Folk singer-songwriter Michael Johnathon kicks off his 2021 season of WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour with the reigning Queen of Bluegrass, IBMA & GRAMMY award winner, and Grand Ole’ Opry member, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, on August 16 at the Lyric Theater in Lexington, Kentucky. Vincent will perform new music from her album, Music Is What I See. Plus, special guest is the young Dillon Massengale and his family band as he and Rhonda are set to perform their Merle Haggard single, and tell his musical story overcoming autism. Tickets for the live taping may be purchased at Tix.com.

Upcoming Woodsongs Performances:

The August 23 show welcomes Merle Monroe, a band composed of Tim Raybon and Daniel Grindstaff, who will perform their hard-driving Bill Monroe all the way to the Merle Haggard sound. Songs of a Simple Life is the band’s highly-anticipated sophomore album, which they’ll play some cuts from.
 
Plus, Grace Pettis, an award-winning songwriter from Austin via Alabama, will also perform on the August 23 show. Pettis is the winner of NPR’s 2009 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest. Her debut album Working Woman from MPress Records includes guest contributions from Indigo Girls, Ruthie Foster, Dar Williams, The Watson Twins, Gina Chavez, and Mary Bragg.
 
August 30 welcomes to the WoodSongs stage Linda Gail Lewis, the younger sister to living legend and musical genius, Jerry Lee Lewis. Linda was raised on the rock n’ roll piano, along with country, and grew up with a passion for music. A professional musician since the age of 15, Linda is well versed in rockabilly, rock n’ roll, and country music, she continues to share her high-octane live show with music fans around the world.
 
Also appearing on August 30 is Cedric Burnside, a two-time GRAMMY nominee who has proudly carried the mantle of Mississippi Hill Country blues around the world. Burnside delivers a sound birthed in his soul, but developed and perfected on the road. His newest contribution to this tradition is I Be Trying, a 13-track album treatise on life’s challenges, pleasures, and beauty.
 
WoodSongs airs on more than 500 radio stations worldwide, is also broadcasted on RFD-TV, and streamed WoodSongs FaceBook (@WoodSongs), and on their YouTube Channel. For additional show information and a complete list of where to listen and watch, visit WoodSongs.com

Folksinger Michael Johnathon’s WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour continues taping its new season of shows at Lexington’s Lyric Theatre in September, welcoming to the stage Blues legend, Bobby Rush (Sept. 20), singer-songwriter Carsie Blanton & folk singer-songwriter Joe Troop (Sept. 13), and five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten (Sept. 27), founding member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

Plus, each show in September will feature a special guest performance from an incredible WoodSongs Kid.
 
WoodSongs airs on more than 500 radio stations worldwide, is also broadcasted on RFD-TV, and streamed WoodSongs FaceBook (@WoodSongs), and on their YouTube Channel. For additional show information and a complete list of where to listen and watch, visit WoodSongs.com
 
About WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour:
Launched in 1998, WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour is an all volunteer, live audience celebration of grassroots music and the artists who make it. Produced 44 Mondays per year from the historic Lyric Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky, the show airs worldwide on 537 radio stations from Australia to Ireland, and across the United States. It is also aired on American Forces Radio Network twice each weekend in 177 nations, and on every military base and US Naval ship around the world. It is also broadcasted into millions of homes as a PBS-TV series on KET in Kentucky, and on Friday and Wednesday’s on RFD-TV, America’s Most Important Rural Network.

Folksinger Michael Johnathon’s WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour continues taping its new season of shows at Lexington’s historic Lyric Theatre in October, welcoming to the stage a nice variety of performing musicians and songwriters, including guitar virtuoso Jimmie Vaughan (Oct. 18), a four time GRAMMY winning musician from Austin, Texas who is the older brother of the great Stevie Ray Vaughn. Plus, IBMA winning fiddle champion Becky Buller with singer-songwriter Erin McKeown (Oct. 25); country, soul and southern pop singer-songwriter Brei Carter with retro bluegrass singer Kody Norris (Oct. 4); and singer-songwriter Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors with jazz & blues guitarist Jack Broadbent (Oct.11). Artist biographies and more show information is available at WoodSongs.com.
 
