Southern Songs and Stories

Southern Songs and Stories is a documentary series about the music of the South and the artists who make it. We showcase their performances and discover the stories behind their songs with a look at their lives on stage, in the studio and at home as well as the family, friends, fans and music professionals around them.

Recent Episodes

Achieving a HercuLeon Record Decades in the Making: John Cowan and Andrea Zonn
Apr 8, 2025 – 00:39:39
Reflections on Rounder Records, the IBMA and Music Journalism With David Menconi
Mar 25, 2025 – 00:35:04
A Musical Animal That Puzzles and Delights: The Faux Paws
Mar 10, 2025 – 00:33:17
Tray Wellington and the Black Stringband Symposium
Feb 25, 2025 – 00:27:45
Of Wishing Wells and the Unattainable Woman With Lindsay Lou
Feb 11, 2025 – 00:30:16
Songs of Solidarity, Songs of Struggle: A Brief Introduction to Songs of Social Movements
Jan 28, 2025 – 00:37:17
David Childers, Revisited
Jan 7, 2025 – 00:48:57
The 2024 Christmas and Holiday New Music (and 2009 Radio Nostalgia) Special
Dec 13, 2024 – 00:55:42
The Liminal Spaces and Myriad Phases Of Twisted Pine
Nov 26, 2024 – 00:38:57
Of Triumph, Tragedy and the Solace of Solitude With Steve Earle
Nov 15, 2024 – 00:36:54
Stages Of Grief, Songs Of Hope: Helene's Aftermath For the Western NC Music Scene
Oct 30, 2024 – 00:44:18
Twin Tragedy Travelogue: An Update
Oct 11, 2024 – 00:12:17
The Impact of Place, and the Art of Collaboration With Maya De Vitry and Joel Timmons
Sep 24, 2024 – 00:40:35
Small Town Revelations From California to Carolina With Margo Cilker
Sep 11, 2024 – 00:33:58
Catching Up With the Pied Piper, Ketch Secor
Aug 27, 2024 – 00:58:45
Pioneering a New Style: The Musical and Cultural Synthesis of Larry & Joe
Aug 14, 2024 – 00:37:10
Bluegrass, Country and A Whole Lot In Between: The Extraordinary Life and Career of Marty Stuart
Jul 30, 2024 – 00:33:13
Jim Lauderdale, Donna the Buffalo and the Many Collaborations of MerleFest
Jul 17, 2024 – 00:35:17
American Songcatcher: Bob Wills
Jun 27, 2024 – 00:45:34
Rural Roots That Run Deep With Nick Shoulders and Adeem the Artist
Jun 18, 2024 – 00:34:50
When Praise and Worship Is Also a Really Good Time: Trombone Shout Bands
Jun 4, 2024 – 00:23:40
Striking the Eternal Chord of Cosmic Country With Daniel Donato
May 21, 2024 – 00:37:58
From Beethoven to Emily Dickinson and Earl Scruggs: The Musical Archaeology of Tony Trischka
Apr 23, 2024 – 00:27:03
Revisiting a North Carolina Massacre: Shelton Laurel, Part One
Apr 11, 2024 – 00:27:42
Going Solo, With Soul: Travis Book
Mar 26, 2024 – 00:30:18
Teaching the Art of the Bluegrass Jam: Pete Wernick
Mar 12, 2024 – 00:39:10
Blurring Lines and Packing a Punch With Stillhouse Junkies
Feb 23, 2024 – 00:30:06
Diversifying and Exporting Bluegrass With Dark Shadow Recording’s Stephen Mougin and Ben Wright
Feb 8, 2024 – 00:34:09
An Update, and Two Quick Takes With Tony Trischka and Travis Book
Jan 23, 2024 – 00:16:09
Gravy: King Biscuit Time
Jan 12, 2024 – 00:28:11
Finally, A Country That Welcomes Her: Rissi Palmer
Jan 8, 2024 – 00:31:37
Is Making A Year-End Top 10 List Relevant Anymore?
Dec 29, 2023 –
Cross Fading All Over the Place With Nora Jane Struthers and Joe Overton
Dec 18, 2023 – 00:24:44
The Broadside: What It Takes To Make Music in Prison
Nov 28, 2023 – 00:29:46
Legacy Media, Legacy Artists and Bluegrass’ Big Pivot With No Depression’s Stacy Chandler at IBMA
Nov 17, 2023 – 00:38:37
Peering Into Darkness While Dancing In the Light with Kev Russell of Shinyribs
Nov 3, 2023 – 00:32:50
Science Fiction Themes in Music on What It Is with Jeff Eason, Fred Mills and Carol Rifkin
Oct 24, 2023 – 00:28:36
Family Ties and Roots Music Foundations: Jonathan Wilson and Bella White
Oct 17, 2023 – 00:26:43
Questions From the Hat at The Earl Scruggs Music Festival With Michael Daves, David Lamotte, Josh Carter and Dean Jenks
Sep 25, 2023 – 00:30:14
Playing Through Pain With Cristina Vane
Sep 13, 2023 – 00:16:38
What's It Worth To Sing This Song: Ed Snodderly
Aug 22, 2023 – 00:30:30
Going Home to Where Dreams Come True: Miko Marks
Aug 1, 2023 – 00:31:33
Roots Reinterpreted: The Folk Revival of Jake Xerxes Fussell
Jul 18, 2023 – 00:36:04
A Soundtrack for July 4th
Jul 1, 2023 – 00:12:04
Getting Back to the Essence of the Song With Greg Cartwright, Amanda Anne Platt and Wes Pearce
Jun 20, 2023 – 00:34:15
Like Scenes From a Black & White Movie: Retro Cool and Minor Key Mystery With Eilen Jewell
Jun 6, 2023 – 00:36:02
Connections, Reflections and Collaborations: Peter Rowan’s Cosmic Americana
May 23, 2023 – 00:46:06
Sierra Ferrell, Revisited
May 9, 2023 – 00:34:06
An Amalgamation Of Lineage and Style With Zoe & Cloyd
Apr 25, 2023 – 00:28:32
Psychedelia in the Carolinas Then and Now With The Get Right Band and Ken Friedman
Apr 11, 2023 – 00:40:02

