https://www.soulcountry.com/doc 2026-07-13 18:21:44 http://img.youtube.com/vi/PmSWxWBuFuk/maxresdefault.jpg Blues Rock Hits Soul Country Blues Rock Hits Soul Country is the origin story of Soul Country! An exclusive inside straight through classic rock and soul history, built from decades of archival interviews with major figures in the evolution. Hall of Famers and Grammy® winners talk and play, Allen Toussaint, Earl King, Tony Joe White, John Oates, Jerry Wexler, Joe Louis Walker, Bobby Rush and more, each offering unusual candor. DJ, filmmaker and professor Ric Stewart spent fifty years reverse engineering the classic rock that blew everybody's mind, picking up a guitar, tracking down musical heroes and capturing exclusive footage. From the Voyager carrying Chuck Berry into interstellar space to the Blues Brothers needing to go country to play Bob's Country Bunker, it maps the roots as the inspiration of the top selling and touring artists of all time. Grab some popcorn. Blues Rock Hits Soul Country has got soul. 1675 https://www.youtube.com/embed/PmSWxWBuFuk yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/will-mcfarlane/ 2026-07-21T16:30:47+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/GNfvWUk_wak/maxresdefault.jpg Will McFarlane Will McFarlane is one of the great unsung heroes of the Muscle Shoals sound, catch him in Soul Country #13 unpacking five decades of soul, country and R&B from the inside out. Guitarist for Bonnie Raitt from age 22 to 26, session ace for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, and a master of the compact lick, McFarlane worked in the late 70s with Bonnie Raitt teaming up with Little Feat, Tom Waits, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy along the way before Jimmy Johnson called him down to Alabama. He never left. From there he cut tracks for Etta James (with Jerry Wexler producing and Steve Winwood duetting), Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Rush and a deep run of Malaco sessions with Roger Hawkins and David Hood. He demonsrates his signature licks, including Last Two Dollars, soul rhythm chops and two-string chord work, and breaks down the fatback feel, the art of listening on the floor, and why a Telecaster can cut a session at one dB and you'll still feel it. Also in the mix: Jesse Ed Davis and Taj Mahal changing his life at 19, Roy Nichols and Chet Atkins on serving the melody, the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd passing through Muscle Shoals, the country-soul continuum from Percy Sledge to Little Milton, and a beautiful bit on Roger Hawkins' snare, lingering just a hair behind the beat. A conversation for guitar players, soul fans, and fans of lost liner notes heroes. 2690 https://www.youtube.com/embed/GNfvWUk_wak yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/olivia-wolf/ 2026-07-15T07:53:36+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/IqWmIxOjsAI/maxresdefault.jpg Olivia Wolf Olivia Wolf brings her soulful blend of country, folk, and bluegrass into Soul Country. She plays a few and tells a few about how she put her band and latest release together.  In this episode we hear clips of her band live in Nashville and her playing her tunes solo in studio. The funky sounds she attributes to her penchant for Daft Punk textured by 90's household favorites like Lucinda Williams and Tom Waits. Her ear for the psychedelic sounds informs the spiritual journey, or so I'm told. ✌🏻 She also previews her version of Crazy Mama, the J.J. Cale staple of Soul Country. Check out season 3 for Ivan Neville, Dean Parks, Charlie McCoy and trailers and playlists at soulcountry.com. Made possible in part with grants from The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 1814 https://www.youtube.com/embed/IqWmIxOjsAI yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/dean-parks/ 2026-07-15T07:51:11+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/72AZ8VPvq04/maxresdefault.jpg Dean Parks If you've heard Steely Dan - you've heard the guitar artistry of Dean Parks. His licks grace "Peg," "Josie," "Haitian Divorce" and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number." In this exclusive episode, Dean shares stories from his collaborations with music giants like Eric Clapton, Crosby & Nash, Lyle Lovett and Johnny Rivers. Discover how he became a key player on The Sonny and Cher Show and hear his advice for aspiring guitarists. We wrap up with a stunning