The Rugged Revival | Independent Country, Americana & Roots Music

Country · Americana · Roots

Honest conversations with the artists, songwriters, and storytellers keeping roots music alive.

Start Listening

YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts

150Episodes

4Shows

Global Community

Latest

Newest

Where the Mountains Sing: A Love Letter to Appalachia | Michael Holstein

The Devil’s in the Groove | Nico Swarley

The Honky Tonk Hair Machine24:49

From Black Sabbath to Hellfest: The Story of Casey Rogers

The Honky Tonk Hair Machine16:35

Sean Rodriguez: Bass, Style & Life on the Road with The Wilder Blue

The Honky Tonk Hair Machine24:22

Singer-Songwriter from Detroit | Ander$on

The Honky Tonk Hair Machine4:32

Browse all episodes

Now Streaming — Where the Mountains Sing: A Love Letter to Appalachia | Michael Holstein Press — Canadian outlaws THE DIVORCEES release latest album Another Round

Right Now

Trending Episodes

The Rugged Revival Podcast

Presley Haile

Presley Haile – Folk-Country with Heart from Texas

Presley Haile, a talented singer-songwriter from Hamilton, Texas, found her love for music at 16. Influenced by artists like James Taylor and Patty Griffin, she blends folk, country, and Americana to create her unique sound. Keep an eye out for this rising star as she takes the industry by storm with her captivating music.

17 April 2025· 55:29

The Rugged Revival Podcast

Nicholas Jamerson

Nicholas Jamerson - Faith, Family, and the Frontier | Rugged Revival

The Narrow Way, the new full-length studio record from Kentucky-born singer-songwriter Nicholas Jamerson finds its grace in the space between folk storytelling and backroads country ramble. A heartfelt exploration of life’s struggles, joys, and the search for purpose, the record is rooted in the storytelling traditions of Appalachian roots and Americana music. Produced by the brilliant Rachel Baiman and featuring collaborations with Baiman, Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show), Tim O’Brien, Shelby Means, and Emily Jamerson, The Narrow Way blends poetic lyrics with authentic melodies to create a deeply personal and universallyresonant listening experience. Weaving together vivid imagery and poignant themes of family, nostalgia, resilience, and redemption, the record is an invitation to reflect on life’s winding paths while celebrating the bumps and beauty of the journey. Jamerson was born into a musical family in eastern Kentucky, where gatherings were full of guitars and songs. “My grandmother always had a camera rolling, which taught me early on that life is worth documenting” he says. “That’s what I try to do through songwriting: turn ordinary moments into something meaningful.” Starting out with piano and choir as a child, Jamerson added guitar, banjo and mandolin to his repertoire along the way. After college, he co-founded the band Sundy Best and has released a dozen records between them and his solo work and band over the last thirteen years. “Music has taken me places I never dreamed, like the Ryman and the Grand Ole Opry” he tells, “but more than anything, it’s a way for me to honor place and people, and to help others feel seen and proud of where they come from.” These days, in addition to his own music, Jamerson is working to mentor the next generation, helping other writers find their voice through projects like the Sleeping in the Woods Songwriter Festival. Thematically, The Narrow Way is a meditation on walking a difficult but purposeful path while holding onto faith and integrity while navigating the messiness of life. Those universal touchstones of the human experience - faith and doubt, the complexity of family ties (love, conflict, reconciliation, and the longing for connection and understanding), and the heartache of nostalgia and loss, are all to be found within The Narrow Way. The rain feeds the flowers, and the deep greys are balanced by the lightness found through the dignity of hard work, the sharing of struggles, and the emotional labor of pushing through hardship. Buoyed by and undercurrent of hope for personal renewal, forgiveness, and a clearer path forward, Jamerson hopes that listeners find the record a cathartic experience. “My hope is that it shakes something loose inside them—something they’ve been holding onto for too long—so they can finally let it go and leave it behind” he says. Written with a painterly economy of language, his songs shimmer in the space between narrative and allegory; a kaleidoscope of meditations set to music, they transcend genre and hit straight to the heart. Expertly arranged and elegantly executed, it is a record built around eminently engaging melody and Jamerson’s soaring voice; clear and bright as the stars on a winter night. The Narrow Way is the final chapter in a trilogy that traces a journey of self-discovery, faith, and perseverance—written from the heart of Appalachia, where the sacred and the simple meet. With a voice rooted in tradition and a pen sharpened by experience, Jamerson invites listeners to walk with him through the shadows towards something honest and eternal. The Narrow Way is a soul-stirring blend of mountain wisdom and familial remembrance, written by someone that carries the weight of memory, the fire of purpose, and the humility of a man still learning.

