Roots Music Rambler

Welcome to Episode 6 of Roots Music Rambler! Join us – hosts Francesca Folinazzo, who Jason calls “Frank,” and Jason Falls, who goes by “Falls” most of the time, as we explore the real roots of the music we love. On this episode, singer-songwriter Nathan Graham’s debut album Saint of Second Chances is out and a breath of fresh air mixing Chicago blues, rock, pop, soul and more. He joined Frank & Falls to talk about his background, family, influences and the new tunes, as well as what he learned from his brief stint on The Voice in 2017. The Chicago native spent several years as a session musician and playing clubs with several bands before friends and family encouraged him to start singing as well. He also found others singing the songs he wrote didn’t quite satisfy his need to give birth to the song. Graham is also on a personal mission to break the stereotype of people of color seldom being labeled a “singer-songwriter” despite performing the same tasks in even the same genres. The three discuss the stereotypes, Graham’s parents and their impact on his music, and how Chicago impacted his art. The episode starts with Falls reacting to Jason Isbell’s recent criticism of Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond” and offered some pointed criticism of his own. And the Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment features everything from Native American artists to Tears for Fears. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Some other notes and links: Whiskey Riff’s article on Jason Isbell’s reaction to Oliver Anthony Roots Music Rambler’s email Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Tears for Fears studio video of Everybody Wants to Rule the World Blackbelt Eagle Scout Cornbread Country Club playlist 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! 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

Welcome to Episode 5 of Roots Music Rambler! Join us – hosts Francesca Folinazzo, who Jason calls “Frank,” and Jason Falls, who goes by “Falls” most of the time, as we explore the real roots of the music we love. On this episode, Frank & Falls are joined by Ella Salter and her backing band, The Sunday Sinners. Ella’s 2019 debut album “Beverly” saw its launch thwarted by COVID and the South Alabama singer had a sluggish start to a promising rise through the Americana and Country circuits. But she pulled together The Sunday Sinners once the world opened back up and the unit has been writing new songs since. They’re in the midst of an Indie Go Go campaign to raise the necessary funds to record a second studio album in early 2024 and are still working the roadhouses, bars and clubs throughout the South in preparation. Ella et. al., joined the podcast from their weekly rehearsal space – a furniture store – near Mobile, Ala., and talked about Ella’s Texas-Alabama roots, the hurdles she and the band have had to overcome, writing the new album and much more. Falls also shares his recent experience with and Edgar Allen Poe dramatic production on The Belle of Louisville and he and Francesca file their regular segment Pickin’ the Grinnin’ where they share the new artists, albums and songs that are making them smile this week. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Some other notes and links: The Belle of Louisville The Pale Blue Eye on IMDb Ella Salter & The Sunday Sinners “Beverly” on Spotify The Indie Go Go Campaign Wards - Fast food in Mississippi Elle’s Facebook Feed Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations 49 Winchester American Aquarium Colter Wall Margo Cilker David LaMotte David LaMotte’s “Northbound” And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! 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

Welcome to Episode 4 of Roots Music Rambler! Join us – hosts Francesca Folinazzo, who Jason calls “Frank,” and Jason Falls, who goes by “Falls” most of the time, as we explore the real roots of the music we love. On this episode, Francesca catches up with Jay Gonzalez of the Drive by Truckers. The multi-instrumentalist has a new side project coming out in December. He shares the story of finding and collaborating with lyricist Peter Smith to produce the new Gonzalez Smith album. The first single from the album, She’s My Girl, is out now. Frank also explores Jay’s roots as a musician growing up in upstate New York, moving to the South and blending with the Drive by Truckers. Frank & Falls also do a little check-in to see how the show is going so far, four episodes in. Francesca reveals she spent 20 years as a 9-1-1 dispatch operator. Jason muses on his next tattoo and hints that he’s working on an impersonation off Drive by Trucker co-founder Patterson Hood. Since we’re all new to Roots Music Rambler, the show includes three main parts: Francesca and Falls open the show talking about a topic of the day in the music industry. Our guest then comes in as we explore their roots – of music and life. Then Francesca and Falls finish off the show with our Pickin’ The Grinnin’ segment. That’s where both pick what music, artists, events and more make them grin this week. They share whom they’ll see live, what new artists they’ve discovered and more. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Some other notes and links: Happy Place Beer by Third Space Brewery Rosie’s in Bloomington, Illinois American Aquarium The Hu - Mongolian band Francesca mentioned Billy Joel’s Glass Houses - Gonzalez’s first album Shenorock, New York - Where Gonzalez grew up She’s My Girl - The first single from Gonzalez Smith’s new album The Manhattan Bar - Athens, Ga. Gary McFarland & Peter Smith’s 1971 album Butterscotch Rum on Spotify Waiting for the Fire by Marvelous Toy - Gonzalez’s Pickin’ the Grinnin’ The Henry Clay People - Gonzalez’s friend Jordan Hudock’s other band Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations Zack Bryan’s new album Sierra Ferrell 18 Wheels of Love - Video mentioned by Francesca Nathan Graham’s new single Right One Lovejoy’s new single Normal People Things Noah Kahan Cole Chaney Ella Webster (Cole Chaney’s fiddle player) Hillbilly Days - PIkeville, Kentucky’s spring festival And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! 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

