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.

Singer-Songwriter Leon Majcen brings Prine and Buffett-esque sounds to new album

This week on Roots Music Rambler (https://rootsmusicrambler.com/) , hosts Francesca Folinazzo (https://www.instagram.com/workmomtravels/) (Frank) and Jason Falls (https://instagram.com/jasonfalls) (Falls) are joined by emerging Americana singer-songwriter Leon Majcen (pronounced MITE-zen). The Florida-based songwriter brings a mix of John Prine and Townes Van Zandt lyrics with a Jimmy Buffet, Gulf Coast vibe that is sure to appeal to a lot of music fans.

Majcen came to our attention opening for Sundy Best in Louisville in February. Falls then saw him at the Monarch Music Space in Louisville in May. His self-titled new album launched in late May and is well worth the listen, if not purchase. Majcen has an interesting backstory, too. He is the son of Bosnian immigrants who fled that country during its war in the mid 1990s.

Frank and Falls also pay tribute to their music teachers in their childhoods, and as usual, offer up their weekly recommendations for new music to listen to in their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment. 

Don’t forget you can now show your support of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store (https://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:

• The Madison Regatta Online (https://www.madisonregatta.com/)

• The Roostertail Music Festival (https://www.madisonregatta.com/music/)

• Leon Majcen online (https://leonmajcen.com/home)

• Leon Majcen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/7xTTolHL4UnrQLz0PNUyWE)

• Bosnian War on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnian_War)

• John Prine on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/0nJUwPwC9Ti4vvuJ0q3MfT)

• Townes Van Zandt on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ZWab2LEVkNKiBPIClTwof)

• The Roots Music Rambler Store (https://rootsmusicrambler.com/store)

• 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)

• Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/workmomtravels/)

Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations

• Joe Diffe’s Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/track/1T48e2TOc58hzeOd8evEJD)

• Hermanos Gutierrez on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/artist/73mSg0dykFyhvU96tb5xQV)

And be sure to get your MuskOx premium flannel shirts (https://gomuskox.com/rambler) just in time for fall. Use the code RAMBLER on checkout for a discount! – https://gomuskox.com/rambler

Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1YJHVjudor5I7lCDjBTfxu) , Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roots-music-rambler/id1704940375) , Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vcm9vdHNtdXNpY3JhbWJsZXI) , GoodPods (https://goodpods.com/podcasts/roots-music-rambler-273702) or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Leon Majcen grew up listening to singer-songwriters thanks to his dad’s record collection

On Friday’s new episode of Roots Music Rambler, Frank and Falls chat with singer-songwriter Leon Majcen whose new, self-titled album is out. He mixes a strong folk-country sound with vibes of Jimmy Buffet from his time on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Singer-songwriters were his musical home base in fact, thanks to his dad’s love of Bob Dylan.

Hear more when the episode drops Friday at rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

#leonmajcen #folkmusic #rootsmusic #americanamusic #countrymusic #americana #music #singersongwriter #rootsmusicrambler #musicinterviews #musiceducation #musicteachers

How ‘bout a shout out to our music teachers!

It’s about time for a new episode of Roots Music Rambler. The next one drops Friday and Frank and Falls welcome singer-songwriter Leon Majcen. His new album dropped late last month and he’s tearing up the road in support of it.

Frank and Falls also pay tribute to their early music teachers as Frank turns the corner on summertime as a teacher herself.

Get the full episode at rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to subscribe today!.

#leonmajcen #folkmusic #rootsmusic #americanamusic #countrymusic #americana #music #singersongwriter #rootsmusicrambler #musicinterviews #musiceducation #musicteachers

How Jesse Lynn Madera’s actor husband Hemky influences her music

The latest Roots Music Rambler features Americana artist Jesse Lynn Madera, the wife of actor Hemky Madera. She told Frank and Falls a lot about her music and songwriting, including how her husband influences her writing.

Don’t miss the episode which also features Madera talking about her new album, her journey to becoming a musician and a lot more. Find it at rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

#jesselynnmadera #folkmusic #rootsmusic #americanamusic #countrymusic #americana #music #singersongwriter #rootsmusicrambler #musicinterviews