Explore every episode of the podcast Wick's Picks Podcast

Kickin It On The Creek founder and newly minted Kentucky Music Hall of Famer, Byron Roberts, and the Hall's executive director, Jessica Blankenship, join the program to recap the 2026 induction ceremony that took place Oct. 24.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Louisville based singer Ryan Anderson (Bendigo Fletcher, Moose Loon) joins the program to talk about the origins of his new album 'Out On The Edge Of Everything', 2-bit music videos, intimate park concerts, home recordings and more.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Monticello, KY based singer Elvie Shane joins the program to talk about the origins of his new record 'With The Wind', returning to Kentucky after a decade in Nashville, his no. 1 hit "My Boy" and the illusion of success, how his passion for photography compliments his music, and more.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Kansas City-based folk singer and poet Willi Carlisle joins the program to discuss the Kentucky connections that run throughout his forthcoming album The Universal Bubba — from Tyler Childers & The Food Stamps to Kenny Miles (Wayne Graham) — along with how he's trying to assist local mutual aid efforts on each of his upcoming tour stops, his kinship with Nat Myers, and more.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Harlan Cecil (guitar) and Liam McGee (producer) from Lexington-based rock group Sour Cream join the program to discuss the band's first record in six years — Revenge Of The Tweakers — along with the band's ties to acts like Black Stone Cherry and The Kentucky Headhunters, how working on a motorcycle is similar to nurturing a music career, and more.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Singer-songwriter and member of Hot Brown Smackdown, Ellie Ruth, and The Moonshiners Ball's Travis Young join the program to preview this year's festival, talk about Ruth's orchestral roots, her experience performing in Scott T. Smith's band on the road with Tyler Childers, and more.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Sandy Hook, Ky. born, Nashville based singer-songwriter Leah Blevins joins the program to discuss the origins of her record All Dressed Up, how she came to release it on Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound, the story behind her co-write with the late Ronnie Bowman, the influence of Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton on her music, and much more.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Western Kentucky singer-songwriter Tony Logue returns to the program to preview his forthcoming record Sixty Cycle Hum, how Chris Knight's Enough Rope inspired him to pursue music, his top literary influences, and more.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Dylan Whitlow, Justin Bell and Marty Bennett of Lexington rock group The Magpies join the program to talk about what drew them to Kentucky from out of state, the band's formation, new four song EP, how this project is distinguished from the member's other bands like DeeOhGee, and much more.

We also listen to the entirety of the band's self-titled EP along with music from DeeOhGee along with Bell and Bennett's other endeavors.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Hancock & Shouse's Arthur Hancock IV joins the program to discuss his work with Can'd Aid to get instruments in the hands of children, his new album Influence, his father's looming induction into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, reflections on a decade of concerts at The Burl, and more.

We also listen to music off Hancock's new record along with "Country Boy", an old tune written and recorded by his father, Arthur B. Hancock III.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Lawrence County born, Tennessee based singer Adam Chaffins joins the program to delve into his new album Trailer Trash Doublewide, how side gigs with acts like Town Mountain and Billy Strings helped prepare him to be a band leader, what led legendary producer Frank Rogers to sign him to a publishing deal on the spot, memories from his first country concert, and more.

We also hear Chaffins perform three songs live in studio from his new record — "King Of Coal Dust County", "Lucky Me" and "Sugarcoat It".

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Melissa "Tree" Jackson, Warren Byrom and Reva Russell English of Lexington songwriter collective Small Batch join the program to discuss the band's roots, connections to Tyler Childers (including Melissa's appearance on stage with him at Railbird Festival), their former bandmate Robby Cosenza, new music, and more.

The trio also perform their original songs "Blue Country Magic," "Paper Trail" and "Dark Days" along with versions of "Jubilee", "Arizona" and "Consequence" from their 2015 self-titled EP to close out the show.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Somerset singer-songwriter Hunter Flynn returns to the program to discuss his road to signing with Big Machine Records, how he and his brother Fisher brought the music video for "Robbing A Bank" to life, what it's been like playing with a band for the first time, and more.

We also preview music from Flynn's forthcoming debut album with acoustic versions of "Dreams Keep Dying", "Second Guessing" and "Great White Lion".

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Wesley and Aaron Smith of Lexington-based duo Brother Smith rejoin the program to talk all about their new record Homeless — from it being their first vinyl release to how drummer/friend Zach Martin wound up playing the role of radio DJ on one of it's tracks. We also hear about how the duo's side- and session work helps to inform the music they make together and what Wesley would like to do with Abraham Lincoln and Yoda. You don't want to miss it!

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Ben Aubrey and Andy Hibpshman join the program to discuss the life and musical legacy of Lexington musician Nate Waters. The singer passed away in June after a long career performing with acts such as NP Presley, Infected and others. A show paying tribute to him will take place at The Burl on July 10.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Candace Barbee, talent booker for Glasgow-based music venue The Grove, returns to the program to discuss changes to the venue in 2026, the dream event she one day hopes to host on the stage, how she's handling a nearby venue opening up with a name eerily close to her's, and more.

We also listen to music from Josh Mitcham, American Aquarium, Joshua Ray Walker, River Shook, Chatham Rabbits and New Grass Revival.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

The Professor, Jesse Wells, joins the program to discuss how he first met Tyler Childers — who he now performs alongside, recording Long Violent History in a cave on the singer's Eastern Kentucky property, and more.

We also hear music from Childers, The Wooks, The Local Honeys and Robbie Wells.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Middlesboro, Ky. based singer-songwriter Jordan Lee King joins the program to recap Laurel Cove Music Festival and to discuss his new album King Of The Bluegrass that he celebrated the release of at the gathering in his hometown earlier this month.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Australian grunge country singer Tori Forsyth joins the program to talk about her road to performing at Laurel Cove Music Festival in 2025, how Kentucky's culture and music scene compares to what she grew up around down under, what she's up to on her current return trip to the U.S., new music, and more.

Forsyth — accompanied by guitarist Matt Newton — also performed acoustic versions of her songs "Made Your Bed", "Hell's Lullaby" and "Guns & Little Girls".

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Jonathan Pennington of Sandy Hook, Ky. outfit Moonlight Mile returns to the program to show off his Abe Partridge designed shoes and talk about everything from his new album 'Northern Lights' to the increasing role of AI in music.

This show is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Breckenridge County, Ky. singer Josh Mitcham returns to the program to preview his forthcoming album Gonna Be Alright and to chat about everything from running summer camps to car restoration projects.

He also performs three songs from the record — "Break It To Me", "The Truth Is" and "Between Kentucky And Here" — live in studio.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay": "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Master Musicians Festival Executive Director, Tiffany Finley, and Joslyn & The Sweet Compression frontwoman Joslyn Hampton join the program to preview the gathering's 33rd iteration taking place in Somerset come July.

We also discussed the challenges that Joslyn has faced following her step father and bassist Marty Charter's death from brain cancer in 2022, new music, and much more.

Wick's Picks is presented by Kentucky 811: Call Before You Dig and The Botany Bay: The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With.

Huntington, West Virginia's feel good folk rocker Alan "Corduroy" Brown joins the program to preview this weekend's inaugural HoundStock Music Festival coming to Gatton Park (May 15-16), new music on the horizon, how a near death experience during COVID inspired his latest musical era, and more.

We also hear three songs from Brown — the (currently) unreleased "Stranger" along with the singles "Fourth Avenue" and "Doin' My Best" — first done solo acoustic style live in studio and later on from full band recordings.

Wick's Picks' initial broadcast can be heard via Hound FM Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and is sponsored by Kentucky 811 — Call Before You Dig — and The Botany Bay — The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With.

Mount Sterling, Ky. born singer Taylor Lansdale joins the program to preview his Wild Ride EP out May 7, how his upcoming trip to Texas for the Kerrville Folk Festival's songwriter competition came about, the circumstances that led to Abby Hamiltion harmonizing with him throughout his latest project, and more.

Lansdale also performed two songs acoustic style — the currently unreleased "Zebco" and "Wild Ride". Additionally, we also preview the Wild Ride EP in it's entirety to close things out, so make sure to stick around until the end!

Wick's Picks' initial broadcast can be heard via Hound FM Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and is sponsored by Kentucky 811 — Call Before You Dig — and The Botany Bay — The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With.

Berea, Ky. based old-time musician and instructor Olivia Peppiatt joins the program to discuss her pathway to playing the fiddle, the differences between her projects Girl Scruggs and Jewelweed, how nature informs her music, what it means to be a champion of bluegrass music to future generations, and more.

Peppiatt also performed three songs inside the Hound FM studio — a cover of fellow Kentuckian Jean Ritchie's "Edward", a reimagining of Clyde Davenport's fiddle tune "Cornstalk Fiddle And A Shoestring Bow", and her original "Dearing".

Wick's Picks' initial broadcast can be heard via Hound FM Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and is sponsored by Kentucky 811 — Call Before You Dig — and The Botany Bay — The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With.

Richmond, Ky. based singer Jared Shoemaker joins the program to discuss his musical roots, journey to being on NBC music game show The Voice, favorite behind the scenes moments from his time filming it in LA, his bewilderment on making it to the semifinals, what his plans are following his conclusion on the show, and more.

Wick's Picks' initial broadcast can be heard via Hound FM Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and is sponsored by Kentucky 811 — Call Before You Dig — and The Botany Bay — The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With.

Somerset based singer-songwriter W.D. Miller joins the program for episode 100 to discuss and perform songs from his new record Child Of The Kindly South. Additionally, we also discuss things like imposter syndrome, how he prepares for bass-playing roles with the likes of Justin Wells, Sydney Adams, Aaron Boyd and The Josephines compared to his own gigs, how he memorialized John Prine in song, and more.

This show is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and The Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With". Thanks so much for your support!

We welcome Knott County, Ky.'s Brit Taylor back to the program to talk about her latest album Land Of The Forgotten, motherhood, and her connection to owls. We even worked to manifest a Conway & Loretta style duet album from her and husband Adam Chaffins — stay tuned for more on that!

Taylor also performed three songs in studio — "Around And Around", "Warning You Whiskey" and "Land Of The Forgotten".

This show is presented by Kentucky 811: "Call Before You Dig" and Botany Bay: "The Place To Buy Things To Do Stuff With".

Versailles, Ky. born, Nashville based drummer and singer-songwriter Miles Miller joins the program to discuss how he wound up playing with Sturgill Simpson, giving his latest album Mr. Runaway the Levon Helm treatment, what it meant to see Billy Currington record his song "Solid Gold", and more.

Miller also performs three songs from Mr. Runaway — "Space Man", "Stormy", and "Pray For Rain".

This show is presented by Kentucky 811. Call before you dig!

Lexington based fiddler Ella Webster joins me in the Hound FM studio to discuss her musical roots, covering her grandfather's half century old bluegrass ballads, how she came to be part of Cole Chaney's touring band, the motivation behind starting to write and perform her own material, and more.

Additionally, Webster also shared with us three of her unreleased originals — "Gasoline", "Arsonist Of Elkhorn" and "Fast Song [Working Title]" — as well.

London-based singer Jordan Allen joins the program to discuss his new album California Sunrise, the story behind his prison album recorded at FMC Lexington last October, how his daughter helped co-write one of his newest songs, and more in addition to performing three songs — "When We Get It Right", Corn From A Jar" and "The Blood Moon" live in studio.

Carrolton, Ky. born, Richmond-based singer Keagan Hatton joins the program to talk about learning how to play guitar during COVID, balancing his musical ambitions with schoolwork, what's in store for 2026, and more.

He also performs three songs for us in studio — "Enemy", "Simple Life", and "Bonnie And Clyde".

Cello trailblazer Ben Sollee joins me in The Hound studio to talk baseball, nature, artificial intelligence, his new album Time On Hold and more in addition to performing three songs off his latest project — "Steeples", "Algorithmic Whispers" and "Letting Go" — live in studio.

Northern Kentucky bluesman Nat Myers joins the program to discuss his ongoing battle with sarcoma, his hiatus and return to playing music, upcoming Kentucky shows and tour dates supporting the likes of Gary Clark Jr. and Fantastic Negrito; and more.

Myers also performs three (currently) unreleased songs for us live in studio — "Pistol Pete", "Red Devil Blues" and What's Your Daddy Do?"

Wick's Picks broadcasts every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET on Lexington, KY's Hound FM

Arthur Geissler (drums) and John Blum (banjo) from Louisville-area jam band Hot Brown Smackdown join the program to preview Feb. 14's Moonshiner's Ball Afterglow Party at The Burl, discuss their forthcoming sophomore album, how Geissler learned to drum for the band on a whim, and more.

Kentucky Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Executive Director, Jessica Blankenship, and Rockcastle County based singer-songwriter, Donovan Howard, join the program to discuss HOF initiatives like the Kentucky Blues Festival, 2026 ambassador artists, upcoming induction ceremony, and more.

We also are treated to three songs from Howard along with cuts from Emily Jamerson, Josh Mitcham and Darrell Scott.

Joshua Ravenscraft, co-founder of Morehead, Ky. based New Frontier Outfitters, joins the program to discuss the clothing company's origins from inside he and brother Jared's East Kentucky garage, their musical collaborations with folks like Nicholas Jamerson, Jesse Wells and J.T. Cure, building community and uplifting all of Kentucky, and more.

Gus and Phineas Johnson from Lexington/Southeast Ohio based country band Low Gap join the program to talk raising hogs and ducklings, how the band came to call Central Kentucky home, their new album Geneva, and more.

Harrodsburg's Lance Rogers and Almo, Ky.'s Jeremy Marshall (Hollerhead) join the program's first episode of 2026 to talk musical resolutions for the new year, their collaborative single "Old Driveways," the healing that can come from music and conversation, and who they're expecting big things from in the next 12 months.

The duo also performed three songs in studio — Rogers' "Banded Coal" and Marshall's "Going Crazy" and "Old Driveways."

Stream Wick's Picks as it airs every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET on Hound FM and follow along on Substack for even more Kentucky music news.

Happy holidays/new year everyone! On this last episode of the show in 2025 we take a look back on the year that was by highlighting our 16 favorite musical performances from the show. You can find a full playlist of the songs and musicians featured below.

1. Justin Wells - “Counting Days”
2. Big Richard - “The Missing Stair”
3. Nicholas Jamerson - “Days Like These”
4. Magnolia Boulevard - “Devil You Know”
5. Aaron Raitiere - “4X4XU”
6. Jordan Allen - “I Should’ve Called”
7. Tony Logue - “Calloway County”
8. Smilo & The Ghost - “Phantom & The Lonely Heart”
9. Lindsey Elam - “Upper Hand”
10. Bill Taylor - “Tomorrow”
11. Luna & The Mountain Jets - “That Thing You Said”
12. Gracie Yates - “One Hit Wonder”
13. Scott T. Smith - “Mama”
14. Shelby Means - “High Plains Wyoming”
15. Jacob Young (Ole 60) - “Let You Down”
16. Colton Bowlin - “Something I Wrote Today”

Carter Owens and Wrangler Stetson from Central Kentucky's 90's country royalty The Bolo Mules join the program to talk about their Dec. 30 and 31 shows at The Burl, Dilly Bars, John Michael Montgomery, OnlyFans, countrified Nirvana, their resemblance to Brother Smith's Wes and Aaron Smith, and more.

Albany, Ky.'s Colton Bowlin joins the program to discuss his musical journey that only began four years ago, how he wound up recording his latest single (and forthcoming debut album) with David Ferguson (Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, Brit Taylor, etc.), how his family inspires his art, and more.

Bowlin also performs three songs solo acoustic style for us — "Through The Fall," "Something I Wrote Today" and "Greenbriar Road."

Henry County, Ky.'s Joe Clark joins the program to talk about the stories behind the songs on his new record 'The Healing' (out Dec. 12), how his family members assisted on the project, overcoming addition, the similarities between hunting and music, and more.

Additionally, Clark also performed three songs off of 'The Healing' — "Into The Sun," "Man Of Steel" and "World To Myself" — solo acoustic style, serving up takes even more raw and rugged than the take recorded for the album in the process.

Tanner Horton, Ashton Bowling and Jager Bowling from Southeast Kentucky bluegrass band The Creekers join the program to talk about their viral rise to notoriety with the song "Tennessee", signing with Warner Music Nashville, their upcoming Holidazed Tour that includes stops at The Burl and Ryman Auditorium, and more!

All five members of Lexington-based rock group Magnolia Boulevard — Maggie Noëlle, Ryan Allen, Brandon Johnson, Austin Lewis and Roddy Puckett — join the program to discuss their debut album out Nov. 29, getting to celebrate it's release with their "home team" at The Burl, the themes of resilience and perseverence running through their music, how this iteration of the band came together, and more.

Louisa, Ky.'s David Prince, known on stage as the Laid Back Country Picker, joins the show to talk about his musical roots, balancing a live as an educator while chasing his musical dreams, teaching a teenage Tyler Childers, Kentucky guitar gods, and much more.

Along with our conversation, Prince and his wife Teresa also performed three songs — "Bonaparte," "They Only Come Around" and "Johnny Cash" — solo acoustic style.

This episode originally aired on Lexington-based The Hound 96.1 FM on Nov. 19, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET.

This week on the podcast I’m joined by Jacob Young, lead singer for Western Kentucky country rock band Ole 60.

Stopping by The Hound studio before the first of a two-night run at The Burl on Oct. 30 and 31, Young spoke to me about everything from his favorite UK basketball players to the band’s pizza shops origins, viral rise to notoriety, new album Smokestack Town, and more.

Young also treated us to two songs — “Let You Down” and “The Word” — solo acoustic style.

Champs Of The Sun's Mark Bell joins the program to discuss new music, influences and more.

Casey Campbell from Cincinnati-based group Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle joins the show to talk about the legacy and impact of Byron Roberts ahead of a Jan. 17, 2025 benefit concert for the superfan battling cancer, how he came to land recurring acting roles in Tyler Childers music videos, and more.

Webster, Ky.'s Josh Mitcham joins the program to talk about his album A Few Cries And A Laugh (out Jan. 24, 2025), the family barn turned music venue he books shows at, and more.