Transcendent Tracks

Summer Dean: Big Visions & The Biggest Life [Ep. 10]

Country singer-songwriter Summer Dean is a great example of persistence paying off. Taking small gigs while still working as a schoolteacher, she had a bigger vision, and kept bugging folks for better gigs (sometimes contacting them every 48 hours until they gave in) to the point that she could be a musician full-time and walk away from the classroom. Only 5 years into her career, she has already received 2 wins at the Ameripolitan Music Awards, snagged opening slots for Marty Stuart, Dale Watson and Asleep at the Wheel, and appeared at SXSW 2023. One of Summer’s ultimate visions is an induction into the Grand Ole Opry and no doubt she’ll keep pursuing it with her typical tenacity. For now, she has completed her second full-length album called The Biggest Life, produced by acclaimed songwriter Bruce Robison. Find out who Summer wants to induct her into the Opry, who she’d like to meet backstage, and what message was revealed to her during a visit to a medium.Connect with Summer & Find Her Music:Website Summer Dean MusicFacebook Summer Dean MusicInstagram @summerdeanTwitter @summerdeanmusicYouTube @summerdean734Summer’s Musical Influences & Inspirations:Johnny BushKasey ChambersMerle Haggard (Serving 190 Proof album, 1979) Willie Nelson (Redheaded Stranger album, 1975)Dolly PartonBruce RobisonConnie SmithGillian Welch (Everything Is Free, 2001)Lucinda Williams (Car Wheels on a Gravel Road album, 1998)References:5 Female Artists Creating the Future of Country MusicAmeripolitan Music AwardsWill DupuyThe Next Waltz record label

Hope, Dreams, and Bruce Springsteen [Ep. 09]

“You've just seen...the heart-stopping, house-rocking, earth-quaking, booty-shaking, testifying, death-defying, legendary E…Street…Band!” If you’ve ever attended one of their live shows, you would’ve heard some version of this declaration from Bruce and by the end you’d probably agree whole-heartedly. David Burghardt certainly did after his first concert, and 40 years later he’s still going back for more. Like many fans, he cites their music—and one album in particular—as a lifeline in an especially trying time and a reminder to find joy even when life isn’t easy. Find out what lyrics he wrote in everyone’s high school yearbook, which foundational song Bruce refers to as “an invitation” (and how I happily discovered it about 30 years late), plus his admiration for Bruce's open discussion of his mental health struggles even as he consistently writes music that uplifts others.David’s Personal Soundtrack:Thunder Road (from Born to Run album, 1975)Born to Run (from Born to Run album, 1975)Racing in the Street (from Darkness on the Edge of Town album, 1978)Tougher Than the Rest (from Tunnel of Love album, 1987)Jesus Was an Only Son (from Devils & Dust album, 1995)Rockaway the Days (from Tracks box set, 1998)Car Wash (from Tracks box set, 1998)The Rising (from The Rising album, 2002)My City of Ruins (from The Rising album, 2002)Land of Hope and Dreams (from Wrecking Ball album, 2012)References:VH1 Storytellers - Bruce SpringsteenThe Seeger SessionsBruce Springsteen Official WebsiteEpisode Music Credits:Intro: Great Great Lengths from Blue Dot SessionsOutro: Lamplist from Blue Dot Sessions

Briget Boyle: Truth Coming Through [Ep. 08]

What do folk songs of the Balkans, traditional Irish music and a Metallica concert all have in common? Musician Briget Boyle can tell you. She understands and appreciates the importance of musical connections between people and how shared experiences create a culture of song. Through this lens, she has explored an incredible breadth of influences that she draws from in her solo work and expresses directly in her collaborations True Life Trio and Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble.On a musical journey from the start, she began writing songs at the age of 12 and received an invaluable education from her parents who were both music industry professionals. Briget has long felt the call to songwriting and to use her powerful and beautiful voice to express truth through music. Briget’s album Heartbreak Residue is out April 2023.Connect with Briget & Find Her Music:Website Briget BoyleWebsite True Life TrioWebsite Kitka Women’s Vocal EnsembleFacebook @brigetboylemusicInstagram @brigetsongsWebsite Waxsimilie ProductionsBriget’s Early Musical Influences:Ani DiFrancoAlanis MorissetteSarah McLachlanBriget's Personal Soundtrack:Blue Is the Eye by Ye Vagabonds (from Nine Waves album, 2022)Madison CunninghamBrass music from Northern Greece & Southern MacedoniaChoral music from Bulgaria & Southern Albania References:Video Salty Tears by Briget Boyle (from The Next Line album, 2018)Movie Alive Inside: A Story of Music & MemorySongwriting Challenge FAWM (February Album Writing Month)Episode Music Credits:Intro: Great Great Lengths from Blue Dot SessionsOutro: Lamplist from Blue Dot SessionsClip from Crimes & Misdemeanors by Briget Boyle

The Healing Power of Indigo Girls [Ep. 07]

In discussing her feelings on the music of folk rock icons Indigo Girls, podcast host and jam-maker extraordinaire Amy Fagan discovers a recurring descriptor: healing. She explains why Amy & Emily continue to be beloved by their die-hard fans for both their professional and personal contributions. Connect with Amy:Podcast Grounded in MaineFacebook Grounded in Maine Podcast GroupInstagram @groundedinmainepodcastWebsite Amy's Garden JamAmy's Personal Soundtrack:You Left It Up to Me (from Strange Fire album, 1987)Fugitive (from Swamp Ophelia album, 1994)Midnight Train to Georgia cover (from 1200 Curfews album, 1995)Get Out the Map (from Shaming of the Sun album, 1997)Shame On You (from Shaming of the Sun album, 1997)Go (from Come On Now Social album, 1999)Indigo Girls Official WebsiteIndigo Girls Tumblr Blog "A Year A Month"Episode Music Credits:Intro: Great Great Lengths from Blue Dot SessionsOutro: Lamplist from Blue Dot Sessions

Taylor Swift 101 [Ep. 06]

University professor Katy Head has often joked that she could teach a course on Taylor Swift, and here she’s off to an excellent start. Katy outlines the arguments for appreciating Taylor as an artist, business woman and storyteller. She also provides insight into the “Swiftie” fan community and the strong connection Taylor has with her fans...including bringing them to her house for food and listening parties. Class is in session!Katy's Personal Soundtrack:Picture to Burn (from self-titled debut album, 2006)You Belong With Me (from Fearless album, original 2008; re-recorded Taylor’s Version, 2021)Mean (from Speak Now album, 2010)All Too Well (from Red album, original 2012; re-recorded Taylor’s Version, 2021)Begin Again (from Red album, original 2012; re-recorded Taylor’s Version, 2021)Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince (from Lover album, 2019)Invisible String (from Folklore album, 2020)Taylor Swift Official WebsiteEpisode Music Credits:Intro: Great Great Lengths from Blue Dot SessionsOutro: Lamplist from Blue Dot Sessions