eTown

John Butler / Eliza Gilkyson / Award: Frank Anello (Project Worthmore)

For this week’s encore broadcast, we welcome back genre-bending singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist John Butler to the show this week. John is usually joined by his band as the John Butler Trio, but for this special episode, he joined us solo for an intimate, stripped down set.

Also with us is long-time eTown friend and talented, thought-provoking folk singer/songwriter Eliza Gilkyson.

Lastly, sandwiched between all that wonderful music is an inspiring story about a couple who founded the  organization Project Worthmore that provides much needed practical support for refugees from numerous countries, creating community, enabling self-sufficiency, and instilling hope for the future in the process.

Capitol Sun Rays / John Long / Award: Laura Stachel (We Care Solar)

For their first visit to eTown, we’re honored to welcome the recently formed rootsy super group Capitol Sun Rays. The group is made up by the talented Luther Dickinson, Amy Helm, Grahame Lesh along with the three core members of a real eTown favorite, Birds of Chicago: Allison Russell, JT Nero, and Drew Lindsay.

We also welcome eTown friend and bluesman John Long, who became immersed in the blues scene at an early age, traveling and living with blues legend Homesick James starting in 1970.

Also, we’ll hear from this week’s eChievement Award winner, Lara Stachel, who co-founded the nonprofit We Care Solar that is saving the lives of countless women around the world.

Gregory Alan Isakov / Rayland Baxter / Award: Dara Schoenwald

This week, we’re joined on the airwaves by one of our good friends (not to mention one of our favorite songwriters out there), Gregory Alan Isakov. This is Gregory’s sixth time on the show (his first all the way back in 2008) and he shares tunes from his critically acclaimed new record ‘Evening Machines.’

Also with us: Alt-country/American singer/songwriter Rayland Baxter, a truly one-of-a-kind performer and individual (don’t miss his interview w/Nick).

Plus we’ll hear from Dara Schoenwald, a Florida woman who, with her husband, founded a website - Volunteer Cleanup - that connects potential volunteers with organized shoreline cleanups all over their state.

The Band of Heathens / Stephen Kellogg / Award: Jamie Van Leeuwen (Global Livingston Institute)

Austin, TX-based artists, The Band of Heathens, join us this week to share some tunes, including a few from their album ‘A Message From the People Revisited’, in which they reimagine Ray Charles’ 1972 classic of the same name.

In addition, we’re joined by popular Americana/folk singer-songwriter Stephen Kellogg.

And we’ll talk with Jamie Van Leeuwen, this week’s eChievement Award winner, who is the founder of an organization using music to connect a diverse group of people in Africa, in order to provide health education and care.

Laura Veirs / Aaron Lee Tasjan / Award: Peter Mui (Fixit Clinic)

We welcome folk-pop singer/songwriter Laura Veirs for her first eTown appearance. A prolific songwriter for nearly 20 years, Veirs has garnered praise throughout the years with her exquisite folk-pop sound.

Also joining us for his first eTown visit is a truly gifted, one-of-a-kind singer/songwriter, Aaron Lee Tasjan.

And we’ll have a conversation with this week’s eChievement Award winner, Peter Mui of California, founder of the Fixit Clinic network.

Valerie June / Mick Flannery/ Award: Anne Rolfes (Louisiana Bucket Brigade)

Memphis singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Valerie June joins us for her first visit to eTown. Her unique sound is a mixture of folk, blues, gospel, soul, country, Appalachian and bluegrass.

Singer and songwriter Mick Flannery, who hails from County Cork in Ireland, is our other musical guest.

And we’ll hear from Ann Rolfes the founder of Louisiana Bucket Brigade an environmental health and justice organization based in New Orleans which works with communities to help them hold state oil refineries and chemical plants in their neighborhoods accountable for following clean air standards.

Delbert McClinton / Robert Finley /Award: Chris Pallister

Our first broadcast of 2020 features Grammy Award-winning blues multi-instrumentalist Delbert McClinton and blues and soul singer/songwriter and guitarist Robert Finley. Plus Nick sits down with Chris Pallister, the founder of Gulf of Alaska Keeper to learn how his organization is protecting the waters and habitat of the Northern Gulf of Alaska. It’s another “back by popular demand” re-airing!

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram / Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms / Interview: Nona Yehia (Vertical Harvest)

Two eTown newcomers grace the show this week: brilliant young bluesman Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, a 20 year old guitar/vocal/writing sensation; and the tasteful, charismatic singing and playing duo Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms. Plus, we’ll hear from a well-versed, passionate vertical farming advocate. It’s a classic eTown broadcast/podcast you won’t want to miss!

eTown’s Holiday Special

Nick and Helen share their favorite eTown holiday moments from a host of past eTown musical visitors.

Ron Pope / Pieta Brown / Award: Martin Tyner & Scout the Eagle (Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah)

First time visitor to eTown, Ron Pope, joins us with some of his original songs; plus Pieta Brown returns to eTown after several years to share some of her well crafted tunes. And a golden eagle named Scout appears on the eTown stage in person with his “personal human” (and dear friend) who has been single-handedly saving injured wildlife in Utah for decades.

 

Watch videos at: etown.org