While working in separate punk bands from Portland, Jenny Don't and Kelly Haliburton decided to join forces. First as a duo, and later with some of their friends from the Portland punk scene, they formed Jenny Don't and the Spurs. Jenny was already playing classic country and western tunes reminiscent of of Patsy Cline and Nancy Sinatra. The couple decided to embrace that aspect of their music. Twelve years later, they've toured the globe, gone through band changes, recovered from vocal chord surgery and are about to release their 7th album, Broken Hearted Blue. Joined by guitarist Christopher ..read more

While growing up in Michigan, Lindsay Lou was taught to sing harmony by her Aunt Melody along with her cousin Harmony - Yes, that is a true story. Her early vocal work has paid off in the gorgeous harmonies found on her latest record, Queen of Time. In college, she started attending open mics and teamed up with Joshua Rilko to form Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys. The pair eventually married. Their band played clubs and stages in Michigan crossing paths with other Midwest bluegrass pickers like Greensky Bluegrass and Billy Strings. Later she was part of the trio Sweet Water Warblers with May Er ..read more

(Danielle Kelly / JPR ) Jolie Holland was born in Texas and moved west and north to San Francisco and eventually Vancouver pursuing music. She is an artist in the truest form, from visual arts to her unique approach to singing and songwriting. In addition to the first Be Good Tanyas album, Jolie Holland has several solo records, a collaborative album with Samantha Parton (of Be Good Tanyas) and numerous other collaborations including working with Buck Meek of Big Thief. The pair worked on each others' albums last year both of which were titled Haunted Mountain. They were both released in Octob ..read more

Jeff "Plank" Plankenhorn got his start singing in church in the Midwest. His natural talent, lead to some early commercial work and even singing the national anthem at a few MLB games. After learning guitar from his brother, he moved to Austin and played in multiple bands. Eventually he became an in-demand side man who played and recorded with Ray Wylie Hubbard among others. While juggling several different bands, he also began writing. His first album was produced by Gurf Morlix who also works with Ray Wylie Hubbard. Plank plays guitar, piano and is well known as a lap steel player. He eventu ..read more

Dylan LeBlanc had an early passion for music. His father James (bassist in The Steel Vaqueros) was a songwriter at Fame studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. As a kid, Dylan would spend his time after school at the studio rubbing elbows with the musicians and songwriters there. That's where he began writing songs with guidance from Fame founder Rick Hall. When he's not touring, LeBlanc shares his time now between Alabama and Norway where he's started a family. He's now several albums into a career. His music has drawn comparisons to Neil Young among other respected singer/songwriters. In this JPR ..read more

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real released their eighth album, Sticks and Stones, last year. They recorded it thinking of their live sound and playing more upbeat shows. The result has more of a country feel than some of their earlier releases, full of foot stomping and danceable tunes. While touring and recording as Neil Young's back-up band, Lukas was approached by Bradley Cooper to help as a consultant and music/acting coach for the 2018 version of A Star is Born. He went on to write songs for the film with Lady Gaga. In this JPR Live Session, Lukas Nelson talks about his career, his inf ..read more

Jonathan Linaberry was made to take piano lessons as a kid. From there, he taught himself guitar and banjo. With influences like RL Burnside, Son House, Tom Waits and the Carter family, it's no wonder his own music is a rootsy mix of blues, Americana and rock with a bit of indie rock and folk for good measure. His latest release is Slow Lightning, the deluxe edition just came out with a cover of the Bruce Springsteen classic My Home Town, a song JR fell in love with as a kid. In his fourth JPR Live Session he plays songs on his banjo and 1938 Kalamazoo guitar, and talks with Danielle Kelly abo ..read more

In addition to her award winning role in a Broadway production of Three Penny Opera, several albums of original work (the latest - the 2023 release Hey Guys, Watch This), a tribute to Doris Day and an album of '60s rock covers, My Weekly Reader, Nellie McKay has written and performed musical biographies of figures like Joan Rivers, Barbara Graham and Billy Tipton. The New York Times called the latter, "one of the best concerts of 2014." She is a gifted pianist with a gorgeous voice who takes on big subjects with a sly wit. Her songs pull the listener in only to jolt them awake w ..read more

Brothers Phil and Aaron Reed didn't begin playing music together until, as young adults, they moved to Southern Oregon from the Midwest. They now have five albums and are among the most sought after performers (as a band and solo) in the region. Joined by Brianna Murphy on fiddle and TJ Eilers on upright bass, they are getting ready to hit the studio for an album due out later this year. Hear them play three brand new tunes and talk about music, family, running and, beer - they have collaborated with Weekend Beer Company in Grants Pass for a new Brothers Reed-inspired session IPA. JPR Live Ses ..read more

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers became friends and music collaborators in high school. As the Indigo Girls, they've been making music for well over 30 years. They are the subject of a documentary It's Only Life After All, that will be in theaters late this year. Their classic, Closer to Fine was just used in the hit movie Barbie. The latest Amy Ray solo album (her 10th) If It All Goes South came out in 2022. It was produced by long-time Indigo Girls (and Tedeschi Trucks Band) producer Brian Spieser and includes contributions from Alison Brown, Allison Russell, Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and I'm W ..read more