8 September 2025· 1:19:35

The Rugged Revival Podcast

Nathan Bess

Nathan Bess – West Virginia Americana Songwriter

Nathan Bess is a singer-songwriter born and raised in the Charleston area of West Virginia. Influenced by Country, Americana, and Folk genres, he began his music career in 2024 with the release of two EPs titled “part 1” and “part 2” which are a small showcase of his sound.

7 April 2025· 59:19

All Access

Never Miss a Drop

New episode alerts, behind-the-scenes notes, and stories from the road. One email, no noise.

“If you don't sing you don't eat and therefore you have to sing a lot and you will learn songs.”
Pat Reedy

The Rugged Revival

Support Independent Music

Help Keep Us Independent

Live Sessions

Grit Sessions

Artists filmed live on location, from Kentucky backroads to Welsh lakesides — stripped back, no edits, no frills. Just the music and the story behind it.

Elvie Shane - Fertile Ground | Live Session

What We Do

Our Shows

All shows

65 episodes

The Honky Tonk Hair Machine

Step inside the chair. The Honky Tonk Hair Machine takes you backstage, into the barbershop, and out on the road as Camden sits down with some of the most exciting voices in Country, Americana, and Southern rock. Whether it's at his iconic hair salon, in a dusty green room, or in the middle of a neon-lit honky tonk, Camden talks style, stories, inspiration, and the grit behind the glory. This is where music meets craft.

Ramblin' & Gamblin' with The Slim Chance Cowboy

From steel-toe boots to steel guitars. Hosted by Brad Jackson, Ramblin' & Gamblin' dives into the heart of country music history, vintage western culture, and the voices keeping it alive. Whether it's interviews, deep dives into classic records, or dusty finds from the collection, Brad's got a keen ear, a sharp eye, and an unapologetic passion for the real stuff. Raised on the job site, fuelled by vinyl and worn denim — Brad's not here for trends, he's here for timeless.

Kenzie in Kentucky

Following Rugged Crew member Kenzie Traylor as she dives deep into the Bluegrass State's thriving independent music scene. From Lexington to Louisville and everywhere in between, Kenzie spotlights Kentucky's local artists, venues, and festivals — sharing raw, real stories from the heart of American roots music. If it's happening in Kentucky, Kenzie's already there.

Who We Are

Built by fans,
for fans.

We couldn't find the Country and Americana podcast we wanted to listen to — so TJ hit record.

With zero experience and a budget held together by duct tape, The Rugged Revival was born. Ronnie joined soon after, bringing a love of classic country and an encyclopaedic knowledge of George Jones.

What started as a podcast became a mission — and now, a movement.

Read our full story

Rugged Ronnie and TJ with musician Adam Hood

With Adam Hood

The Rugged Revival crew with the band Kin Faux at Straight Tequila Night

With Kin Faux

150Episodes recorded

39Grit Sessions filmed

4Shows & series

UKBased, global reach

The Rugged Revival Family

Lance Rogers

Musician Kentucky

Americana · Roots · Alt-Country

Lance Rogers, a dedicated musician with five years of relentless commitment, has become a driving force in the music scene. His journey started with an unforgettable break, opening for Chris Knight, followed by sharing the stage with Ward Davis.

Meet Lance

Music Discovery

This Week's
Picks

Every week we curate the finest new tracks from across country, Americana, and roots. Independent artists, hidden gems, and sounds worth your time.

Hit Save on Spotify to keep it in your library — it updates automatically so you never miss a discovery.

Save to Your Spotify

Words & Thoughts

From the Blog

Latest

Slim's Corner: The Good Ol' Days (1963)

Howdy folks! Another new series I am starting here at the Rugged Revival. I will be shining the spotlight on certain years of Country Music history...beginning with the year 1963 A.D. I chose this…

Slim's Corner: How Flatt & Scruggs Changed Popular Music

Bluegrass music is steeped in tradition, even more so than traditional country music. Amongst fans and musicians alike in both genres. Many bluegrass standards are passed down generations, from old…

Songwriter Series: Wayne Kemp

Welcome to the 1st Edition of the Songwriter Series. In this series, I will attempt to shed light on the songwriter...the star behind the star. Most of these writers do not have any of much name…

The Community

Join the Family

No algorithms, no noise — just fans who genuinely care about the music. Wherever you hang out, we're there.

Trending Episodes

Presley Haile – Folk-Country with Heart from Texas

Nicholas Jamerson - Faith, Family, and the Frontier | Rugged Revival

Nathan Bess – West Virginia Americana Songwriter