Earl Scruggs // King of the Five String
American Songcatcher
Today on the program, we're sharing our most robust and entertaining episode since beginning five years ago, honoring the king of the five string banjo, Earl Scruggs. Featuring more than 25 different voices all touched by Earl, this part narrative, part field recording feature will give you a glimpse into the life of Earl Scruggs and his story that is completely unique, informed by those who knew him and those who are holding his legacy high today. Immerse yourself in the Earl Scruggs Music Festival, and learn why it was chosen as the 2025 International Bluegrass Music Association Event of the...
info_outline
ANNOUNCEMENT // Béla Fleck Banjo Raffle
American Songcatcher
Get your raffle ticket here!
For just a moment, put yourself in the shoes of a person who plays music, whether they’re professional, amateur or just getting started. Imagine what it would be like to lose the instrument that helps you understand your life, to make sense of the world. Now, imagine losing it and most of what you own during the most traumatic event of your life. Who is goin
info_outline
Talkin' Blues // Buffalo Nichols
American Songcatcher
Today, I’m sharing a conversation I had with one of today’s most eclectic roots musicians, Buffalo Nichols. Since his earliest infatuations with guitar, Carl, who goes by the name Buffalo Nichols has asked himself the same question: How can I bring the blues of the past into the future? A student of African traditions and its roots in the blues, as well as the black influence on “white” music in country, bluegrass, old time and folk, the depth and airy nature of his voice lends i
info_outline
ANNOUNCEMENT // American Songcatcher's Future
American Songcatcher
Over the last 5 years, we have had the privilege of bringing you stories of Pioneering musicians such as Bill Monroe, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash, Lead Belly, Dolly Parton, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Pete Seeger, Jean Ritchie and so many more.
However, a recently shift was forced upon the American Songcatcher program. Our distributor, Spotify for Podcasters/Creators, has taken down 1/4 of our episodes on all platforms, with more likely to follow, as they have began to crack down on the rights and usage of s
info_outline
BONUS // Moses Asch & Folkways Records
American Songcatcher
A few years back, we had the pleasure of partnering with Smithsonian Folkways for a special two part series on Folkways Records founder Moses Asch, who was born 99 years ago earlier this month. To honor his legacy, we combined these two pieces and re-releasing them today. We’ll traverse Moe’s early career, bankruptcy, and the tumultuous yet tantalizing 40 years of iconic recordings with pioneering and lesser known artists of Folkways Records. You’ll find out how what Moe accomplished became so wove
info_outline
WNC Roots Music History LIVE!
American Songcatcher
Back in July of 2024, I had the pleasure of bringing the first LIVE American Songcatcher podcast experience to the historic Graham County Courthouse in Robbinsville, NC. This time, I can't edit out all of my stumbles.
The multimedia presentation traverses Western North Carolina music history starting with the native Cherokee, first settlers and immigration, African American influence on Appalachian music, and short stories of obscure and well known musicians from North Carolina. Atten
info_outline
ANNOUNCEMENT // ReString Appalachia
American Songcatcher
ReString Appalachia
info_outline
S3:E7 // Frankie & Johnny
American Songcatcher
Today on the program, we’re proud to present the story behind the most widely recorded murder ballad in American history, the true St. Louis story of "Frankie and Johnny." Johnny’s real name was Albert, and though the phrase "He was doin’ her wrong” has been the constant refrain, the depiction of Frankie Baker has always been one of a vengeful murderess - rather than murder in self defense - and she fought nearly her entire life to change that narrative. For over 100 years, the so
info_outline
Talkin' Blues // John McCutcheon
American Songcatcher
Today, I’m sharing a conversation I had with Grammy-nominated folk singer, storyteller, humanitarian, author and multi-virtuoso-instrumentalist John McCutcheon. During his five-decade career, John has released 44 albums spanning an eclectic catalog of ballads, historical songs, children's songs, love songs, topical satire, fiddle and hammer dulcimer instrumentals, and even symphonic works. He is regarded as a master of the hammered dulcimer<
info_outline
S3:E6 // Sam Cooke
American Songcatcher
Today on the program, we present the story behind the Father of Soul, Sam Cooke. Growing up in the church, Sam knew he wanted to be a singer by the time he was five years old. There was a magnetic and infectious quality to this young Gospel singer, and he knew he was destined for bigger things than singing sacred music. The risk he took in becoming a pop singer was massive, but it produced the first records of what is now known as Soul music. Sam also was a pioneer when it came to being savvy about the m
info_outlineToday on the program, we’re proud to present the story behind the most widely recorded murder ballad in American history, the true St. Louis story of "Frankie and Johnny." Johnny’s real name was Albert, and though the phrase "He was doin’ her wrong” has been the constant refrain, the depiction of Frankie Baker has always been one of a vengeful murderess - rather than murder in self defense - and she fought nearly her entire life to change that narrative. For over 100 years, the song has continued to be recorded with many false depictions, and in this story, you’ll hear how it all unfolded and became such a hallmark murder ballad in American music history.
__
Support Educational Programming:
-
Join the Patreon Community
Follow American Songcatcher on Instagram
Credits: Ryan Eastridge - Research, Writing
Teddy Chipouras - Editing
Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, editing, recording and distribution
References:
“A Brief History of St. Louis.” City of St. Louis.
Cellania, Miss. “The Story Behind ‘Frankie and Johnny.’” Mental Floss. May 3, 2016.
Demain, Bill. “Ten Days in a Madhouse: The Woman Who Got Herself Committed.” Mental Floss. May 2, 2011.
Edwards, Bill. “Rags and Pieces by Scott Joplin, 1895-1905.” June 6, 2009.
“‘Frankie’ of Famed Song Dies at 75.” Stockton Evening and Sunday Record. January 10, 1952.
“Frankie and Johnny (1966).” IMDB.
“Frankie and Johnny (1991).” IMDB.
Huston, John. Frankie and Johnny. 1930.
John, Finn J. D. “’Johnny’s’ Frankie lived in P-town, hiding from song.” Offbeat Oregon History website. April 1, 2021.
Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries & University Museums. “Frankie and Johnny, or, You’ll Miss Me in the Days to Come.” The Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection.
Kloppe, Adam. “Tom Turpin’s Rosebud Café.” Here’s History Podcast. October 16, 2023.
Knox, Martha. “Words on Woodcuts” blog. March 26, 2016.
Lomax, John A., Lomax, Alan. American Ballads and Folk Songs. The Macmillan Company, New York. 1934. pgs. 103-110.
Morgan, Stacey. Frankie and Johnny: Race, Gender, and the Works of African American Folklore in the 1930s. University of Texas Press. 2017. pg. 20.
“Murder Ballads (A Visit to a Bad Neighborhood part 2).” Riverside Blues Society.
New York Public Library for The Performing Arts, Archives and Manuscripts. “Jack Kirkland papers, 1928-1969.”
Oswald, Charles J.; Kurres, Richard. “It’s Frankie and Albert Instead of Frankie and Johnny.” Lakeland Ledger. May 29, 1975.
Polenberg, Richard. Hear My Sad Story: The True Tales that Inspired Stagolee, John Henry, and Other Traditional American Folk Songs. Cornell University Press. 2015.
Richardson, Ethel Park; edited and arranged by Sigmund Spaeth. American Mountain Songs. Greenberg Publishing, New York. 1927. pgs. 38, 107.
Sandberg, Carl. The American Songbag. Harcourt Brace & Company. 1927. pgs. 73-75.
Slade, Paul. “It’s a Frame-Up: Frankie & Johnny.”
Slade, Paul. Unprepared to Die: America’s Greatest Murder Ballads and the Stories that Inspired Them. Soundcheck Books LLP, London. 2015.
“Soundtrack: ‘Frankie & Johnny.’” Our St. Louis History. April 20, 2018.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 24, 1995. pg. 39.