Loading...

PODCAST

Roots Rednecks and Radicals

Will Houk- Alt Country, Indie, Folk

Explore the rebellious counterculture, hidden histories, and unexpected connections bridging the worlds of alt-country, indie rock, and punk music. Hosted by Will Houk, Roots, Rednecks, and Radicals is a music history podcast dedicated to the artists who subvert traditional genres and challenge the status quo. From deep dives into the working-class protest music of Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash to the modern, trailblazing sounds of Orville Peck, Brandi Carlile, Charley Crockett, and Billy Strings,

music music interviews

All Episodes

23:29

Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas is a damn delight!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/12/22

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 on. I hope I can inspire you to make this classic a part of your Christmas tradition!

en

7:25

This Episode Goes To 11! Remembering Rob Reiner And...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/12/21

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 Spinal Tap is one of the funniest movies ever made in my opinion. So I wanted to share some of its best moments with you. RIP Rob Reiner. You were a genius.

en

12:41

Amanda Shires dives deep into her divorce with Jason...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/12/15

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 something like that in the public eye. This album, produced by Shooter Jennings, takes a look into her heartbreak, and what it's like to rebuild after a difficult breakup.

en

7:29

Billy Strings Tiny Desk Concert!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/12/11

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 quick breakdown of his Tiny Desk conert!

en

10:15

Mexican folk musician Silvana Estrada is someone you...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/12/08

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 paired down songs that get to the core of her emotional delivery. I hope you dig it!

en

14:00

Brandi Carlile's new album "Returning to Myself" is...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/12/01

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 to see she has a new album out. The first in four years. And this album does not disappoint! This week we take a look at this album produced by herself along with Aaron Desner, Aaron Wait, and Justing Vernon (Bon Iver).

en

18:39

Twangly, Jangly, Honky-Tonking Alt Country!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/11/24

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 Tweedy, and Brennan Leigh. All incredible artists with really fun music out in the world. I hope you dig it!

en

38:32

In Memory of Todd Snider, The Interview We Did In...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/11/20

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 songs, but rest assured the number is incredibly high. In 2020 right before the COVID shutdown I interviewed him for a show he was supposed to play in Tahoe. That never happened, but I held on to the files and published it later. I wanted to put this out in the world again in honor of Todd and his incredible life. RIP Todd

en

16:47

Indie Folk, But Not Like Stomp-Clap Indie Folk

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/11/19

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 we take a look at new music from Lucy Dacus, Bahamas, Tropa Magica, Neko Case, and Jay Som. All great stuff I know you'll like.

en

27:43

Austin Meade is blending rock and country sounds on...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/11/10

en

39:48

Singer Songwriter Max Gomez On His New Album Memory...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/11/03

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 to have him on my show and we finally worked out a time in his busy touring schedule. His songwriting incorporates some of the best elements of folk and country music. He weaves tales, explores heartbreak, and leaves you with a keen sense of the subjects in his songs. We had a great chat about his news album which is out

en

48:48

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art's New...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/10/27

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 creating under-appreciated art. The first record on this new label came out last Friday. The Kasawambwe Brothers of Malawi recorded this album with help from Mass Moca. I spoke to Harlan Steinberger who runs a studio in Los Angeles called Hen House Studio. He's worked with artists like Willie Nelson and Sunny War, and has

en

25:14

I Am A Fall-Ass Hoe. And Do I Got A Playlist For You!...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/10/20

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 you're into this time of year as much as I am. Join me as we listen to some of the best music for the best time of year!

en

26:18

Roots Rewind: Amanda Shires On Her Song The Problem,...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/10/13

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 conversation. She really is an insightful and empathetic writer. She just put out a new album at the end of September and I wanted to bring this conversation to you again. A number of songs on the album deal with her divorce to Jason Isbell, and it just reminded me of the courage she has to take on difficult topics.

en

34:03

The West Texas Exiles Talk About Their New Album, The...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/10/06

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 influence of Texas musicians like Buddy Holly and Willie Nelson. How the stark landscape of the western desert impacts them as artists, and how the band has been playing festivals like Hardly Strictly Bluegrass and the Luck Reunion. Colin Gilmore is the son of legendary Texas musician Jimmie Dale Gilmore and I feel like you can

en

30:54

Roots Rewind: A Conversation With Amy Ray of Indigo...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/10/01

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 the documentary are so good; Sarah McLachlan, Bonnie Raitt, Erykah Badu, Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile, and Indigo Girls just to name a few. I wanted to bring my interview with Amy Ray of Indigo Girls to you again. It was such a treat to chat with her, and this just felt like good timing! I hope you dig it!

en

18:00

5 Song I'm Digging for September 2025! Featuring Jeff...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/09/29

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 Tweedy, Neko Case, Lucy Dacus, Will Hoge, and Hayes Carll. All good jams that should be on repeat for you!

en

30:46

Rancid's break out album ...And Out Come The Wolves...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/09/23

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 do a breakdown of this classic, and take a look at what makes it such a classic! I hope you dig it!

en

31:34

Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger Turns 50 This...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/09/18

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 festival. The album is incredible and gave him a couple of hits including Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain. This week I do a deep dive into this album. I hope you dig it!

en

23:06

AI Generated Music Sucks! Let's Take A Look At Some...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/09/09

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 hand at making some different "AI Music" to see just how awful it is. And let me tell, it's really bad. Join me as I take a look at the future of music and why AI generated songs are total garbage.

en

209 results

Similar Podcasts

Music History Today Network

Music History Today Podcast Network

Roots Rednecks and Radicals

Will Houk- Alt Country, Indie, Folk

Classic Metal Show

The Classic Metal Show: Hail and Kill!

Songwriter Soup

Songwriter Soup

FG STORY

RADIO FG