Plus, each show in October will also feature a special guest performance from an incredible WoodSongs Kid.

WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour airs on more than 500 radio stations worldwide, is also broadcasted on RFD-TV, and live streamed WoodSongs FaceBook (@WoodSongs), and on the show's YouTube channel. For additional show information, artist bios, and a complete list of where to listen and watch, visit WoodSongs.com
 
Tickets for the live taping at Lyric Theater may be purchased at Tix.com or by calling (859) 280-2201.
 
About WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour:
Launched in 1998, WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour is an all volunteer, live audience celebration of grassroots music and the artists who make it. Produced 44 Mondays per year from the historic Lyric Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky, the show airs worldwide on 537 radio stations from Australia to Ireland, and across the United States. It is also aired on American Forces Radio Network twice each weekend in 177 nations, and on every military base and US Naval ship around the world. It is also broadcasted into millions of homes as a PBS-TV series on KET in Kentucky, and on Friday and Wednesday’s on RFD-TV, America’s Most Important Rural Network.

Folksinger Michael Johnathon is set to wrap the 2021 season of WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour on Monday, December 6 at Lexington’s Lyric Theatre with award winning Bluegrass duo Darin and Brooke Aldrige. The multiple IBMA winning, husband & wife pair from North Carolina will perform songs from their latest critically-acclaimed album, This Life We’re Living.

Also appearing on December 6 is Italian-born Americana singer-songwriter Cristina Vane, who will perform music from her imposing debut album, Nowhere Sounds Lovely. Rolling Stone recently went on record saying Vane evokes Bonnie Rait and PJ Harvey on her single, “Badlands.”
 
WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour airs on more than 500 radio stations worldwide, is also broadcasted on RFD-TV, and live streamed WoodSongs FaceBook (@WoodSongs), and on the show's YouTube channel. For additional show information, artist bios, and a complete list of where to listen and watch, visit WoodSongs.com
 
Tickets for the live taping at Lyric Theater may be purchased at Tix.com or by calling (859) 280-2201.

Watch the show’s live-stream FREE on Woodsongs’ Facebook or YouTube channel or buy tickets to the show at Tix.com
 
About WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour:
Launched in 1998, WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour is an all volunteer, live audience celebration of grassroots music and the artists who make it. Produced 44 Mondays per year from the historic Lyric Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky, the show airs worldwide on 537 radio stations from Australia to Ireland, and across the United States. It is also aired on American Forces Radio Network twice each weekend in 177 nations, and on every military base and US Naval ship around the world. It is also broadcasted into millions of homes as a PBS-TV series on KET in Kentucky, and on Friday and Wednesday’s on RFD-TV, America’s Most Important Rural Network.

Folksinger Michael Johnathon has called upon music communities throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and beyond - along with his faithful worldwide WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour community - and they are responding. Still being mobilized and organized, the WoodSongs’ Tornado Relief Effort is thankful for the support from Martin Guitar Company, who will donate guitar strings for donated guitars needing replacements. Additional brand alliances are still being organized and ongoing, with more information being updated at WoodSongs.com/Tornado
 
Currier’s Music World in Richmond, Kentucky is functioning as the main redistribution point for the program, and will assist in shipping coordination of donated instruments to those musicians who resided in the tornado’s path. The program was recently featured by WKYT-TV and the Richmond Register. The general public is asked to direct ship any instrument donations directly to Currier’s Music World, with "WoodSongs Tornado Relief Effort" marked on the packaging.
 
Additional regional drop-off locations for the general public to make donations of working musical instruments have been set up in Nashville at The Mandolin Store, in Louisville at Mom’s Music, in Bowling Green at Musician’s Pro Music Store, and in Jeffersonville, Indiana at Maxwell’s House of Music and in metro Washington D.C. at House of Musical Traditions. Music stores wishing to participate should email [email protected].
 
WoodSongs’ Tornado Relief Effort will replace damaged or lost musical instruments for FREE for any person or organization affected by the recent tornados which devastated communities throughout Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee. WoodSongs is a 501c(3) non-profit association based in Lexington, Kentucky.
 
