Roots, Rednecks, and Radicals is a podcast covering the world of alternative and independent music. Whether it’s alt-country, indie rock, or something in between I bring you the best in what’s happening and what’s been. Featuring interviews with artists, in-depth music reviews and analysis, I keep you current on what’s happening in music.
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Sep 28, 2026 · 34:52
What happens when you discover a hidden 1960s love poem written by Johnny Cash? You put it to music. In this episode, we sit down with veteran drummer and songwriter Alex Orbison…
Sep 25, 2026 · 14:36
Orville Peck has a new album out called Mule and it's really great. The sounds are sparse and contemplative. The songwriting ventures into territory he rarely explores. It has a…
Sep 23, 2026 · 16:38
I really love this album. The songwriting is amazing. The production is out of control. It's just an amazing record. This week we take a look at Lost Weekend by Phoebe Bridgers.
Sep 14, 2026 · 11:50
I was asked recently to do a concert review for the Japanese Punk Band Shonen Knife. They got their start back in 1981 and have been playing their Ramones infused punk rock for…
Sep 7, 2026 · 9:38
Aaron Lee Tasjan is an artist I have a great deal of respect for. His songwriting is inspired by artists like his mentor Todd Snider. It's a great blend of folk, country and rock…
Aug 31, 2026 · 18:05
Nathan Evans Fox is an artist I've really been enjoying recently. He has a great songwriting approach, and his lyrics are exploring areas often looked over by other writers. I…
Aug 28, 2026 · 15:52
Dolly was an absolute icon. Her music career spanned decades and she left us with a wealth of songs she wrote and will always be remembered for. Her legacy is bigger than just…
Aug 24, 2026 · 12:39
I have five songs lined up for you that I'm really diggin' this month. We have everything from indie to bluegrass on this episode. As always, there is so much great music out…
Aug 21, 2026 · 7:53
Brandi Carlile recently performed at the Newport Folk Festival. During her performance she unleashed a wild and powerful version of the song Uninvited by Alanis Morissette. It…
May 14, 2026 · 6:38
Kacey Musgraves has always had a sense for social activism. Recently when she learned the story of brothers who were detained by ICE and also were Mariachi musicians she reached…
May 11, 2026 · 13:00
Here's 5 more songs I think you'd enjoy that are out this month. Some of the best tracks I've been listening to. Lucy Liyou, Snail Mail, Kacey Musgraves, Deer Tick, and Shooter…
May 5, 2026 · 11:22
Wanted! The Outlaws gave us a template for what Outlaw Country music should sound like. And it came out in an era of country music that gave us a ton of classic albums. It…
Apr 28, 2026 · 13:06
Lot's of good tunes out in the world right now. These are the songs I'm enjoying. Charley Crockett, Mitski, Iron & Wine, Ratboys, and India Ramey all have incredible music out…
Apr 26, 2026 · 8:44
Apr 20, 2026 · 11:31
The bluegrass revival of the early 2000s has it's roots in music that was bubbling just under the surface years before. In the 90s there were artists laying the groundwork for…
Apr 15, 2026 · 10:27
Sturgill Simpson is one of my favorite artists of all time. He just does things the way he wants to do them. He's made Outlaw Country, Bluegrass, and Rock records. And now he's…
Apr 9, 2026 · 10:02
I've been such a big fan of Charley Crockett for a long time now and I'm stoked to see him reach new levels in his career. He's super creative, and just a brilliant songwriter.…
Mar 30, 2026 · 20:50
Charlie Parr is a roots musician from Minnesota that has been making music for decades. Over the years he's really created his own style that is based in the American folk and…
Mar 28, 2026 · 16:22
My hometown is getting a treat. Charlie Parr and The Lowest Pair are coming through to play a show. I had a chance to talk with this dynamic folk duo about their music, and their…
Mar 23, 2026 · 12:38
I have five more songs for you lined up this month. As always I like to bring you what's good in the world of new music and I have a great line-up for ya! This month we're…
Mar 19, 2026 · 4:43
Colter Wall announced on his Instagram recently he's taking a mental health break from music for the time being. There are few details surrounding this decision. But it's clear…
Mar 16, 2026 · 18:52
John Henry is an American folk hero. His mythology goes back to the 1800s and no one is quite sure what part of his story is real, or legend. Nevertheless his story lives on…
Mar 9, 2026 · 19:32
For some reason Country Music has become a space for people who want to run a grift and make a quick buck, and Kid Rock is one of the worst. He doesn't really make "country"…
Mar 3, 2026 · 15:51
Steve Earle is one of America's greatest living songwriters. His career spans decades, and he is widely respected as an incredible artist by so many musicians. His first album…
Mar 1, 2026 · 15:35
