(First aired on WUTC 8/10/24)

On this episode of The Songbirds Radio Hour, we sat down with Chattanooga's very own Swayyvo. A hip-hop musician, producer, and renowned saxophone player, Swayyvo tells us about his new releases, what he finds so special about Chattanooga's music scene, how he thinks we as a community can improve it, where he got his start in music, who his numerous collaborators are, and how important it is to share the power of music with the youth.

Tackling the expanding passages of modern rap music with an eye toward its jazz, neo soul and heavy 90s hiphop influences, Swayyvo (born Jerod Morton) has been breaking down the barriers between various genres for years and reinventing his sound and ear consistently. Sought after for both his virtuosic saxophone stylings and his knack for arranging unique and complex beat-driven movements without sacrificing his own individuality, Swayyvo has given Chattanooga's hip-hop scene a sustained direction in which to grow. Swayyvo has been seen collaborating with brands such a NBA, NFL, Nickelodeon, Vayner Media, and dozens of artists such as K Camp, Yung Bleu, YGTUT, Project Pat, Sy Ari Da Kid, and Earth Gang.

Swayyo Tracklist:

Accelerate

Don't Make Me Laugh

Stop Speedin'

Wat It Do

Red

Wake Em Up

Other Artists

Snarky Puppy – "Lingus"

Isiah Rashad feat. YGTUT – "Chad"

Clyde Stubblefield playing the beat from James Brown's "Cold Sweat"

YGTUT – "5 to 10" (Instrumental)

The Songbirds Radio Hour is made possible through grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Riverview Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(First aired on WUTC 7/13/24)

On June 4th, 2024, Steve Earle came back to Songbirds for his annual summer fundraising solo acoustic show. But this time we paired his soulful tunes with the savory family-style BBQ feast put on by local restaurant, Elsie’s Daughter!

Before the concert, we sat down and interviewed Steve once again. Oh the stories this man can tell..

We told Steve about our new Write to Rock kids songwriting program and talked with him about the craft of songwriting, the challenges songwriters face, the success of some very famous singer/songwriters, and more!

Steve Earle Tracklist:

Copperhead Road

I Still Carry You Around

Transcendental Blues

Good Ol Boy (Gettin' Tough)

Guitar Town

Devil Put the Coal in the Ground

Someday

Other Artists Tracklist:

Cream – "Sunshine of your Love"

Bob Dylan – "A Hard Rain is Gonna Come"

The Pogues – "A Pair of Brown Eyes"

Waterboys – "The Whole of the Moon"

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – "The Last of my Kind"

The Songbirds Radio Hour is made possible through grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Riverview Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(First aired on WUTC 6/8/24)

Norman Blake is a distinguished American guitarist and songwriter renowned for his profound influence on the bluegrass, folk, and country music scenes. Born on March 10, 1938, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Blake's career spans over six decades, showcasing his exceptional skills on various stringed instruments, including guitar, mandolin, dobro, and fiddle. He is celebrated for his intricate fingerpicking style and authentic sound that bridges traditional and contemporary music.

Blake has earned numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career. He received multiple Grammy nominations and, along with his wife Nancy Blake, won a Grammy for his contribution to the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack, which garnered widespread acclaim and introduced Americana music to a broader audience.

Norman Blake's enduring legacy is marked by his dedication to preserving traditional music while simultaneously pushing its boundaries, making him a revered figure in the world of acoustic music.

Norman Blake Tracklist:

Church Street Blues

Ginseng Sullivan

Green Light on the Southern

Man of Constant Sorrow

You are My Sunshine

Slow Train Through Georgia

Other Artists Tracklist:

Bill Monroe – "My Last Days on Earth"

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – "The Precious Jewel"

The Blue Sky Boys – "The Lightning Express"

Johnny Cash – "Bad News"

Johnny Cash – "The Long Black Veil"

The Songbirds Radio Hour is made possible through grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Riverview Foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.