Jewly Hight

Mattea and Quinn-Broadus inhabit two totally different musical worlds, but when each artist was stopped in her tracks by vocal difficulties, they found common ground in the journey back to the stage.

From family memorials to jam sessions to every show at the Grand Ole Opry, the familiar singalong helps people feel connected to those who have died — whether legendary musicians or loved ones.

Rosanne Cash wields her lived testimony as a threat and a source of comfort.

Taking on all manner of "shouldn'ts" is a specialty of Lambert's, whose body of work knowingly disobeys the rules of feminine decorum. Who else has been more strong-willed and sisterly at once?

Get to know the extremely talented 25-year-old Grenadian-Canadian singer-songwriter.

Adam Hood has written songs for big-name acts like Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town, but for his solo work, he prefers a leaner, more low-key approach.

Eric Church responds to an unsettling time with white-knuckled assertions of individual grit.

The new music that's come out of Nashville in recent months is an embarrassment of riches.

Loretta Lynn draws on her back story with a mixture of saltiness, sentimentality and wit that gives it heart and resonance.

All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen talks with NPR Music's Ann Powers and Jewly Hight about the standout performances and surprising discoveries at this year's AMERICANAFEST.

These two self-contained string duos travel along idiosyncratic yet parallel musical paths.

Tasjan got a scholarship to study jazz at Berklee then co-founded a glam rock band in New York before landing in the Nashville singer-songwriter scene.

The Southern soul survivor possesses the gonzo showmanship, expansive vision and warped wit to carry the imaginative fun of his music into the Auto-Tune era.

The British-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter depicts the collision of self-importance and insecurity from an earthier, more conversational angle.

On his debut, recorded with studio gurus Dan Auerbach and David Ferguson, Dee White does something very different with his vintage country tastes. Alison Krauss guests.

The married duo Michael and Tanya Trotter convey an ecstatic, empowering sense of partnership that serves as the duo's creative engine and core message.

The blues artist expands her Americana sensibilities — and doubles down on her real-talking spirit — with Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Mary Gauthier and Rhiannon Giddens.

Shires' bright, electric voice and reality-filled lyrics illustrate the power of women pursuing their own impulses, desires and ambitions with abandon.

Troubled by the divisiveness in America's social and political discourse, folk singer Sam Lewis and folk duo Birds of Chicago found themselves drawn toward poetic openness and humble idealism.

The mother-and-son duo returns with a short set of charming folk songs.