Americana Podcast

Robert Earl Keen sits down with Texas singer-songwriter Hayes Carll for a conversation about songwriting, storytelling, and the people and places that find their way into his music.
From his early days growing up in The Woodlands, Texas, to a career spanning more than two decades, Carll has developed a distinctive songwriting voice built on sharp observation, humor, honesty, and an appreciation for the complicated characters of everyday life. Drawing inspiration from writers like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and John Prine, he has carried the Texas songwriting tradition forward while developing a style unmistakably his own.
In this episode, Keen and Carll explore the craft behind telling a story in a song, the influence of Texas and its songwriting tradition, and the balance between humor and heartache that runs throughout Carll’s work. They also discuss the experiences, characters, and small details that inspire songs—and what keeps a songwriter curious after years of writing, recording, and performing.
It’s a conversation about finding meaning in ordinary moments, choosing the right words, and why a good story never goes out of style.

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On this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen welcomes acclaimed singer-songwriter, actor, and Academy Award winner Ryan Bingham for a conversation recorded at the legendary Continental Club in Austin, Texas.

Before Hollywood recognition and Yellowstone fame, Bingham's life was shaped by the realities of the American West—rodeo circuits, ranch work, and years spent writing songs rooted in lived experience rather than romanticized myth. That authenticity became the foundation of a career that began with his breakthrough album Mescalito and led to an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Grammy for "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart.

Bingham joins REK to discuss his long-awaited return with They Call Us the Lucky Ones, his first studio album in seven years. Created alongside longtime collaborators The Texas Gentlemen, the record emerged from relaxed jam sessions rather than meticulously planned studio work, resulting in an album that feels both spontaneous and deeply personal.

Together, REK and Bingham explore songwriting, growing up in the American West, finding an authentic creative voice, and the experiences that continue to shape Bingham's music. It's a conversation about resilience, gratitude, and why the most enduring songs are often the ones that simply tell the truth.

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On this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, Robert Earl Keen sits down with Matt Pittman to explore the rhythm, tradition, and storytelling behind barbecue.

Born and raised in Texas, Pittman built Meat Church from humble backyard beginnings into a widely followed brand known for its seasonings, classes, and YouTube channel. What started as trial and error became a craft rooted in patience, repetition, and instinct.

Together, Keen and Pittman draw parallels between food and music—where the slow burn of a smoker mirrors a steady groove, and tradition provides the structure for creativity. They discuss how barbecue, like songwriting, is passed down, shaped by region, and constantly evolving without losing its identity.

In a fast-moving world, this conversation is a reminder to slow down—to listen, to learn, and to appreciate the time it takes to create something meaningful. Because whether it’s a song, a story, or a meal, the best things are built patiently and shared together.

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In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, Robert Earl Keen sits down with Billy Strings to talk about learning to play, the craft of songwriting, and the evolving world of Americana music.

Born William Apostol and raised in rural Michigan, Billy Strings grew up surrounded by bluegrass. By the time he was a teenager, his blistering flatpicking had already earned him a reputation as a prodigy among pickers and players. Years of relentless practice and countless small gigs eventually carried him from Midwestern bars and festivals to some of the biggest stages in roots music.

For years, bluegrass lived mostly in whispers. You might hear it referenced in liner notes, spot it in a citation, or see it pop up in the occasional New Yorker cartoon. But something has changed. The conversation has gotten louder, and the reality is harder to ignore.

Bluegrass music is considered cool now.

It should not come as much of a surprise. Bluegrass has always carried a rich and vibrant history stretching back to the early twentieth century. It is a genre that holds tight to regional identity, creative freedom, and remarkable musicianship. At the same time, it has always fostered a deeply communal culture of learning, where songs, skills, and stories move naturally from one player to another.

What the music needed was a new voice. New chapters. New songs added to the bluegrass canon.

That is where Billy Strings comes in.

Over the past several years, Billy has emerged as one of the most influential figures in modern bluegrass. His albums Home and Renewal helped push the genre into new territory while earning widespread acclaim, including multiple Grammy Awards, with Home winning Best Bluegrass Album. His live shows have developed a devoted following, blending traditional bluegrass musicianship with the improvisational spirit of jam bands and the storytelling roots of Americana.

Billy Strings makes music that is rooted in bluegrass but stretches well beyond it. His songwriting reflects a deep understanding of the power of a well-crafted song. His lyrics move easily between personal reflection, observations about economic and ecological change, and the everyday questions that shape a life. All of it is supported by remarkable musicianship and production, where intricate playing and layered sonic details often create moments that feel almost like soundscapes.

Trying to describe how good he is can be difficult.

Some things are simply easier to hear than to explain.

Listen to the full episode on all streaming platforms or at Americanapodcast.com.

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In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, we listen for a different kind of music.
Not the kind that starts on a stage. The kind built into process. The low hum of a sewing machine. The steady rhythm of hands at work. The quiet beat of something being made with intention.
The story begins in Tupelo, Mississippi, a town forever tied to music. Gospel, blues, and early rock and roll left their fingerprints here. Rhythm lives in the ground, and making something, whether a song or a pair of jeans, has always meant putting a little of yourself into the work.
Blue Delta Jeans was founded here by Josh West and Nick Weaver. Two men who believed craft still mattered, and that manufacturing could carry the same soul as the music that shaped its region. What they built was not about chasing trends. It was about slowing things down, listening closely, and letting process lead.
This episode explores the connection between music, labor, and culture. The same values that shape a song shape the things we wear. Authenticity. Repetition. Imperfection. Time.
Listen to the full episode on all streaming platforms or at Americanapodcast.com.
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