Chicagoan Francesca Folinazzo (Frank) founded Roots Music Rambler as a music and travel blog in a pre-pandemic world. COVID killed events and travel plus her desire to play her banjo. Falls texted her in 2023 and said, 'Let's bring it back as a podcast!' He was raised on John Prine, babysat on Waylon Jennings and taught to drink and cuss the proper, mountain way. He hails from Pikeville, Ky., the birthplace of Dwight Yoakum, whose annual festival is Hillbilly Days.

The Local Honeys talk music impact, the Kentucky music scene and hint at a new album

It’s been four years since Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs released a full album. The two, better known collectively as The Local Honeys, dropped a 45 last summer and have blessed fans with a couple of new singles in the last couple of months. But there has been no official announcement of a new record coming.

We think we may have squeaked out a hint or two that one might be as the two joined Frank and Falls for the latest episode of Roots Music Rambler. The interview was a bit of a Morehead State University reunion for the Honeys and Falls, all three of whom are graduates. And Falls tried to not lapse into his native mountain accent as he and Frank talked to the pair about everything from the purpose of music to protest songs and channeling Pink Floyd to the Kentucky music scene.

At the end of the day, Linda Jean and Montana are and will forever be leaders in the use of mountain and traditional music influences in a modern Appalachian sound in Americana music. They not only make great folk-rock and country music, but teach and mentor young musicians with their involvement in programs like Cowan’s Creek Mountain Music School.
The two are currently embarked on a spring tour with Cole Chaney and well worth the time and investment to see them live.

Frank and Falls also discuss the Grand Ole Opry’s 25th Anniversary Celebration of the film “O Brother Where Art Thou” and share Pickin’ the Grinnin’ recommendations. Falls pointed to a recent live act he saw in Stripmall Ballads. Frank shared a band her son Anthony was amused by on satellite radio: Buffalo Traffic Jam.

Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts.

Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available.

Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler.

Notes and links:
Grand Ole Opry’s “O Brother Where Art Thou’ pics from Falls – https://www.facebook.com/jasonfalls/posts/pfbid02am7dBXPyoUkuzbZT7s9zjfwQoC3UyBxhHuYUmdbSR9UPT7Luv4JHq9bUw3Tkr3Rul
The Local Honeys online – https://www.thelocalhoneys.com/
The Local Honeys on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/3KXxNSegk9keTDArt5YQMm?si=QhQe9xbUSkaUs-nfsv6v7g
The Local Honeys on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thelocalhoneys/
The Roots Music Rambler Store – https://rootsmusicrambler.com/store
Roots Music Rambler on YouTube – https://youtube.com/@rootsmusicrambler
Roots Music Rambler on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rootsmusicrambler/
Roots Music Rambler on TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@rootsmusicrambleon
Roots Music Rambler on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RootsMusicRambler
Jason Falls on Instagram – https://instagram.com/jasonfalls
Jason Falls on TikTok – https://tiktok.com/@thejasonfalls
Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/workmomtravels/

Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Choices
Stripmall Ballads on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/1cHn26JarDLgIQVEHnKlz8?si=HF_K5NIxTQe-XRUwE_pMgQ
Buffalo Traffic Jam on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/22LEPYRDhoThnbpShy6fV7?si=gEnonBXeR26RWmP5Zun8fA

Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts.

Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2026 – Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association.

The Local Honeys’ Montana Hobbs says she’s sometimes Linda Jean Stokley’s “yes” woman

Tomorrow is the big day for @thelocalhoneys episode of Roots Music Rambler! @lindajeanstokley and @montanafromky joined Frank and Falls to talk about their music, the Kentucky music community, how their partnership works and a lot more.

Montana admitted she’s kind of Linda Jean’s “Yes” woman, jumping on the good ideas which once included going to Ireland to play music and evolved into making their first record.

Be sure to find and subscribe to the show on our YouTube channel (@rootsmusicrambler), by searching for Roots Music Rambler where you listen to podcasts, or come to rootsmusicrambler.com tomorrow morning to watch or listen!

#thelocalhoneys #mountainmusic #traditionalmusic #bluegrassmusic #countrymusic #americanamusic

The Local Honey’s Montana Hobbs says she and Linda Jean Stokley know each other’s musical makeup

A new episode of Roots Music Rambler drops Friday and we are STOKED for this one! @thelocalhoneys (@lindajeanstokley and @montanafromky) joined the podcast to talk about making music, songwriting, the impact of music and a lot more.

Montana explained the two met in college at Morehead State University and have now spent years discovering common influences, preferences and styles which informs their music.

Be sure to find and subscribe to the show on our YouTube channel (@rootsmusicrambler), by searching for Roots Music Rambler where you listen to podcasts, or come to rootsmusicrambler.com Friday morning to watch or listen!

#thelocalhoneys #mountainmusic #traditionalmusic #bluegrassmusic #countrymusic #americanamusic

Rocker Andy Thomas started blowing the roofs off … the cul-de-sac neighbors with Dad and Brother!

Don’t miss the latest episode of Roots Music Rambler! Southern rocker @the_andythomas told us all about his new album Highway Junkie. He also spent some time telling us about his journey which started with Dad and Brother rockin’ the cul-de-sac!

Listen now wherever you get podcasts or watch the full episode on YouTube (@rootsmusicrambler) or at rootsmusicrambler.com

#andythomas #highwayjunkie #southernrock @ivprnashville #singersongwriter

Andy Thomas’s new album is a bit of a burger … he explains

We’ve talked to artists who focus on singles and others who focus on albums. This week’s episode of Roots Music Rambler features southern rocker @the_andythomas whose debut solo album Highway Junkie is out now.

He picked the first and last song of the album as the two that most accurately describe him and had a fun analogy for the album in the process.

Listen now wherever you get podcasts or watch the full episode on YouTube (@rootsmusicrambler) or at rootsmusicrambler.com

#andythomas #highwayjunkie #southernrock @ivprnashville #singersongwriter