PODCAST

George Croft’s American Music Show

georgecroftmusic

George Croft dives into history and stories about classic American music spanning the decades.

music music history

All Episodes

49:11

GCAMS Episode 36: Stevie Ray Vaughan

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/11/01

Stevie Ray Vaughan, born Stephen Ray Vaughan on October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, grew up in a turbulent household marked by his father's alcoholism and frequent relocations. The younger brother of guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, he was a shy child who discovered his passion for music early. At age seven, he received a toy guitar as a birthday gift and began learning by ear, heavily influenced by his brother's records. By his teens, Vaughan was immersed in the blues, drawing from legends like Albert

35:24

GCAMS Episode 35: Johnny Paycheck

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/10/26

Johnny Paycheck: The Outlaw Country Legend Johnny Paycheck (born Donald Eugene Lytle) was an iconic American country music singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and a quintessential figure in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s. Known for his raw, honky-tonk vocals, working-class anthems, and a hard-living lifestyle that mirrored his lyrics, Paycheck recorded over 70 albums and notched about 30 hit singles during his career. He was often compared to George Jones for his vocal prowess and

37:24

GCAMS Episode 34: Patsy Cline

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/10/19

Patsy Cline: The Queen of Country Music Patsy Cline (1932–1963) was an American country music singer whose powerful voice, emotional delivery, and crossover appeal made her one of the most influential figures in country music history. Often called the "Queen of Country," she broke barriers for women in the genre, blending heartfelt ballads with pop sensibilities. Her career was tragically short, but her legacy endures through timeless hits and her role in elevating country music's prestige. Early

50:54

GCAMS Episode 33: Conway Twitty

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/10/13

Conway Twitty (September 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993) was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician, born Harold Lloyd Jenkins in Friars Point, Mississippi. He had a prolific career, recording 55 No. 1 singles, more than any other artist in any genre at the time, earning him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame.Early Life and Career Shift Twitty grew up in Helena, Arkansas, and started performing as a teenager, initially pursuing a career in rockabilly under the name Conway Twitty,

32:10

GCAMS Episode 31: Woody Guthrie

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/10/01

Woody Guthrie (1912–1967) was an American folk singer-songwriter, born in Okemah, Oklahoma. He’s best known for his song "This Land Is Your Land," a folk anthem that captures the spirit of the American working class. Guthrie’s music, rooted in the struggles of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era, gave voice to the disenfranchised—farmers, laborers, and migrants. His songs blended protest, storytelling, and social commentary, often with a sharp wit and unpolished honesty.He traveled widely,

43:20

GCAMS Episode 30: Vern Gosdin

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/09/22

Vern Gosdin (August 5, 1934 – April 28, 2009) was an American country music singer and songwriter, known as "The Voice" for his emotive delivery. Born in Woodland, Alabama, he grew up in a musical family, singing gospel with his siblings as the Gosdin Family. In the 1960s, he moved to California, forming the Gosdin Brothers with brother Rex, blending country with folk and recording minor hits like "Hangin' On." After a brief retirement, Gosdin launched a solo career in the late 1970s, achieving

42:27

GCAMS Episode 29: Guy Clark

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/09/15

Guy Clark (1941–2016) was a renowned American singer-songwriter, often hailed as one of the architects of the Americana and outlaw country genres. Born in Monahans, Texas, on November 6, 1941, he grew up in a musical environment influenced by the folk revival scene in Houston during the 1960s, where he honed his craft writing poetic, narrative-driven songs about life's hardships, wanderers, and the American Southwest. Clark released over 20 albums, starting with his debut Old No. 1 in 1975, and

6:08

GCAMS Episode 28: Randy Mandy and the Frequency...

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/09/12

In this episode we sit down with Randy and Amanda Russell of Randy Mandy and the Frequency Experience at the Kennedy Meadows Music Festival. Please enjoy and check them out on Instagram @randymandyband.

5:34

GCAMS Episode 27: Kenzie Duboiz

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/09/10

Kenzie DuBoiz is an emerging independent artist blending introspective storytelling with a genre-fluid sound that straddles country, pop, and hip-hop. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, she carved her path by self-releasing raw, emotionally charged tracks like *High On My Horse* and *Barely Gettin By*, which combine stripped-down acoustic vibes with modern, beat-driven production. Her lyrics often reflect personal struggles and triumphs, with themes of resilience, mental health, and unapologetic

11:15

GCAMS Episode 26: Interview with Zach Neil

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/09/06

Zach NeilZach Neil is the 2022 Texas Country Music Association Male Artist of the Year and has earned 5 consecutive Top 40 Texas Country singles - not bad for someone who planned to follow in his dads footsteps and farm. Farming is the family business, but Zach decided take that work ethic and apply it to a career in music. As a singer, songwriter and live performer, Zach uniquely puts his own twist on country music. "I love playing live. Every show is different, every crowd is different

