Meeting Lucinda Williams

Presenting American Songcatcher: Bob Wills

In the feed today, we wanted to share a podcast that we think you’re going to love. It’s called American Songcatcher, an educational documentary-style podcast that preserves and connects the cultural heritage of American roots music through stories and song. Hosted by folk musician and musicologist Nicholas Edwards Williams, American Songcatcher weaves stories across the spectrum of Traditional music, to artists who shaped and played integral roles in different forms of Blues, Country, Jazz, Bluegrass, Western, Gospel, Old-Time and the Folk music that is derived from it all. On this episode of American Songcatcher, we’re proud to present the story behind the King of Western Swing, Bob Wills. One of the most influential and iconic bandleaders and musicians of the 1930’s-1950’s, Bob came from a humble life of a poor sharecropping family, and was deeply influenced by old time and breakdown fiddle through his Texas state champion family of fiddlers in his father and uncle. Bob also loved all the turn of the century and 1920’s black music, and this confluence of cultures would help him create the craze that became Western swing, and the details of his journey to get there will surprise you.  Story by Brent Davis and Nicholas Edward Williams __ Support Educational Programming: * ⁠Tax-Exempt Donations⁠ * Join the⁠ Patreon Community⁠ * One-time donations:⁠ Venmo⁠ or⁠ PayPal⁠ Follow ⁠American Songcatcher⁠ on ⁠Instagram⁠ Story Credits: Brent Davis - Research, Writing  Nicholas Edward Williams - Production, research, writing editing, recording and distribution Homecoming: Reflections on Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, 1915-1973, Charles R. Townsend. Country Music Hall of Fame Authentic Texas OW Mayo The Life and Times of Bob Wills Country Music, an Illustrated History, Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns. Country Music, a PBS documentary by Florentine Films, Ken Burns, director; Dayton Duncan, writer. OK History Life and Times of Bob Wills (TNN) Texas Monthly Birthplace of Western Swing The Country Music Pop-Up Book, by the staff of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Hag: The Life, Times, and Music of Merle Haggard, Marc Elliot.

Director of Finding Lucinda Joel Fendelman Discusses His Process

In this episode of the podcast, Ismay sits down with 'Finding Lucinda' director Joel Fendelman. They discuss how Joel approached the making of the documentary and concepts like developing the language of a film to build trust with the audience, the artist’s experience of not being where you thought you should be a certain age – including how to constructively confront that – and the idea of trusting others in collaborations. They also talk about how there is overlap in the craft of filmmaking and music-making, including ideas like contrasts and consistency.  With roots in Miami, Austin, and New York City, Fendelman has written, produced, and directed a number of award-winning narrative and documentary films. An award-winning filmmaker, he is dedicated to telling stories that reveal the underlying connections between us all. His documentary 'Man on Fire' received an IDA Documentary Award and premiered nationally on PBS’s Independent Lens (2018–19 season). He went on to direct 'North Putnam,' which won the Indiana Spotlight Award at the Heartland International Film Festival. In 2016, his short film 'Game Night' premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won Best Super Short at the Savannah Film Festival. His second narrative feature, 'Remittance,' earned multiple festival awards, including Best Actress and Best Screenplay at the Brooklyn Film Festival, and is distributed worldwide. His debut feature, 'David' (2011), won the Ecumenical Prize at the Montreal World Film Festival. His most recent short film, 'The Spiritual Advisor,' is premiering at DOC NYC 2025 and is being distributed by Rolling Stone Films. Soundtrack out 11/7/25 CD, Vinyl and Download: https://ismay.bandcamp.com/album/finding-lucinda-music-from-the-documentary [https://ismay.bandcamp.com/album/finding-lucinda-music-from-the-documentary] Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ismay/1340597459 [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ismay/1340597459] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/77sFDwywxshHFqKu6rVXIp?si=xlKBJrMMRFyvU0HYQ_F18Q [https://open.spotify.com/artist/77sFDwywxshHFqKu6rVXIp?si=xlKBJrMMRFyvU0HYQ_F18Q] Tickets to upcoming screenings in Boston, Brooklyn, Hudson NY, Providence RI and Chicago at www.findinglucinda.com [http://www.findinglucinda.com/] Watch Finding Lucinda online: https://www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv/film/finding-lucinda/ [https://www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv/film/finding-lucinda/] credits: Finding Lucinda is Distributed by The Bluegrass Situation Produced, recorded and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records LLC Music by ISMAY Special thanks to: Rose Bush, Liz McBee, Mick Hellman, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overby

