At 11 years old, Benson, North Carolina native Rebekah Todd’s father gave her a black acoustic Washburn guitar and taught her to play it. She’s been filling her life with music ever since. Upon graduating from East Carolina University in 2012, Rebekah has been dedicating her time to writing, touring, and performing her style of melodic soul and alternative folk rock. Join our conversation with Rebekah right here on AMP.

Wichita, Kansas is home to the up and coming Americana, roots rock band, Mountain Deer Revival. MDR plays what they call Red Dirt Music, which seems to have its roots Oklahoma. It’s a Southern Rock foundation that can be traced back to the early American South, flavored with a good dose of Texas Country. We talk with lead guitarist, Dale Shuey for this episode of AMP.

Molly’s Kiss are our feature in this edition. They are evidence that the influence of American roots music is far reaching. As they define themselves, Molly’s Kiss is “a folk band, lost in the middle of France.” Formed in 2013, the band consists of guitar, accordion, and two vocals. Nicolas Rozier; Vocals /Guitar, Madeline Besson; Vocals, and Alexandre Tobie; Accordion, all team up to play what they call simple and catchy songs, with Folk melodies, rock energy and generosity.”

In this episode we feature Jim and Lynna Woolsey. They have, "that magical quality of being tuned in to real life, attention to the small stuff, and open heartedness that makes for great songs, and great friends,” said Louisa Branscomb, Founder, Director of Woodsong Farm Songwriter Retreat.

Our guest is Larry Norfleet. He and his is band, Branded Bluegrass, received nine nominations at the SPBGMA awards ceremony this past February in Nashville, TN, making them one of the top nominees. Their brand of traditional bluegrass is turning heads, and gaining fans all across the bluegrass community.

Al Petteway and Amy White, a.k.a. Al & Amy, have been charming fans for years with their uniquely crafted Celtic-Appalachian influenced music that even marries in the occasional hints of Blues, New Age, and even Jazz. Amy is my guest on this edition of AMP.

XM's Bluegrass Junction host, singer/songwriter Chris Jones has a new CD, and he is my guest on this episode of Americana Music Profiles.

American country/folk New Jersey native Joseph Henry is my guest on this episode of Americana Music Profiles.

Former record store owner, singer/songwriter Mike Felten talks Vinyl and a budding music career in this edition of Americana Music Profiles.

Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches are our feature on this edition of Americana Music Profiles. The NYC Based band is out with a new CD, Very Next Thing, and we talk to founder Nick Russo to find out about their great story.

Nashville singer Holly Norman loves Elvis - and her new tribute album, Taking Care Of Bluegrass - is a cool twist on some classic and not so known Elvis tunes. Listen in as we learn more about Holly and her new CD.

West Virginia bluegrass / banjo musician Robert Mabe has a new solo CD, Somewhere In The Middle, and he is our guest for this edition of Americana Music Profiles.

Michael and Jennifer McLain team up for their new bluegrass band, featuring Dan Kelly. In this episode we talk with Michael about their journey, and the new CD, Hit The Road And Go.

Annie Savage, violinist, author, songwriter, and lead singer with her band, The Savage Hearts, is our guest for this episode of Americana Music Profiles.

John Smith, co-founder of Free Dirt Records is my guest on this episode or Americana Music Profiles, as we talk about their history, offerings, and latest projects.

Colorado singer/songwriter Michael Rhodes is finding new life with his music and his most recent single, "The Only Song," from his new record, After All These Years. He's our guest on this episode of Americana Music Profiles.

Vermont musician Bow Thayer shares his creative energy with us as we talk about his latest project, Sundowser on this episode of Americana Music Profiles.

Folk/Americana singer/song writer Beth Marlin is our guest for this episode of Americana Music Profiles as we talk about her long and colorful career and new CD, Railroad.

West Coast Americana Rockers, Angie (Bruyere) and The Deserters are our guest for this edition of Americana Music Profiles.

West Virginia's Joseph Hott, founder of the Short Mountain Boys is our featured guest on this episode as we discuss their brand of traditional WV Bluegrass.

Former front man for the Dance Hall Pimps, RJ Comer redefines his musical style with a stripped down version of Americana Rock. He is my guest for this episode of Americana Music Profiles as we talk about Americana Music, and his latest EP, Nightly Suicide.

Doug Irving spent many years in Nashville honing his songwriting craft, notching 34 independent cuts … In 2006 he moved back to his home state of New York where he is now the Upstate Adirondack coordinator of the Nashville Songwriters Association, and has just recently recorded his 16th studio album, Songs Of The Wood.

In this episode we catch up with Virginia boys, The Traveling Hillbillies, a tight nit band of brothers sharing their own brand of southern rock flavored Americana music with festival goers and tavern patrons alike. Vocalist Daniel Barnett is my guest as we talk about this up and coming quartet.

Rob Smith and his wife Kristen Kay Smith make up two thirds of the band Carrington Kay. Rob is my guest for this edition as we talk about their new CD, Shine Through.

My guest for this episode is New Orleans jazz/blues artist Ted Hefko. Ted, along with his band the Thousandaires bring original stories to life with the spontaneity of jazz, the bare-bones sensibility of early folk, and the vibrancy of New Orleans.