The Real Americana with Louise & Blair

For this special episode, Blair is joined by fellow Ōtautahi singer-songwriter Tess Liautaud to discuss her new single Jolie Louise, Daniel Lanois, Springsteen's Nebraska, songwriting, vinyl, and releasing original music. Along the way they share their own Bruce Springsteen stories - from Tess joining him on stage in Paris to Blair catching The Boss's attention with a sign at the 2017 Christchurch...

Appropriate for our 22nd show, Louise and Blair head to New Orleans to celebrate the remarkable Neville Brothers. From Aaron Neville's early hit “Tell It Like It Is” to the magic of the "Fiyo on the Bayou", "Yellow Moon" albums and beyond, they explore family harmony, Mardi Gras traditions, Daniel Lanois, Hurricane Katrina and one unforgettable live performance. Featuring “Sitting in Limbo,” “Sist...

Jenny Lewis has spent two decades walking the line between indie rock, Americana and classic California songwriting. Louise and Blair explore her remarkable career from child actor to respected solo artist, featuring “Carpetbaggers,” “Acid Tongue,” “She’s Not Me,” “Wasted Youth” and more. Along the way they discuss Rilo Kiley, Elvis Costello, Ryan Adams, Hollywood, live shows, heartbreak and the b...

Appropriate for our 20th show, Louise and Blair celebrate the extraordinary Glen Campbell - singer, virtuoso guitarist, Wrecking Crew legend and crossover star who somehow made it all seem easy. Featuring “Gentle On My Mind,” “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Ghost on the Canvas” and more, they explore Jimmy Webb, Ovation guitars, Hollywood, addiction, comeback and the moving f...

Inspired by Elvis Presley in Concert (EPiC), this episode explores songs written in the shadow of Elvis Presley. Featuring John Hiatt, Gillian Welch, Warren Zevon and more, we trace the myth, the music, and the pull of Graceland - from wild stories to reflective journeys. Tune in and see what you think! 🎙️🎸 Follow The Real Americana with Louise & Blair: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@blair...

From Texas roots to Grammy-winning acclaim, Nanci Griffith carved a unique path through folk and country. Featuring "Love at the Five & Dime", "Boots of Spanish Leather", "Goin’ Back to Georgia" and more, Louise and Blair explore her storytelling gift, influences, and lasting impact - a songwriter’s songwriter who stepped away from the spotlight on her own terms. Tune in and see what you think...

From lo-fi beginnings to richly layered Americana, the world of Iron & Wine is the world of Sam Beam - filmmaker, storyteller, and master of mood. Featuring "Naked as We Came", My Lady's House", "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" and more, Louise and Blair trace his evolution, share live memories, and explore a career built on subtlety, craft, and quiet brilliance. Tune in and see what you thin...

There’s nothing quite like the sound of siblings singing together. From The Everly Brothers to First Aid Kit, The Ruen Brothers, Larkin Poe and Nelson, this episode celebrates the blend, instinct, and shared history that only family can bring -while acknowledging how fragile those bonds can be. Tune in and see what you think! 🎙️🎸 Follow The Real Americana with Louise & Blair: YouTube: https:/...

Louise and Blair dive into the fearless world of Sturgill Simpson- modern outlaw, sonic shape-shifter, and spiritual seeker. Drawing a line back to Waylon Jennings (they spin "Luckenbach, Texas"), they explore tradition and rebellion. Featuring "Turtles All the Way Down", "Breakers Roar" and more, they reflect on Grammys, acclaim, shifting sounds, and why it’s sometimes hard for audiences to keep...

Louise and Blair trace the wild ride of Ricky Nelson- child TV star turned rock-and-roll pioneer, chart rival to Elvis Presley, country-rock trailblazer, and California Sound shaper. Featuring “Lonesome Town,” “Just Like a Woman,” "Garden Party" and more, they explore fame, industry pitfalls, comebacks, and tragedy. Tune in and see what you think!  Follow The Real Americana with Louise & Blair...

In "My Name Is Lyle", Louise and Blair celebrate the great Lyle Lovett, choosing songs that highlight his songwriting craft, musical range, and trademark wit. Featuring "Creeps Like Me," "If I Had a Boat," "12th of June," "Simple Song," and "She’s No Lady." They attempt to channel Lyle’s humour… and may fall well short. Tune in and see what you think! Follow The Real Americana with Louise & Bl...