Chuck Prophet & ISMAY on Producing Finding Lucinda

After the conclusion of their journey, Ismay tours the nation with screenings of 'Finding Lucinda,' inviting local artists to play Lucinda Williams songs in the round. Following a show at Chico Women's Club in California, Ismay interviews Chuck Prophet, a celebrated musician who co-produced the film. The pair discuss the origins of the project, what surprised them about making this documentary, and how Lucinda has influenced their songwriting and careers. They also discuss Chuck's time opening for Lucinda in the early 2000s.  credits: Finding Lucinda is Distributed by The Bluegrass Situation Produced and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records LLC Music by ISMAY Nashville Recording — Recorded at The Room & Board Studio Sound Recordist: Rodrigo Nino Producer: Liz McBee Director: Joel Fendelman Co-Director & Cinematographer: Rose Bush Special thanks to: Siobhan Maher Kennedy, Ray Kennedy, Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Don Fierro, Rebecca Jordan Williams, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overby references: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/69003/the-long-goodbye [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/69003/the-long-goodbye] Making a Poem by Miller Williams

Meeting Lucinda Williams

For the finale of their road trip, Ismay finally gets to meet the center of this entire narrative – Lucinda Williams. Their goal is seeking guidance about what to do with their self doubt. Ismay discovers that Lucinda had one major difference in her origin story that is the key to understanding why she never gave up herself. Ismay and Lucinda also discuss items from the archives that Ismay has gathered along their route to Nashville. Ismay performs the song, "Spin," from the archives for her and is surprised by Lucinda's reaction. ---------------------- Finding Lucinda is out now! Watch on Apple TV: ---------------------- Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorbgspods ---------------------- credits: Finding Lucinda is Distributed by The Bluegrass Situation Produced and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records LLC Music by ISMAY Nashville Recording — Recorded at The Room & Board Studio Sound Recordist: Rodrigo Nino Producer: Liz McBee Director: Joel Fendelman Co-Director & Cinematographer: Rose Bush Special thanks to: Siobhan Maher Kennedy, Ray Kennedy, Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Don Fierro, Rebecca Jordan Williams, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overby references: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/69003/the-long-goodbye [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/69003/the-long-goodbye] Making a Poem by Miller Williams

Visiting Ray Kennedy at the Room and Board

Ismay wakes up the day after interviewing Mary Gauthier ready to attend a live performance by Lucinda Williams at the Ryman Auditorium. In order to finish out their journey, Ismay hopes to interview Lucinda right before her show and find a conclusion to their road trip. However, it turns out that due to unforeseen circumstances the interview is no longer possible. So, Ismay attends the show anyway and has to make a decision about whether to continue following Lucinda or to move forward. Plus, they meet up with engineer and producer for 'Car Wheels On A Gravel Road,' Ray Kennedy. ---------------------------------- Finding Lucinda is out September 9th, 2025 Pre-order on Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/finding-lucinda/umc.cmc.ims4vnyo6ibk1v6hgmqhta8d https://www.findinglucindafilm.com/ ---------------------------------- Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/SponsorBGSPods ---------------------------------- Credits: Finding Lucinda is Distributed by The Bluegrass Situation Produced and mixed by Avery Hellman for Neanderthal Records LLC Music by ISMAY Artwork by Avery Hellman Nashville Recording — Recorded at Room and Board Studio Sound Recordist: Rodrigo Nino Producer: Liz McBee Director: Joel Fendelman Co-Director & Cinematographer: Rose Bush Special thanks to: Mick Hellman, Chuck Prophet, Jonathan McHugh, Sydney Lane, Don Fierro, Jacqueline Sabec, Rosemary Carroll, Lucinda Williams & Tom Overby References: https://liverpoolmusiccity.com/2025/04/15/from-bootle-to-nashville-the-remarkable-journey-of-siobhan-maher-kennedy/ [https://liverpoolmusiccity.com/2025/04/15/from-bootle-to-nashville-the-remarkable-journey-of-siobhan-maher-kennedy/] https://www.raykennedyproducer.com/room-board-studio [https://www.raykennedyproducer.com/room-board-studio]