WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour

Michael Johnathon
New – Sunday 10-11pm

The WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour is a live-audience, internationally syndicated radio show, broadcast on over 491 radio stations, XM Satellite Radio, Internet streaming, MP3 and MP4, podcasting and now on PBS-TV stations nationwide.

WoodSongs can be heard on 99.9 Voice FM on Sunday evenings from 10-11pm

Show #668 – Sunday 22nd July 2012

Featuring: Celebration of the Ukulele featuring:  Victoria Vox, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer, and The Love Leighs
VICTORIA VOX and her ukulele return to the WoodSongs Stage with a brand new CD. Known as a pioneer for singer/songwriters in the growing ukulele genre, Victoria Vox has been writing and performing songs across the country in her eclectic, upbeat and clever way. Refreshingly modern and innovative, the award-winning vocalist and songwriter lives in Baltimore, and tours 130+ shows a year. The new album, ‘Vox Ukulele Cello,’ features Katie Chambers on cello who will accompany Victoria on WoodSongs.
CATHY FINK & MARCY MARXER are a formidable powerhouse of sound, with a repertoire of traditional and contemporary folk, old-time country and swing music.  They’ve earned two Grammy Awards and have worked with the likes of Tom Paxton, Si Kahn, Riders in the Sky, Pete Seeger, Brave Combo, Mariachi Los Camperos, Mike Seeger, Patsy Montana, Pete Kennedy and Ysaye Barnwel. “ROCKIN THE UKE” is the very first Uke-centric CD and explores their versatility on the ukulele as they travel through blues, swing, old time county, folk and original songs – all in virtuoso style.
THE LOVE LEIGHS hail from Austin, TX and combines ukuleles, guitar, a dash of clarinet; lots of harmonies, some twang, and more than a little sass.  The band creates original songs in the tradition of 20th Century American acoustic music–a mix of jazz, blues, twang, and the occasional funky tune or Motown groove. Their latest Is ‘All Your Talk of Love.”

Show #667 – Sunday 15th July 2012

Featuring: Lurrie Bell & Lisa Biales
LURRIE BELL is a legend of the Chicago blues scene.
Born in 1958, the son of famed blues harmonica player Carey Bell, Lurrie picked up his father’s guitar at age of five and taught himself to play.In addition, he grew up with many of the Chicago blues legends around him. Eddie Taylor, Big Walter Horton, Eddie C. Campbell, Eddie Clearwater, Lovie Lee, Sunnyland Slim, Jimmy Dawkins and many more were frequent visitors to his house. They all helped to shape and school him in the blues, but none as much as his father’s long-time employer Muddy Waters. By seventeen Lurrie Bell was playing on stage with Willie Dixon and soon formed The Sons of Blues band and toured with Koko Taylor. ‘The Devil Ain’t Got No Music,’ is Lurrie’s latest. It’s a collection of acoustic blues and gospel songs that recollect the music he often played with his dad and at church in Mississippi and Alabama as a child.
LISA BIALES is a soulful songstress, performer, and recording artist who weaves a tapestry of Americana, jazz and blues inspired folk. A native of Ohio, Lisa grew up in a musical family and began her career as a performing songwriter at the age of thirteen. Lisa has independently released six albums of music under her own Big Song Music label including her latest ‘Just Like Honey’ which was produced by WoodSongs alum EG Kight. Lisa also makes her film debut this year in Academy Award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola’s new film,Twixt.

….sorry – we’ve been busy and missed putting up information about the Woodsongs programs…

Show #655 – Sunday 29th April 2012

Featuring: The Dirt Daubers & The Holy Ghost Tent Revival
HOLY GHOST TENT REVIVAL cannot be pigeonholed into any popular genre. Melding brass with banjo, guitar, bass and drums, this five-piece ensemble boasts an eclectic mesh of instruments and styles — a musical alchemy all their own as they travel the country spreading the magic of their heart-throbbing, foot-stomping, good-time music.
THE DIRT DAUBERS hail from Paducah, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee. This trio has traveled the world, singing loud-and-proud an eclectic mix of Appalachian, ragtime and hot jazz standards and original music. From cowboy songs to bluegrass, Harlem jazz to honky tonk, the Daubers tackle it all with vim, verve and vigor. The Dirt Daubers have gained the encouragement and/or approval of such varied stars as Les Claypool, Charlie Louvin, and Jello Biafra. Their new album is Wake Up Sinners.

