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There are folk records, and then there is the Carolina Chocolate Drops’ debut album Genuine Negro Jig. Released in 2010, Genuine Negro Jig not only blew peoples’ minds, it also laid waste one of the oldest myths in music—that bluegrass and folk were largely played and created by white musicians. In this episode, multi-instrumentalist and Carolina Chocolate Drops founding member Dom Flemons brings us back to the band’s formative years and the making of its Grammy winning debut album. Celebrating its 15-year anniversary, Genuine Negro Jig is being reissued with bonus tracks and so much more. And in an era where facts and history are being weaponized, Dom talks about the importance of correcting myths and falsehoods, one listener at a time. Making his fourth appearance on the show, Dom dishes on the band’s formation, the reissue, and so much more. So sit back, buckle up, and welcome Dom Flemons back to For Songs.

Live albums can be a tough lot. Too much crowd noise can block out the best parts of your favorite songs. A rough mix can dilute the sound. Slick production can make it seem like the crowd isn’t even there. On so on and so forth. But when you get it right, you’ll never put it down. As is the case with Zydeco master Corey Ledet’s newest album, Live in Alaska. Released in December 2025, Live in Alaska is everything a live album should be—it makes you wish you were there. In this episode, Louisiana-based, Houston native Ledet talks about the album, his amazing band, and how he started down the Zydeco road. We also spend a good deal of time on Ledet’s efforts to preserve the Louisiana Creole language in song. So sit back—or better yet get ready to jump up and down—as Corey Ledet joins the show.

You know that feeling when you rediscover something—a sound, a feeling—that makes you feel young again? Takes you back 25-plus years? Just hits you right between the eyes? I do, because it happened the second I heard the opening riff of “Irish Goodbye,” the first single from latest album by the Minneapolis-based band the Honeydogs. That jangly guitar took me back to 1996/97, when the so-called alt.country music scene was just getting started. So it was a thrill to welcome Honeydogs singer/songwriter Adam Levy to the show and talk about the band’s first album in almost 10 years, Algebra for Broken Hearts. More than that, this is the first album with the original lineup since 1997—so yeah, there’s a familiarity here that’s hard to beat. Adam talks about getting the band back together, writing songs with the new-old band, jamming with the band’s drummer, brother Noah Levy, and a ton more. So sit back, dig in and jam out as Adam Levy joins me on For Songs.

Sit down everyone as school is back in session. Your teacher for this episode is one of America’s best storytellers, Louisiana-based singer/songwriter/fiddler/guitarist Louis Michot. Louis is truly a national treasure, a student as much as he is teacher. In his "day job" he fronts the multiple Grammy winning traditional Cajun band the Lost Bayou Ramblers. Here, Louis returns to For Songs to discuss his latest solo album called Seauxleaux (pronounced “solo” in Cajun French). This interview, along with his performance on the raw, riveting Seauxleaux, will give you chills, or at least it does for me. We talk about history, the impact of lifelong relationships, and what it means—or doesn’t—to be punk rock. So grab a beer, your pencil, and let Louis take you away.

Every album is important to every band, but some have greater impact than others. Look no further than the [Sweet Lizzy Project](www.sweetlizzyproject.com). The now Nashville-based band’s first album Heaven, was released 10 years ago this year and literally changed their lives. Recorded in a humble studio in Havana, Cuba, Heaven ended up in the hands of Raul Malo, lead singer/songwriter for the Miami-based Americana band the Mavericks as he was scouting bands and locations to film the 2017 PBS special Havana Time Machine. One listen and Raul not only included the band in the special, but also brought them to the US. In this episode, Sweet Lizzy Project lead singer Lisset Diaz makes a return appearance to discuss Heaven, which the band is rereleasing to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. Join me as Lisset recounts how a part-time hobby turned into an album that uprooted and changed their lives. It can be cliché to say that music changes lives, but Lisset and her band are living proof. Dig in!