Johnathon explained the reason for the program’s creation on his YouTube channel recently, and has called for the immediate need to restore music and art to those affected by the tornado devastation.
 
“I believe that love is the greatest transaction of the arts, it drives everything we do, everything we create and everything we feel,” Johnathon said. “This is a time to put our politics, opinions and divisions aside and be loving neighbors to those in real, actual need. Let’s not underestimate the comfort music and art can bring to families and neighbors in a time of great loss.”
 
IF YOU LIVE IN THE TORNADO ALLEY and need an instrument replaced, send an email to [email protected] and we will assist you. Make sure you put TORNADO in the subject heading, include the instrument you are looking for, an address it can be sent to, your name, phone number, and other contact information.
 
IF YOU HAVE AN INSTRUMENT YOU CAN DONATE, send an email to [email protected] if you are not close to one of the drop-off locations. Make sure you include TORNADO in the subject heading, describing what you have, and include all your contact information. OR, package and self-ship to Currier’s Music World in Richmond, Kentucky.
 
INSTRUMENT DROP-OFF LOCATIONS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
 
Richmond, Kentucky:
Currier’s Music World
292 S 2nd St.
Richmond, KY 40475
(859) 623-6010
 
Bowling Green, Kentucky:
Musician’s Pro Music Store
1440 Campbell Ln. Suite 300
Bowling Green, KY 42104
(270) 842-2433
 
Louisville, Kentucky:
Mom’s Music
1900 Mellwood Ave
Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 897-3304
 
Nashville, Tennessee:
The Mandolin Store
907 Rivergate Parkway, Suite A4
Goodlettsville, TN 37072
(623) 933-8319
 
Jeffersonville, Indiana:
Maxwell’s House of Music
1710 E 10th St
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
(812) 283-3304
 
Washington D.C.:
House of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
(301) 270-9090

Folksinger Michael Johnathon along with his faithful worldwide WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour community have announced distribution dates of March 18 & 19 in Western Kentucky for the WoodSongs Tornado Relief Effort (WoodSongs.com/Tornado). The program was called-into-action by Johnathon on December 14th in a YouTube video where he called upon anyone anywhere to donate musical instruments to replace those lost during the tornadoes throughout regions surrounding Western Kentucky. The program has collected and restored nearly 1000 instruments which will be given out for FREE to anyone from anywhere who lost an instrument during the December tornados.
 
Free Instrument Pickup Date & Locations For Tornado Victims:
   
Friday, March 18 from 5 - 8pm:
Graves County Public Library
 601 N 17th Street
 Mayfield, KY 42066
 
Saturday, March 19 from 12 noon-4pm:
 West Dawson Music Venue
 3420 Huddleston Loop Rd
Dawson Springs, KY 42408

Saturday, March 19 from 6 - 8pm:
 Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum
 311 W. Second St.
 Owensboro, KY 42301
 
*Priority will be given to those with a FEMA or RED CROSS card, but nobody will be turned away while supplies last.
 
Several music stores across four states volunteered and became drop-off points for the general public, including Currier’s Music World in Richmond, Kentucky, The Mandolin Store in Nashville, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro, Mom’s Music in Louisville, Musician’s Pro Music Store in Bowling Green, Maxwell’s House of Music in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and at House of Musical Traditions in metro Washington D.C. have since collected more than 800 donated instruments from guitars, to banjos, to pianos and drum kits. Some donations came in as far away as England.
 
WoodSongs Tornado Relief Effort is organized by WoodSongs Inc, a 501c(3) non-profit association based in Lexington, Kentucky.
 
Anyone can receive an instrument, while supplies last. Visit WoodSongs.com/tornado and fill out the request form so the volunteers can keep track of what is needed and where.

“I believe that love is the greatest transaction of the arts, it drives everything we do, everything we create and everything we feel,” Johnathon said. “This is a time to put our politics, opinions and divisions aside and be loving neighbors to those in real, actual need. Let’s not underestimate the comfort music and art can bring to families and neighbors in a time of great loss.”