improvised original performance, showcasing Parks’ tasty playing. Don’t miss this deep dive into the career of a guitar legend whose riffs helped define an era. Don't miss the video trailer for highlights.Sponsored in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 2161 https://www.youtube.com/embed/72AZ8VPvq04 yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/ivan-neville/ 2026-07-15T07:52:58+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/_xs6doqe3tM/maxresdefault.jpg Ivan Neville Ivan Neville plays and talks thru an illustrious history - recording with the Rolling Stones in the 80s & 90s, becoming a sounding board for Robbie Robertson's solo efforts, stepping into his uncle Art's shoes for the Funky Meters show at Funk Fest 2024 and his festival dates jamming with Dumpstaphunk. Ivan has seen it all, and taking the cue from his father Aaron Neville's golden pipes, he registers a great vocal every time. He plays Longhair, Dumsta, Keith and Mick and original compositions in this down home and funky episode of Soul Country. Sponsored in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 3437 https://www.youtube.com/embed/_xs6doqe3tM yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/charlie-mccoy/ 2026-07-15T07:49:45+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/5lthAdUw4lk/maxresdefault.jpg Charlie McCoy Dylan, Elvis and Orbison sideman Charlie McCoy is a hall of fame harmonica-centric multi-instrumentalist. Born in the same hospital where Hank Williams perished, McCoy brings his own mastery to many hits including "Take This Job and Shove It," "Delta Dawn," "Mohair Sam," "Guitar Man" and "The Boxer" among thousands of tracks. Elvis entrusted him on 13 albums and Dylan made him bandleader for 5 records waxed in Nashville. In this Soul Country get down, Charlie talks about backing Chuck Berry in high school, and making a trip to New Orleans to get Al Hirt and Pete Fountain to join him on his blues album. Punctuated by some serious blasts of harp and presto a bona fide musical podcast.Sponsored in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 2731 https://www.youtube.com/embed/5lthAdUw4lk yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/ben-sidran/ 2026-07-16T17:29:12+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/mVZfOuJhOkU/maxresdefault.jpg Ben Sidran Pianist Ben Sidran recounts writing “Space Cowboy” with Steve Miller, recording with the Rolling Stones in 1968 London and jazz on tv in Soul Country #8. Get ready for some insights into classic rock’s headiest London days with Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend and Eric Clapton. Ben also talks jazz, discussing 40 albums and dozens of radio and TV programs for NPR and VH-1. His jazz work impresses on disc and in a dazzling roster of interviewees: Miles Davis, Donald Fagen and Sun Ra! Sponsored in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 3306 https://www.youtube.com/embed/mVZfOuJhOkU yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/sunpie-barnes/ 2026-07-15T07:54:12+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/YHhOvj3gCWQ/maxresdefault.jpg Sunpie Barnes Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes is the ultimate jack of all trades - a revered musician, cultural historian, former NFL'er and National Park Ranger who has become a pillar of New Orleans' vibrant music scene. Sunpie demonstrates a dazzling array of styles in Soul Country #7 on harmonica, accordion and piano, playing key songs from his wide-ranging repertoire. He learned blues from his father in Arkansas, a  contemporary of Sonny Boy Williamson, and later from legendary New Orleans masters. His music thusly is a powerful blend of blues, zydeco, gospel, and Afro-Caribbean influences, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of the region. Exploring world music took Sunpie to Africa to get deeper into the roots and learn styles of South African accordion playing. That expertise caught the ear of Paul Simon and Sting with whom Sunpie has toured on multiple continents. Host Ric Stewart and Sunpie discuss the fusion of different musical traditions in the South and how these sounds have shaped the cultural identity of New Orleans and beyond. With live performances and in-depth conversations, this episode offers listeners a rare glimpse into Sunpie's Afro-Louisiana sound which maps uncharted terrain in Soul Country. Production made possible in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 