Jack O’Neil and Cary Pierce have been making music together for over 35 years. Their original songs are harmony-laden folk perfection. They began their creative work as theater students at SMU in Dallas TX in 1988. Our segment begins with their autobiographical song, “This Is Our Time” which chonicles some of the band’s early success from independents to major label status. Our conversation covers their early Dallas roots and constant touring through the 90’s. We discuss the massive changes in the music industry over these thirty-five years and how the duo adapted. Jackopierce has created “Destination Shows” to allow their ardent fans opportunities to travel to exotic destinations for concert/vacation experiences like Napa Valley,Ca and Aspen CO as well as Martha’s Vineyard MA and many more. We chat about their creative partnership and how longevity has helped them work together. Jack O’Neil ends the segment by introducing the song “87” which describes the cultural and musical touchstones at the band’s inception. We follow that with their recordings, “Vineyard” and “Please Come To Boston”.

You don’t have to arrange to ” Go To Boston! “Your opportunity is at The Iron Horse in Northampton MA on Feb 5. Info at IronHorse.org

Michael Daves is the long-time ringleader of NYC bluegrass scene with residencies at Rockwood and now Jalopy Theater in Brooklyn. His uber-talented band consists of Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, Jacob Jolliff on mandolin and Erik Alvar on bass. Michael plays guitar and sings. His latest project is an acoustic stringband reworking of R.E.M.’s 1985 album, Fables of the Reconstruction.

Michael as a youngster attended a summer camp in Georgia with counselors who all were R.E.M. fans from nearly Athens Georgia. Of course, those influences stayed with Michael over the years. He decided to give his band musical creative projects like recreating the music of Jimmy Webb and recently the music of R.E.M. and Fables came to be. We begin with the band’s version of “Driver 8” and include Michael’s versions of “Green Grow The Rushes”, “Feeling Gravity’s Pull” and finish with “Can’t Get There From Here”.

Along the way, we hear Michael’s approach and inspiration for this project and his new record label “Wild Geranium Records”. Give a listen to the original album as it celebrates it’s 40th anniversary or delve into these virtuosos versions; either way you’ll be rewarded with the creativity of those involved.

The duo of LeFever is Jeff Starns and Dawn Lepere. Their music has a way of raising the collective temperature of the room. Our in-studio segment featured five songs from the band ; four live and one was the title cut from their recent CD “My Kind of Life”. The segment starts with a live version of “In My Mind” followed by a new song, “Turpentine”. We discuss their take on the blues music scene including Blues Challenges; LeFever was a national semifinalist in Memphis in 2024. We preview their upcoming Parlor Room show on Saturday 2/7 and the full band joining them including Drummer Tommy Diehl, Bassist Diego Marque and guitarist Trevor Collins.

We talk about their search for authenticity in the blues genre as well as some of their favorite blues artists and singers. They talk about their creative process and their preferred elements such as composing, recording or performing. We finish the segment with live in-studio versions of “Down To Me” and “Sweet Tooth”. It was an astounding performance with strong vocals by Dawn and excellent guitar work by Jeff Starns. Folks interested in this local show should go to ParlorRoom.org for ticket information. Band info can be found at LeFevertunes.com

Tobey Sol Laroche is a tireless advocate for music in our Valley. For almost a decade, he’s been an active force in many elements of our area’s musical eco-system. From venue booking and promotion to hosting an endless number of open mics as well as performing as a singer-songwriter; Tobey is involved in every layer of the creative heartbeat of our area. He makes his first appearance on Nine Volt Heart with a trio of original songs. We begin with “A Sweetness”, followed by “Afterglow” and finished with “Meaningful Conversation”.

Our conversation covers a lot of topics including his debut at Northampton’s Parlor Room on 12/18 with Matt Emmer. We talk about how his drumming background influences his songwriting and his optimism and spirituality which fuel his community-building. We discuss his work promoting the Marigold Theater in Easthampton while he coordinates multiple Open Mic events. Marigold Theater has an Open Mic on Thursdays while the National Spiritualist Alliance Open Mic in Lake Pleasant happens on the Third Tuesday night of every month. We chat about the difficulty in finding time in his schedule to focus on creativity and song-writing as his biggest obstacle in his songwriting regimen.

