Folk Roots Radio... With Jan Hall

Yukon based folk-roots singer-songwriter Gordie Tentrees joins us on Episode 546 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about the life, music and legacy of Aylie Sparkes, a Manitoba born singer-songwriter who arrived in the Yukon in 2001 with a truck full of guitars and barely a penny to his name. Finding his community, Aylie Sparkes built such a fabulous reputation for his live performances and slide guitar play that he had people queuing around the block to get into his shows. Passing away from cancer in 2005 and close to his 39th birthday, Aylie Sparkes recorded only one full length album, the recently re-released “Beautiful & Deranged” from 2003 which was nominated for Blues Album of the Year at the 2004 Western Canadian Music Awards. Beautiful & Deranged is a truly awesome album, and this is a great interview. So, settle down and enjoy Gordie Tentrees in Conversation - a tribute to Aylie Sparkes, on Folk Roots Radio. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-546

Singer-songwriter and humorist Steve Poltz is an absolutely fabulous live performer. There is just no two ways about it. See one show, you'll become a fan for life - and like everyone else, you'll be revelling in the power of being in the moment for a performance where anything can happen, and often does. Steve Poltz was born in Canada (Halifax NS) and raised in San Diego where he spent much of his life before he moved to Nashville in 2016. After a series of well-received albums, the release of “Shine On” in 2019 really started to move Steve’s career up to another level - and then COVID hit. As a touring artist, Steve works exceptionally hard and plays more than 150 dates a year across North America, Europe and Australia. To see all his 2020 plans evaporate almost overnight was disappointing to say the least. Steve joined us on Folk Roots Radio to chat about how he has been spending his time off the road during these strange Covid Times, including the release of a wonderful new lockdown single, appropriately

We included a portion of our interview with Shaye Zadravec in Episode 523 of Folk Roots Radio. We’re now pleased to be able to bring you the full conversation. It’s definitely worth checking out. Enjoy! Shaye Zadravec, a young vocalist from Calgary Alberta, has been creating quite a buzz for her ability to interpret other people’s songs. Shaye, who describes herself as a singer and only occasionally a songwriter, started out her career in dance before moving into musical theatre and then on to a full music career. Her first full length album, "Now & Then", features ten tracks, and includes fine versions of songs by Jay Farrar (Windfall), Jesse Winchester (Biloxi), Paul Westerberg (Skyway), Lawrence Russell Brown & Pat McLaughlin (The Whispering Wind), Lynn Miles (Night Drive), Roy Forbes (The Slider), Joan Besen (Did You Fall In Love With Me) and Ian Tyson (Summer’s Gone, Silver Bell) alongside a beautiful instrumental by (her producer) Goran Grini (East Longview Serenade) that uses samples from four songs o

We're all about the music again on Episode 545 of Folk Roots Radio as we hold back the interviews to bring you a great selection of new releases. Join us for new music from Last Birds, Shaye Zadravec, Suzzy Roche & Lucy Wainwright Roche, Jesse Brint, Chairmen Of The Boards, Allison Lupton & Craig Werth, Sinead O'Connor, Laura Mulcahy, Rachel Garlin, Tim Grimm, Harry Shearer, Loudon Wainwright III, Max Marshall and Caribou Run. Remember, if you like what you hear on this show… don’t just stream the music – BUY the music and the you’ll really make a difference to artists income during this difficult time when it’s much more challenging to find live shows. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-545-were-all-about-the-music-surf-the-bad-times-edition/

We’re bringing another of our Covid Times interviews to Episode 544 of Folk Roots Radio – an opportunity for artists to chat about how the coronavirus pandemic has upended their music careers. This time around we are joined by Chris McKhool, violinist and band leader of world folk combo, Sultans of String, who released a fabulous new recording "Refuge" earlier this year - an album that highlights the extraordinary contributions that indigenous people, immigrants and refugees make to culture and life in North America. Sultans of String were supposed to be out on tour across both North America and the UK this year. None of that has been able to happen which is why we encourage all our listeners - if you like the music you hear on this show, buy the music, don’t just stream it! Then, you can really make a difference in artists lives during a period that they can’t be out on the road. We also check out new releases from Ruston Kelly, Will Kimbrough, The Bodarks and Vi Wickam & Paul Anastasio. Check out the full p

Helen Austin and Paul Otten are two fabulous songwriters who make music together as Big Little Lions, even though they are actually based over two thousand miles apart. They were on tour as the coronavirus pandemic hit, and despite having to head home and into lockdown, they have continued to make great music – including the release of a pandemic inspired album “Are We there Yet?”. Big Little Lions join us on Episode 543 of Folk Roots Radio for a fun in-depth conversation about how their lives and their music have been changed by the on-going emergency. The pandemic has hit the artistic community hard, which is why we all need to do what we can to ensure it is supported during these strange Covid Times - and why we encourage our listeners to... buy the music, don't just stream it! As always, we wrap up the episode with more new releases, and this time around we hear from Emily Barker, Lizzy Hardingham, Gillian Welch, Mo Kenney, Hauler and Mike Plume. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkroo

We’re pleased to bring you a great interview with another artist who is new to our radar on Episode 542 of Folk Roots Radio. Shaye Zadravec from Calgary Alberta, who has been creating quite a buzz for her ability to interpret other people’s songs, joins us to chat about her brilliant first full length album "Now & Then" which features fabulous covers of songs by Jesse Winchester, Ian Tyson, Lynn Miles & more. As always, we also take a look at more of the latest new releases, and this time around we hear from Piper & Carson, Ian Gill, Bill Bourne, Jeremy Gignoux and Joe Nolan. It's a great episode. We hope you'll take a listen. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-542-feat-shaye-zadravec-now-and-then-more-new-releases/

We're all about the music on Episode 541 of Folk Roots Radio as we step back from the interviews again to bring you another hour of great new releases. We're subtitling this one the "Be Grateful Edition", because despite everything - an on-going pandemic and a lunatic in the White House, there is still much to be thankful for. Join us for new music from Brennen Leigh, Piper & Carson, Andrea Bettger, 100 Mile House, Simone Romei, Twin Flames, David Leask, Kevin California, Ian Reid, Gillian Welch, Bruce T. Carroll, Chris Smither, Dione Taylor and Laila Biali. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-541-were-all-about-the-music-be-grateful-edition/

Join us on Episode 540 of Folk Roots Radio for another great all music hour, as we hold back the interviews to check out more of the latest new releases. We're subtitling this one the 'Be Here Now' edition as a reminder to try and live 'in the moment' as the best way to help us get through these difficult Covid times. Stay with us for music from Heather Pierson, Black Schwartz, Jack Ingram, Kathleen Edwards, Graham Lindsey, Leahy, Lennie Gallant, Gurf Morlix, Haley K Turner, Lynn Miles, Jeffrey Straker, Mike Plume, Billy Strings, Ivor Game and Rufus Wainwright with Choir! Choir! Choir! Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-540-were-all-about-the-music-be-here-now-edition/

Fresh Breath are a wonderful Cottam ON based duo, featuring Josh and Katie Pascoe, who are known for their upbeat attitude and a sound that blends together folk-rock, blues, pop and country with a lot of heart and soul. They join us on Episode 539 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about how they spent their Covid-19 lockdown time, writing and releasing some great new singles, with accompanying videos - that really speak to the energy of the current moment. It’s a fun and uplifting conversation. As always, we wrap up the episode with more of the latest new releases, and this time around we include new music from The Gilberts, Rich Burnett, The Ebbs, Project Smok, Michael Lane, Loudon Wainwright III and Darrell Scott. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-539-feat-fresh-breath-the-covid-singles-more-new-releases/

We’re going all about the music again on Episode 538 of Folk Roots Radio as we hold back the interviews to bring you more great new releases, and this time around we throw some excellent new political songs into the mix. Join us for new music from Big Little Lions, James Lee Baker, Ian Gill, Shaye Zadravec, Westward The Light, Robert Cray Band, Si Kahn, Spook Handy, Richard Garvey, Raye Zaragoza, Melanie Brulée, IsabelFryszberg, Andrea Nixon, Joe Nolan, Dirk Powell, Midnight Shine and Kari Lynn Hewett (with Roger Hewett). Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-538-were-all-about-the-music-this-too-shall-pass-edition/

We're all about the music again on Episode 537 of Folk Roots Radio, as we hold back the interviews for another hour of great new releases with more fun Covid lockdown songs thrown into the mix. We're calling this one the 'Choose Joy Edition' because during these Covid Times not only do we have to remain positive, but we need to celebrate the joy in life - wherever we can find it. Join us for new music from Crowes Pasture, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kronos Quartet & Friends, Josh Kimbrough, Moira & Claire, Haley K Turner, Kelly's Lot, Quote The Raven, The Wilds & Family, Glenn McFarlane, Carla Ulbrich, Buddy & Julie Miller, Jamie Anderson, Josie Bello, Cootes Paradise and Byrd & Street. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-537-were-all-about-the-music-choose-joy-edition/

Long Island based folk-rock harmony trio Gathering Time join us on Episode 536 of Folk Roots Radio to chat their wonderful new album "Old Friends", which features re-imagined and re-harmonized classics from the 60s and early 70s, from the likes of The Byrds, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Gordon Lightfoot and more. The album also includes some timely socially conscious songs that have gained renewed relevance as the United States, riven by street protests against police brutality and racial injustice - and contentious and divisive politics, moves towards what may be the most important presidential election of modern times. As always, we also check out more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from S.K. Wellington, Norma MacDonald, Annette Wasilik, Hauler, JR Moore, Jeremy Drury and Adam Karch. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-536-feat-gathering-time-old-friends-more-new-releases/

