Americana Podcast

James McMurtry | A Man of Many Worlds

In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen sits down with one of the most quietly influential voices in American songwriting: James McMurtry.For decades, McMurtry has carved out a singular space where songs are more than melodies. His writing is built on gritty character studies, moral landscapes, and moments of hard-won clarity—stories that feel lived in, observed, and unafraid to sit with complexity. From the early days of his debut album Too Long in the Wasteland to the lived-in wisdom of his most recent work, his catalog reads like a map of roads traveled and lives encountered along the way.Born in Fort Worth, Texas, McMurtry spent much of his youth in Northern Virginia before finding his footing as a songwriter in Tucson, Arizona, studying English and Spanish while cutting his teeth in small rooms and local venues. After time spent traveling—including a period living in Alaska—he returned to Texas, working odd jobs, playing bars and open mics, and gradually forging a life as a working songwriter. For much of his adult life, he’s been based in Lockhart, just south of Austin, though his music has carried far beyond those borders.In this conversation, Robert and James reflect on the long arc of a songwriting life—from early guitar lessons and teenage gigs to his first record, Too Long in the Wasteland, and through to his latest album, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy. Along the way, they talk about craft, observation, patience, and what it means to tell the truth in song without flinching.It’s an intimate, thoughtful look at an artist whose work doesn’t chase trends or spotlight—but endures, quietly and honestly, exactly where it belongs.Listen to the full episode on all streaming platforms or at AmericanaPodcast.com.Like, share, and subscribe to Americana Podcast. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Our Alright Guy | Todd Snider Revisited

Today’s episode is a rerun, and we bring it to you with a heaviness that is hard to put into words. When we learned of Todd’s passing on November 14th, it felt as if something vibrant had suddenly drained from the world, as if a familiar warm light we’d always counted on had quietly dissipated into the ether, leaving us in a cold sadness which we may never shake. Revisiting this conversation now feels like reaching for that light we all miss.Todd had a way of making the world feel a little lighter, a lot funnier, and all the more honest. His storytelling did more than briefly fill you car stereo, living room, and favorite live music haunts. It stayed with you long after the music faded, carrying the kind of truth and humor that only he could bring, singing through a one of a kind crooked smile. His voice, his wit, and his beautifully kooky way of seeing things continue to travel with us in the songs, the stories, and the moments he gave so freely.As we return to this episode, we do so with gratitude for the spirit Todd Snider shared so openly. Listening back is a way of holding onto the warmth, the wonder, and the wild sincerity he carried into every conversation. He may no longer be with us, but his sound will remain forever.We share this rerun to honor Todd and the lasting imprint of his voice, a memory that continues to glow even in the spaces he no longer fills. We hope you enjoy this show as much as we did, and remember your love for Todd Snider as we do.  Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Terry Allen & Jo Harvey | Lubbock and Life (On Everything) - Part 2

In part two of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen continues his conversation with Terry and Jo Harvey Allen—two legendary Texas-born artists whose creativity has spanned generations, mediums, and continents.From a childhood friendship in Lubbock to a coin toss that took them west, Terry and Jo Harvey’s story unfolds like a piece of living Americana—filled with grit, luck, and a touch of magic. This episode picks up with their adventures from Los Angeles to Berkeley to Santa Fe, from early radio beginnings to global artistic recognition, including their most recent roles in Killers of the Flower Moon.Together, Robert, Terry, and Jo Harvey revisit a half-century of partnership rooted in art, poetry, and the pursuit of truth—a love story told through every canvas, song, and stage.Listen to the full episode on all streaming platforms or at Americanapodcast.com.Like, Share, and Subscribe to Americana Podcast. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Terry Allen & Jo Harvey | Lubbock and Life (On Everything) - Part 1

In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen sits down with two of Texas’s most revered creative forces—Terry and Jo Harvey Allen. A true artistic duo, their work stretches across music, theater, film, literature, and visual art, each piece carrying the unmistakable edge of West Texas grit and imagination.Terry Allen, celebrated as both a groundbreaking songwriter and a visual artist, has long blurred the lines between mediums, telling stories that are as cinematic as they are deeply personal. Jo Harvey Allen, equally trailblazing, has carved her path as a writer, actress, and performance artist, bringing the raw complexities of American life—especially through women’s voices—onto stage and screen.Together, Robert, Terry, and Jo Harvey reflect on decades of creation, collaboration, and connection: from navigating the intersections of music and art to sustaining a marriage and creative partnership that defies convention. It’s part one of a conversation as expansive as the plains they call home—an intimate, fearless, and unforgettable look at two artists who continue to shape the Americana landscape. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Evan Felker | Worth More Than the Price of Admission

In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen heads into the heart of Red Dirt country with none other than Evan Felker, frontman of the Turnpike Troubadours and one of the most compelling songwriters in modern Americana. From the dusty backroads of Oklahoma to the national stage, Felker has built a legacy rooted in grit, grace, and lyrical honesty. His songs, shaped by weathered landscapes and worn-in truths, echo the spirit of legends like Woody Guthrie and Townes Van Zandt, but his voice, and his vision, are unmistakably his own. Together, Robert and Evan talk about Turnpike’s celebrated return, the unpredictable path of creativity, and the quiet power of staying true to where you come from. It’s a conversation full of craft, conviction, and the kind of insight only earned by living the life behind the lyrics. Episodes and Bonus content available on YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/@robertearlkeenofficial Donate to the show!https://tiptopjar.com/americanapodcastInstagram@robertearlkeen1Have questions or suggestions? Emailcreatedirector@robertearlkeen.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.