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. 5D AGO

    Ramona & The Holy Smokes attack Alt-Country charts with first studio album

    When a band’s first album drops, it’s exciting. When it shoots up to a top three position on the charts – any chart for that matter – something is happening. That’s exactly what is happening to Ramona & The Holy Smokes whose eponymous debut album landed at No. 3 on the Alt Country Specialty Chart in early October. It has bounced around the top 10 since and debuted at No. 50 on the Americana Music Association charts on October 29. Founder and front woman Ramona Martinez joined Frank and Falls on Roots Music Rambler the day after the Alt-Country chart spike to talk about the new album, her decidedly old-school country sound, her journey to being an artist and much more. Martinez’s parents were military and diplomacy professionals, so she lived in several different countries growing up. She landed in Charlottesville, Va., where her music career took hold, after several years working in public radio. The new album is full of Texas-sounding honky tonk drinkin’ and thinkin’ songs. The band’s sound includes multicultural and bilingual numbers as well, underlining Martinez’s South Texas family roots.  Frank and Falls also have their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ selections for new music recommendations and Falls actually joins the show from the radio studio in Pikeville, Ky., where he first broadcast at 14-years-old in 1987. 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:  Ramona & The Holy Smokes Online Ramona & The Holy Smokes on Spotify Ramona & The Holy Smokes on Instagram Americana Music Association’s weekly album and singles charts Alt-Country Specialty weekly album charts Appalachian Echoes Online WXCC-FM Online 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’ Recommendations Trey Hedrick on Spotify “Unknown Legend” by Neil Young on Spotify “Unknown Legend” by Lukas Nelson, Sierra Ferrell & The Travelin’ McCourys Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - 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

    48 min
  2. OCT 31

    On the verge of motherhood, Kentucky’s Brit Taylor drops new single, hints at new album 

    The new single from country singer-songwriter Brit Taylor “All for Sale” presents a cautionary tale for men who mess up. If you do, all you stuff is going on sale and you can take a hike. The song probably wasn’t intended for Taylor’s husband Adam Chaffins. He co-wrote and produced the track for the Kentucky native. And the couple, very much mad about one another, are expecting their first child together any day now. With all that news in the Brit Taylor universe, we couldn’t resist the chance to invite her on as our first-ever repeat guest on Roots Music Rambler. Taylor sat down with us recently to talk about her soon-to-be motherhood, new music, balancing the business of both her and Chaffins having solo careers and more.  She even answered the question of whether or not the new single implies a new album is around the corner. Certainly after a bit of maternity leave. We first chatted with Taylor in February of 2024 after the launch of her Kentucky Blue album. Since then, Taylor turned that album into a bluegrass cover album called Kentucky Bluegrassed, played the main stage at this year’s Bourbon & Beyond and a lot more.  You’ll definitely learn some things and have fun catching up with her on this episode.  Frank and Falls also talk about artists they have not seen live who are on their bucket list and share their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices for music recommendations for you.  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:  Brit Taylor online Brit Taylor on Spotify Brit Taylor’s “All for Sale” music video Adam Chaffins online Adam Chaffins 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’ Recommendations Grace Ann Rogers Information Society Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - 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

    45 min
  3. OCT 24

    Chasen Wayne shares life’s ups and downs on new LP Corpus

    Chasen Wayne took the long road to honky tonk stage success. The native Texan’s first job in the music industry – if you could call it that – was a club bouncer as a teenager. His reputation and professionalism landed him at a popular venue in Austin, Texas where he wound up booking shows, too. Nevermind that his big claim to fame in Austin is booking a video shoot for Zach Bryan, a story he tells us in the latest episode of Roots Music Rambler. Wayne’s primary focus was on his weekend residency at the club and building his musical career. His new album Corpus shares stories of his path out of addiction to sobriety, fatherhood and much more. Wayne’s stories are mostly true and autobiographical. But they’re raw and revealing which has him destined to continue to grow an already avid fan base and keep living that honky tonk dream. We talked to Wayne about sobriety, father hood, digging tunnels and a lot more. And we got to hear the details behind the big Zach Bryan video shoot, too.  Also on this episode of Roots Music Rambler, Frank and Falls discuss Morgan Wallen deciding not to nominate his latest album for Grammy consideration, the pop country vs. “real” country debate, and they share their picks for Pickin’ the Grinnin’ – music you should listen to.  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:  Morgan Wallen says “No” to the Grammy’s Chasen Wayne on Spotify Chasen Wayne on Instagram Zach Bryan’s “Nine Ball” (filmed at Sagebrush) 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’ Recommendations The Onlies Del Roscoe Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts.Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - 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 12m
  4. OCT 17

