Folk Root Radio Episode 485: feat. Francine Honey & More Folk Roots Radio For The Holidays

Folk Root Radio Episode 485: feat. Francine Honey & More Folk Roots Radio For The Holidays

Well, it’s that time of year. Time for another very special seasonal edition of Folk Roots Radio. So here it is – another attempt at some thoughtful and insightful holiday music programming, that steps off the beaten track and features mostly new and original songs. This time around we hear from Good Lovelies, Silent Winters, Karen Morand, The Roys, Còig, Matt Andersen, Kristine St-Pierre & Justin Lacroix, Matt Andersen, Sofia Talvik, Howlin’ Bill and Skinner & T’witch. We also squeeze in a fun interview with South Western Ontario singer-songwriter Francine Honey who released her own holiday album “Take Me To The North Pole” earlier this year. Check out the full playlist below.

Interview

Every artist needs a holiday album – South West Ontario singer-songwriter Francine Honey has just released hers. Eight songs, including some well chosen Christmas classics, and two originals, the title track “Take Me To The North Pole” and “Christmas Round My Tree”. As a child, the idea of being taken to the North Pole to visit Santa, seemed to young Francine, like the best thing ever; which makes the playful title track the perfect way to share that sentiment. “Christmas Round My Tree”, was written for those who will be alone at Christmas. “When I was in my teens, I would go to nursing homes and sing Christmas carols for the elderly. My heart always sank when I would see some of them had no family. As I got older and saw my own family members deal with a first Christmas after a loved one passed away. I witnessed their determination to still find a sense of Christmas tradition and the knowledge of what truly matters is being together and not the gifts you buy”. The album wraps with Francine’s version of Verlon Thompson’s “My Heart Is There With You”, a song she wanted to record from the first time she heard Verlon sing it at a workshop. “When he played it, I immediately felt tears running down my cheeks, because of its honesty, and how I feel about my family and friends who I don’t get to see over the holidays and at other times.” The new album was recorded in Nashville with Neilson Hubbard who also produced Francine’s 2018 album “To Be Continued”. Joining them in the studio were a great group of support players, including guitarist Will Kimbrough, pianist Dan Mitchell, and bassist Dean Marold – and Verlon Thompson himself.

For more information about the music of Francine Honey, visit francinehoney.com.

Listen

You can listen to this episode again on Soundcloud by following the link below. You can also listen to episodes of Folk Roots Radio, on demand, via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Tune-in Radio. (Click on the highlighted link to reach your chosen platform.)

Playlist

Nicolas & The Iceni (Theme)
Lucy She Rises
Roll Right (2019, self)

Good Lovelies
What Could It Be
Evergreen (2019, Self) CDN

Silent Winters
Christmas Morning
Christmas Morning (2019, Fallen Tree Records) CDN

Karen Morand
Down Here
(single) (2019, Self) CDN

The Roys
Bluegrass Kinda Christmas
Bluegrass Kind Of Christmas (2014, Rural Rhythm Records)

Còig
The Spree We Had At Christmas
Carols Too (2019, Self) CDN

Francine Honey
Christmas Round My Tree
Take Me To The North Pole (2019, Self) CDN

Interview: Francine Honey chatting about her new holiday album “Take Me To The North Pole”.

Francine Honey
Take Me To The North Pole
Take Me To The North Pole (2019, Self) CDN

Francine Honey
My Heart Is There With You
Take Me To The North Pole (2019, Self) CDN

Kristine St-Pierre & Justin Lacroix
Sous le gui
Noël avec toi (2019, Self) CDN

Matt Andersen
Hobo Christmas Train
Spirit Of Christmas (2011, Busted Flat Records) CDN

Sofia Talvik
Christmas Train
(single) (2019, Makaki Music)

Howlin’ Bill
Rudolph
(single) (2014, Naked)

Good Lovelies
These Christmas Nights
Evergreen (2019, Self) CDN

Skinner & T’witch
Santa, Teach The World To Fly
The Bells Of Christmas (2019, Self) CDN

About the author

JAN HALL

Host of Folk Roots Radio, Jan Hall started in Radio in 1993 at WEFT 90.1fm in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Folk Roots Radio (formerly Royal City Rag) debuted on CFRU 93.3fm in August 2005 before developing into a syndicated radio show. As the host of Folk Roots Radio, Jan focuses on bringing new folk, roots and blues music and the voices of upcoming and independent artists to the airwaves. Jan is also a much sought after stage host and festival emcee. In 2019, Jan Hall received Folk Music Ontario's prestigious Estelle Klein Award for her contribution to Ontario's folk music community.

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