Recent Reviews

Rick Shanley

Insightful, educational and thoughtful

Joe and the team are doing us music lovers a great public service with this podcast. Very organic and a wonderful dive into the people and music that make this region so special.
Tom the Governor

Southern Songs & Stories is Great!!!

Joe Kendrick does a great job bringing entertaining and enlightening stories about the music and people of the South. I’ve lived in the South my whole life and Joe still manages to surprise me!!
aliciakenworthy

Insightful look into Southern culture

“Southern Songs and Stories” is a cultural gem. The show not only features up and coming singer/songwriters but long forgotten stories like that of the Shelton Laurel massacre. A must listen!
Horse lover9999

Olivia Ellen Lloyd podcast

Really enjoyed this podcast and the musical talent by Olivia Ellen Lloyd. Joe Kendrick asks some terrific and thoughtful questions.
The huge big fat update

Very amazing

Truly amazing quality podcast
Sicko Johnson

Awesome

Epic podcasts
Alake4

Sounds like home

I love listening to this podcast while traveling as it instantly transports me to a sense of home. Great interviews, great music. The episodes recorded at Albino Skunk Fest truly capture the magic that makes that festival so unique.
RivyIvy

Deep, meaningful and insightful

I started with the War and Treaty episode and I was hooked within the first four minutes. Not only is the subject of this episode deep and moving but the podcast itself is wonderfully presented and exceptionally produced. You know you’re onto something great when you can’t wait to tell everyone you know about this new podcast you discovered. Can’t wait to hear more!
KSwenk

Love the insight into music from western NC

Green Acres episodes brought back so many memories from the 90’s. Great interviews and insight into some of my favorite bands and artists
Daddy Unscripted Podcast

Joe Knows Music!

And ... that means, we all win here! I have been shown so many great bands via this podcast. I love that about it. Not only are the episodes built so wonderfully, telling stories of the bands and interlacing interviews and music thoughtfully... but Joe does it in just the right way that makes you want to dig a little deeper after listening. Keep up the awesome work, Joe!
Johnny dollar

Joe knows WNC music!

Listening to Joe talk about music is a real treat. He is clearly passionate about the story behind great music; the musicians and their lives which led to creating great music. And Joe has a fantastic vantage point knowing so much about the history of southern music as well as what’s happening today. Thanks for sharing Joe!
Dreamspider

Wonderful!

This is a fantastic podcast! Living in WNC for nearly 20 years and being a music publcist for ten, I hear a lot of stories from great folks in music and I love hearing these stories retold for everyone to hear on this platform! Plus more! Kendrick only selects the best in musical guests and they aways get an interesting angle. And Little King!! That story needed to be out there! Cannot wait to keep listening!
DRC2055

Great Music, Great Stories

Check this podcast out. The music is excellent, but what I really love is the conversation about the people and stories behind it all.
mrsoul69

Deep dive down SOUTH

Joe excels at getting you below the surface of the stories and the songs. His interviews capture a personal and intimate inside view of the soundscapes and scenery. Cut through the kudzu with Joe and enjoy these slow simmered stories about what makes music in this corner of the world so unique and worth hearing.
wncw carol

Southern Songs and Stories are amazing!

Joe Kendrick deserves 10 stars for his work producing these podcasts. His series gives thoughtful, relevant insight into our regional music scene. It takes an enormous amount of time and effort to produce these and they are beautifully done. I especially enjoyed the three part series about Green Acres and Love seeing this history documented and available for everyone to have a listen.
Bswenky

One of the best music/culture podcasts I've found

This show digs into the places and people that were driving forces in the evolution of southern music and culture. It keeps getting better and better and the music he digs from the archives and plays during the show is amazing and surprising. Check it out.
Blue Turnip Music

Great Podcast

Ya'll need to check out this podcast that Joe Kendrick has put together. LIstening to Joe is like hangin out with a friend who has access to the bands and festivals we all want to learn more about. It's informative and fun to listen to. If your interested in what's happening in and around the NC music scene give it a listen.
foolybear

Quality Program

Do you love music? If the answer is yes and you can’t get enough of music and the stories behind the sounds and shows, subscribe to this podcast!