    Chicago dive bar country staple Sparkle Carcass drops new record Maraschino Chevy

    Long-time listeners of Roots Music Rambler will recognize the name of the band Sparkle Carcass. They happen to be one of Francesca Folinazzo’s favorite Chicago-based bands she sees play live frequently. And to their credit, they are well-known in the windy city as an alt-country, dive bar sorta crew. Well, Cody Palmer and crew today released their second studio album and he joined us on Roots Music Rambler to talk about it. The LP is called Maraschino Chevy and brings out their honky-tonk, beer-slingin’, toe-tappin’ sound nicely. Palmer joined Frank and Falls to talk about the album, his songwriting process, a musical mom whose healthy rivalry with him helped form his work and a lot more. He talked about how he and wife (and band member) Reilly Downes balance their independent musical projects while participating in one another’s and a lot more. We also talk about Sparkle Carcass’s first Maraschino Chevy single “Sippin’ on a Cool One” which was originally released by a band called Rollin’ Country around 1977. But Palmer has never been able to find the band for proper credit or acknowledgement. So if you know them or of them, reach out to us at ramblers@rootsmusicrambler.com and we’ll connect the dots! Also on this episode, Falls shares a social media conversation with artist Lance Rogers and Bill Taylor that helped crystallize his purpose in doing this podcast, his radio show, and beyond. And he and Frank share their picks for new music to listen to in our Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment. 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:  Rock-N-Roll Story Guys Podcast Sparkle Carcass Online Sparkle Carcass on Spotify Sparkle Carcass on Instagram Lance Rogers on Facebook For the Love of Appalachia 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’ Recommendations King Margo - Can’t Have You (Can’t Lose You) Lance Rogers - Golden Hour Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - 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 17m
  5. OCT 10

    The Last Revel back with new Dave Simonett-produced album Gone for Good

    Just a few short years ago, Minneapolis-based folk rock band The Last Revel may have been on its last leg. Co-founder and guitarist Lee Henke was burned out and needed a break. Fortunately, he went on the all-too-familiar journey of burned out musicians, found space, and therapy, which led him back to the band after the pandemic. Soon after, they released Dovetail, which was what he called the “happiest” record of the band’s 15-year career. Now they’re back with a second post-hiatus offering called Gone for Good. And no, the title doesn’t infer a farewell album. In fact, the band is in as good a place as it has been after working with Trampled By Turtles frontman Dave Simonett, who produced the new offering. Henke, fellow co-founder Ryan Acker and fiddle mainstay Vinnie Donatelle all three joined us on Roots Music Rambler to talk about the ups and downs of the last five years, the new album, how the band came together and much more. Henke shared his journey away from, and back to the band, and each offered up their perspective on working with Simonett and more. Also on this episode, Frank and Falls share their picks for new music to listen to in our Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment and each shares what band they would most likely be members of based on their own assessment of their personalities. (Not to mention, we learn of one of Falls’s pet peeves.) 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:  The Last Revel Online The Last Revel on Spotify The Last Revel on TikTok The Last Revel on Instagram Gone for Good on Spotify Dave Simonett Online 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 Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Vincent Neil Emerson Bonny Light Horseman Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - 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