The Carolina Chocolate Drops (Rhiannon Giddens, Dom Flemons, and Justin Robinson) put out their album Genuine Negro Jig over 10 years ago. And it is still amazing. I wanted to…
Feb 17, 2026 · 11:50
Bob Weir passed away just over a month ago. He was a giant in the world of American roots music. A founding member of the Grateful Dead, after Jerry Garcia's death he went on the…
Feb 10, 2026 · 16:35
I've got 5 more songs for you that I'm diggin' this month! Lucinda Williams, Mitski, Ecca Vandal, Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) all have new music…
Feb 3, 2026 · 24:07
This is the first episode in a series I plan on doing on protest music. Decades ago Woody Guthrie wrote a song that told the story of Tom Joad from Grapes of Wrath. After that…
Jan 29, 2026 · 10:56
Lots of good music to go over with you this month. As always I try and keep you up to date on what's happening in the world of Indie/Alternative music. And I have some fun ones…
Jan 26, 2026 · 24:32
Justin Townes Earle passed away nearly six years ago. His death came as a shock to the roots music community. The son of Steve Earle was a bright shining star in the world of…
Jan 23, 2026 · 11:47
These two folk artists have made an incredible piece of art. It came out at the end of last year, and it's been on repeat in my headphones for awhile now. I've always loved to…
Jan 5, 2026 · 11:04
MJ Lenderman and Waxahatchie (Katie Crutchfiled) have both had an amazing last few years. They've worked with each other, and played in either Wednesday or Snocaps, both bands…
Jan 1, 2026 · 25:50
I feel like this year gave us some incredible music from a variety of artists. I wanted to share with you some of the bands and songwriters that were on repeat for me this year.…
Dec 22, 2025 · 23:29
I have loved this movie since I was a little kid. It's campy, and honestly kinda bad but in the best way possible. The songs are fun, the puppets are bad, but the nostalgia lives…
Dec 21, 2025 · 7:25
Rob Reiner was an incredible director and genuinely hilarious. He passed away this week under really tragic circumstances. But the art he left us with will live on. This Is…
Dec 15, 2025 · 12:41
I have been a fan of Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell for over a decade now. Like many others I was surprised to hear about their divorce. And it's never easy to deal with…
Dec 11, 2025 · 7:29
I've been a big fan of Billy Strings for quite a while now. I've also always loved NPR's Tiny Desk Concert, and I was stoked to see that Billy was on the show. Join me for a…
Dec 8, 2025 · 10:15
Silvana Estrada is a Mexican folk musician with an incredible voice. I saw a video of her playing NPR's Tiny Desk Concert and it blew me away. This album is full of intimate and…
Dec 1, 2025 · 14:00
Brandi Carlile has been one of my favorite singers for some time now. Her voice is genuine and honest. I was a bit disappointed in her last couple of releases, and I was excited…
Nov 24, 2025 · 18:39
I have another playlist for you! This one focuses on modern alt-country that has been making waves. In this episode we listen to Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Brandi Carlile, Jeff…
Nov 20, 2025 · 38:32
Todd Snider was an open and free artist. He lived his life as a troubadour, a vagabond, and a real creative soul. It's impossible list all of the people he influenced with his…
Nov 19, 2025 · 16:47
I thought it would be fun to make a few playlists and share them with y'all! You can find it on Spotify, and it has a ton of new great music that I'm sure you're gonna dig. Today…
Nov 10, 2025 · 27:43
Nov 3, 2025 · 39:48
I met Max Gomez at a show he played in my hometown. It was a solo acoustic show, and I was really blown away by his songs. They have a casual, and intimate feel. I knew I wanted…
Oct 27, 2025 · 48:48
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass Moca) is starting a record label aimed at developing artists, focusing on creativity, and giving exposure to musicians who are…
Oct 20, 2025 · 25:14
Man, I just love the Fall. The weather is changing. It's getting chilly outside. And best of all Halloween is on the way! I put together a playlist of music I think you'll dig if…
Oct 13, 2025 · 26:18
In 2020 Amanda Shires released a song about the topic of abortion and women's reproductive rights. I had the chance to interview her about this song and it was such a great…
Oct 6, 2025 · 34:03
The West Texas Exiles are a Texas based band that are making incredible music. They have a new album out, and on today's episode we talked about all kinds of things. The…
Oct 1, 2025 · 30:54
There is a new documentary out now on the history of Lilith Fair. It is really good! It touched on so many topics that are relevant to the music industry today. The artists in…
Sep 29, 2025 · 18:00
Lots of great music out there and I'm here to bring you the best of it. This week we take a look at five songs that have come out recently that you should be checking out! Jeff…
Sep 23, 2025 · 30:46
Rancid released their album ...And Out Come The Wolves 30 years ago this year. It's the record that introduced me to the band and inspired the name of this podcast! This week I…
Sep 18, 2025 · 31:34
Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger came out in 1975. It was a watershed album for him. He also made a movie by the same name and the set for that movie hosts his yearly music…
Sep 9, 2025 · 23:06
AI seems to be the thing of the moment. Generative models are creating everything from pictures and movies to full songs. But is it any good? Turns out, not really. I tried my…
Aug 25, 2025 · 17:25
It's been a while since I've done one of these episodes and in my opinion it's been far too long! There is always a ton of great music out there and sometimes it's hard to keep…
Aug 18, 2025 · 16:01
Kai Crowe-Getty is a songwriter from rural Virginia. The themes he weaves into his music explore the geography and culture of the rural south. It's mindful and introspective.…
Aug 13, 2025 · 42:29
I've been following Tyler Childers for quite a while now. He's always been an impressive songwriter to me, telling stories of his native Appalachia with his own twists and turns.…
Aug 11, 2025 · 36:21
I first came across Nathan Evans Fox on his TikTok account. He's from rural North Carolina and he has a fresh perspective on what it means to be from the south, and rural…
Aug 4, 2025 · 40:48
Tami Neilson has a new record out called "Neon Cowgirl" and it is a powerhouse of a record. The songwriting is great. It sounds incredible. And she collaborates with incredible…
Jul 30, 2025 · 17:22
Ozzy passed away last week. He was a massively influential artists who is credited with laying the foundations of what became the genre of metal. I wanted to do an episode taking…
Jul 28, 2025 · 15:23
Amanda Shires has been pretty quiet over the last year or so after her divorce with Jason Isbell. She has a new album coming out soon and this is the first track off that new…
Jul 23, 2025 · 14:21
I have been a fan of Margo Price for years now. Her first album "Midwest Farmer's Daughter" was an incredible country album. On top of being a noteworthy songwriter, she lends…
Jul 14, 2025 · 41:52
Over the last couple of years Worm Shot has been consistently gathering a fan base in Northern Nevada. They are a part of a growing scene largely based out of Reno that includes…
Jul 7, 2025 · 9:48
Laufey is a relatively new artist who is making really cool music. She has two new tracks out and this one really caught my attention. It has lots of different elements that I…
Jun 30, 2025 · 43:20
Turnstile is a Baltimore based hardcore punk band that has been around for over a decade. Their new album takes an experimental look at new styles for the band, incorporating…
Jun 23, 2025 · 41:29
This is the last of my series "The Girlies Are Taking Over!" and I wanted to share some new artists with you I haven't talked about on the show. There are so many great female…
Jun 17, 2025 · 33:10
Morgan Geer who goes by the name Drunken Prayer has a new album out on Dial Back Sound. The album sounds fantastic and explores some fascinating themes. Matt Patton who plays…
Jun 13, 2025 · 1:10:53
Mike Beck is a singer/songwriter and cowboy poet who has been making music for decades. He was a working cowboy for years in Nevada, and now spends his time sharing his stories…
May 12, 2025 · 41:41
Hey all! This is the latest episode in my series on how the Girlies are taking over different genres. We started with Americana, the Pop, and now Punk! I've been super impressed…
May 5, 2025 · 41:01
Hey all! Today is Cinco de Mayo and I wanted to republish this episode I did a number of years back. Hope you dig it! This is the first installment in a new series I'll be doing…
Apr 4, 2025 · 55:32
Melody Walker has been making a name for herself in Nashville over the last few years as a go-to songwriter. She first came on to my radar with her work with Molly Tuttle on her…
Mar 17, 2025 · 28:18
Over the last decade or so there has been a hollowing out of money for musicians in the music industry. Streaming services like Spotify have siphoned off record sales, and…
Mar 3, 2025 · 49:40
The last few years have been pretty wild when it comes to the influence of women in music. In the world of Pop, Taylor Swift led the way with her Eras Tour. But there were so…
Feb 24, 2025 · 26:00
Kendrick Lamar put on one of the greatest halftime performances I've ever seen. And as we wrap up Black History Month, I take a look at the symbolism and meaning in this…
Feb 17, 2025 · 30:29
TopHouse is a folk/roots music band from the great state of Montana! Well, they live in Nashville now but their roots in the beautiful state are very evident on this new record.…
Feb 10, 2025 · 40:41
It's Black History Month and I wanted to bring you some of the best shows I've done about contributions to roots music from Black musicians. I did this interview last year with…
Feb 3, 2025 · 48:46