Show #653 – Sunday 7th April 2012

Featuring: Janie Fricke with the Roys & Matt Flinner Trio
JANIE FRICKE with THE ROYS: Country star Janie has gone from Indiana farm girl to internationally acclaimed recording artist. Fricke dominated the country charts with smash hits such as He’s a Heartache, Don’t Worry ‘ Bout Me Baby, and You’re Heart’s Not In It. She won the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and she was chosen to the Country Music Hall of Fame Walkway of Stars, nominated for a Grammy Award. Janie has released 23 albums and 36 hit singles. Now, she has moved into bluegrass territory, rearranging some of her best-known music on the album ‘Country Side of Bluegrass.’ She’ll perform on the show with WoodSongs alum and good friends The Roys.
MATT FLINNER is widely considered one of the hottest and most creative mandolin players on the acoustic scene. Starting out as a banjo prodigy who was playing bluegrass festivals before he entered his teens, Flinner later took up the mandolin, won the National Banjo Competition in Winfield, KS in 1990, and won the mandolin award there the following year.
He has toured and recorded with a wide variety of bluegrass, new acoustic, classical and jazz artists, including Tim O’Brien, Frank Vignola, Steve Martin, Darrell Scott, the Modern Mandolin Quartet, Leftover Salmon, Alison Brown, The Ying Quartet, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra.

Show #652 – Sunday 1st April 2012

Featuring: Judy Collins
JUDY COLLINS has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes.
She has a brand new CD called “Bohemian” and a brand new book “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes: My Life in Music.”
Her impressive career has spanned more than 40 years.
At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart’s “Concerto for Two Pianos” but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy Collins’ love of lyrics.
In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22.
Her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” on her classic 1967 album, Wildflowers. “Both Sides Now” has since been entered into the Grammy’s Hall of Fame. Winning “Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy’s Awards show was Judy’s version of “Send in the Clowns.”
Judy’s book, “Sanity and Grace, A Journey of Suicide, Survival and Strength” is a deeply moving memoir, focusing on the death of her only son and the healing process following the tragedy. The book speaks to all who have endured the sorrow of losing a loved one before their time. In a recent appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America, Judy performed “Wings of Angels,” the heartbreaking ballad that she wrote about the loss of her son. The song is currently available on Judy Collins Wildflower Festival CD and DVD, which also feature guest artists Arlo Guthrie, Tom Rush and Eric Andersen.
Judy Collins continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart and WoodSonmgs is proud for her special event return to our show.

Show #651 – Sunday 25th March 2012

Featuring: Imelda May and April Verch
IMELDA MAY, born in Dublin, Ireland and raised in the Liberties, may be an unknown name to some, but to many she is already a superstar. She is unmistakable both in her music (a fusion of surf guitars, blues and rockabilly that wouldn’t be out of place in a David Lynch film) and her style, with a solitary curl and shock of blonde in her jet black hair. In Ireland, her debut album ‘Love Tattoo’, which she recorded and released on her own label, has gone Triple Platinum. She has shared a stage with Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Van Morrison, Lionel Richie, Wanda Jackson, and Meatloaf.
APRIL VERCH is a dynamic award winning Canadian fiddler, singer and stepdancer. With her band, she plays a traditional and original repertoire that is deeply rooted in the style she grew up with in the Ottawa Valley region of Ontario. She became the first women in history to win both of Canada’s most prestigious fiddle championships, The Gran Masters and Canadian Open; and when Canada hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, she was asked to represent her country’s music at the opening ceremonies. Her latest album ‘That’s How We Run’ is her eighth release and explores Appalachian mountain music with her Northern roots.

Show #650 – Sunday 18th March 2012

Featuring: Ruthie Foster & Marquise Knox
RUTHIE FOSTER can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and making her one of the most dynamic voices that has ever graced the WoodSongs stage. Foster was catapulted to the forefront of the blues/roots world on the strength of her 2009 Grammy-nominated record, ‘The Truth According To Ruthie Foster,’ and her relentless touring. She then won seemingly contradictory Blues Music Association awards for both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years. Her latest record ‘Let It Burn’ was recorded in New Orleans and features Blind Boys of Alabama, soul legend William Bell, and songs by Adele, Black Keys, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash, The Band, Pete Seeger, Crosby, Stills & Nash and more.
MARQUISE KNOX asks on his new record “Can a young man play the blues?” This 21 year old St. Louis native hails from a musical family deeply entrenched in the blues. He learned how to play guitar from his grandmother whose family were sharecroppers and whose great, great grandparents were slaves. He spent his early teenage years in St. Louis mentoring under the late great Blues legend Henry James Townsend.  Marquise’s talents have earned him performing rights with some of America’s most notable blues performers such as blues legend B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins and David “Honeyboy” Edwards. He won a Living Blues Award for Best Debut and takes another big step forward with the release of his new CD.

