semi-twang: a weekly radio show

An “A to Z” of some lesser known artists worthy of further exploration

Blue Rodeo - One of Canada's finest proponents of semi-twang.

Boo Hewerdine - An excellent singer/songwriter from the UK specializing in dreamy pop.

Bo Ramsey - Greg Brown's producer, Lucinda's guitarist, and a guy from Iowa with awesome guitars.

Buddy & Julie Miller - Two members of Emmylou's circle of songwriters and friends. Excellent alt.Nashville writing, picking, and singing.

Clem Snide - Slow and brooding melancholic pop.

Clive Gregson - One time pub-rocker in Any Trouble, Richard Thompson sideman, formerly of Gregson & Collister, sometime member of Plainsong, excellent confessional singer/songwriter.

Continental Drifters - A musical stew spearheaded by Peter Holsapple.

Dan Bern - Bob Dylan meets Bruce Springsteen meets Robin Williams.

Dave Alvin - The total culmination of American roots music live in this man's songs.

The Derailers - From Austin, Texas with the Bakersfield sound of Buck Owens.

Eddi Reader - A Scottish singer/songwriter with the most beautiful of voices.

Five Chinese Brothers - A New York group of twanging songwriters.

Freedy Johnston - A classic pop songwriter.

Greg Brown - Iowa's answer to Bob Dylan.

Honeydogs - A Minneapolis area band with a penchant for melancholy lyrics and Beatles and power pop touches.

Joe Henry - A cool songwriter and Madonna's brother-in-law.

Joe Pernice - A dark and moody popsmith, formerly of the Scud Mountain Boys and now the Pernice Brothers.

John Sieger – Now back in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from a Nashville sojourn, John easily travels from country to r&b through blues and pop.

Judith Edelman - A wonderful singer bluegrass/folk pop.

Kim Richey - One of the best singer/songwriters that is flying under Nashville's radar.

Lloyd Cole - 80s college rock guru has recently returned to his roots with romanticism and smart songwriting.

Loudon Wainwright III - Before there was Rufus, there was Loudon.

Marques Bovre (now sans the Evil Twins) - A Madison, Wisconsin based singer/songwriter with a superb lyrics, rootsy touches, and Midwestern sensibilities.

Martin Zellar & the Hardways - Originally from Austin, Minnesota (the home of Spam) and once the vocalist of the Gear Daddies, Martin plays roots rock and does a mean Neil Diamond tribute show.

Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans - A musical encyclopedia of good taste and fun.

Paul Thorn - A funny and charming boxer turned singer/songwriter.

Pawtuckets - A mix of Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo, and perhaps the Band.

Phil Lee - The Mighty King of Love.

Robbie Fulks - Country music's lost hitmaker.

Ron Sexsmith - Another confessional singer/songerwriter, this time from Canada.

The Skeletons - Missouri's best bar band other than The Morells.

Thelonious Sphere Monk - For my money, "the" man of jazz.

Tony Rice - Brilliant guitarist, interpreter of Gordon Lightfoot, and bluegrass torchbearer.

Tribute Bands – AC/DShe or They Call Her Natasha or Hell's Belles or Cheap Chick or Super Diamond?

Willie Wisely - Another one of Minnesota's pure pop marvels.

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