Backtracks
Claim This Podcastby Robert Cochran & Michael Cockram
Podcast Overview
<p>Deep in the roots of American music, there are artists whose influence and talent have been largely overlooked or forgotten. In the Backtracks podcast, folklore scholar Professor Robert Cochran and musician Michael Cockram explore the music and lives of these under-appreciated pioneers.</p><p>Backtracks is a non-profit, educational podcast produced in association with the Ozark Folkways Fayetteville Folk School, a community music space.</p><p>Contact us with comments, questions and information at: </p><p>backtracks444@gmail.com</p><p>Intro: Susan Shore</p><p>Intro music: Rent House Stomp by Big Bill Broonzy</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://ozarkfolkways.org">ozarkfolkways.org</a>.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
7/21/2025
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Recent Episodes
June 13, 2026
Martin, Bogan and Armstrong | The Legacy of the Old-Time Black String Bands
<p>From their beginnings in Knoxville Tennessee playing on street corners in the late 1920's through their resurgence on the festival circuit in the 70's and 80's, Martin, Bogan, and Armsrtong carried the torch of the old-time black string band tradition . Their vast repertoire included swing, blues, show tunes, tin pan alley favorites, and any genre that would get their audience tapping their feet. With relentless energy, these consummate entertainers helped keep alive a string band tradition reaching back to the beginnings of African American musical history.</p><p></p><p>R. Crumb's Sweet Shellac podcast on black string bands of the 20's and 30's:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JB-Nf-x1zM&t=1043s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JB-Nf-x1zM&t=1043s</a></p><p></p><p>Allison Williams and Elizabeth Scott - Old time banjo and Music History.</p><p>This page has great resources on old-time black string bands</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://folklife.uark.edu/apprenticeships/williamsscott26/">https://folklife.uark.edu/apprenticeships/williamsscott26/</a></p><p></p><p>The African-American String Music Tradition - Afro pop interview with Howard Armstrong:</p><p></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.afropop.org/audio-programs/the-african-american-string-music-tradition-2?curator=MusicREDEF">https://www.afropop.org/audio-programs/the-african-american-string-music-tradition-2?curator=MusicREDEF</a></p><p></p><p>Howard Armstrong PBS POV documentary "Sweet Old Song" availble for purchase on film maker Leah Mahan's website:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.leahmahan.com/films/sweet-old-song/">https://www.leahmahan.com/films/sweet-old-song/</a></p>
April 24, 2026
Charlie Rich | The long road to finding his voice
<p>Most people remember Charlie Rich for his 1973 country/pop hits and his controversial pyrotechnical antics at the 1975 Country Music Awards. But before his star rose in Nashville, he had early rock and roll hits on Sun Records. Later in his career, after his fame faded, he teamed up with music historian and producer Peter Guralnick to make the album he dreamed of; a soulful mix of jazz, blues, and R&B.</p><p></p><p>Songs:</p><p>Lonely Weekends</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1YD_Ejb450">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1YD_Ejb450</a></p><p></p><p>Most Beautiful Girl in the World:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLbGeZSUrhg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLbGeZSUrhg</a></p><p></p><p>Life's Little Ups and Downs</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kO7p2bpya0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kO7p2bpya0</a></p><p></p><p>Pictures and Paintings:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDNmFzY5Wxw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDNmFzY5Wxw</a></p><p></p><p>Bobby Blue Bland's versions of Who Will the Next Fool Be?</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjzY5i3jDbc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjzY5i3jDbc</a></p><p></p><p>Videos:</p><p>Charlie Rich on the Jimmy Dean Show </p><p>Songs:</p><p>River Stay Away from my Door</p><p>Big Boss Man (Not Lonely Weekends as I said in the podcast)</p><p></p><p>1975 CMA Awards:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf3t3unp-Gg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf3t3unp-Gg</a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>