A new year and a new season. In the first episode of Season Two, Louise and Blair return with selections from Blair’s annual Top 10 Albums of 2025, published on blairmorganmusic.com. Featuring songs by Mavis Staples, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Bruce Springsteen, and (yes!) Ricky Nelson. New listeners are invited to explore episodes from last season too! Follow The Real Americana with Louise & B...

Louise and Blair celebrate the magic of the late Eva Cassidy, whose remarkable voice and sensitive guitar accompaniments transformed every song she touched. In this special episode, they revisit her unforgettable renditions of “Over the Rainbow,” “Kathy’s Song,” “Songbird,” and “Fields of Gold,” and reflect on the quiet power and lasting influence of her music. Follow The Real Americana with Louis...

A deep dive into Bruce Springsteen’s stark 1982 masterpiece Nebraska. Blair and Louise explore the album’s haunting stories, its legendary 4-track cassette recording, and the new film Deliver Me From Nowhere. Featuring four tracks from the album: “Mansion on the Hill,” “Atlantic City,” “State Trooper,” and “Nebraska.” Follow The Real Americana with Louise & Blair: YouTube: https://www.youtube....

We continue our deep dive into Blair’s album Sunday River - this time the “people” songs. We talk album launch week, a new review, and play "Len" and "Señor Senior"- songs inspired by Blair’s grandfather Len Morgan and the legendary local musician Blair Allchurch (Blair Senior). We sign off with "Beckenham Blue" Follow The Real Americana with Louise & Blair: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@b...

It’s an exciting time on The Real Americana with Louise & Blair! Blair’s new album Sunday River is out on vinyl, CD, and streaming and this week we dive into the songs inspired by places. From "Denniston" to "Sunday River (Ōtautahi)" and "Lisbon", we chat about how these songs came to life, the new Sunday River video, and what goes into turning places into music. Follow The Real Americana with...

This episode of The Real Americana celebrates Ry Cooder, a uniquely influential musician and producer. From "Tattler" to "Little Sister" and "Paris, Texas", he has crossed genres and borders, collaborating with artists worldwide. Through it all, Ry Cooder has remained true to himself: a slide guitarist like no other, a collaborator without borders, and a storyteller who keeps reminding us that mus...

This week on The Real Americana with Louise & Blair, we shake things up with a show of surprises. Instead of a theme, we spring songs on each other and share first reactions, stories, and laughs. Featuring tracks from Eels, Jason Isbell, and The Rolling Stones, it’s a fresh spin on our Americana journey-unexpected, unscripted, and unforgettable. Follow The Real Americana with Louise & Blai...

For our fourth show, we celebrate the timeless voice of Emmylou Harris, a cornerstone of Americana music. From the heartfelt tribute of “Boulder to Birmingham” to the harmony magic of Trio’s “To Know Him Is To Love Him,” and the haunting beauty of “Sweet Old World” from Wrecking Ball, we explore the songs that showcase her artistry, collaboration, and enduring influence. Follow The Real Americana...

Louise and Blair explore the songs and stories of John Prine, a master of wit, warmth, and storytelling (in Blair’s opinion!). Featuring classics like "Angel From Montgomery", "Hello In There" (Eddi Reader’s cover), "You Got Gold" and Blair’s own tribute "John & Warren", inspired by Prine’s enduring influence. Follow The Real Americana with Louise & Blair: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/...

In this episode, we explore the myth and music of one of Americana’s most influential and tragic figures: Gram Parsons. Though his career was brief, Gram’s impact is lasting. He helped define the Americana sound before it even had a name. Featured tracks: Hot Burrito #1 – The Flying Burrito Brothers Wild Horses – The Flying Burrito Brothers Love Hurts – Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris Emmylou –...

In this debut episode of The Real Americana with Louise & Blair, we dive into what makes Americana music tick. From roots in country, folk, blues, gospel, and early rock ’n’ roll, it’s all about storytelling, authenticity, and great musicianship. Expect twangy guitars, rich harmonies, and a few laughs. Tracks include: "One Time One Night" – Los Lobos, "That Very First Kiss" – Carlene Carter, "...

This episode shines a light on Daniel Lanois, the producer and songwriter who has shaped Americana with his atmospheric touches. From “Jolie Louise” and “The Maker” on his debut Acadie to the Neville Brothers’ “Yellow Moon” and Dylan’s “Shooting Star,” we explore his French Canadian roots, early work with Brian Eno, and the creative spark that made Dylan's "Oh Mercy" a landmark. Follow The Real Am...