Welcome to episode 3 of Roots Music Rambler! Join us – hosts Francesca Folinazzo, who Jason calls “Frank,” and Jason Falls, who goes by “Falls” most of the time, as we explore the real roots of the music we love. On this episode, we talk about Falls’s disappointment with a concert cancellation, the sweet Dolly Parton AirBnB he stayed in recently in Nashville, and the latest songs and artists piquing our interest. This show’s guest is self-proclaimed travel pop artist Mike Mentz whose journey from the Chicago suburbs to the world abroad has inspired two significant new projects that are framing roots music in a whole new light. We talk to him about his acapela group beginnings, singing on a cruise ship, then traveling the world with an inspired mission to let the place inspire his music. He’s recently launched an impressive video and record series based on several months visiting Mexico and has many more facets of the project on the horizon. Since we’re all new to Roots Music Rambler, the show includes three main parts: Francesca and Falls open the show talking about a topic of the day in the music industry. Our guest then comes in as we explore their roots – of music and life. Then Francesca and Falls finish off the show with our Pickin’ The Grinnin’ segment. That’s where both pick what music, artists, events and more make them grin this week. They share whom they’ll see live, what new artists they’ve discovered and more. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Some other notes and links: Dolly’s Music Row Oasis (where Jason filmed the episode) The Dollyhouse family of AirBnB Nashville rentals Vibing Victorian (the Bloomington, Illinois AirBnB Francesca & Tom rented) Francesca's pics from the AirBnB on Roots Music Rambler's Facebook page Jason’s Instagram and TikTok accounts Roots Music Rambler Instagram Austin Lucas’s website (future guest) Mike Mentz’s website Mike Mentz’s album Souvenir Mike’s Patreon (support and get access to the cool stories, videos, etc.) John Haywood’s website And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the second episode off Roots Music Rambler! Join us – hosts Francesca Folinazzo, who Jason calls "Frank," and Jason Falls, who goes by "Falls" most of the time, as we explore the real roots of the music we love. On this episode, we talk about Tyler Childers' new album, the first song that took Francesca's breath away, and she talks Falls out of pulling a smart-alek stunt at an upcoming Ryan Adams show. Our guest this time around is the Queen of Queer Country Cindy Emch. She is the founder and brains behind The Secret Emchy Society which is playing Americanafest the week of this episode drop. We dig into her childhood growing up with an accordion-playing mom, college radio days, her experience growing into an LGBTQ existence in the world and how her person and personality presents challenges in the world of country music. Since we're all new to Roots Music Rambler, the show includes three main parts: Francesca and Falls open the show talking about a topic of the day in the music industry. Tyler Childers has a new album out since the last episode, so the conversation started there. Our guest then comes in as we explore their roots – of music and life. Then Francesca and Falls finish off the show with our Pickin' The Grinnin' segment. That's where both pick what music, artists, events and more make them grin this week. They share who their going to see live, what new artists they've discover and more. Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It's a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. Some other notes and links: Mark's Yard - The Secret Emchy Society Wilco's California Stars (From Mermaid Avenue) John Haywood - Music, Art & Tattoos Jobi Riccio And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Episode 1 of Roots Music Rambler! What was once an off-shoot of a travel blog is now destined to become your favorite music podcast. Join us – hosts Francesca Folinazzo, who Jason calls "Frank," and Jason Falls, who goes by "Falls" most of the time, as we explore the real roots of the music we love. On this episode, we talk Oliver Anthony conspiracy theories, tobacco farming, Napster & more with up-and-coming country artist JD Shelburne. His new album "Neon Hallelujia" is out and the sixth in Shelburne's efforts, all of which dig into hometown life in Taylorsville, Kentucky. The conversation wound around his childhood, his parents, his wife and 3-year-old son. We talked about songwriting, the evolution of his music, the temptations of the music industry and more. And yes, we dug into Oliver Anthony and whether or not Shelburne thinks the conspiracy theories that Anthony's explosion onto the music scene was all a set up. As you hear in this premier episode of Roots Music Rambler, the show includes three main parts: Francesca and Falls open the show talking about a topic of the day in the music industry. In this episode, it was hard to not start with Oliver Anthony's viral success that has flipped country music, the Billboard charts and iTunes on their collective heads. Our guest of honor comes in to talk about their background, music and beyond. That's where Shelburne fits into this first episode Then Francesca and Falls finish off the show with our Pickin' The Grinnin' segment. That's where both pick what music, artists, events and more make them grin this week. They share who their going to see live, what new artists they've discover and more. Buckle up for what Falls called, "The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down." It's the debut episode of Roots Music Rambler. Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Welcome to Roots Music Rambler! Join Francesca Folinazzo and Jason 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. Where music, travel, history and culture intersect Join us for the exploration of the real roots of music on Roots Music Rambler. Available wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices