Bryan McPherson Archives | Folk Roots Radio

Folk Roots Radio Episode 625: We’re All About The Music! (One Step Forward Edition)

Mar 07 2022

We have another hour of the great new releases to share with you on Episode 625 of Folk Roots Radio. Join us for new music from Jane Mathew, Big Little Lions, Sam Weber, Graham Ko, Max Allard, HuDost, Ben Sures, Keb’ Mo’, Jake Blount, The Pine Hearts, Bryan McPherson and Lynne Hanson. We wrap things up with three songs from folk singer Norma Waterson who sadly passed away recently, and was widely regarded as English folk royalty for her beautiful voice, and work with family bands The Watersons and Waterson: Carthy. Remember, if you like what you hear on Folk Roots Radio… and want to support the artists… don’t just stream their music, BUY their music and then you’ll really make a difference to their income during this difficult time, when live show opportunities are harder to come by. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 622: feat. Matt Patershuk - An Honest Effort & More New Releases

Feb 22 2022

Alberta based storytelling singer-songwriter Matt Patershuk joins us on Episode 622 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about his latest album, “An Honest Effort”, which tells stories of people who are trying to make a go of it, despite life’s challenges – and who are not going to give up just because things get difficult. It’s a great album, and a fun conversation with a fine songwriter who writes songs that just can’t help but draw you in. As always, we wrap up the episode with more of the latest new releases and this time around we hear from Grace Morrison, Tim O’Brien, Jackson Grimm, Bryan McPherson, The Accidentals, Jessica Pearson & The East Wind, The Weather Station, Steve Poltz and The Pine Hearts. Check out the full playlist below.

Folk Roots Radio Episode 465: feat. Skydiggers & More New Releases

Oct 10 2019

Josh Finlayson and Andy Maize have been making music together as Skydiggers, with a variety of musical compadres, for nearly 30 years. Josh Finlayson joins us on Episode 465 of Folk Roots Radio to chat about Skydiggers new album “Let’s Get Friendship Right”, the follow-up to the critically acclaimed “Warmth of the Sun” from 2017. The development of Let’s Get Friendship Right came out of a desire to use music as therapy to cope with the passing of several friends and family members. Music can be great medicine for what ails you, especially when faced with life’s challenges. Let’s Get Friendship Right is a great album, and it’s an excellent interview – we hope you’ll stay with us to check it out. We also take a look at more of the latest new releases, and this time around we hear from The New Customs, Bryan McPherson, Noah Derksen, Sultans of String, Natalie MacMaster, Jennis and Gathering Sparks. Check out the full playlist below.

May 17 2019

Khalid Yassein from Toronto’s folk-pop band Wild Rivers is our special guest on Episode 448 of Folk Roots Radio. After two album releases and a couple of singles, the Toronto-based band are really gaining traction, and have already developed a loyal fan base. They’ve just been touring Western Canada with Matt Andersen and his band, and this summer, they’ll be playing the wonderful Hillside Festival (July 12-14), at beautiful Guelph Lake, just outside Guelph ON. We check out their latest single “Moving Target”, plus two tracks from their 2018 E.P. “Eighty Eight”. We also take a look at more of the new releases we’ve received and this time around we include new music from Merival, Geneviève Racette, Our Native Daughters (Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell), Irish Mythen, RUNA, Michelle Rumball, Manx Marriner Mainline (feat. Harry Manx and Steve Marriner), Bryan McPherson and Onion Honey. Check out the full playlist below.

Jan 04 2017

U.S. folk singer and activist Bryan McPherson joins us on this episode to chat about his music, latest album “Wedgwood” and upcoming shows in Eastern Canada. We also take a look at some of the latest new releases.

Jan 03 2017

U.S. folk singer and activist Bryan McPherson released a great album of protest songs, “Wedgwood” in 2015. Originally from Boston, Bryan has chosen a life on the open road as the archetypal troubadour, singing songs about the oppressed for the oppressed – like a latter day Woody Guthrie, or more recently, the U.K.’s Billy Bragg. A passionate protest singer, he’s not afraid to use his gift to tackle issues like inequality, homelessness and police brutality. Demo recordings for “Wedgewood” were originally created in a rustic shack in California; the album has a lovely enveloping feel (referencing the Wedgewood stove Bryan used to keep him warm), even if it bristles with barely controlled anger as he sings songs of conscience about a country that he believes has lost its way. Brian McPherson joined us on Folk Roots Radio to talk about his music and some tour dates in Eastern Canada in early 2017. For more information about Bryan’s music, visit bryanmcpherson.com. Photo: EA Zimmermann. Music: Bryan McPherson “Born On A Highway”, “Days of Rage”, “Here We Go” and “Hearts In Boxcars” from Wedgewood (2015, OFD Records).

Episode 264: Mill Race Festival

Jul 16 2016

Brad McEwen, Artistic Director at the Mill Race Folk Society joins us on this episode to chat about this summer’s Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music taking place from July 29-31 in the historic downtown core of Galt in Cambridge, Ontario. And as always, we take a look at some new releases.

Jun 02 2016

Singer-songwriter and former member of Tamarack, James Gordon joins us on this episode to chat about “Sunny Jim”, his forty-something album over all, and seventh on Borealis Records. As always, we find time to include tracks from some of the fine new releases we’ve received.

May 20 2016

This episode of Folk Roots Radio is all about banjos… well, not quite, but mostly. Arnie Naiman joins us to chat about his latest album “Our Lucky Stars”. We also play tracks from the new albums of fellow banjo enthusiasts Chris Coole and Kaia Kater. And, as always, we also share some of the non-banjo related music we’ve received recently.