Folksinger Michael Johnathon and the WoodSongs Front Porch Association (WFPA) will host the 7th annual National Gathering of SongFarmers on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13 at the historic Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum estate in Renfro Valley, Kentucky. Front Porch pickers from across the country, called “SongFarmers,” will make their annual pilgrimage to the foothills of Appalachia for live music, hands-on workshops, active song circles, bluegrass jams, films and fun for the entire family. Plus, a healthy food truck will also be onsite daily provided by Comfort Food Kitchen.

FREE public concerts are scheduled for both Friday and Saturday evenings at the amphitheater and will feature live music performances given by SongFarmers from around the world. Current SongFarmers members and WoodSongs Partners get two FREE tickets to both days of the annual SongFarmers Gathering. Those planning to attend are asked to pre-register at songfarmers.org/2023gathering.

“A SongFarmer is any artist, musician, songwriter and picker who wants to use their passion and music to make their homes, families and communities better,” says founder Michael Johnathon. “The changes in the world of music have left many skilled, talented players behind in the digital dust. We believe they still matter, they still have purpose and they still are valid.”

The WFPA community of SongFarmers has grown to 96 active chapters from Australia, across America to Ireland where its members meet regularly to share music with one another. A national TV documentary has been filmed that explains the front porch community and can be view at SongFarmers.org/tv

“Never before in the last 100 years have the gentle spirit of America’s front porch been so needed,” says folksinger Rik Palieri, SongFarmer chapter leader in Heinsburg, Vermont. “And that’s what SongFarmers do, they are building a musical front porch around the world.”

7th Annual National Gathering of SongFarmers
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
2590 Richmond St, Mt Vernon, KY 40456

Friday, May 12

2:00pm: SLOW JAMS all day with PERRY & DIANA BRAKE
2:00pm: BLUEGRASS JAMS all day SKIP JOHNS, RAYMOND McLAIN, DAXON LEWIS
4:00pm: Shape Note Singing led by RON PEN with RUTH McLAIN
5:00pm: TOWN HALL Welcome to the Group with KARI ESTRIN
6:00pm: Picnic & FREE Public Concert
**SONGFARMERS sign up for a performance slot at the welcome desk when you arrive

Saturday, May 13

9:00am: Welcome & Coffee in the C tent
10:00am: SLOW JAMS ALL DAY with PERRY & DIANA BRAKE
10:00am: BLUEGRASS JAMS ALL DAY with SKIP JOHNS, RAYMOND McLAIN
10:00am: Starting a SongFarmers Chapter LINDA JOHNS, BRYAN KLAUSING, RIK PALIERI
10:00am: Banjo Styles Workshop with RIK PALIERI & RAYMOND McLAIN
11:00am: Group Singing with RON PEN, RIK PALIERI & RICK NESTLER
11:00am: Songwriting Workshop with BILL HUDSON, DAN & FAITH SENIE
12:00pm: Lunch break in the C tent
1:00pm: Beginning Mandolin Workshop with RUTH McLAIN, FAITH SENIE
1:00pm: Fiddle Workshop with RON PEN, RAYMOND McLAIN
2:00pm: Building a Front Porch Around the World with MICHAEL JOHNATHON
3:00pm: Songs of SongFarmers with PERRY & DIANA BRAKE, TANA REEVES
3:00pm: Guitar Workshop with BILL HUDSON, BRYAN KLAUSING
4:00pm: The Joy of Upright Bass WorkShop with RUTH McLAIN
4:00pm: SongFarmers and WoodSongs Kids MICHAEL JOHNATHON
5:00pm: Picnic & FREE Public Concert
**SONGFARMERS sign up for a performance slot at the Welcome desk when you arrive

About WoodSongs Front Porch Association:

WoodSongs Front Porch Association is an international network of “front porch” minded musicians, songwriters and fans who simply love simple, rural music. This organization is about EVERYBODY who loves to pick, play and sing. If you feel the music business left you behind, join us. We will show you how to make music a powerful part of your life, even if it is not your livelihood. WFPA’s mission is to help music lovers find a new, defined direction for their music. To gather the global community of front porch minded musicians and help them do good work, bring roots music education into schools free of charge, and enhance communities by redirecting the tremendous energies of local musicians. We call our members “SongFarmers.”