 A few weeks ago, artist, musician, composer, and all-around creative Kentuckian Dan Dutton was kind enough to speak with me in depth about his early years as student of the ballad tradition. He also related his experiences learning ballads and … Continue reading →
Preview of a new CD from Dan Schatz and WFDU-FMâs TRADITIONS Playlist for August 23, 2015 There are numerous songs that address the frailty of our environment. Numerous collections have gathered songs that point out the human impact upon our … Continue reading →
Somerset is in the Knobs of Kentucky, and if you live among those hills you know that the red clay you can find thereabouts is perfect for spurring a childâs imagination. One of Somersetâs native sons, who grew up making … Continue reading →
I recently paid a visit to Chicago for the birthday of my good friend Ken, also the father and co-founder of this blog.  After a party-hating thunderstorm drove Ken, his family, and me with near full coolers from a free concert in … Continue reading →
     JENI AND BILLYâS BIG PICNIC BAND Picnic In The Sky Waystation 003 www.jeniandbilly.com  In the early days of the recording industry much of what we today call folk, country, and old-time music was called … Continue reading →
WFDU-FMâs TRADITIONS Playlist for January 4, 2015 Everyone has favorites, and these are mine. I hesitate from calling this list a âbest ofâ because we all have different opinions and I firmly believe that art has no limits to what … Continue reading →
       Various Artists Dear Jean: Artists Celebrate Jean Ritchie Compass Records #7 4631 2 www.compassrecords.com There are two things any and every true aficionado of folk music should know full well about Jean Ritchie: … Continue reading →
While artists release CDs throughout the year, the fall seems to bring the most new recordings to my mailbox. While this doesnât seem to thrill my mail carrier, I am able to deliver some extraordinary new songs to our radio … Continue reading →
Introduction Ken started us last week on a new, short, and lighter path for a few posts â murder ballad comedy. Â We learned the obvious from John Cleese â that indeed, dark humor can be good humor, and really has … Continue reading →
Introduction We here at Murder Ballad Monday are soon fixing to close our second year of writing about our topic of choice! Â Donât worry; we have a few more weeks to go before we get to our holiday hiatus, and … Continue reading →