Hillary Foxsong, Gerry McKeveny and Stuart Markus from Long Island based folk-rock harmony trio Gathering Time joined us recently on Folk Roots Radio for an in-depth conversation about their wonderful new album "Old Friends", which features covers of some classic songs from the 60s and 70s by artists like the Byrds, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, Gordon Lightfoot and more. Old Friends also includes some socially conscious songs that have gained renewed relevance as the United States, riven by street protests against police brutality and racial injustice - and contentious and divisive politics, moves towards what may be the most important presidential election of modern times. We're putting an abbreviated version of this interview into Episode 536 of Folk Roots Radio. In view of the timely subject matter, we felt it important to release the full interview now. Enjoy! Music: Gathering Time "Turn Turn Turn" (written by Pete Seeger), "Abraham, Martin & John" (Richard Holler), "Get Together" (Chet Powers) and "Carr

Newfoundland storytelling singer-songwriter Sherman Downey joins us on Episode 535 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest recording, “New Beautiful”, a very engaging album that's chock full of character driven songs. With a hint of escapism and a hope for a brighter future, it’s sure to bring a smile to your face - the perfect antidote to these Covid times. As usual, we also check out more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from Marin Patenaude, Lara Taubman, Gurf Morlix, Graham Lindsey, Keats Conlon and Kathleen Edwards alongside celebrating Toronto's The Slocan Ramblers who picked up a Momentum Award nomination for 'Band of the Year', from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-535-feat-sherman-downey-new-beautiful-more-new-releases/

We’re pleased to bring you a very special interview on Episode 534 of Folk Roots Radio. We’re giving over the whole of the episode to an in-depth conversation with Jayme Stone about his wonderful new recording “AWake", an album written in the aftermath of the sudden and tragic loss of his brother, Michael. It's quite the departure for the double Juno award winning artist, who has built some fabulous roots and world music albums around his banjo playing. This time around, Jayme sets down the banjo and embraces ambient electropop and sonic landscapes on a collection of songs that reflect on the experience of losing such an important part of his life. So, settle down and enjoy Jayme Stone... In Conversation on Folk Roots Radio. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-534-jayme-stone-in-conversation-awake/

We're going all about the music again on Episode 533 of Folk Roots Radio as we check out more of the latest new releases with more wonderful Covid lockdown tunes thrown into the mix. Join us for music from Lynn Miles, Marin Patenaude, William Prince, Rachael Sage, Emilyn Stam & John David Williams, Alex Cuba, Countermeasure, Ian Foster & Nancy Hynes, Jayme Stone, Fred Lessman & the Backroad Warriors (feat. Brett Levick), Tommy Byrd and Greg Tressel alongside tributes to 'Canada's Queen of the Blues' Salome Bey, renowned Chicago based singer-songwriter Michael Peter Smith, and Fleetwood Mac founding member and fine blues guitarist Peter Green, who all sadly left us recently.

Grayson Capps is a storytelling singer-songwriter from L.A. (Lower Alabama), with a wonderfully warm laidback style, that can’t help but be expressed in his songwriting and humorous on-stage banter. He landed on our radar, one morning, in the middle of the Caribbean, on the Cayamo roots music cruise. We were having a late breakfast in the pub while Grayson was in ear shot, on the atrium stage, sharing his stories and songs. His performance was so engaging we had to rush breakfast to catch the rest of the set. After the show, we sat down with Grayson to learn more about his music. Grayson Capps is the son of New Orleans based writer Ronald Everett Capps who wrote the novel “Off Magazine Street”, which was developed into the 2004 Scarlet Johanssen / John Travolta movie, A Love Song For Bobby Long – which was written and directed by Shainee Gabel. Grayson Capps has just released a new compilation of his songs, “South Front Street – A Retrospective 1997 – 2019” (2020, Royal Potato Family). For more information, v

Singer-songwriter William Kuklis joins us on Episode 532 of Folk Roots Radio for a wonderful conversation about his latest album "I'll Be Alright", the follow up to his very well-received 2017 album "Save Me". As well as his music career, William Kuklis is also an actor. In fact, he recently appeared in the animated TV series, LEGO Jurassic World – The Legend of Isla Nublar as the voice of Dennis Nedry. As always, we wrap up the hour with more new music, and this time around we hear from Thomas Hine, A Choir Of Ghosts, Malcolm McWatt, CW Ayon, Hauler, John Moreland, Penne Sandbeck and Crystal Shawanda. Check out the full playlist on the website: https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-532-feat-william-kuklis-bruises-more-new-releases/

We have another wonderful hour of music to share with you on Episode 531 of Folk Roots Radio. More great new releases with some excellent Covid-19 lockdown songs thrown into the mix. Join us for new music from Beth Anne Cole, Alastair Moock, Amanda Colleen Williams, Craig Cardiff, Steel Rail, The Songs & Stories of Francis Gardner, The Hello Darlins, The Burying Ground, Robert Guess, Grant Peeples, Andrew Bird, Buddy & Julie Miller, Michael Logen & Jennifer Hanson, Stacey McNeill & Jonathan Smith, Rachel Beck and Jake Ian. Stay safe and well everyone! Check out the full playlist on the website at https://folkrootsradio.com/folk-roots-radio-episode-531-were-all-about-the-music-keep-on-keepin-on-edition/