Details about his Parlor Room show on 12/18 THURSDAY can be found at ParlorRoom.org

Two original members of Appalachian Still joined me in-studio to perform a few songs and reminisce about their band’s twenty year journey. Andrew Woodland on banjo and vocals as well as Jared Libby on guitar and vocals were able to attend.We begin with a song that they first played together decades ago called “Red Mountain Wine”. They also performed excellent covers of “Valerie” and “Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms” live. We finish with a recorded original featuring Jared called “Straight On Till Morning”.

Our conversation covers the early beginnings of the band including alternate band names. We also try to recall all the players involved over the 20 years. We chat about busking, the local music scene, their favorite Trans-Performance experiences, and their aim to record their upcoming Iron Horse show on Friday 12/12. Show up tonight for a chance to be on the next Appalachian Still live recording. Details at IronHorse.org

The Iron Horse will be electric when this award-winning Irish trio hits the stage on Wednesday 12/10. There will be ample evidence of why they’ve been voted “Best Live Act” again and again. This trio hails from Ennis in County Clare and we begin our chat discussing that town’s traditional music scene. Shane Hayes, award-winning accordionist from Socks, joins me from his home in Italy. He has a side gig as a tour guide of Ireland, Italy and other destinations. Details can be found at WildAtlanticMusicTours.com or MrTourGuy.com

This band has a burning passion for the tradition and a big dose of humor and charm. Their recent release, “Waiting For Inspiration”, contains a few more songs and originals than prior albums. We finish with Shane introducing a new song, “Beetlejig, Beetlejig, Beetlejig”. Hope to see all the local celtic music fans at the Iron Horse on 12/10. IronHorse.org for details.

Lexie Weege is a fearless singer! She has tackled every genre with enthusiasm and skill. From Country and Honky Tonk to Rock n Roll to the Blues and now to Jazzy vibed original songs. Lexie has just released “Renaissance Painting” with new collaborators Paul Kinsman, Forest DuLong and Dillon Pinard. We chat with Lexie about her early childhood singing experiences with her Mom. In some ways, these jazz ballads harken back to those early memories. At the same time, this style is more vulnerable than her torched up blues belters. We chat about song writing and her favorite singers in this genre. Lexie plays and sings a pair of gorgeous songs from the new release; the title cut and “Dancing On a Moonbeam”. We also hear from the studio release with a song titled “Golden”.

Lexie Weege ,and her full band Signature Dish, are enbarking on a three week tour to the South and will be returning for Lexie Weege to play in Easthampton’s “Darlings” on Saturday afternoon from 2-5PM on11/29.

The legendary banjo player Tony Trischka joined us on-air to preview his local show at the Iron Horse. This show will feature some fine players including local hero and singer Tim Eriksen, Jared Engel on bass, Hannah Read on fiddle, Sean Trischka on drums along with a special appearance by Eleanor Buckland (formerly in Lula Wiles and presently on tour with Session Americana). The show is billed as a holiday themed show reprising Tony Trischka’s album “Of A Winter’s Night” with a new cast. Tony expects the show to be varied and not entirely holiday themed.

Our conversation starts with Tony describing his earliest work with “Breakfast Special” a progressive bluegrass adjacent unit from the mid-70’s to his assessment of the current younger generation’s talents. We discuss his award-winning project documenting some lesser-known Earl Scruggs recordings entitled “Earl Jam” and the possible (secret) Volume Two of those recordings.

We chat about the difference between writing instrumental tunes and songs like those from his “Shall We Hope” release which features original songs from mid-nineteenth century historical subjects. We also chat about his work in a roots salute to the music of Bob Dylan. Topics include Joe Val, shape note singing, and more. We include music from Tony’s holiday project as well as one from Tim Eriksen too. Give it a listen and grab yourself some tickets for the Iron Horse show on 12/3 or Club Passim on 12/4.

IronHorse.org for more info

Mill River Rounders joined me in-studio to play a few tunes and preview their upcoming show at Luthiers in Easthampton on November 15. There’s something rare in the music business when folks just play because they love the experience! Picking and singing with friends without industry domination as a goal. That defines these five talented musicians as they genuinely seem to love playing old-time stringband music . The setlist contains traditional tunes and an original, even a request by me. In honor of Day of the Dead, they played “Row Jimmy” to finish after “Georgia Swing”, “Unnamed Road” and “Cindy”.

Give the segment a listen or better yet head over to Luthiers to see them live with “Just Fine Thank You” Band on November 15.