If nothing else, music is healing. Look no further than my guest on this episode—Dan Murphy, former lead guitarist from the 80s-90s cowpunk band Soul Asylum and the alt.country super group Golden Smog. The Minneapolis-based Murphy, who thought he had quit the music biz for good roughly 13 years ago, is in the midst of an unexpected musical renaissance. In this episode, Dan and I discuss his band the Scarlet Goodbye’s second album El Camino Adios. We talk about his partnership with band co-founder Jeff Arundel, a few tunes from the record, and how he has rediscovered his love of being in a group again. Go grab a beer or two and dig into this one!

It’s a For Songs first! Join me in the studio for this fabulous conversation with Kevin and Jarrett from the rock/pop/indie rock trio Franklin Gotham. This interview was recorded at Jarrett’s Mixtape Studios in Alexandria, Va. We talk about the band’s latest EP Good Times, Bad Times, and three brilliant songs: the rock-pop gem Caroline, their brilliant cover of Life in a Northern Town, and then, well, you just gotta listen to the whole interview to see what Star Words is about. Trust me, it’s worth it. So sit back, grab a beer, and enjoy!

Prepare to be transported. Destination? Who knows, somewhere peaceful no doubt. Just get ready and enjoy the ride. My guest for this episode is making her fifth appearance on the show—[Yasmin Williams](www.yasminwilliamsmusic.com), one of the most innovative and talented musicians I’ve ever heard. Yasmin is here to discuss her latest album Acadia, released in October 2024. Coming on the heels of her breakthrough 2021 release Urban Driftwood, Acadia establishes Yasmin as a true force in modern music. In this episode, we discuss the making of the new record—her first on a major label—and how she assembled an all-star cast of guest artists. We also talk about how her life has changed since Urban Driftwood and recording with the support of a major label. Mostly, though, we talk about the songs. The breathtaking, dreamy, evocative songs that will transport you to a better place. So sit back and welcome Yasmin Williams back to the show.

If you are looking for an album so definitive of our times—an album that exquisitely captures the chaos, the churn, the despair, and ultimately the hope of our world—look no further: LA-based Sons of Silver’s newest release Runaway Emotions is absolutely the one. Lead singer/songwriter Peter Argyropoulos has always been a bit of a soothsayer, as the band’s first two EPs so clearly demonstrated. On Runaway Emotions, however, he takes it to a new level. In this episode, Peter joins me again to detail Runaway Emotions, his hopes and fears for the band and world, and so much more. We focus on four songs in particular—Running Out of Words, Nobody Minds, Hold Tight, and Friends. The album is rough, edgy, abrasive, yet tender. We dish on the state of the world, the music industry, and, of all things, wine. Check out this interview, then check them out on tour! Buckle up, ‘cause this one’s a doozy!

Happy Halloween! Here’s a special edition of For Songs Singles! This time we bring back old friend Lisset Diaz, singer/songwriter for the Havana-by-Nashville-based Sweet Lizzy Project, probably one of the hardest rocking and hardest working bands around. Lisset joins me to talk about the band’s latest single, Tales of Never-Ending Rage and a Beautiful Disaster, released just in time for Halloween. The song is incredible—a tour-de-force recalling Queen, the Beatles, Living Colour, Faith No More, Guns N’ Rose, and so much more. The only thing better than the music is the backstory behind the song, so buckle up, put on your costume and welcome Lisset back to the show!

Buckle up everyone—it’s milestone time! This episode of For Songs is the nice, big, round number of 70! That’s right, 7-0! And helping me celebrate is the most popular guest I’ve had—Minneapolis singer/songwriter/guitarist Dan Murphy. A co-founding member of one of Minnesota’s biggest rock band Soul Asylum, Dan is making his third appearance on the show. In this episode of For Songs Singles, Dan discusses the first single from his new band’s forthcoming album. The song is Speedway, the band is the Scarlet Goodbye, and the album is El Camino Adios, set for release in January. The band’s second album, El Camino Adios marks a departure of sorts for Dan and his songwriting partner Jeff Arundel. As exemplified by the undeniably catchy Speedway, El Camino Adios is a character/story driven album, inspired by everyday life in rural America. Dan talks how he and Jeff approached the album and made a conscious effort to evoke stories and write outside the first person. Dan also details how a few years of playing live together brought a greater cohesion to the songs. So sit back, crack a beer, and enjoy Dan’s third appearance on the show!