48:09

GCAMS Episode 25: Lefty Frizzell

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/08/26

Lefty Frizzell: The Honky-Tonk LegendWilliam Orville "Lefty" Frizzell (March 31, 1928 – July 19, 1975) was an American country music singer-songwriter widely regarded as one of the most influential vocal stylists in the genre's history. Known for his pioneering honky-tonk style, Frizzell's relaxed, note-bending delivery—characterized by drawn-out syllables, emotional inflections, and a smooth, slurring phrasing—revolutionized country singing. He drew inspiration from Jimmie Rodgers' yodeling and

45:00

GCAMS Episode 24: Roy Orbison

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/08/16

Roy Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice, complex song structures, and emotionally charged ballads. Born in Vernon, Texas, he rose to fame in the 1960s with hits like "Only the Lonely," "Crying," "In Dreams," and "Oh, Pretty Woman." His music blended rock, pop, and country with a unique operatic style, characterized by his powerful, wide-ranging voice and dark, introspective lyrics.Orbison's early career included work with

49:49

GCAMS Episode 23: Toby Keith

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/08/09

Toby Keith Covel was born on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Carolyn Joan Ross and Hubert K. Covel Jr. Raised in Moore, Oklahoma, with a sister, Tonnie, and a brother, Tracy, Keith’s early exposure to music came through his grandmother’s supper club in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he developed a love for performing. At age eight, he received his first guitar and occasionally played with the house band. After graduating from Moore High School in 1979, Keith worked in the oil fields, following

51:41

GCAMS Episode 22: Chuck Berry

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/08/02

Chuck Berry (1926–2017) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of rock and roll. Born Charles Edward Anderson Berry in St. Louis, Missouri, he shaped the genre with his innovative guitar riffs, energetic performances, and vivid storytelling through lyrics. His music blended rhythm and blues, country, and pop, creating a sound that influenced generations of musicians, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley.Key

01:00:25

GCAMS Episode 21: John Denver

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/07/26

John Denver, born Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. on December 31, 1943, in Roswell, New Mexico, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, actor, and humanitarian whose heartfelt folk-pop music and environmental advocacy left a lasting legacy. His life and career were marked by remarkable success, personal struggles, and a deep commitment to social causes. Below is a detailed overview of his life, career, and some lesser-known facts.### Early Life - **Childhood and Upbringing**: Denver was born to a

46:41

GCAMS Episode 20: Loretta Lynn

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/07/19

Loretta Lynn (April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022) was an American country music singer-songwriter born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, to a coal miner father. One of eight children, she grew up in poverty in rural Appalachia. At 15, she married Oliver "Doolittle" Lynn, and they had six children. Her husband encouraged her musical talent, leading her to start singing professionally in the late 1950s. Lynn’s breakthrough came with her 1960 single "I’m a Honky Tonk Girl," and she rose to fame with hits like

41:30

GCAMS Episode 19: Jerry Lee Lewis

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/07/12

Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935 – October 28, 2022) was a pivotal figure in rock 'n' roll, known for his wild piano-playing, energetic performances, and controversial life. A key participant in the 1956 Million Dollar Quartet session, here’s a concise overview:### Early Life and Rise - **Born**: Ferriday, Louisiana, in a poor, religious family. - **Musical Roots**: Learned piano young, blending gospel, country, and blues from church, radio, and local juke joints. - **Sun Records**: Moved to

39:21

GCAMS Episode 18: Jim Croce

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/07/02

Jim Croce (January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973) was an American folk and rock singer-songwriter born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raised in a middle-class Italian-American family, he developed an early interest in music, learning guitar and performing in local bands. After graduating from Villanova University in 1965, Croce pursued music full-time, playing gigs in coffeehouses and small venues. His breakthrough came with the 1972 album *You Don’t Mess Around with Jim*, featuring hits like

28:52

GCAMS Episode 17: John Prine

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/06/30

John Prine (October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter known for his poignant, witty, and heartfelt folk and country music. Born in Maywood, Illinois, he began his career in the early 1970s Chicago folk scene, gaining acclaim with his self-titled debut album featuring songs like "Sam Stone" and "Angel from Montgomery." His conversational style and keen storytelling captured the human condition with humor and empathy, earning him a devoted following and praise as a

38:05

GCAMS Episode 16: Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/06/23

Brian Wilson, born June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the co-founder and creative force behind The Beach Boys. Raised in Hawthorne, California, he showed early musical talent, influenced by his father, Murry Wilson, and 1950s vocal groups like The Four Freshmen. With brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine, he formed The Beach Boys in 1961, crafting their signature surf rock sound with

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George Croft’s American Music Show

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