Roots Music Rambler

Francesca Folinazzo & Jason Falls
Roots Music Rambler

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. 4 DAYS AGO

    Shepherd Hits 2025 with a new single, plans for lots of new music

    There are few artists out there who fit the Americana music label by decidedly not fitting in any single box better than Jeff Shepherd. The northern Indiana native has been called rock, blues, outlaw country and punk. His music harkens back to 70s rock but has enough country influences to draw comparisons to southern rock and outlaw country artists, alike. Shepherd, which he now goes by as a single-named moniker, joined us on Roots Music Rambler to talk about his new single, “Settle Down,” and his plans for more new music in 2025. We talked about his time working in the steel mills, the struggles of an independent musician and his newest venture into fatherhood. His son was born a little over a year ago and the lifestyle change has been interesting, he says. Plus, Frank checks in on Falls who was weathering a snow storm during the recording and the duo talk about one getting to meet a couple of emerging artists at a recent show. And as always, they share their Pickin’ the Grinnin picks for new music for you to explore this week. 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:  Shepherd Online Shepherd 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 Meg McRee Lucero Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Audio production by Resonate Recordings. Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m
  2. JAN 17

    Leah Blevins heads into 2025 with new music in mind

    The first time you hear Leah Blevins sing, you immediately notice a voice similar to Dolly Parton. As if that weren’t enough to want to hear more, she belts out influences from Martina McBride, Loretta Lynn and even Stevie Nicks. And she’s poised for a new album later in 2025 that could be the project that vaults her even higher in the country music scene. Blevins joined Frank and Falls on Roots Music Rambler to talk about what’s coming in 2025. She heads to the studio in February to add to an already released single (Hundred Different Sides). The new project is the first of a two record deal, so the future is bright. Blevins was raised in Sandy Hook, Ky., a tiny little burg in the hills of Northeast Kentucky. It happens to be the home of another great country singer: Keith Whitley.  We explored her musical journey, talked about her debut album (First Time Feeling) which came out in 2021, her influences, family and more.  Plus, Falls reports back on Brent Cobb’s first Ryman Auditorium headline show and both he and Frank talk about 2025 live show plans they’ve already got in the works. And as always, they share their Pickin’ the Grinnin picks for new music for you to explore this week. 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:  Leah Blevins online Leah Blevins on Spotify Sandy Hook, Ky. 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 Ella Salter & The Sunday Sinners (New EP on Spotify) Ella Salter & The Sunday Sinners (Episode 5 of Roots Music Rambler) Yacht Rock Documentary on IMDB And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! - https://gomuskox.com/rambler Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Audio production by Resonate Recordings. Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr
  3. JAN 3

    Roots Music Rambler’s Top 10 Songs & Albums from 2024

    Well, 2024 is in the books and what a year we saw in Americana and Roots Music. From Sierra Ferrell’s explosion to Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter and crazy collaborations to new music from artists like Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, The Secret Sisters, Marcus King and Dwight Yoakam, the year was one for the books. Since this was the first full calendar year Roots Music Rambler existed (we debuted in September of 2023), we thought we would start an annual tradition of recapping the year with our top songs, albums and artists, plus do a little where-are-they-now rundown of previous show guests to keep everyone thinking about and talking about the music we all love. In this episode Frank and Falls run down their top 10 songs and albums of 2024, proclaim their top artist, group and newcomer of the year, and call out a couple of artists worthy of praise for innovating in the genre in 2024. But, to be clear, our philosophy on Roots Music Rambler is tied to a belief that music is not a competition. Rankings and bests are simply fodder for conversation and discovery. These lists are just our individual opinions. We want to hear yours as well. So comment on our social media posts about the rankings and share your favorites for 2024 or what you’re excited about for 2025.  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: (Songs played are representative of our lists, but not necessarily our top songs!) Without You by Ella Salter and the Sunday Sinners on Spotify Hero by Marcus King on Spotify Paperweight by The Secret Sisters on Spotify Dollar Bill Bar by Sierra Ferrell on Spotify Texas Hold ‘em by Beyonce’ on Spotify Gild the Lily by Billy Strings on Spotify Sierra Ferrell - Our unanimous Artist of the Year - online The Kimmi Bitter episode of Roots Music Rambler  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 And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! - https://gomuskox.com/rambler Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Audio production by Resonate Recordings. Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 23m
  4. 12/20/2024

    Inside the Stories and Experience of Singer-Songwriter Margo Cilker

    It’s not often Rolling Stone compares a singer-songwriter to John Prine. But they did just that when they heard “Steelhead Trout” by Margo Cilker. The Oregon-based artist’s first two albums have turned her into an emerging star in the Americana music scene.  Pohorylle, her debut, was so good, the UK Americana Music Association nominated it for Album of the Year alongside Brandi Carlile, Robert Plant & Allison Kraus and Charley Crockett. She went on tour with Drive-By Truckers and Hayes Carll. Her sophomore album, Valley of Heart’s Delight, is better. Not just by our estimation, but every music publication that’s reviewed it says so. The songs are deeper, more introspective, and perhaps more universal.  Cilker joined us for a chat from her Snake River Valley ranch recently to talk about songwriting, her success, and what the future holds for her music. She and Francesca connected at a performance over the summer and had a conversation about the song and fish that brought about the Prine comparisons. Needless to say, we had a fun conversation. Falls also talks about his new favorite TikTok account (@rockabuyrecords) and its protagonist (Dean) who is Falls’s new hero. Falls also shares his first take on Dwight Yoakam’s new album Brighter Days. 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-a-Buy Records on TikTok Rolling Stones article on Valley of Heart’s Delight Margo Cilker online Margo Cilker on Spotify Pohorylle (album) on Spotify Valley of Heart’s Delight on Spotify Forrest Vantuyl (Margo’s husband) online Forrest Vantuyl on Spotify Brighter Days by Dwight Yoakam on Spotify ”Keep on the Sunny Side” cover by Dwight Yoakam 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 The Cleverlys on Spotify Corner Boy on Spotify And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! - https://gomuskox.com/rambler Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 12m
  5. 12/06/2024

    Celebrating Bluegrass, Harmony and Family with the Bibelhauser Brothers

    Few musicians today stay as busy as Aaron Bibelhauser. Not only is he a prolific songwriter and one half of the twin brother-led bluegrass band called The Bibelhauser Brothers, but he hosts a notable bluegrass music radio show, collaborates with several other artists on albums and singles and leads a community jam session periodically in his home city of Louisville. The only mystery about Aaron is when does he sleep? Aaron and his twin Adam, who splits vocals with his brother, plays bass, contributes to the writing and production of songs, and naturally offers beautiful blood harmony to the group, joined Roots Music Rambler this week to talk about the group’s new singles, a potential new album, collaborations and more. We discussed their journey to be musicians, and their history with a previous band called Relic as well. While Adam has a day job and is a full-time dad, Aaron is busy writing, performing and producing. He’s penned songs for Del McCoury, Michael Cleveland, and the Louisville Shakespeare Festival, and produced a tribute album for Mickey Clark. He’s also the host of Bluegrass Evolution, a Sunday night bluegrass radio program on WFPK (91.9 FM) in Louisville.  Also on the show, Frank and Falls discuss Grammy snubs and take a listen to Stephen Wilson Jr.’s astonishing new cover of Ben E. King’s standard “Stand By Me,” which lit up the Live at the Print Shop video concert series recently.  Don’t forget you can now show your support 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: Stephen Wilson’s “Stand By Me” on Live at the Print Shop 2025 Grammy Nomination List Bibelhauser Brothers online Bibelhauser Brothers on Spotify “Walking on Water” (New Single) on Spotify “Sleep a Thousand Years” (featuring Dale Ann Bradley) on Spotify Bibelhauser Brothers Live (album) on Spotify Close Harmony (album) on Spotify Lovin’ and Leavin’: A Bluegrass Tribute to Mickey Clark (album) 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 Old 97s on Spotify Lucero on Spotify And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! - https://gomuskox.com/rambler Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 23m
  6. 11/22/2024

    Kindred Valley’s Appalachian roots and stories garnering quite a following

    When Blake Lacy, Noah Freeman and Brett McCoy met and discovered each other’s musical tastes, they did what college students do: They started a band. A few iterations of an expanded friend circles later and the trio evolved to a six-person offering called Kindred Valley.  The band came on the Roots Music Rambler radar opening for Brit Taylor (Episode 16) at The Burl in Lexington, Ky., in February of 2024. A few months later, they were headlining shows at The Burl and dotted music venues up and down the mid-atlantic and midwest.  Blake Lacy (songwriting, vocals) and Noah Freeman (songwriting, vocals, multiple instruments) sat in with Falls recently to talk about the band’s roots, how they came together, the explosive growth of the group’s success in 2024 and a lot more. The band even survived the attrition of one member who decided life on the road wasn’t in the cards. Kindred Valley’s music is often categorized as folk rock. We’ve likened them to a folksier version of Fleetwood Mac, largely because of the diverse roster of musical talent throughout the group and the harmonies and sometimes lead vocals of Rachael Hayes, the lone female member of the band.  The group has a new EP out called What Was Left to go along with their self-titled debut album released last year.  Frank and Falls also rank the top live performances they’ve seen in 2024 and issue a call to action for you to contribute your favorite performances, albums and songs for the year as we wind down toward the end of the year. And, as usual, they share their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ picks of the week. Don’t forget you can now show your support 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: Kindred Valley online Johnny Staats (mandoline player) on Wikipedia What Was Left (EP) on Spotify Kindred Valley (LP) on Spotify Kindred Valley on Instagram 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 Oliver Sayani New Order And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! - https://gomuskox.com/rambler Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 24m
  7. 11/08/2024

    Bluegrass mainstay Dave Adkins talks new album, band geeks and more

    Dave Adkins has already had a fantastic career as a bluegrass artist. He was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America in 2022, which was the second time he earned that nod. He’s also been nominated for awards like the International Bluegrass Association Emerging Artist of the Year and Inspirational Bluegrass Artist of the Year.  In 2020, Adkins contributed lead vocals to two tracks on a Grammy Nominated Best Roots Gospel Album in 2020. His catalog of songs written and performed have earned countless No. 1 and top 10 hits on various charts.  And he’s still at it.  Adkins joined Roots Music Rambler to talk about his latest album What I’m For, his days as a band geek growing up in Eastern Kentucky, and his time as a radio disc jockey, coincidentally at the same radio station co-host Jason Falls started his broadcasting career with.  Frank and Falls also talk about Falls’s recent experience seeing Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp, and Frank’s encounter with Adeem the Artist and others at the Evanston Folk Festival. And, as usual, they share their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ picks of the week. Don’t forget you can now show your support 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: Jason’s Willie Nelson pics on Instagram The Bottle Rockets Indianapolis on Spotify John Mellencamp’s MTV Pink Houses Promo Dave Adkins online Dave Adkins on Spotify What I’m For by Dave Adkins on Spotify Larry & Cheryl Webster episode of RMR Evanston Folk Festival  Frank’s pics and videos from The Evanston Folk Festival 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 Ben Chapman Jon Muq And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! - https://gomuskox.com/rambler Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 2m
  8. George Ducas returns with Pete Anderson-produced Long Way From Home

    10/25/2024

    George Ducas returns with Pete Anderson-produced Long Way From Home

    George Ducas is back with a new album, but a decidedly elevated sound thanks to him luring legendary Bakersfield sound producer Pete Anderson back to the country studio. He sat in with Roots Music Rambler this week to talk to Frank and Falls about the new album, the day-to-day of being a Nashville songwriter and a lot more. Ducas even made a public promise to try and get Anderson to come on the show! (We’re giddy over this!) As if that weren’t enough, Ducas also played the first song he ever wrote (at age 11) during the recording, which was more than a treat, and just the second “live” performance during a recording of Roots Music Rambler.  Ducas’s new album is called Long Way From Home and Anderson, long-time producer and guitarist for Dwight Yoakam, is very high on the album and his return to producing in the country genre.  This was one of our most fun conversations. Ducas really is a great guy and brilliant songwriter. You’re going to enjoy this episode. The hosts also offer up their picks for new music for you to discover this week in the Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment of the show. Don’t forget you can now show your support 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: Jason’s picture of the autograph find from The Gorge Jason’s pics and vids from The Gorge show Jason and Shane Gillis George Ducas online George Ducas on Spotify Long Way from Home on Spotify Pete Anderson online Ducas’s 1994 Top 10 hit “Lipstick Promises” The Vandoliers on Spotify Frank’s picture with the Drive by Truckers at the Vandoliers show 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 Kaitlin Butts on Spotify Cassandra Lewis on Spotify And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! - https://gomuskox.com/rambler Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 31m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 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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