Most people remember Charlie Rich for his 1973 country/pop hits and his controversial pyrotechnical antics at the 1975 Country Music Awards. But before his star rose in Nashville, he had early rock and roll hits on Sun Records. Later in his career, after his fame faded, he teamed up with music historian and producer Peter Guralnick to make the album he dreamed of; a soulful mix of jazz, blues, and R&B.

From the heart of French-speaking Louisiana, Clifton Chenier transformed the rural Zydeco of his father's generation into an international embodiment of high-energy good-time music. He was the first to broaden the genre by incorporating other forms such as blues, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. Despite the addition of electric instruments and new forms, his accordion-driven music never strayed far from it's origins of creating a place for working people to leave their troubles behind and let the good times roll.

Interview with Chris Strachwitz:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUqnOYUi1A

Songs:

J’Ai Conet, C’Est Pas Me Femme (I Know She’s Not My Woman)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwioXT2UDW4

Someone Told Me it was Over:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIhc4CQFah8&list=RDcIhc4CQFah8&start_radio=1

Release Me:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Q2kKsNNS8

A Tribute to the King of Zydeco. "Release Me", featuring Lucinda Williams, Tommy McLain, and Keith Frank is available through a variety of services: https://orcd.co/releaseme1

"A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" available for pre-sale now: https://linktr.ee/valcourrecords

Reserve your limited-run vinyl copy of "A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" now: https://www.valcourrecords.com/vinyl/... 100% of profits benefit the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund, created by Valcour Records with the Center for Louisiana Studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Learn more about the fund here: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/...

Grand Mamou (Big Mamou):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh9NhkWWVsw

I'm Coming Home (to See my Mother):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_06Ig59jo8

Largely unknown on the folk scene in the US, Willie Dunn is an important figure in framing the stories of native Canadians in songs, films, and art. With a rich voice, stong melodies and subtle arrangement, his music brings to light an overlooked chapter in the history of North America.

For this episode we're joined by musician and author Kelly Mulhollan of the duo Still on the Hill.

https://www.stillonthehill.com/

Links:

Film:

The Ballad of Crowfoot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qsZsfn6PC4

Songs:

Pity the Country

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qsZsfn6PC4

Son of the Sun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4ZG-6SxEBk

Charlie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWEl9naKPZo

Pontiac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svwrIF7atVI

Digging Roots Band website:

https://www.diggingrootsmusic.com/