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Americana Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Robert Earl Keen
Americana Podcast: The 51st State is a platform dedicated to sharing and expanding on the Americana genre's roots, reach, and definition. Each episode is told from the point of view of the musicians that have dedicated their lives to it. Robert Earl Keen, Americana pioneer and host, interviews musicians, exploring their unique histories, creative processes, successes, failures, and everything in between.
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- Oct 6, 20261h 0m
The Denim Poet | Hayes Carll
Robert Earl Keen sits down with Texas singer-songwriter Hayes Carll for a conversation about songwriting, storytelling, and the people and places that find their way into his music.From his early days growing up in The Woodlands, Texas, to a career spanning more than two decades, Carll has developed a distinctive songwriting voice built on sharp observation, humor, honesty, and an appreciation for the complicated characters of everyday life. Drawing inspiration from writers like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and John Prine, he has carried the Texas songwriting tradition forward while developing a style unmistakably his own.In this episode, Keen and Carll explore the craft behind telling a story in a song, the influence of Texas and its songwriting tradition, and the balance between humor and heartache that runs throughout Carll’s work. They also discuss the experiences, characters, and small details that inspire songs—and what keeps a songwriter curious after years of writing, recording, and performing.It’s a conversation about finding meaning in ordinary moments, choosing the right words, and why a good story never goes out of style. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Jul 21, 202657 min
Rodeo Sunsets and Silver Screens | Ryan Bingham
On this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen welcomes acclaimed singer-songwriter, actor, and Academy Award winner Ryan Bingham for a conversation recorded at the legendary Continental Club in Austin, Texas. Before Hollywood recognition and Yellowstone fame, Bingham's life was shaped by the realities of the American West—rodeo circuits, ranch work, and years spent writing songs rooted in lived experience rather than romanticized myth. That authenticity became the foundation of a career that began with his breakthrough album Mescalito and led to an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Grammy for "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart. Bingham joins REK to discuss his long-awaited return with They Call Us the Lucky Ones, his first studio album in seven years. Created alongside longtime collaborators The Texas Gentlemen, the record emerged from relaxed jam sessions rather than meticulously planned studio work, resulting in an album that feels both spontaneous and deeply personal. Together, REK and Bingham explore songwriting, growing up in the American West, finding an authentic creative voice, and the experiences that continue to shape Bingham's music. It's a conversation about resilience, gratitude, and why the most enduring songs are often the ones that simply tell the truth. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Apr 14, 202653 min
Take Me to Church | Meat Church with Matt Pittman
On this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, Robert Earl Keen sits down with Matt Pittman to explore the rhythm, tradition, and storytelling behind barbecue. Born and raised in Texas, Pittman built Meat Church from humble backyard beginnings into a widely followed brand known for its seasonings, classes, and YouTube channel. What started as trial and error became a craft rooted in patience, repetition, and instinct. Together, Keen and Pittman draw parallels between food and music—where the slow burn of a smoker mirrors a steady groove, and tradition provides the structure for creativity. They discuss how barbecue, like songwriting, is passed down, shaped by region, and constantly evolving without losing its identity. In a fast-moving world, this conversation is a reminder to slow down—to listen, to learn, and to appreciate the time it takes to create something meaningful. Because whether it’s a song, a story, or a meal, the best things are built patiently and shared together. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Mar 10, 20261h 1m
REMASTERED: Billy Strings | From The Big Bang to Bluegrass
In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, Robert Earl Keen sits down with Billy Strings to talk about learning to play, the craft of songwriting, and the evolving world of Americana music. Born William Apostol and raised in rural Michigan, Billy Strings grew up surrounded by bluegrass. By the time he was a teenager, his blistering flatpicking had already earned him a reputation as a prodigy among pickers and players. Years of relentless practice and countless small gigs eventually carried him from Midwestern bars and festivals to some of the biggest stages in roots music. For years, bluegrass lived mostly in whispers. You might hear it referenced in liner notes, spot it in a citation, or see it pop up in the occasional New Yorker cartoon. But something has changed. The conversation has gotten louder, and the reality is harder to ignore. Bluegrass music is considered cool now. It should not come as much of a surprise. Bluegrass has always carried a rich and vibrant history stretching back to the early twentieth century. It is a genre that holds tight to regional identity, creative freedom, and remarkable musicianship. At the same time, it has always fostered a deeply communal culture of learning, where songs, skills, and stories move naturally from one player to another. What the music needed was a new voice. New chapters. New songs added to the bluegrass canon. That is where Billy Strings comes in. Over the past several years, Billy has emerged as one of the most influential figures in modern bluegrass. His albums Home and Renewal helped push the genre into new territory while earning widespread acclaim, including multiple Grammy Awards, with Home winning Best Bluegrass Album. His live shows have developed a devoted following, blending traditional bluegrass musicianship with the improvisational spirit of jam bands and the storytelling roots of Americana. Billy Strings makes music that is rooted in bluegrass but stretches well beyond it. His songwriting reflects a deep understanding of the power of a well-crafted song. His lyrics move easily between personal reflection, observations about economic and ecological change, and the everyday questions that shape a life. All of it is supported by remarkable musicianship and production, where intricate playing and layered sonic details often create moments that feel almost like soundscapes. Trying to describe how good he is can be difficult. Some things are simply easier to hear than to explain. Listen to the full episode on all streaming platforms or at Americanapodcast.com. Like, share, and subscribe to Americana Podcast. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Feb 11, 202646 min
