Hey y'all. In honor of mothers everywhere, and especially mine, this week on Crooked Sisters Radio Hour I'm featuring Mom's Top Picks.

My dear mother faithfully listens to the show online every week and every week she calls me and gives me her favorite songs of the show. Awhile back I decided to start compiling a list and do a show in her honor. It's by no means a conclusive list (it's only a two hour show, folks!) but she's got some choice taste in music, that's for sure. It's been a lot of fun for me introducing my mother to new music, as well as bringing back some old memories for her. Join me, your host Lauryn Shapter, this Thursday from 10 to noon for some great roots and Americana music, at least according to Mom. And Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas out there.

Hey y'all. That's right, it's Thursday and time for another episode of Crooked Sisters Radio Hour. Been shining the spotlight on some of my favorite songwriters these past few weeks and this week is no exception. Mary Gauthieris high on that list, with songs that have the power to reach right in, take a hold of your heart, and not let go. I'll be giving a pretty full spectrum of Mary's work, sampling songs from her debut album, Dixie Kitchen, to her latest release, Between Daylight and Dark.

Of course, I'll also be playing some of the usual Crooked Sisters fare with new music from The Stairwell Sisters, some vintage Rickie Lee Jones, and a whole slew of good music in between. Join me, Lauryn Shapter, from 10 to noon Thursday for some darn good music from some darn fine sisters.

Howdy folks.

Continuing my series on some of my favorite songwriters, this week Crooked Sisters Radio Hour shines the spotlight on neo-traditionalist and Americana darling, Gillian Welch. Along with her partner, David Rawlings, Gillian Welch has been writing, performing, recording for well over the last decade and is one of the most oft-sited influences and most frequently covered songwriters in the Americana genre.

Join me, Lauryn Shapter, as I pay homage to one of my biggest influences, playing Gillian and David's music as performed by them and a choice cover of one of their songs by brother and sister duet, Tim and Mollie O'Brien. I'll also highlight some Gillian's work with other artists. And, of course, in and around Gillian, will be the best Roots, Americana, Country, Bluegrass and Beyond, this and every Thursday, 10 to noon!  read more »

This week on Crooked Sisters Radio Hour, rockin' fiddler Betse Ellis of The Wilders will be joining me to talk about their upcoming release, "Someone's Got to Pay" and their CD release party at The Mill in Iowa City.

So join me, your host Lauryn Shapter, for the best women in Roots, Americana, Country, Bluegrass and beyond, this and every Thursday from 10am - noon CST.

Hey y'all.

It's Valentine's Day and it seems most folks either love it or hate it. Crooked Sisters Radio Hour will help you celebrate the day however you feel.

I'll be alternating sets of sweet, sweet love songs with sets of baby-done-me-wrong-who-needs-it songs throughout the morning.

So join me, your host Lauryn Shapter, from 10 to noon Thursday for two hours of great love songs and even better leavin' songs.

No matter how you feel about Valentine's Day, I'll be spinning something for you.

Well, apparently I was in the mood for some old fashioned country waltzes, because when I was reviewing the set list for CROOKED SISTERS RADIO HOUR, I realized there was an abundance of such fare.

So, if you're as much of a fan of the good ol' three quarter time as I am, be sure to tune in Thursday, from 10 - noon.

And in amongst the waltzes, look for new music from Iowa's own Joy Mills and The Starlings, as well as The Hollyfelds out of Denver, plus a preview of Mike and Amy Finders' upcoming show this Friday at Cafe Paradiso.

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Hey y'all.

It's Thursday and that means it's time to get a little crooked. This week on Crooked Sisters Radio Hour I'll be showcasing a few of my favorite fiddle players ... from one of the best in the biz, Laurie Lewis, to some of the newer fiddler chicks on the scene, like Sara Softich.

I'll be highlighting the contributions these fiddlin' crooked sisters bring to Roots, Americana, Country, and Bluegrass. Join me, your host Lauryn Shapter, for two hours of the best in all things twang, Thursday ten to noon.

See you on that crooked road.

Howdy, y'all and Merry Christmas! On Tuesday's Gravel Road Radio, regular host Dennis James will be joined by Lauryn Shapter, host of Crooked Sisters Radio Hour (and Dennis's partner in crime and co-conspirator). Nothin' but three hours of Christmas Country Music ... what else could we possibly play on Christmas Day?

We'll bring you some of our favorites, including Steve Earle, Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris, to name a few. And in the forgiving spirit of the season, we'll even throw in some mainstream Nashville rockin' Christmas tunes. Traditional, irreverant, poignant, hokey ... we got it all!
However you're spending the day, be sure to tune in for a Crooked Gravel Road Radio Christmas.

Hey y'all. Join Crooked Sisters Radio Hour today, 10 to noon, when I'll bringing you sister duets, classic country duets, Christmas music country-style, and a special interview with Sarah Bowman, half of The Bowmans, twin sisters originally from Davenport, Iowa.

Join me, your host Lauryn Shapter, for some great roots, Americana, country, bluegrass and more. Happy Holidays and remember to keep it a bit Crooked!