The Chattahoochee Folk Hour

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour goes to Scotland

Travel across the pond in this episode and enjoy Scottish folk singers recorded at the Royal Oak Pub in Edinburgh.  A few months ago, my brother and I travelled to the UK to visit my son, Leland, a PHD candidate in genomics and bioinformatics at Cambridge University.  I packed my digital recorder and we ventured up to Scotland to experience the rich folk music scene in Edinburgh.  Many thanks to my son Leland for the trip of a lifetime.

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour with Chuck Nation, Part Two

I had such a great time with Chuck and Susan Nation and Scotty DePriest that I couldn't leave any of their material on the studio floor.  Enjoy Part Two of the Folk Hour with Chuck Nation.

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour with Chuck Nation

Multi-instrumentalist Chuck Nation, along with his wife, bass player and vocalist Susan Nation,and master guitarist Scotty DePriest, appear in the studio, playing their toe tapping bluegrass and gospel tunes.  A champion fiddle and mandolin player, Chuck Nation is legendary in bluegrass circles, having performed with many of the top musicians in bluegrass, on stages throughout the world.  In this episode, Chuck talks about his career in music, and importantly, as a full time pastor, Chuck describes the importance of music as part of the human experience.  Together with his wife Susan and Scotty, the trio plays several wonderful tunes in the studio, exemplifying why audiences across the globe fall in love with their performances.  It was a special evening for me to spend time with them in the studio, and I'm certain you will enjoy learning more about the Chuck Nation band.  For more information, visit their website at www.chucknationband.com. 

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour with Folk Artist Grant Searcey

Our guest on this week's edition of the folk hour is nationally known folk artist Grant Searcey.  Grant shares his amazing story about discovering his passion for folk art in the midst of struggling with debilitating cardiomyopathy.  The recipient of a heart transplant, Grant's whimsical art style has captured his audience, and his work has graced art galleries and private homes across the country.  His story is an inspiration to all of us.  Enjoy the imagery and mastery of Grant Searcey on the Folk Hour and online at www.grantsearcey.com.

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour with Wisewater

In this episode, Belmont University graduate Kate Lee, and Harvard graduate Forrest O'Connor, together known as Wisewater, share their wonderful talents on The Chattahoochee Folk Hour.  Although they have only been playing music together for a short time, Kate and Forrest blend wonderful harmonies with Kate's masterful fiddle playing and Forrest's mesmerizing musicianship on mandolin or bouzouki to create innovative and engaging material.  Two wonderfully talented performers, Forrest and Kate strive to perfect the craft of songwriting and with their beautiful collaboration, Wisewater is quickly rising to the top of the folk music scene.  You will enjoy getting to know Wisewater on this edition of the Folk Hour.   

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour with Sally Barris

Minnesota native and Nashville songwriter Sally Barris appears on the Folk Hour and shares her heartwarming tunes and discusses life as a Nashville songwriter.  Sally is a wonderful singer and an accomplished songwriter, and her songs have been recorded by some of the top artists in Nashville.  For more information, check out her website at www.sallybarris.com. 

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour with The Littlest Birds

The Littlest Birds migrated from the mountains of Sierra Nevada to Gainesville Georgia to appear on this edition of The Chattahoochee Folk Hour. Cellist David Huebner, and 'banjotista' Sharon Martinson combine their skilled musicianship with their tender harmonies to perform modern 'old time' music.  Performing live in the studio, David and Sharon share a few classic old time tunes, along with several of their original songs.  Their music is simple and pure, like their band name, yet intricate and complex as they combine the melodic clawhammer banjo with the deep and rich tones of the cello.  For more information on The Littlest Birds, check out their website at www.thelittlestbirds.net.   

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour with Tommy Jordan

UGA Professor Tommy Jordan appears on the Folk Hour and enlightens us on the significant contribution of folk and 'old time' music to the building of our rich musical heritage.  In addition to his duties at the University of Georgia, Tommy is a major contributor to the folk music scene in north Georgia, and is one of the organizers of The North Georgia Folk Festival, an annual event which takes place this year on October 5 in Athens.  In this edition of the Folk Hour, Tommy plays several folk tunes on his 1953 Martin guitar, and a few clawhammer banjo tunes on his OME banjo. From performing with his band, String Theory,to playing for contra dances, to his solo performances, Tommy brings a reverence and respect to music that pulls his listeners into this wonderful community built on the very basis of our American tradition.  It was a pleasure for me to spend this hour with him in the studio, and to accompany him on a few tunes with my G harp.  For more information on the North Georgia Folk Festival, check out their website at www.athensfolk.org, , and for Tommy's website, www.tommyjordan.com.

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour with Co-Host Sam Taylor

Enjoy the music of Sam Bush, Jefferson Ross, The Howlin Brothers, and other great artists on this edition with Co-Host Sam Taylor.  During the Crazy World segment, Ralph puts Sam through his paces with obscure college mascots.

The Chattahoochee Folk Hour with The Howlin' Brothers

Get your howl on with 'The Howlin' Brothers', three incredibly talented musicians and singers who are blazing their trail in Americana/bluegrass circles.  Ben Plasse, Jared Green and Ian Craft met at Ithica College, and began playing old time music together.  After college, they moved to Nashville and honed their talents into a high energy band full of toe tapping tunes and high drivin' harmonies.  On this edition of the Folk Hour, The Howlin' Brothers play several of their tunes live in the studio and discuss their debut album, 'Howl'.  The sound quality in the studio was so pure that you can even hear Jared's high stepping during the show, reminiscent of John Hartford.  During the Crazy World segment, learn techniques for a truly effective 'howl', and join in the first ever 'group howl' in the comfort of your own home.  The Howlin' Brothers are the real deal, and it was such a pleasure to have them on the show.  For more information, check out their website at www.thehowlinbrothers.com.