2994 https://www.youtube.com/embed/YHhOvj3gCWQ yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/erin-coburn/ 2026-07-15T07:51:54+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/nUmB8E3ChSg/maxresdefault.jpg Erin Coburn Erin Coburn drops by for Soul Country #6 to share some old tunes, tales from the road and tech talk. This master of strings is gearing up a new band and sound to take to stages this fall. She also discusses her writing songs since age 13! Now, she’s got a new direction for the next decade. Production made possible in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 1506 https://www.youtube.com/embed/nUmB8E3ChSg yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/boogie-long/ 2026-07-15T07:49:09+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/yoySbP7zyuQ/maxresdefault.jpg Boogie Long Baton Rouge native Jonathon "Boogie" Long demonstrates his sizzling guitar work with "Chickin’ Pickin'" blues and country styles from this master craftsman in Soul Country #5. With his intense, heartfelt performances, Boogie Long has established himself as a high performance sideman to Luther Kent and many others including years alongside Samantha Fish. His singer-songwriter material shows he is a well-rounded talent worthy of his 2019 admission to the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. The trailer is culled from several years of New Orleans Cigar Box Guitar Festivals and other exclusives. Production made possible in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 2005 https://www.youtube.com/embed/yoySbP7zyuQ yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/gary-talley/ 2026-07-15T07:52:23+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/J0d5PMAYNd4/maxresdefault.jpg Gary Talley Gary Talley talks and plays through an amazing 6 decades in soul, rock and country in Soul Country #4. The Box Tops guitarist pulls out his electric sitar, recounts legendary encounters, gigs and sessions with Dr. John, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Billy Preston, Willie and Waylon, and, of course, former bandmate Alex Chilton. You’ll hear a rendition of The Letter, Cry Like a Baby and a few other chestnuts. 4238 https://www.youtube.com/embed/J0d5PMAYNd4 yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/chris-thomas-king/ 2026-07-15T07:50:36+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/GUQkLHVoiB4/maxresdefault.jpg Chris Thomas King Hear Multi-Grammy®-Winner Chris Thomas King discuss his new book The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture revealing the Creole origins of the blues, O Brother Where Art Thou? and more in Soul Country #3. Chris a native of Baton Rouge and son of Blues Box operator Tabby Thomas, holds forth on the story behind the evolution of the blues in 19th Century New Orleans. Well before recorded music, the forces coalesced in the Crescent City. Covering his film work with the Coen Brothers, Wim Wenders and Taylor Hackford, Chris talks about the movie making and the spinoff projects. One was a series of international tours as O Brother's soundtrack sold 10M units. Made possible in part by a grant from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 3011 https://www.youtube.com/embed/GUQkLHVoiB4 yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/bobby-rush/ 2026-07-15T07:48:26+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/eXbpGiEEVEI/maxresdefault.jpg Bobby Rush Multi-Grammy winner, King of the Chitlin Circuit and stand-up comedian (and guy), Bobby Rush takes a journey into Soul Country. Episode #2 features Bobby’s funky licks on guitar and harp and discussion of his Mississippi and Chicago blues histories. He talks and plays "Chicken Heads," Country & Western, blues and "Pookie poo." Host Ric Stewart leads the charge into Soul Country where this time the stuff is funky.  