Show #649F Sunday 11th March 2012

Celebration of John Jacob Niles
JOHN JACOB NILES is considered one of our nation’s most influential musicians. This Kentucky native is called the “Dean of American Balladeers” and Niles’s dedication to the folk music tradition lives on in generations of folk revival artists such as Bob Dylan, Jean Ritchie, Joan Baez, and Oscar Brand. At the age of sixteen Niles wrote one of his most enduring tunes, “Go ‘Way from My Window,” basing it on a song fragment from a black farm worker. This iconic song has been performed by folk artists ever since and may even have inspired the opening line of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe.” As a composer and balladeer, Niles drew inspiration from the deep well of traditional Appalachian and African American folk songs.
The show will feature Dr. RON PEN, associate professor of music and director of the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music and the Appalachian Studies Program, who just published the first full-length biography of Niles called I Wonder as I Wander: The Life of John Jacob Niles.
Other artists performing on the show include: The Reel World String Band, The Niles String Quartet, Carla Gover, Dennis Bender & vocalist Monica Dewey.

Show #649 – Sunday 26th February 2012

Featuring: Billy Burnette & Lydia Loveless
BILLY BURNETTE is a songwriter for superstars, acclaimed sideman, member of Fleetwood Mac and enjoying a resurgence of success for his own solo career. Born in Memphis, Billy was recently inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He has penned hit songs for everyone from Ray Charles, Cher, Roy Orbison to Alan Jackson and Faith Hill. He’s also known as an acclaimed guitarist touring with Bob Dylan John Fogerty among others, as well a member of Fleetwood Mac. His recent release of ‘Rock & Roll With It’ is his 1st studio album in a decade.
LYDIA LOVELESS is blessed with a commanding, strong voice. The 21-year-old Lydia Loveless was raised on a family farm in the small rural town of Coshocton, Ohio. Her dad owned a country music bar and she often woke up with a house full of touring musicians scattered on couches and floors. When she got older, in the time-honored traditions of teenage rebellion, she moved to the big city (Columbus, OH) and immersed herself in the punk scene. These two worlds now collide on her debut CD on Bloodshot Records ‘Indestructible Machine.’ The album combines Lydia’s country roots with punk rock candor — sometimes within the same song.

Show #647 – Sunday 29th January 2012

Featuring: The Little Willies featuring Norah Jones
THE LITTLE WILLIES are group of friends and like-minded souls—Norah Jones, Richard Julian, Lee Alexander , Jim Campilongo and Dan Rieser that have gathered to make music for fun, playing their favorite country tunes and conjuring that down-home spirit. With their release of their second album, ‘For the Good Times,’ The Little Willies take on songs by such masters as Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton. The results demonstrate the joy they take, and commitment they make, to a project that was first born for purely practical reasons. The Little Willies will be the sole artist on this Special Event Broadcast of WoodSongs.

Show #646 – Sunday 22nd January 2012

Featuring: The McCrary Sisters & Danny Flowers
THE McCRARY SISTERS are the daughters of the late Rev. Samuel McCrary, who was one of the original members of the legendary gospel quartet, The Fairfield Four. Ann, Deborah, Regina, and Alfreda were raised in harmony, singing at home and at their father’s church. The McCrary’s home was filled with music, whether it was the Fairfield Four or frequent guests that included a pantheon of gospel greats, including Shirley Caesar and James Cleveland.
Collectively the sisters have performed or recorded with Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Stevie Wonder, Ray Stevens, and others. The sister’s new CD “Our Journey,” include stunning covers of Dylan’s “Blowing In The Wind” and Julie Miller’s “Broken Pieces” as well as six McCrary Sister originals (including one co-written by Regina and Bob Dylan.
DANNY FLOWERS is the awe-inspiring guitar guru, soulful singer and hit songwriter. His hits included “Tulsa Time” for Don Williams and Eric Clapton; “Back In My Younger Days” for Don Williams; “Gulf Coast Highway” for Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, and Nanci Griffith (co-written with Griffith and James Hooker); and “Before Believing” from Harris’ Pieces of the Sky. In addition he has been a session musician for Williams, Griffith, Vince Gill, Marshall Chapman, and Dobie Gray. Flowers has also enjoyed a solo recording career including the 2007 album, Tools For The Soul.