March 22, 2026
Clifton Chenier | The man who brought Zydeco music to the world
<p>From the heart of French-speaking Louisiana, Clifton Chenier transformed the rural Zydeco of his father's generation into an international embodiment of high-energy good-time music. He was the first to broaden the genre by incorporating other forms such as blues, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. Despite the addition of electric instruments and new forms, his accordion-driven music never strayed far from it's origins of creating a place for working people to leave their troubles behind and let the good times roll.</p><p></p><p>Interview with Chris Strachwitz:</p><p></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUqnOYUi1A">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGUqnOYUi1A</a></p><p></p><p>Songs:</p><p></p><p>J’Ai Conet, C’Est Pas Me Femme (I Know She’s Not My Woman)</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwioXT2UDW4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwioXT2UDW4</a></p><p></p><p>Someone Told Me it was Over:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIhc4CQFah8&list=RDcIhc4CQFah8&start_radio=1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIhc4CQFah8&list=RDcIhc4CQFah8&start_radio=1</a></p><p></p><p>Release Me:</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Q2kKsNNS8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Q2kKsNNS8</a></p><p>A Tribute to the King of Zydeco. "Release Me", featuring Lucinda Williams, Tommy McLain, and Keith Frank is available through a variety of services: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://orcd.co/releaseme1">https://orcd.co/releaseme1</a></p><p>"A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" available for pre-sale now: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://linktr.ee/valcourrecords">https://linktr.ee/valcourrecords</a></p><p>Reserve your limited-run vinyl copy of "A Tribute to the King of Zydeco" now: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.valcourrecords.com/vinyl/">https://www.valcourrecords.com/vinyl/</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFI2em9qUjhFczNhbGw4a1pPZWZrNUZsNUJhZ3xBQ3Jtc0trV2VfLXNHMEstQ082VS15bFVYc21wM2NSWlVUWVZyakt1OExpTERoMDVOdDhHT2pObkpCYzZubUZycERTTHVqVF94MEMtUEhPa19XdnlIcnBCV3JhRHVVWGJEUlV1RWRXTGJIbGhrTE1aaExDWWVRVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.valcourrecords.com%2Fvinyl%2Fa-tribute-to-the-king-of-zydeco-clifton-chenier&v=A-Q2kKsNNS8">...</a> 100% of profits benefit the Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship Fund, created by Valcour Records with the Center for Louisiana Studies at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Learn more about the fund here: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/">https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/</a><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0lheXhyODZCc0dxcnFLWC0tNUlRbHJhOUpCUXxBQ3Jtc0ttMTZZMUN0TmVJVVBmLV80NGVYeEJaUmxZZ1FRUkNWOFNhdjFMTHFhQjdyRGpzaGhvV21KbEpSOUNZUm5FMDlTM1NCZFlzUVl5ODh4WlRwbllLeFlxaUh3d3ppbUVrSzBGRDBCNkF3NFA1Z0xxbE95Zw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givecampus.com%2Fcampaigns%2F48096%2Fdonations%2Fnew&v=A-Q2kKsNNS8">...</a></p><p></p><p>Grand Mamou (Big Mamou):</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh9NhkWWVsw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh9NhkWWVsw</a></p><p></p><p>I'm Coming Home (to See my Mother):</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_06Ig59jo8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_06Ig59jo8</a></p><p></p><p></p>
11 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Backtracks?
<p>Deep in the roots of American music, there are artists whose influence and talent have been largely overlooked or forgotten. In the Backtracks podcast, folklore scholar Professor Robert Cochran and musician Michael Cockram explore the music and lives of these under-appreciated pioneers.</p><p>Backtracks is a non-profit, educational podcast produced in association with the Ozark Folkways Fayetteville Folk School, a community music space.</p><p>Contact us with comments, questions and information at: </p><p>backtracks444@gmail.com</p><p>Intro: Susan Shore</p><p>Intro music: Rent House Stomp by Big Bill Broonzy</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://ozarkfolkways.org">ozarkfolkways.org</a>.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Information about guest appearances is not available.
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