Encore: Maggie Rose Should Not Be Underestimated
Maggie Rose was born and raised in Potomac, Maryland, where she grew up eating blue crabs, attending Catholic school, and singing solos in front of her church’s congregation. A self-described black sheep of the family, she headed to Clemson University in South Carolina before leaving school early to move to Nashville for a career in music. But it was her family’s support that gave her the courage to make it in a very tough business, and it eventually paid off in a career that’s earned her a Grammy nomination, a loyal fan base, and more than 100 appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. Her podcast, Salute the Songbird, started during the pandemic, and it’s become a powerful vehicle for candid conversations with other female musicians about their experiences and challenges in the music business. Sid talks to Maggie about what it’s like being a new mom, her Grammy-nominated album, No One Gets Out Alive, what it meant to perform recently in Asheville, North Carolina, and her longtime love for Old Bay Seasoning. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duane Betts Thinks “Hope” Is a Beautiful Word
Duane Betts is the son of legendary Allman Brothers Band cofounder Dickey Betts, and he's even named after another of the band's founding members, Duane Allman, whose life was cut tragically short. Rather than relying on his family name, Duane has earned his own reputation through years of touring, collaborating, and developing a sound that's distinctly his own. In addition to leading his own band, Duane also helped found the Allman Betts Band alongside Gregg Allman's son, Devon. Together, they've celebrated the musical traditions established by their famous fathers while creating original music that's finding its own loyal audiences. Now Duane is back with Isle of Hope, an album that explores grief, resilience, sobriety, family, and hope. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Episode Art Courtesy of Southern Living/ Bobbi Rich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ashley Cooke Is Ready to Tell the Truth
Ashley Cooke grew up in a family that moved around a lot, from Wisconsin to California to Florida. But wherever she lived, music was always a constant, and she developed a passion for songwriting at an early age. She eventually ended up in Nashville for college, where she got to know both the city and the music industry up close. After a string of successful singles and signing with Big Loud Records, she reached a new level with her 2023 hit, "Your Place." The song became a country radio favorite, was certified Gold, and earned her the Breakthrough Female Video of the Year award at the 2024 CMT Music Awards. On August 14th, she'll release her self-titled album, led by the single "Baby Blues," which she’s turned into a social media moment by singing to guys she picks out of the crowd. Sid talks to Ashley about why her songs draw directly from her own experiences—even her therapist’s office—and the exciting moment women in country music are having right now. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Episode Art Courtesy of Southern Living/ Patrick Tracy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Cedric the Entertainer and Anthony Anderson Are the Kings of Barbecue
Cedric the Entertainer first rose to national fame as one of The Original Kings of Comedy before starring in films like Barbershop and the hit sitcom The Neighborhood, which he also produced. Anthony Anderson is best known for his Emmy-nominated role on Black-ish, along with films including Hustle & Flow and The Departed. The two met through acting more than 30 years ago and have remained close friends ever since, partly through a shared love of cooking and entertaining. Together, they've built AC Barbecue, a brand dedicated to showing that barbecue is about more than just great food—it’s a centerpiece of African American culture and community. Now they have a new cookbook called AC Barbecue: The Husky and Handsome Guide to Grilling, and they're shining a light on the pitmasters, the history, and the storytelling that has helped define barbecue in America. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Episode Art Courtesy of Southern Living/ Cedric the Entertainer by Jeff Kats / Anthony Anderson by Tommy Garcia Courtesy of FOX Entertainment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Willow Avalon Is a Pistol-Packin’ Outlaw
Willow Avalon was born and raised in a part of rural Georgia that she says “felt like the Wild West.” She got her start performing in the Baptist church choir, where she played piano and got her first guitar. Later, she joined her father, the acclaimed musician Jim White, onstage in dive bars. After dropping out of high school, she moved from Atlanta to Los Angeles to New York. She even lived in her car for a while, but eventually her songwriting skills helped land her a record deal—and a shot at a better life. In 2024, Willow released her debut EP, Stranger, and followed it the next year with her first full-length album, Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell. Now she's back with her sophomore album, Pink Pocket Pistol. Sid talks to Willow about the story behind the mugshot on the cover of her debut album, her song about Dolly Parton, and how a blackberry honey cobbler made from her grandmother's recipe helped make a lasting first impression at Atlantic Records. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Episode Art Courtesy of Southern Living/ Silken Weinberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices