No Depression: Roots Music & Culture Journalism

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THROUGH THE LENS: Earl Scruggs and Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2026 Fests: “Eventually, It All Comes Back To The Roots.”

THROUGH THE LENS: Earl Scruggs and Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2026 Fests: “Eventually, It All Comes Back To The Roots.”

This week the the column visits the heart of Appalachia with two roots music festivals: Earl Scruggs Music Festival (September 4-6, 2026, Mill Spring, North Carolina); and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (September 11-13, 2026, Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee). The settings, only 90 miles apart as the crow flies,

Waylon Payne Mines Nashville’s Contradictions, Yet Honors Outlaw Roots on New Album ‘Wayward’

Waylon Payne Mines Nashville’s Contradictions, Yet Honors Outlaw Roots on New Album ‘Wayward’

FRESH TRACK: JP Harris - "Hang Me"

FRESH TRACK: JP Harris - "Hang Me"

SPOTLIGHT: Reflections On The Inevitable Folly Of Naming Things, Or Whatever [ESSAY]

SPOTLIGHT: Reflections On The Inevitable Folly Of Naming Things, Or Whatever [ESSAY]

A Postcard From The Heists

A Postcard From The Heists

BONUS TRACKS: James Felice's New Solo Album, Dolly Parton Day and More Roots Music News

BONUS TRACKS: James Felice's New Solo Album, Dolly Parton Day and More Roots Music News

ALBUM REVIEW: Hermanos Gutiérrez Trace Their Roots on 'Los Ojos Del Cóndor'

ALBUM REVIEW: Hermanos Gutiérrez Trace Their Roots on 'Los Ojos Del Cóndor'

Stories

SPOTLIGHT: Reflections On The Inevitable Folly Of Naming Things, Or Whatever [ESSAY]

SPOTLIGHT: Reflections On The Inevitable Folly Of Naming Things, Or Whatever [ESSAY]

Editor's Note: Jude Brothers, whose new LP titled Dogwood Maiden Voyage released September 25 via Gar Hole Records, is No Depression's Spotlight Artist for September 2026. Read more about Brothers in this featured profile and listen to their song "Oak & Ache." The name

A Postcard From The Heists

A Postcard From The Heists

A 'Reckoning' Is Beckoning and Mary Gauthier’s Songs Are The Answer

A 'Reckoning' Is Beckoning and Mary Gauthier’s Songs Are The Answer

SPOTLIGHT: Jude Brothers - "Oak & Ache" [VIDEO]

SPOTLIGHT: Jude Brothers - "Oak & Ache" [VIDEO]

Rainy Day Parade: The Sad/Happy Story of Jill Sobule

Rainy Day Parade: The Sad/Happy Story of Jill Sobule

Molly Tuttle, Tyler Childers, and More Win at 2026 Americana Music Association Awards

Molly Tuttle, Tyler Childers, and More Win at 2026 Americana Music Association Awards

SPOTLIGHT: Jude Brothers’ Kaleidoscopic Album ‘Dogwood Maiden Voyage’ Navigates Through Nature and Reinvention

SPOTLIGHT: Jude Brothers’ Kaleidoscopic Album ‘Dogwood Maiden Voyage’ Navigates Through Nature and Reinvention

Album Reviews

Waylon Payne Mines Nashville’s Contradictions, Yet Honors Outlaw Roots on New Album ‘Wayward’

Waylon Payne Mines Nashville’s Contradictions, Yet Honors Outlaw Roots on New Album ‘Wayward’

On a recent Wednesday evening, Waylon Payne stood on the modest stage at East Nashville honky-tonk Skinny Dennis, backed by a four-piece band. Dressed in a rhinestone-dotted Western shirt and worn-in jeans, the Nashville-based singer-songwriter explained that the next song he was set to

ALBUM REVIEW: Hermanos Gutiérrez Trace Their Roots on 'Los Ojos Del Cóndor'

