American Songcatcher podcast

American Songcatcher

Tracing the roots of American music from its cultured past to artists playing it forward, folk musician, musicologist and host Nicholas Edward Williams takes listeners on a unique documentary-style podcast experience. Dive into the stories of centuries-old Traditional songs and migrants who carried their musical heritage here, and uncover the lives of pioneers and integral musicians who created and shaped styles such as Bluegrass, Ragtime, Jazz and Swing, Country, Gospel, Blues, Old-Time, and the Folk music that's derived from it all. Here's to the songs of old, may they live on forever.

Tracing the roots of American music from its cultured past to artists playing it forward, folk musician, musicologist and host Nicholas Edward Williams takes listeners on a unique documentary-style podcast experience. Dive into the stories of centuries-old Traditional songs and migrants who carried their musical heritage here, and uncover the lives of pioneers and integral musicians who created and shaped styles such as Bluegrass, Ragtime, Jazz and Swing, Country, Gospel, Blues, Old-Time, and the Folk music that's derived from it all. Here's to the songs of old, may they live on forever.

 

#52

TAKEOVER // Finding Lucinda: Episode 1

Today on the program, we're letting our friends at The Bluegrass Situation takeover our fe... more

02 Dec 2025

25 MINS

25:28

02 Dec 2025


#51

Earl Scruggs // King of the Five String

Today on the program, we're sharing our most robust and entertaining episode since beginni... more

23 Oct 2025

1 HR 11 MINS

1:11:00

23 Oct 2025


#50

ANNOUNCEMENT // Béla Fleck Banjo Raffle

Get your raffle ticket <a href= "https://givebutter.com/belabanjoraffle" target="_blank" r... more

11 Aug 2025

02 MINS

02:01

11 Aug 2025


#49

Talkin' Blues // Buffalo Nichols

Today, I'm sharing a conversation I had with one of today's most eclectic roots musicians,... more

31 May 2025

1 HR 05 MINS

1:05:41

31 May 2025


#48

ANNOUNCEMENT // American Songcatcher's Future

Over the last 5 years, we have had the privilege of bringing you stories of Pioneering mus... more

12 May 2025

02 MINS

02:06

12 May 2025


#47

BONUS // Moses Asch & Folkways Records

A few years back, we had the pleasure of partnering with Smithsonian Folkways for a specia... more

30 Dec 2024

2 HR 12 MINS

2:12:07

30 Dec 2024


#46

WNC Roots Music History LIVE!

Back in July of 2024, I had the pleasure of bringing the first LIVE American Songcatcher p... more

17 Nov 2024

45 MINS

45:22

17 Nov 2024


#45

ANNOUNCEMENT // ReString Appalachia

ReString Appalachia www.americansongcatcher.com/ReStringAppalachia ReString Appalachia is ... more

23 Oct 2024

02 MINS

02:46

23 Oct 2024


#44

S3:E7 // Frankie & Johnny

Today on the program, we're proud to present the story behind the most widely recorded mur... more

22 Sep 2024

34 MINS

34:43

22 Sep 2024


#43

Talkin' Blues // John McCutcheon

Today, I'm sharing a conversation I had with Grammy-nominated folk singer, storyteller, hu... more

18 Aug 2024

1 HR 02 MINS

1:02:06

18 Aug 2024


#42

S3:E6 // Sam Cooke

Today on the program, we present the story behind the Father of Soul, Sam Cooke. Growing u... more

24 Jul 2024

34 MINS

34:23

24 Jul 2024


#41

S3:E5 // Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys

Today on the program, we're proud to present the story behind the King of Western Swing, B... more

04 Jun 2024

45 MINS

45:35

04 Jun 2024