Leadbelly.” I briefly mention “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People, but refuse to include a link lest I torture you further. “Born on the Bayou,” by Creedence Clearwater Revival. I would have loved to see this great band live back in the day. “Down in New Orleans,” by Dr. John aka Mac Rebennack Jr. You might recognize this tune from the Disney animated feature “The Princess and the Frog.” “Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya,” by Dr. John, when he fully embodied his Night Tripper persona. Pretty spooky stuff. But try a little bit of gris-gris gumbo ya ya. You might like it! The crickets were supplied by a pile of wood down in the bayou. They had an agent, but he got on Dr. John’s bad side and was turned into a rabbit. Coming Up Next! We wake up in an unexpected place, our heads still hurting from a wild night in the bayou. We might even be naked. Whatever. There’s plenty of good music coming up on the next episode of “How to Tour America Through Her Music.” Please take a moment to check out Fabiana’s “Far and Wild” newsletter. It’s filled with fun stories, photos, and videos from the book we wrote together. That’s it for now. I’ll see you…next time! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit branthuddleston.substack.com/subscribe

    16 min

  8. 03/29/2025

    Episode Six: The Blues

    Thank You! Before we get to this episode’s show notes, I want to thank you for joining the tour. It’s nice to have you! If you are just joining me…welcome! If you’d like to start the tour from its beginning, just tap the big orange button below. Otherwise, stay with me and we’ll rock on through this episode on The Blues. Episode Six Show Notes The first song you hear is from Robert Johnson, King of the Delta Blues: “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom.” Yes, I think it means what you think it means. I play back-to-back recordings of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads” and a cover version by the English rock group Cream. I’ve been listening Cream’s version of that song for over 50 years now, and I still find it jaw-droppingly good. I play “Ramblin on my Mind,” by Robert Johnson. You’ll hear “(Get Your Kicks) on Rt. 66” by Nat King Cole. Listen carefully. This song follows the fundemental blues pattern. I really dig Mr. Cole’s version, but an honorable mention goes to a cover version of that song by Glenn Frey of Eagles fame. I play “Georgia Bound” by Blind Blake. Thanks to listener and friend Jeff Shucard for turning me on to all those first generation Blues guys. Jeff would know. He’s an accomplished blues musician and produced an excellent CD of covers and originals called “Sweet Papa Lowdown.” Check it out! I get goosebumps every time I hear “The Thrill is Gone” by the master blues musician B.B. King. You too? Memphis, Tennessee We hear “Hound Dog” by a young Elvis Presley. I briefly mention a genre of American music called “rockabilly,” which is a combination of “rock” and “hillbilly” music. I don’t expand on this genre because I don’t know much about it. The term “hillbilly” is generally used, pejoratively, to describe poor country people who have lived for generations in the hills and “hollers” (small, sheltered valleys) of America’s Appalachian mountains. Hillbilly is a stereotype some of you may recognize from the 1960’s TV show “The Beverly Hillbillies.” I play by “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon Five featuring Christina Aguilera, followed by “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” by Nirvana. I play the deeply moving 1969 song “In the Ghetto,” sung by Elvis. The song (originally titled “The Vicious Circle”) addresses the issues of social justice and racial disparity, which was not uncommon for songs from the 60s. But since Elvis was one of the most influential artists of that time, his words carried extra weight. People, don't you understand The child needs a helping hand Or he’ll grow to be an angry young man some day Take a look at you and me, Are we too blind to see, Do we simply turn our heads And look the other way I wrap up my section on Elvis Presley with a tribute to him by Neil Young and Crazy Horse: “Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)” I used the softer live version of Young’s song, but if you prefer, here is the harder, original version, also by Neil Young and Crazy Horse. The King is gone, but he’s not forgotten. Neil Young I end the episode with “Dust Bowl Children” by the amazing Alison Krauss and Union Station, featuring the vocals of Dan Tyminski. Ms. Krauss and her band also covered Woody Guthrie’s song “Pastures of Plenty,” which you can hear from here. Thanks to Tim Timberlake for turning me on to that version. Sad footnote: Allison Krause (slightly different spelling from the musician) was one of four unarmed American students shot dead by Ohio State National Guard soldiers during the Kent State Massacre of 1970. I discuss that tragic event, immortalized by the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song “Ohio,” in Episode 3. Bonus Video My friend Haji was my captive audience in 2022 when I visited him in his native Zanzibar — an island off the east coast of Africa. Then and there, he politely listened to me pontificate on the origins of American Blues music, which are, of course, his people and his continent of Africa, and not white Mzungos like me. I captured our conversation on video. It all started with an off-hand question about his T-shirt. Secret Bonus Track I did not mention this in the recording, but my good friend Roby Pantall and I learned how to to play guitar together in the early 70’s when we were just young whippersnappers. Roby and I formed our first band together playing (What else?) lots of blues songs! Some 40 years later, in 2011, Roby and I caught up and recorded the classic blues standard “Key to the Highway,” each taking a lead with vocals and guitar (I sing and play second.) It was a ton of fun, and I thought you might enjoy hearing our version. Roby went on to become an accomplished jazz guitarist. You can hear more of his music from here. By the way, I don’t get compensated in any way for recommending stuff I like, such as music from Jeff Shucard or Roby, or art from Dan Campbell. I do it as a public service, plus…I enjoy supporting my friends. That’s a Wrap! Please consider sharing this podcast with your friends. It would be great to get the word out about the music and the stories that accompany it. Coming up on the next episode, we have a wild night down in the bayous of Louisiana. Things get a bit out of hand, so stay tuned, and I’ll see you there. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit branthuddleston.substack.com/subscribe

    17 min
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About

Tour the United States of America, learning about the music and musicians from the country's many regions. With the spirit of Woody Guthrie as our guide, we'll discover the roots of America through folk, gospel, bluegrass, R&B, and blues music. We'll migrate to rock and roll, the music that grew alongside, and even sparked, a tidal shift in American culture, politics, and power. It’s all Americana, and it’s all good. branthuddleston.substack.com

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