Sometimes the simplest words say the most. For proof, look no further than my next guest, Richmond, Va.-based singer/songwriter [Mighty Joshua](www.mightyjoshua.com). Mighty Joshua is one of the hottest, sought after reggae acts along the East Coast, and his new album Dreaducation demonstrates why. In this episode, Mighty Joshua talks “Beware,” the first single from the new record. The song is a musical tour de force, with a driving bass line and sharp horn section anchored by Joshua’s percussion and soulful voice. Like the word itself, “Beware” is more than meets the eye—you’ll hear something new every time you listen. Mighty Joshua talks about how the song came to be, his significant growth as a singer and writer, and how being mindful—being aware—is a necessity in life. So please join me in welcoming the Mighty Joshua back to For Songs.

Every now and again I pinch myself when doing this show. It’s been four years and I’ve had some amazing guests. Yet this one—with all due respect to everyone who’s been on—this one has been more than 30 years in the making. Because my guest is Ian Hunter, hands down my favorite singer-songwriter of ‘em all. Ian is best known for his time fronting the early to mid-70s band English band Mott the Hoople. Mott had a major hit in 1972 with All the Young Dudes—look it up on Spotify, trust me you’ve heard it. From there Ian’s solo career has dotted nearly six decades, and he’s still going strong. Ian joined me to discuss his latest album Defiance Part II: Fiction. The album follows Defiance Part I, both of which were recorded near the end of the pandemic. The songs are fantastic, but check out the roster of musicians who joined him: Ringo Starr, Brian May, Lucinda Williams, Jeff Tweedy, the late Taylor Hawkins, and so many more. We talk about the album, the pandemic, the staying power of music, and, well, the theme of both Defiance records—agism and not going quietly into the night. What else could you want? Dive into this interview with Ian Hunter.

Some folks are just a natural for this show. Nashville-based veteran singer/songwriter Tim Easton certainly fits the bill. A renowned tunesmith, Easton has lived a quintessential troubadour life—busking in Europe and living in L.A., New York, and many places in between. Now calling Nashville home, Tim is back with a new album Find Your Way. Tim’s solo work dates back to the late 90s, back when the major labels bet big that so-called alt.country or Americana would be the next thing. In this episode of For Songs Singles, Tim talks about how those big bets never paid off. We cover quite a bit here, but mostly we discuss the first single from the album, the ethereal title track Find Your Way. The song deals with a life-changing near-miss traffic incident, caused by Tim being a bit under the influence. Tim opens up about how the incident caused him to reevaluate his lifestyle. We also discuss his career and influences, and long-time listeners of this show will appreciate Tim’s love of both the Clash and Johnny Cash, the Louvin Brothers and Elvis Costello. So sit back and enjoy as Tim Easton joins me for For Songs.

If there’s one lesson songwriters learn over and over again, it’s that sometimes you just gotta let go. Sometimes you just gotta let the song work its way out on its own schedule. Just let it go. That’s the trick my next guest leaned on for his band’s latest single. Peter Argyropolous, lead singer and songwriter for LA-based rockers Sons of Silver, joins me to discuss Tell Me This, a classic, 70s-esque punk rocker released in early 2024. In addition to being a great friend of the show, Peter is also a fantastic interview. Coming off the heels of Sons of Silver's blistering 2022 EP Ordinary Sex Appeal, Peter opens up about the difficulties he had in finishing the song, especially its off-kilter lyrics. Peter also goes into detail about the band’s struggles in dealing with new personnel and refurbishing their sound. We cover a bit of everything here—songwriting, guitar tech, and gearing up (hopefully) for a year of touring. So dig in and welcome one of my favorite recurring guests Peter Argyropolous back to For Songs.