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

71:18

GCAMS Episode 51: Bruce Wawrzyniak

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2026/02/27

Now Hear This President Bruce Wawrzyniak has been promoting for many years. A cum laude graduate of Medaille University in Buffalo, New York, his background runs the gamut from marketing to broadcasting to public/media relations and promotions. He has served industries such as sports/entertainment, radio/TV (on-air positions in both), and full-service (advertising/public relations) agencies. He also taught a Promotions Techniques course to college juniors and seniors. Bruce has dealt with (and

96:26

GCAMS Episode 50: Don Henry

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2026/02/08

Grammy Award winner Don Henry's songs have been recorded by legends like: Ray Charles, Patti Page and Conway Twitty By country crooners like: Gene Watson, John Conlee and B.J. Thomas By young hit makers of today like: Blake Shelton, Lonestar and Miranda Lambert …. .....and the list goes on. And he’s shared the stage with performers as diverse as Joey Ramone to Keith Urban. The wit and wisdom of Don's songs are widely renowned whether it's campfire favorites, the hilarious "B.F.D." and biker lullaby

37:00

GCAMS Episode 49: Garden Groove

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2026/01/31

Garden Groove is a high-energy tribute band dedicated to capturing the essence of Sublime’s iconic sound. Blending ska, punk, reggae, and rock, we bring the raw energy and laid-back vibes that made Sublime legendary. Our setlist spans fan favorites and deep cuts, delivering an authentic experience for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. We keep the crowds dancing and singing along, providing an unforgettable tribute.

41:05

GCAMS Episode 46: Little Richard

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2026/01/23

Little Richard, born Richard Wayne Penniman on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, was one of the pioneering architects of rock and roll. The third of 12 children in a large family, he grew up immersed in gospel music through Pentecostal and Baptist churches, where he sang and played piano from a young age. As a teenager, he left home around age 14, performing on the Chitlin' Circuit (Black entertainment venues) and adopting his stage name while working in medicine shows and nightclubs. His

42:36

GCAMS Episode 45: David Crosby

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2026/01/12

David Crosby (August 14, 1941 – January 18, 2023) was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose distinctive harmonies and influential work helped shape folk-rock and classic rock. Born in Los Angeles to a cinematographer father and a musically inclined mother, Crosby began his career in the early 1960s folk scene before co-founding The Byrds in 1964. The band pioneered folk-rock with hits like their 1965 cover of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" (a No. 1 single) and classics such as

32:40

GCAMS Episode 44: Clarence White

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2026/01/01

Clarence White (1944–1973) was a groundbreaking American guitarist who transformed bluegrass and country rock. Born in Maine and raised in California, he rose to fame in the 1960s with the Kentucky Colonels, revolutionizing acoustic flatpicking with a powerful, melodic lead style inspired by Doc Watson. In the late 1960s, he became a top session musician, co-invented the B-Bender (StringBender) device for his Telecaster to mimic pedal steel bends, and joined The Byrds in 1968, shaping their

39:43

GCAMS Episode 43: Tyler Johnson interview

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/12/20

Tyler Johnson is a world class videographer and musician. Based in Yuba City California, his company Tyler & Co. Marketing is changing the game when it comes to affordable high quality productions for businesses, families, and artists. He is also a phenomenal guitar player and is featured on two of my latest singles, "High Sierra Coming Down" and "To Be Enough". Follow him on Instagram @tylerandco_marketing , and visit his website tylerandcofilms.com.

44:19

GCAMS Episode 42: Porter Wagoner

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/12/15

Porter Wagoner (August 12, 1927 – October 28, 2007) was an influential American country music singer, songwriter, and television host from West Plains, Missouri. Born into a farming family in the Ozarks, he began performing early, signing with RCA Records in 1952 and scoring hits like "A Satisfied Mind" (1955). Known for his flashy rhinestone Nudie suits and blond pompadour hairstyle, he hosted the syndicated The Porter Wagoner Show from 1960 to 1981, which reached millions and launched careers. In

45:03

GCAMS Episode 41: Chet Atkins

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/12/11

Chester Burton Atkins, known to the world as Chet Atkins, was one of the most important and beloved figures in American music. Born on June 20, 1924, in the small mountain community of Luttrell, Tennessee, he rose from a shy, asthmatic child who taught himself guitar by a wood-burning stove to become the architect of modern country music and one of the finest guitarists who ever lived. Atkins developed a revolutionary fingerstyle technique that used a thumbpick for steady bass lines while his

46:39

GCAMS Episode 40: Ritch Shefke

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/12/02

This week we sit down with Ritch Shefke. Ritch is a multi-instrumentalist who has spent decades in the California music scene. He is currently the bass player for LaineyWood and Moonshine Crazy. Please check out their music and enjoy this wide ranging conversation.

65:47

GCAMS Episode 39: Germane Smith

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/11/22

This week we got the chance to sit down with Germane Smith. Germane is a booking agent in the Sacramento area with more than 20 years of experience in the music industry. Please enjoy our wide ranging conversation about what new artists might not know before getting into the music business.

35:17

GCAMS Episode 38: Jim Reeves

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/11/14

Jim Reeves, born James Travis Reeves on August 20, 1923, in Galloway, Texas, was a country and pop singer known as "Gentleman Jim" for his smooth baritone and polished style. One of nine children, he grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and excelled in baseball, pitching in the minor leagues until a leg injury ended his sports career. He worked as a radio announcer and DJ while briefly attending the University of Texas.His music career began in the early 1950s. After signing with Abbott

54:57

GCAMS Episode 37: Gordon Lightfoot

George Croft’s American Music Show ·

2025/11/08

Gordon Lightfoot (1938–2023) was a Canadian singer-songwriter and folk-pop icon.Born in Orillia, Ontario, he rose to fame in the 1960s Toronto folk scene. His songs were recorded by Elvis, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and many others before he became a star himself. Major hits include “If You Could Read My Mind” (1970), “Sundown” (#1 U.S., 1974), and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976). He released 20 studio albums, sold over 10 million records, and toured relentlessly for six decades. Known for

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

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George Croft’s American Music Show

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