3118 https://www.youtube.com/embed/eXbpGiEEVEI yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/tiger-beats/ 2026-07-15T07:54:54+00:00 http://img.youtube.com/vi/HGhLXsqkaIY/maxresdefault.jpg Tiger Beats Patrick Sweany and McKinley James from East Nashville's resident blues purists, The Tiger Beats, drop in for Soul Country episode 1. They talk blues, country, The Rolling Stones and British Blues, Hollywood Fats, Bobby Blue Bland, Magic Sam, Clifton Chenier, Louis Jordan, Jump Blues, Howlin’ Wolf, Ray Charles, Hank Williams, Little Milton, Nirvana and pursuing retro-purity in Nashville. Catch the podcast at soulcountry.com 3299 https://www.youtube.com/embed/HGhLXsqkaIY yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/will-mcfarlane-trailer/ 2026-07-30 18:27:29 http://img.youtube.com/vi/VmjmzPa1mJE/maxresdefault.jpg Will McFarlane A five-minute video preview of the podcast looks into legendary Muscle Shoals guitarist, Will McFarlane. He started with Bonnie Raitt in the late 70's working with Little Feat, Tom Waits, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy before Jimmy Johnson of the Swampers called him down to Alabama in 1980 as his right hand man. Get into a Jerry Wexler session with Etta James and Stevie Winwood and New Orleans interactions with Allen Toussaint, George Porter, Jr. and Wayne Toups. He demonstrates Mr. Pitiful and Soul Man licks. The magic is in this man's fingers. 3065 https://www.youtube.com/embed/VmjmzPa1mJE yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/oliva-wolf-trailer/ 2026-03-31 08:54:57 http://img.youtube.com/vi/EhO5teKizts/maxresdefault.jpg Olivia Wolf Olivia Wolf brings a rare blend of country, folk, and bluegrass into Soul Country with her live band and new release, Silver Rounds. Trailer features her New Orleans connection to Bobby Charles and mixing in his preferred studio. In the live cutaways check out their Band-like takes rumbling across Soul Country. Her debut shows startling variety of moods, sonics and rhythms making this an eye opening release. She's carving a new path by telling how it is. In the full podcast hear about the funky sounds she attributes to her penchant for Daft Punk textured by 90's household favorites like Lucinda Williams and Tom Waits. Her ear for the psychedelic sounds informs the spiritual journey, or so I'm told. ✌🏻 Made possible in part by grants from the New Orleans Jazz  & Heritage Foundation. 295 https://www.youtube.com/embed/EhO5teKizts yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/steely-dan/ 2026-05-17 01:42:27 http://img.youtube.com/vi/HqE1AHjgUiI/maxresdefault.jpg Dean Parks Legendary session guitarist Dean Parks plays snatches of "Peg," "Josie," "Haitian Divorce" and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," "If I Could Change The World" and "Rockin' Pneumonia" in an epic set of Soul Country highlights from episode #11. Dean shares stories from his collaborations with music giants like Eric Clapton, Steely Dan and Johnny Rivers. We wrap up with a stunning improvised original performance, showcasing Parks’ six string brilliance. Don't miss top moments from career of a guitar marvel whose riffs helped define an era.Sponsored in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 318 https://www.youtube.com/embed/HqE1AHjgUiI yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/ivan-neville-trailer/ 2026-03-31 08:44:49 http://img.youtube.com/vi/vayQvh4ENg0/maxresdefault.jpg Ivan Neville Ivan Neville talks and plays The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards & The X-Pensive Winos and Robbie Robertson in the action-packed highlights to Soul Country #10. Seeped in the New Orleans funk and soul scene, Ivan has a unique spot classic rock history having recorded with the Rolling Stones on Dirty Work and Voodoo Lounge. His tasty piano licks make this a great spot to learn a bit about more in his full length podcast Ivan Neville where he plays a bit of what keyboard wizard James Booker taught him. 228 https://www.youtube.com/embed/vayQvh4ENg0 yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/charlie-mccoy-trailer/ 2026-03-31 08:44:32 http://img.youtube.com/vi/3qhUAUKEF-Q/maxresdefault.jpg Charlie McCoy Dylan, Elvis and Orbison sideman Charlie McCoy is a hall of fame harmonica-centric multi-instrumentalist. Born in the same hospital where Hank Williams perished, McCoy brings his own mastery to many hits including "Take This Job and Shove It," "Delta Dawn," "Mohair Sam," "Guitar Man" and "The Boxer" among thousands of tracks. Elvis entrusted him on 13 albums and Dylan made him bandleader for 5 discs waxed in Nashville. In this Soul Country get down, Charlie talks about backing Chuck Berry in high school, and making a trip to New Orleans to get Al Hirt and Pete Fountain to join him on his blues album. Punctuated by some serious blasts of harp and presto a bona fide musical podcast. Check the full episode...Sponsored in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 264 https://www.youtube.com/embed/3qhUAUKEF-Q yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/ben-sidran-trailer/ 2026-03-31 08:52:23 http://img.youtube.com/vi/sXFVu4z1y-s/maxresdefault.jpg Ben Sidran Pianist Ben Sidran recounts writing “Space Cowboy” with Steve Miller, recording with the original Stones lineup and jazz on tv in the Soul Country #8 trailer. Get ready for insights into rock’s headiest days with Hendrix, Townshend and Clapton. Ben also talks jazz, discussing his career spanning dozens of albums and radio and TV programs for NPR and VH-1. His jazz work impresses on disc and in a dazzling roster of interviewees: Miles Davis, Donald Fagen and Sun Ra! Soul Country videos are funded in part by grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.   345 https://www.youtube.com/embed/sXFVu4z1y-s yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/boogie-long-trailer/ 2026-03-31 08:44:27 http://img.youtube.com/vi/x3lZlb6p5Zs/maxresdefault.jpg Boogie Long A visual blast of Jonathon "Boogie" Long through the years as checks in for Soul Country #5. The Baton Rouge native demonstrates his sizzling guitar work with "Chicken Pickin'" blues, country and Southern Soul styles and stories. With his intense, heartfelt performances, Boogie Long has established himself as a high performance sideman to Luther Kent and his album and stage work with Samantha Fish among many others. Hear some hot licks and stories from this expert craftsmen in this trailer to the full podcast Boogie Long's singer-songwriter material shows he is a premiere talent worthy of his admission to the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2019. Production made possible in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 226 https://www.youtube.com/embed/x3lZlb6p5Zs yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/chris-thomas-king-trailer/ 2026-03-31 08:44:38 http://img.youtube.com/vi/rmNuRQEGR7Q/maxresdefault.jpg Chris Thomas King Multi-Grammy winner, feature film actor and now author, Chris Thomas King, uncovers the early Creole history of blues in Soul Country #3. Tying together new research and what seems obvious, New Orleans was the earliest home of the blues in the 1890’s. Jelly Roll Blues and Buddy Bolden’s Blues were only highlights. Chris also talks about the sound of recordings, swapping stories backstage with Ralph Stanley and his start with Arhoolie as the last in a long line of lone troubadour bluesman. Or so he thought! Now he’s back to set the record straight with a book The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture. Get a copy via Amazon here.  54 https://www.youtube.com/embed/rmNuRQEGR7Q yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/bobby-rush-trailer/ 2026-05-17 01:44:05 http://img.youtube.com/vi/rnW7OBmOyuE/maxresdefault.jpg Bobby Rush The King of the Chitlin Circuit, Bobby Rush holds court with host Ric Stewart in Soul Country on country, comedy and blues. In this 1-minute trailer get a preview of the podcast with a taste of Bobby's comedy, blues and funkiness as he plays a snatch of "I'm a Funky Bluesman." All that and more in podcast #2. 70 https://www.youtube.com/embed/rnW7OBmOyuE yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/tiger-beats-trailer/ 2025-03-25 02:15:15 http://img.youtube.com/vi/FduKI7mQVKQ/maxresdefault.jpg Tiger Beats - Trailer Patrick Sweany and McKinley James from East Nashville's resident blues purists, The Tiger Beats, drop in for Soul Country #1. They talk blues, country, the Rolling Stones and British Blues, Hollywood Fats, Bobby Blue Bland, Magic Sam, Clifton Chenier, Louis Jordan, Jump Blues, Howlin’ Wolf, Ray Charles, Hank Williams, Little Milton, Nirvana and pursuing retro-purity in Nashville. 63 https://www.youtube.com/embed/FduKI7mQVKQ yes no https://www.soulcountry.com/episode/blues-rock-hits-soul-country-trailer/ 2026-05-12 20:46:09 http://img.youtube.com/vi/ktJHk18Iyz8/maxresdefault.jpg Blues Rock Hits Soul Country Follow DJ/Filmmaker Ric Stewart's journey with a camera to interview music legends detailing the mechanics of the top touring and selling musicians of all time. Hall of Famers, Grammy®-winners, and top writers and sidemen detail the blues and country behind classic rock. The oral histories align as classic rock superfan turns investigator and discovers Soul Country, now a podcast at Soulcountry.com - made possible in part with grants from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 71 https://www.youtube.com/embed/ktJHk18Iyz8 yes no