“All my life I’ve always ended up rotating back to music as a means of survival, whether it be for my mental state, or possibly financial state.” So says Murphy, a folk/blues-style singer-songwriter with a difficult early life story, and also a unique experience of musical self-discovery and wider fame. While dealing with childhood challenges like a lack of reliable ...

When asked about is introduction to music, RC Hall recalls, “my old man bellowing out Hank Snow tunes in the old Galaxie 500 on family road trips when I was a kid.” He adds, “I grew up in back country Missouri listening to The Beatles, Skynyrd, Iron Maiden and Zeppelin, alongside ’80s and ’90s country.” RC has lived what to ...

“Bluegrass is, by nature, a collaborative form of music,” says Charles R Humphrey III, Songs From the Road Band’s bassist and bandleader. The band began as a part-time collective of western North Carolina musicians, but has grown, over the years, into a full-time touring band, with “community” remaining its driving force. This spirit of collaboration became especially important during the ...

Pete Price had spent the last 30 years as lead guitarist for The Fries Band, a Dayton, Ohio staple, known for their lush harmonies and acoustic rock vibe. The group has enjoyed local success in Dayton’s thriving music scene, and opened for quite a few national acts when they came to town. The band reflects many of Pete’s personal musical ...

After getting a start in music at age four with a mandolin from his grandparents, Long Island singer-songwriter Bobcat credits a very specific encounter with setting his musical trajectory in his teens. He listened to, and digested the 1994 Beatles compilation, Live at the BBC, which featured the young band on mostly covers of the rockabilly, rock & roll and ...

Amelia Hogan has been called an “impeccably authentic singer of Celtic music,” and her heart comes through via the highly lyrical solo a cappella style of Irish music known as Sean-Nós, or “old style.” She also plays bodhran (Irish drum) and a small 22-string Welsh lap harp, and has toured internationally. Despite growing up on the West Coast, Amelia was ...

Explaining her approach to music as a “song interpreter,” Mara Levine says, “What I do is look for really wonderful songs and then put my own spin on them.” Along with the many classics from the American folk songbook, which she grew up listening to constantly, Mara has connected with many contemporary songwriters at conferences and workshops. “It really has ...

Based in Stallings, North Carolina, Province of Thieves is an all-acoustic modern folk outfit that has been making music since 2012. They have made an impact with their powerful harmonies, reminiscent of the Eagles and Crosby, Stills & Nash. With a dash of humor and cleverly constructed original tunes, the band has gained a wide following and won a number ...

Lovers of Celtic music know that some of the best expressions of the style come indirectly across the pond, via the musically vibrant filter of Atlantic coastal Canada, specifically the province of Nova Scotia. Accordionist, guitarist, and player of multiple pocket-sized instruments, Mary Beth Carty possesses a magical voice that earned her a nomination for Traditional Singer of the Year ...

Although he only picked up the guitar during college, Eric Hagen has had music pulsing through his veins since earliest childhood: “I like to say my first words were ‘ma,’ ‘ba,’ and ‘Hey Jude,’ says the artist, citing the influence of his father’s record collection. It took a bad case of covid to propel Eric into full-on songwriting. “I got ...