Blue Delta Jeans | The Threads of Life
In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, we listen for a different kind of music.Not the kind that starts on a stage. The kind built into process. The low hum of a sewing machine. The steady rhythm of hands at work. The quiet beat of something being made with intention.The story begins in Tupelo, Mississippi, a town forever tied to music. Gospel, blues, and early rock and roll left their fingerprints here. Rhythm lives in the ground, and making something, whether a song or a pair of jeans, has always meant putting a little of yourself into the work.Blue Delta Jeans was founded here by Josh West and Nick Weaver. Two men who believed craft still mattered, and that manufacturing could carry the same soul as the music that shaped its region. What they built was not about chasing trends. It was about slowing things down, listening closely, and letting process lead.This episode explores the connection between music, labor, and culture. The same values that shape a song shape the things we wear. Authenticity. Repetition. Imperfection. Time.Listen to the full episode on all streaming platforms or at Americanapodcast.com.Like, Share, and Subscribe to Americana Podcast. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Jan 7, 202650 min
James McMurtry | A Man of Many Worlds
In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen sits down with one of the most quietly influential voices in American songwriting: James McMurtry.For decades, McMurtry has carved out a singular space where songs are more than melodies. His writing is built on gritty character studies, moral landscapes, and moments of hard-won clarity—stories that feel lived in, observed, and unafraid to sit with complexity. From the early days of his debut album Too Long in the Wasteland to the lived-in wisdom of his most recent work, his catalog reads like a map of roads traveled and lives encountered along the way.Born in Fort Worth, Texas, McMurtry spent much of his youth in Northern Virginia before finding his footing as a songwriter in Tucson, Arizona, studying English and Spanish while cutting his teeth in small rooms and local venues. After time spent traveling—including a period living in Alaska—he returned to Texas, working odd jobs, playing bars and open mics, and gradually forging a life as a working songwriter. For much of his adult life, he’s been based in Lockhart, just south of Austin, though his music has carried far beyond those borders.In this conversation, Robert and James reflect on the long arc of a songwriting life—from early guitar lessons and teenage gigs to his first record, Too Long in the Wasteland, and through to his latest album, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy. Along the way, they talk about craft, observation, patience, and what it means to tell the truth in song without flinching.It’s an intimate, thoughtful look at an artist whose work doesn’t chase trends or spotlight—but endures, quietly and honestly, exactly where it belongs.Listen to the full episode on all streaming platforms or at AmericanaPodcast.com.Like, share, and subscribe to Americana Podcast. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Dec 3, 20251h 7m
Our Alright Guy | Todd Snider Revisited
Today’s episode is a rerun, and we bring it to you with a heaviness that is hard to put into words. When we learned of Todd’s passing on November 14th, it felt as if something vibrant had suddenly drained from the world, as if a familiar warm light we’d always counted on had quietly dissipated into the ether, leaving us in a cold sadness which we may never shake. Revisiting this conversation now feels like reaching for that light we all miss.Todd had a way of making the world feel a little lighter, a lot funnier, and all the more honest. His storytelling did more than briefly fill you car stereo, living room, and favorite live music haunts. It stayed with you long after the music faded, carrying the kind of truth and humor that only he could bring, singing through a one of a kind crooked smile. His voice, his wit, and his beautifully kooky way of seeing things continue to travel with us in the songs, the stories, and the moments he gave so freely.As we return to this episode, we do so with gratitude for the spirit Todd Snider shared so openly. Listening back is a way of holding onto the warmth, the wonder, and the wild sincerity he carried into every conversation. He may no longer be with us, but his sound will remain forever.We share this rerun to honor Todd and the lasting imprint of his voice, a memory that continues to glow even in the spaces he no longer fills. We hope you enjoy this show as much as we did, and remember your love for Todd Snider as we do. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
- Oct 28, 202538 min
Terry Allen & Jo Harvey | Lubbock and Life (On Everything) - Part 2
In part two of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen continues his conversation with Terry and Jo Harvey Allen—two legendary Texas-born artists whose creativity has spanned generations, mediums, and continents.From a childhood friendship in Lubbock to a coin toss that took them west, Terry and Jo Harvey’s story unfolds like a piece of living Americana—filled with grit, luck, and a touch of magic. This episode picks up with their adventures from Los Angeles to Berkeley to Santa Fe, from early radio beginnings to global artistic recognition, including their most recent roles in Killers of the Flower Moon.Together, Robert, Terry, and Jo Harvey revisit a half-century of partnership rooted in art, poetry, and the pursuit of truth—a love story told through every canvas, song, and stage.Listen to the full episode on all streaming platforms or at Americanapodcast.com.Like, Share, and Subscribe to Americana Podcast. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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About Americana Podcast
Americana Podcast: The 51st State is a platform dedicated to sharing and expanding on the Americana genre's roots, reach, and definition. Each episode is told from the point of view of the musicians that have dedicated their lives to it. Robert Earl Keen, Americana pioneer and host, interviews musicians, exploring their unique histories, creative processes, successes, failures, and everything in between.
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