    1 hr
  6. SEP 26

    Los Gallos offers mix of Mexican traditional music with country, rock and blues

    Chicago-based Los Gallos is a perfect example of the blending of culture in Americana music. Their Mexican and Puerto Rican family backgrounds manifested in first-generation American players who grew up on country and rock radio in the U.S. has resulted in perhaps one of the most interesting bands we’ve heard in a while. Their music is a mix of English and Spanish language songs that range from traditional Mexican sounds to country singer-songwriter approaches. Watch the Episode on YouTube Ric Salazar and Henry Fajardo from the band joined us on Roots Music Rambler this week to talk about their path to music, the influences their family and upbringing had on it, and the unique blend of songs that make up their diverse portfolio of sounds. And, because we don’t miss an opportunity on Roots Music Rambler, Frank did corner the guys to ask where to find the best tacos in Chicago. Frank and Falls talk about some change to Roots Music Rambler (we’re back on full video now) and Falls shares his latest venture, Appalachian Echoes, which is a great companion and compliment to the show. Plus they offer their regular weekly Pickin’ the Grinnin’ picks of new music for your listening pleasure.  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:  Los Gallos Online Los Gallos on Spotify Los Gallos on Instagram Los Gallos on Facebook Roots Music Rambler on YouTube Appalachian Echoes WXCC-FM - Williamson, W.Va. 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 Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Elizabeth Moen Max Gomez Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - 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 6m
  7. SEP 12

    Shawn Camp drops Sis Draper project, co-written by the late Guy Clark

    Singer-songwriter Shawn Camp has a number of No.1 and Top-10 hits to his name as a songwriter. He’s also had solo success as an artist through the years and is one of the members of bluegrass power group The Earls of Leicester. But perhaps the most fulfilling role he’s had through the years was being a collaborator and protege of sorts of the legendary Guy Clark.  Clark died in 2016 but for over 20 years, he and Camp co-wrote a catalog of songs that tied in with the character of Sis Draper, a traveling fiddle player Camp met when he was a child in Arkansas. Those songs were released today as a full album called The Ghost of Sis Draper. All but one song on the LP was co-written by Camp and Clark. The other is a Guy Clark solo composition performed by Clark. Shawn Camp joined us on Roots Music Rambler to talk about his longtime collaboration and relationship with Clark, the new album and how it was built with love over time, plus give his take on the current state of both country and bluegrass music, The Earls of Leicester and more. We had a super-interesting conversation that spanned from his childhood days as a pickin’ prodigy, to 2023’s Grammy Award as a co-writer on Willie Nelsons’ “A Beautiful Time.” Frank and Falls talk about the amazing fall music festivals they’ve attended and both share their pics for new music recommendations in the Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment.  Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com or 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:  Shawn Camp Online The Ghost of Sis Draper Pre-Save Links Shawn Camp on Spotify Guy Clark on Spotify The Earls of Leicester on Spotify The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok  Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Abe Partridge The Marmot Yelling Video Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - 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 2m
  8. SEP 5

    Resurrected Corduroy Brown rising with feel-good Appalachian rock

    Corduroy Brown was so ill with COVID during the pandemic, he was airlifted from Huntington, W.Va., to more advanced medical facilities in Morgantown. During the helicopter ride, he died.  Fortunately, quick work from the EMTs revived him. He survived and experienced something most people don’t: A glimpse of what’s on the other side. It changed his outlook on life and his music, which has taken off since. Brown released a gripping and powerful solo album called Let Me Know in 2021 after he fully recovered. It has propelled him from small gigs to opening for headline acts like Everclear and Hoobastank, as well as some headline and featured spots at some nice music festivals throughout the region. Brown joined us on Roots Music Rambler to talk about his path to music, his actual death experience, how that changed his music and what’s next. (Hint: New album news nested in this episodes!) Needless to say, we all left the conversation excited about Corduroy Brown, what’s to come, and life in general. Frank also grilled Falls on his lucky selection to Tyler Childers’ secret pop-up concert at Dinosaur World in July, and both share their pics for new music recommendations in the Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment.  Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com or 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:  Corduroy Brown online Corduroy Brown on Spotify Corduroy Brown on Instagram Falls’s viral video from Tyler Childers’ pop-up The Roots Music Rambler Store Roots Music Rambler on Instagram Roots Music Rambler on TikTok  Roots Music Rambler on Facebook Jason Falls on Instagram Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Stephanie Anne Johnson Deer Tick Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - 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

    45 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.