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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

30:29

TopHouse is on the show today talking about their new...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/02/17

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. The band blends folk, bluegrass, Americana, and Western motifs into their sound and create style all their own. Their new EP is a follow up to a release from last year finishing up a look into the idea of Theory vs Practice. The record sounds great and I'm excited to bring you this conversation. Hope you dig it!

en

40:41

Celebrating Black History Month With Gangstagrass!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/02/10

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 Gangstagrass, an incredible band that blends elements of roots music with hip hop. We had a great conversation, these guys were a blast to talk to. So brilliant. Here you go, I hope you dig it!

en

48:46

Celebrating Black History Month With The American...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/02/03

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 Bluegrass Festival. He sat down with me and chatted about roots music, the banjo, Mexican music and all sorts of fun things. Dom has an incredible catalog of music that includes his album Black Cowboys that takes a look at the contributions of Black musicians to Western Culture. I loved chatting with him, hope you dig

en

24:35

Cowboy Poets Andy Hedges and Brenn Hill Talk the...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/01/27

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 more diverse and fascinating than many people think. Poetry, music, storytelling, saddle making, it's incredible what there is to see. The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is a place where artists of the West gather each year to share this diverse culture, and that's where I became familiar with Andy and Brenn. I got to sit

en

05:34

A Shoutout To My Listeners!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/01/26

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 who interacted with that would get mentioned in a special "shoutout" episode of my podcast. So here it is! Thanks to everyone who listens, and follows along with me on this journey. I genuinely appreciate it. I plan on doing this again, I thought it was fun. Hope you dig it!

en

28:06

Making of a Folk Hero: Jesse James and Luigi Mangione

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/01/20

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 like this into folk heroes through music. Jesse James is a great example. Woody Guthrie and other sang about him. And now the same thing is happening with Luigi. Today we take a look at this phenomenon and what goes into the making of a folk hero.

en

27:39

The Girlies Are Taking Over: Americana Pt. 2

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/01/13

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 another group of insanely talented women. This week all the artists were featured in a group called Our Native Daughters which is made up of black women banjo players. Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Allison Russell, and Leyla McCalla. Join me as we take a look at this incredible players who are changing the game!

en

21:48

The Girlies Are Taking Over: Americana Pt. 1

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/01/06

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 the game in their own ways. This is the first part of two episodes I'll be doing on the world of Americana and Folk music. Today we take a look at Sierra Ferrell, Amanda Shires, Molly Tuttle, and Margo Price. I hope you dig it!

en

07:13

Is Bob Dylan overrated? Today we take a look at the...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2025/01/02

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 folk artists, why is he the only one we talk about? Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Ramblin' Jack, there are so many. So why does he get all the credit? And why is he venerated like a saint? Join me as I take a look at this question!

en

33:07

Best of 2024! On today's episode I do a breakdown of...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/12/30

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 last year. Happy New Year y'all!

en

23:29

Roots Rewind: Emmit Otter's Jugband Christmas!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/12/24

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 season. Enjoy my breakdown of this holiday favorite that has all the feels.

en

14:31

Dolly Parton Explore her family history in Smoky...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/12/17

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 history. Any fan of Dolly is going to love this record. I take a deep dive on this episode and explore Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain DNA!

en

26:41

Tom Petty's Wildflowers Pt. 2

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/11/20

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. On this episode I take a look at the second half of the album and explore it's incredible tunes. Enjoy!

en

33:48

Tom Petty's Wildflowers is 30 years old! Let's take a...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/11/12

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 has stood the test of time as a classic album. Since it turns 30 this month I wanted to take a look at this absolute banger of an album. Part two will be out next week!

en

26:16

Best of: Amanda Shires joins me to talk about her...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/10/29

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 presidential election it just felt pertinent again. I wanted to put this out there so people can hear what Amanda has to say on this topic. I find her perspective to be illuminating. She has a gentle heart, and she's a very empathetic person. And I just love how she deals with this polarizing topic in this song. It's humanizing,

en

49:41

Miss Nevada Karrina Ferris is on the show! It's...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/10/25

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 her in the studio to chat about what she's doing and her future plans. We also listened to some music. Nora Jones, Tyler Childers, and Taylor Swift. It was a great conversation, I hope yo enjoy it!

en

01:01:46

Singer Songwriter Abigail Austin Lucas is on the...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/10/23

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 great knack at lyricism, and writing evocative songs. I teamed up with Kim Cook from the Reno Punk Flea Market and the Worst Little Podcast to speak with this incredible musician. I hope you dig it!

en

23:24

5 Songs I'm Digging: Spooky Season Edition! On...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/10/20

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 songs. We'll take a look at Screaming Jay Hawkins "I Put A Spell on You" The Specials "Ghost Town" Sierra Ferrell "The Sea" Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack "Time Warp" and Harry Belefonte "Banana Boat." I hope you dig it!

en

16:01

Booker T. Jones is on the show! He's worked with...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/10/11

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 astounding. We talked about working with Willie Nelson, his classic organ tones, and of course his incredible music catalog. Enjoy!

en

31:42

Tribute to Kris Kristofferson

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2024/10/05

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 incredible songs, and was always a voice for the voiceless. He will be dearly missed, I hope you enjoy this tribute to his legacy.

en

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