ALBUM REVIEW: Hermanos Gutiérrez Trace Their Roots on 'Los Ojos Del Cóndor'

ALBUM REVIEW: Leon Bridges Delivers an Ode to Joy on 'Happiness Anytime'

ALBUM REVIEW: Leon Bridges Delivers an Ode to Joy on 'Happiness Anytime'

ALBUM REVIEW: Joy Oladokun Uses the Past to Shape the Future on 'Hope Is a Heavy Thing'

ALBUM REVIEW: Joy Oladokun Uses the Past to Shape the Future on 'Hope Is a Heavy Thing'

ALBUM REVIEW: Angela Easterling Explores Her Fascinating Family History on 'Songs From the Knoxville Project'

ALBUM REVIEW: Angela Easterling Explores Her Fascinating Family History on 'Songs From the Knoxville Project'

ALBUM REVIEW: Ian Noe’s Dazzling ‘Canyon Falls Trailer Band’ Delivers the Goods

ALBUM REVIEW: Ian Noe’s Dazzling ‘Canyon Falls Trailer Band’ Delivers the Goods

ALBUM REVIEW: Biita Houdei Crafts Soothing Lullabies on 'This Bed Was Made for Me'

ALBUM REVIEW: Biita Houdei Crafts Soothing Lullabies on 'This Bed Was Made for Me'

Columns

THROUGH THE LENS: Earl Scruggs and Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2026 Fests: “Eventually, It All Comes Back To The Roots.”

THROUGH THE LENS: Earl Scruggs and Bristol Rhythm & Roots 2026 Fests: “Eventually, It All Comes Back To The Roots.”

This week the the column visits the heart of Appalachia with two roots music festivals: Earl Scruggs Music Festival (September 4-6, 2026, Mill Spring, North Carolina); and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (September 11-13, 2026, Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee). The settings, only 90 miles apart as the crow flies,

BONUS TRACKS: James Felice's New Solo Album, Dolly Parton Day and More Roots Music News

BONUS TRACKS: James Felice's New Solo Album, Dolly Parton Day and More Roots Music News

THE READING ROOM: John Krajicek’s ‘Patience for the Ride: The Art and Life of Will Johnson’

THE READING ROOM: John Krajicek’s ‘Patience for the Ride: The Art and Life of Will Johnson’

THROUGH THE LENS: AMERICANAFEST 2026 – “Music Is My Religion. I Live There.”

THROUGH THE LENS: AMERICANAFEST 2026 – “Music Is My Religion. I Live There.”

FOUNDERS KEEPERS: Claire Kelly Leads an Impressive Batch of New Music from Americana Women

FOUNDERS KEEPERS: Claire Kelly Leads an Impressive Batch of New Music from Americana Women

BONUS TRACKS: New Music From Brandy Clark, Meshell Ndegeocello Covers Bob Dylan, and More Roots Music News

BONUS TRACKS: New Music From Brandy Clark, Meshell Ndegeocello Covers Bob Dylan, and More Roots Music News

CROWDFUNDING RADAR: Amber Westerman, Tuatha Dea, Hitch & The Giddyup

CROWDFUNDING RADAR: Amber Westerman, Tuatha Dea, Hitch & The Giddyup

FRESH TRACK

JP Harris shares his take on the upbeat old-time Appalachian tune, "Hang Me," a ubiquitous late-night classic at fiddler’s conventions and rowdy old-time jams. His version was produced by, and features, Chance McCoy (Old Crow Medicine Show) on fiddle and harmony.

Sponsored by Bloodshot Records

FRESH TRACK: JP Harris - "Hang Me"

JP Harris shares his take on the upbeat old-time Appalachian tune, "Hang Me," a ubiquitous late-night classic at fiddler’s conventions and rowdy old-time jams. His version was produced by, and features, Chance McCoy (Old Crow Medicine Show) on fiddle and harmony. ORDER NOW

FRESH TRACK: Todd Mack - "9-11+25"

FRESH TRACK: Clay DuBose - "Winning Streak"