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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

22:29

CHARLIE PARR On His New Record ROOMING HOUSE

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/10/19

Charlie Parr is an American folk/blues musician that has been making socially conscious music for decades. Known for his cutting lyricism, he embodies a style of folk that is not seen very often anymore. His style is rooted in the blues, but he's developed a sound all his own. His new album Rooming House is a brilliant look at the working class in America. He's on the show this week to talk about his new album.

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7:20

BILLY STRINGS, RHIANNON GIDDENS, and WILLI CARLISLE...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/10/16

Billy Strings, Rhiannon Giddens, and Willi Carlisle all have new music out. Willi's new album was produced by Tyler Childers and I feel like you can really hear the influence on this track. Billy Strings continues to kill it with his blend of bluegrass and psychedelic rock. Rhiannon Giddens just never seems to miss. Her new track is beautiful and haunting as usual. This week they are all in The Rotation!

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5:53

Kacey Musgraves Teams Up With Mexican Group Intocable...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/10/12

Kacey Musgraves has released her first all Spanish song. She teamed up with the ultra-famous Mexican Tejano group Intocable for a new take on her song Uncertain TX. She recently had them on stage to perform the song live. It's a great blend of Country music and Mexican culture and I am here for it!

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18:51

Philly Punk Band Eraser Is On The Show Talking About...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/10/09

Eraser is a punk band out of Philly. They just released a new album called Operator and I had a chance to chat with them about it at a show they played in Reno. They were at the Holland Project and we got a chance to talk before the show. Shout out to the openers that night, Rotten Heights, and Rotary Club. Also big thanks to the Holland Project for having me. I hope you dig the episode!

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5:45

Tom Morello (of Rage Against The Machine) Is Pissing...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/10/07

Recently Tom Morello did an interview where he revealed he did not vote for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. This has sparked some controversy online about voting and what we should be doing in the age of Trump. I think his views are much more nuanced than people are giving him credit for and we should be talking about that.

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9:32

Beck's New Album Ride Lonesome Is An Introspective...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/10/05

Beck is know for his hits like Loser and Devi'ls Haricut but many people don't realize he's always made folksy, singer-songwriter music. This new album has him exploring those roots on a deep and introspective journey. It's equal parts folk, and country. I really love this album. I hope you dig it!

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34:52

Alex Orbison: Finishing a Lost Johnny Cash Song,...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/09/28

What happens when you discover a hidden 1960s love poem written by Johnny Cash? You put it to music. In this episode, we sit down with veteran drummer and songwriter Alex Orbison to discuss the release of his incredible debut solo album, Love And Loss.Alex takes us behind the scenes of his standout new track, "Let's Put It To Music," revealing how he collaborated with John Carter Cash at the historic Cash Cabin to finish a lost piece of country music history written for June Carter Cash. We also

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14:36

Orville Peck's New Album Mule Is Some Of His Best Work

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/09/25

Orville Peck has a new album out called Mule and it's really great. The sounds are sparse and contemplative. The songwriting ventures into territory he rarely explores. It has a collaboration with Emmylou Harris, Noah Cyrus, and Allison Russell. Let's take a look at this record!

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16:38

Phoebe Bridgers New Album Lost Weekend Is Phenomenal!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/09/23

I really love this album. The songwriting is amazing. The production is out of control. It's just an amazing record. This week we take a look at Lost Weekend by Phoebe Bridgers.

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11:50

Shonen Knife Show Review!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/09/14

I was asked recently to do a concert review for the Japanese Punk Band Shonen Knife. They got their start back in 1981 and have been playing their Ramones infused punk rock for decades. In the early 1990s Kurt Cobain and Nirvana asked them to tour with the band, and that gave them some great exposure. I recently saw them with Men at Work and Toad the Wet Sprocket in Reno NV and it was a great show. I hope you dig this!

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9:38

Aaron Lee Tasjan Has A New Album Out. Let's Take A Look!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/09/07

Aaron Lee Tasjan is an artist I have a great deal of respect for. His songwriting is inspired by artists like his mentor Todd Snider. It's a great blend of folk, country and rock that explores areas often looked over. His new album is out and has some fantastic songs on it. I hope you dig it everybody!

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18:05

Nathan Evans Fox explores southern culture and...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/08/31

Nathan Evans Fox is an artist I've really been enjoying recently. He has a great songwriting approach, and his lyrics are exploring areas often looked over by other writers. I really appreciate his honesty and integrity, and his commitment to giving a voice to a perspective not often heard. Let's check out his new album Heirloom. I hope you dig it everybody!

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15:52

RIP Dolly Parton!

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/08/28

Dolly was an absolute icon. Her music career spanned decades and she left us with a wealth of songs she wrote and will always be remembered for. Her legacy is bigger than just her music. People remember her for so many things from her foundation that focussed on literacy, to her embrace of marginalized people. This is an episode I did a few years ago and I wanted to share it with you all again in honor of her memory. I hope you dig it!

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12:39

5 Songs I'm Diggin' for August 2026. Featuring Lucy...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/08/24

I have five songs lined up for you that I'm really diggin' this month. We have everything from indie to bluegrass on this episode. As always, there is so much great music out there I like to sort through it all and let you know what's good. I hope you dig it everybody!

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7:53

Brandi Carlile Unleashes A Cover of an Alanis...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/08/21

Brandi Carlile recently performed at the Newport Folk Festival. During her performance she unleashed a wild and powerful version of the song Uninvited by Alanis Morissette. It was unhinged and so good! Let's take a look at this performance, I hope you dig it!

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6:38

Kacey Musgraves Celebrates Mexican Music With...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/05/14

Kacey Musgraves has always had a sense for social activism. Recently when she learned the story of brothers who were detained by ICE and also were Mariachi musicians she reached out to them. She had them perform on stage with her in Texas and it was a truly beautiful moment. Let's take a look at this story!

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13:00

5 Songs I'm Diggin' For May! Featuring Lucy Liyou,...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/05/11

Here's 5 more songs I think you'd enjoy that are out this month. Some of the best tracks I've been listening to. Lucy Liyou, Snail Mail, Kacey Musgraves, Deer Tick, and Shooter Jennings. With a bonus of Willie Nelson on two of the tracks. I hope you dig it!

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11:22

The Album That Set The Stage For Outlaw Country Turns...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/05/05

Wanted! The Outlaws gave us a template for what Outlaw Country music should sound like. And it came out in an era of country music that gave us a ton of classic albums. It features Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter and a handful of other artists who contributed to it. It's a certified classic and we're talking about this week!

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13:06

5 Songs I'm Digging For April. Featuring Charley...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/04/28

Lot's of good tunes out in the world right now. These are the songs I'm enjoying. Charley Crockett, Mitski, Iron & Wine, Ratboys, and India Ramey all have incredible music out you should be listening to. I hope you dig it!

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8:44

Jessye Desilva Glitters Up The Dark With This New...

Roots Rednecks and Radicals ·

2026/04/26

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