Show #645  – Sunday 15th January 2012

Masters of the Guitar featuring Muriel Anderson, Jack Pearson & Vicki Genfan
MURIEL ANDERSON is widely respected as one of the world’s foremost fingerstyle guitarists and harp-guitarists. Muriel is the first woman to have won the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship.  She is host of the renowned Muriel Anderson’s All Star Guitar Night and founder of the Music for Life Alliance charity. Her music can be heard in Woody Allen’s film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”
JACK PEARSON is a former guitarist with The Allman Brothers Band and has been playing professionally since the age of 15. Although best known as a blues & jazz guitarist, he’s also a singer, songwriter & producer. Jack has worked live or in the studio with a long list of artists ncluding Vince Gill, Jimmy Buffett, Earl Scruggs, Chris LeDoux, Delbert McClinton, Bobby “Blue” Bland, and Chuck Leavell to name a few.
VICKI GENFAN is a virtuoso guitarist, singer and composer. Guitar player magazine crowned her a new “Guitar Superstar” in 2008 Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music, Vicki is redefining ‘singer/songwriter culture.’ With a mastery of the acoustic guitar that borders on pure alchemy, audiences are mesmerized by the waves of sound Vicki creates with just two hands and her voice. Using 29 alternate tunings and the percussive technique she calls ‘slap-tap’, you’ll find the addition of her pure, expressive vocals that dig deep and stir the heart to be the perfect accompaniment on many of her songs.

Show #644 – Sunday 8th January 2012

Featuring: Eric Brace & Peter Cooper and The Richter Uzur Duo
ERIC BRACE & PETER COOPER have a created a body of work that reflects their literate sensibilities as songwriters, a love of harmony and wry humor, and their deep respect for the masters they’re lucky enough to play with. When Brace and Cooper play together, it’s something special. The pair’s last album, ‘Master Sessions,’ is a tour de force that made its way onto numerous critics’ Best of 2010 lists.Their most recent project, ‘I Love: Tom T. Hall’s Songs of Fox Hollow,’ was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. It’s a tribute to country music’s greatest storytelling songwriter and Kentucky native Tom T. Hall.
THE RICHTER UZUR DUO are each classical musicians of the highest caliber with successful international solo careers and intensive training from two of the world’s most lauded musical institutions: The Moscow Conservatory and The Royal College of Music respectively. Their musical interests and abilities, however, are far from limited to classical music. In their teens and twenties, while developing into classical virtuosi, they cut their teeth in rock bands and delved into folk and world music. The duo’s uniqueness is how they combine classical, rock and folk music and themes into truly original new compositions. The duo’s latest recording is ‘String Theory’ and it was named best new release by Classical Guitar Alive in 2010.

Show #643F – Encore Show Celebration of Appalachia & Mountain Music  – Sunday 1st January 2012

featuring Emmylou Harris, Darrell Scott, John & Patricia Adams, Nikky Finney with Sue Massek, & Madison Glover
About the artists:
People have been singing about the mountains for generations. In recent years, the voices singing them have taken on a special urgency with the advent of mountain top removal. The landscape of Appalachia is changing with the times – and so are the songs. In the spirit of this music WoodSongs will tape two broadcasts in one evening on Monday, March 14 at the historic Lexington Opera House featuring an array of artists singing the music of coal country and Appalachia. Michael Johnathon conceived of the broadcast theme after watching a public television broadcast of “Coal Country,” a film about the Appalachian mountains by the award winning team of Mari-Lynn Evans and Jordan Freeman
EMMYLOU HARRIS began her career singing with the legendary Gram Parson. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, her career has produced huge hits including “Two More Bottles of Wine,” and “To Know Him Is to Love Him” from her Grammy winning album with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, Trio.
DARRELL SCOTT is one of Kentucky’s most powerful songwriters. Scott has collaborated with Steve Earle, Sam Bush, Emmylou Harris, John Cowan, Verlon Thompson, Guy Clark, Tim O’Brien, Kate Rusby, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and many others. Darrell will perform his deeply moving mountain ballad, “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.”
JOHN ADAMS co-founded the Natural Resources Defense Council in Washington DC. In February 2011, Adams received the Presidential Medal of Freedom — our nation’s highest civilian honor — from President Obama, who referenced Rolling Stone Magazine’s description of Adams when announcing the award: “If the planet has a lawyer, it’s John Adams. In 2010, Adams and his wife Patricia co-authored “A Force for Nature,” a memoir recounting their forty years of battles and victories with NRDC. He has also served on governmental advisory committees, including President Clinton’s Council for Sustainable Development. Patricia Adams is a writer and teacher who has partnered with her husband for many years in environmental activism. They live in the Catskill mountains of NY in a rambling country house that is over 150 years old.
NIKKY FINNY is a writer and poet who will recite the James Still poem “Heritage” during the broadcast. She is the author of several books of poetry, most notably “Rice,” winner of the PEN America Open Book Award, and “The World is Round,” winner of the 2004 Benjamin Franklin Award for Poetry. Sue Massek from the Reel World String Band will play banjo behind Nikky’s recitation.
MADISON GLOVER is a delightful 10 years old singer from Morehead, KY and she will perform an a capella version of the Jean Ritchie mountain song “In The Cool of the Day.”