It's Black History Month and this month we'll be taking a look at contributions to roots music by Black musicians. I spoke with Dom Flemons a few years ago at the Father's Day…
Jan 27, 2025 · 24:35
The history and culture of the West is alive and well. There has been a resurgence over the last few decades of artists throughout the West celebrating Cowboy Culture. It is much…
Jan 26, 2025 · 5:34
I had an idea last week that I'd really like to use this podcast to connect with people on a human level. So I made a video and put it on my social media. I told all the people…
Jan 20, 2025 · 28:06
What goes into the making of a folk hero? There has been a lot of discussion about the killing of a United Healthcare CEO and Luigi Mangione. There is a history of making figures…
Jan 13, 2025 · 27:39
Last week we took a look at modern Americana/Roots artists who are changing the game. The list was too long to fit them into one episode! So this week we're taking a look at…
Jan 6, 2025 · 21:48
I've been noticing a trend over the last few years, women in music are absolutely killing it! I wanted to do a breakdown of the women I see making incredible music and changing…
Jan 2, 2025 · 7:13
The new biopic of Bob Dylan is out and people are once again talking about him. However I wonder, does he get more credit than he really deserves? With so many other incredible…
Dec 30, 2024 · 33:07
There has been so much good music this year. Beyonce, Waxahatchee, Sierra Ferrell. So many great artists put out records. So join me for a breakdown of the best music of this…
Dec 24, 2024 · 23:29
Emmitt Otter's Jugband Christmas is a certified banger of a Christmas movie. I've been watching this since I was a kid, it's one of my favorite movies to watch in the Christmas…
Dec 17, 2024 · 14:31
Dolly Parton has had a one-of-a-kind career. She recently put out a record that explores her families vast musical legacy on this release. It's an incredible look into her family…
Nov 20, 2024 · 26:41
This is part two of my series on Tom Petty's Wildflowers. The album turns 30 this year and it is every bit as relevant today as when it came out. Just a absolute classic record.…
Nov 12, 2024 · 33:48
30 years ago I fell in love with the album Wildflowers by Tom Petty. It is an album with so many layers. It hits on a ton of different styles and genres, has great lyricism, and…
Oct 29, 2024 · 26:16
This is a rebroadcast of an interview I did with Amanda Shires about her song "The Problem." I spoke with her about it when the song came out, and as we approach the 2024…
Oct 25, 2024 · 49:41
Karrina Ferris is the current Miss Nevada and she'll be competing in the Miss USA competition at the beginning of next year. She was student of mine a few years ago, and I had…
Oct 23, 2024 · 1:01:46
Abigail Austin Lucas is a songwriter who has been in the game for over twenty years now. She's toured with acts like Chuck Ragan, Ben Nichols (Lucero) and Cory Branan. She has a…
Oct 20, 2024 · 23:24
Fall is in the air, it's my favorite time of the year! I love Halloween and all the music that comes with it. In this episode we take a look at five of my favorite Halloween…
Oct 11, 2024 · 16:01
What can you see about this legendary artist that hasn't already been said? Booker T and the MGs recorded Green Onions in the early 1960s, and his career after that is absolutely…
Oct 5, 2024 · 31:42
The legendary artists Kris Kristofferson passed away last weekend. He was an incredible songwriter, a dear friend of Johnny Cash, and member of the Highwaymen. He wrote so many…
Aug 31, 2024 · 33:06
Welcome to Roots Rednecks and Radicals, where we dive deep into the stories behind the music you love. I'm your host, Will Houk, and today we have an incredibly special guest who…
Aug 23, 2024 · 37:35
In this episode of Roots, Rednecks, and Radicals, we're diving into the captivating world of Fruition, a band that masterfully blends folk, Americana, and bluegrass into a unique…
Aug 16, 2024 · 28:25
In this episode of Roots Rednecks and Radicals we sit down with the evocative and soulful artist Tom Vandenavond, whose music captures the heart and spirit of classic Americana.…
Aug 12, 2024 · 19:14
Welcome to today’s episode of Roots Rednecks and Radicals, where we dive deep into the heart of honky tonk with none other than country singer-songwriter Jesse Daniel. In this…
Jul 26, 2024 · 19:39
Jamie Lin Wilson is a songwriter who has deep roots in the songwriting tradition of Texas. So many incredible songwriters have roots there and her music reflects the best of…
Jul 17, 2024 · 1:08:23
Join us for an exclusive interview with the Lost Dog Street Band, where we delve into the heart and soul of their music journey. Discover the stories behind their soulful…
Jul 4, 2024 · 30:36
America is one of the greatest ideas the world has ever had. Founded on incredible values. However, our history is much more complicated than many people would like to admit. In…
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