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It’s hard to believe that Nashville’s SteelDrivers have been making their unique brand of hard-core string band music for nearly twenty years. They were the vehicle through which many of us were introduced to the epic voice of Chris Stapleton, back when he and Mike Henderson co-wrote that band’s high impact debut album of 2008. When Henderson and Stapleton had to move on, the band pulled its greatest trick, growing bigger and building a legacy that’s like nothing else in 21st century bluegrass. In Episode 324 of The String, Craig talks with original members Mike Fleming, bass player and baritone vocal, and Tammy Rogers, the fiddler and harmony singer who now leads the way with the band’s songwriting. We talk about the whole ride, up to the new album Outrun, out now on a revived Sun Records.

Lance Cowan came to Nashville from his native Kentucky in the 1980s to build his career as a newspaper reporter, but he had the songwriting bug from the beginning. He made the scene at the Bluebird Café and made musical friendships. But with a family to raise, he wasn’t up for the sacrifices of the touring life. So he turned to music PR and he’s been one of the most trusted and easy-going pros in the roots music field for three decades. Now though, he’s turned back to music, releasing two albums in two years. Craig catches up with his old friend and colleague about his new direction.
The story of how global banjo explorer Joe Troop (formerly of Che Apalache) met Venezuelan harpist and all-around folk music master Larry Bellorín is testimony to the magic of global culture and a cautionary tale about the stark turn US policy has taken against working asylum seekers this year. Over three years as the bilingual, genre-fusing, and multi-instrumental duo Larry & Joe, they’ve toured widely and made two albums together to great acclaim among folk music lovers. They’re one of the most charismatic and culture-crossing acts to come out of roots music in the past decade. Here in a special episode of The String, they tell their story in an interview that took place in Knoxville, TN in March.
That. Was. Fantastic. WMOT’s experienced and passionate (and woman run) team pulled it all together, lined up great music, got a little lucky with the weather, and our people turned out for a truly exceptional Roots On The Rivers. All afternoon and evening on Saturday, the grounds of Two Rivers Mansion rang with authentic music that touched some core genres in the Americana universe - modern folk, rock and roll, bluegrass, newgrass, and the blues. Our members and fans turned out in record numbers. And the artists generously embraced our Roots Radio community with very nice words live on the air for WMOT between their scorchin’ songs.Photographer Kristen Drum was on the scene for us again, and here are some highlights of our day.
Jessie Scott sat down with Judy Collins for a special Words & Music session at WMOT's Riverside Revival studio in East Nashville.
Listen to Jessie Scott as she sits down with William Prince for a Words & Music session.
The gang from Fruition sat down with Jessie Scott for a special Words & Music set Monday, November 18th.

WMOT VIDEO: LIVE SESSIONS ON NPR MUSIC

Nashville's best kept secret Lilly Winwood rounds out our 2025 30A Songwriters Sessions with songs and stories, in conversation with Jessie Scott. Once again, we've had a great time with our springtime series where we present artists in acoustic settings, taped in our beach house turned studio near Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, during the 30A Songwriters Festival. Here, you'll get Lilly performing new material: "Illusionist," "All Things Uncertain," and "Broken Promise."
WMOT's own Webb Wilder joins Jessie Scott for Words & Music, where we invite artists to discuss and perform acoustic versions of their latest projects. Webb performed "Kick Me When I'm Down", "Coupla Good Moves", and "Puttin' On A Show" from his new record 'Hillbilly Speedball' and chats with Jessie about his radio career and the making of his latest record.
Willi Carlisle is this week's guest for 30A Songwriters Sessions, where we invite artists to perform acoustic sets in a beach house turned studio near Santa Rosa Beach, Florida during the 30A Songwriters Festival. Carlisle performed the title track of his upcoming album 'Winged Victory', "I Want No Children", and "The Arrangements". Plus, a behind-the-scenes interview with Jessie Scott about his upcoming tour with Tyler Childers and songwriting process.
Ohio-based band The Shootouts dropped by the WMOT studio for the latest episode of Words & Music, where we invite artists to discuss and perform acoustic versions of their latest projects. The band performed "Trampoline" and "The Other Side of My Life" from their latest record, Switchback. Plus, a behind-the-scenes interview about recording the new album in Nashville, why they commit to their iconic western stage wear, and why they include covers on their records.
Waffle House has dropped its 50 cent surcharge on eggs as supplies rebound. The chain added the temporary charge in February, when avian flu sent egg prices to record highs.
Jimmy Swaggart, one of the most well-known televangelists of the 1980s, has died, according to a social media post from his ministry.
The federal grant funding traditionally goes out by July 1. It includes support for migrant education, after-school programs and English language learners.

The White House sent a proposed rescission package to Congress. This 9.4billionpackageincludesa9.4 billion package includes a 9.4billionpackageincludesa1.1 billion cut in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), clawing back money previously appropriated by Congress. Now Congress has 45 days to consider the proposal, and it only requires a majority vote to pass—a vote which could come quickly. This is a grave threat to federal funding for public media.