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.

Songwriting tips from Sparkle Carcass’s Cody Palmer

On the latest Roots Music Rambler, Sparkle Carcass frontman Cody Palmer tells us some great stories. How the band got its name, the band’s brand new album (dropped Friday) called Maraschino Chevy and tales of his wife and mother.

As we always do, we asked how our guest approaches songwriting. Cody has a pretty straightforward but smart process.

Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel at rootsmusicramlber.com or listen by searching for Roots Music Rambler wherever you get your podcasts!

#sparklecarcass #americanamusic #rootsmusic #altcountrymusic

How Sparkle Carcass’s Cody Palmer and his wife Reilly Downes, balance being in each other’s bands

The latest episode of Roots Music Rambler is live! Sparkle Carcass’s Cody Palmer joins us to talk everything from Jock Jams to eavesdropping on new moms.

His band dropped a brand new album Friday called Maraschino Chevy which we love. One member of Sparkle Carcass in addition to Cody is his wife Reilly Downes. She also has a band, of which he is a member and contributor. So we asked him how they balance it all.

Frank and Falls also share picks of the week in the Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment, and for some reason, we hear a little bit about Falls’s feet. (It’s not as bad as you might imagine.)

Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel at rootsmusicramlber.com or listen by searching for Roots Music Rambler wherever you get your podcasts!

#sparklecarcass #americanamusic #rootsmusic #altcountrymusic

Sparkle Carcass’s Cody Palmer says a musical mom wasn’t always an ideal influence

Roots Music Rambler’s latest episode is well worth the time. We sit down with Cody Palmer from Sparkle Carcass. The Chicago-based alt-country band has a brand new album (just dropped yesterday) called Maraschino Chevy that we already love.

Cody talked to us about the band, collaborating with bandmate, wife and leader of her own band (which he’s in) Reilly Downs; songwriting; musical influences and, of course, his Mom. He said his mother’s musical talent wasn’t always a welcome influence.

Frank and Falls also share our picks for new music this week and Falls shares a social media story that crystallized his purpose in the music world. Well worth a watch or listen!

Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel at rootsmusicramlber.com or listen by searching for Roots Music Rambler wherever you get your podcasts!

#sparklecarcass #americanamusic #rootsmusic #altcountrymusic

Cody Palmer of Sparkle Carcass discusses is Alt-Country awakening

Chicago dive bar country band Sparkle Carcass is our guest on a NEW episode of Roots Music Rambler today. Frontman Cody Palmer joins us to explain the name, talk about his mom and wife, hunt for a long-lost band they’ve covered … oh! And talk about the band’s brand new album (LIVE TODAY) called Maraschino Chevy.

We’d probably classify Sparkle Carcass as Alt Country. Cody takes us through his genre awakening to get to that point as a youngster.

Frank and Falls also talk blisters, why we exist and share our picks for new music for you in the Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment.

Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel at rootsmusicramlber.com or listen by searching for Roots Music Rambler wherever you get your podcasts!

#sparklecarcass #americanamusic #rootsmusic #altcountrymusic

Chicago-based alt-country band Sparkle Carcass drops new record Maraschino Chevy

Long-time listeners of Roots Music Rambler will recognize the name of the band Sparkle Carcass. They happen to be one of Francesca Folinazzo’s favorite Chicago-based bands she sees play live frequently. And to their credit, they are well-known in the windy city as an alt-country, dive bar sorta crew.

Well, Cody Palmer and crew today released their second studio album and he joined us on Roots Music Rambler to talk about it. The LP is called Maraschino Chevy and brings out their honky-tonk, beer-slingin’, toe-tappin’ sound nicely.

Palmer joined Frank and Falls to talk about the album, his songwriting process, a musical mom whose healthy rivalry with him helped form his work and a lot more. He talked about how he and wife (and band member) Reilly Downes balance their independent musical projects while participating in one another’s and a lot more.

We also talk about Sparkle Carcass’s first Maraschino Chevy single “Sippin’ on a Cool One” which was originally released by a band called Rollin’ Country around 1977. But Palmer has never been able to find the band for proper credit or acknowledgement. So if you know them or of them, reach out to us at ramblers@rootsmusicrambler.com and we’ll connect the dots!

Also on this episode, Falls shares a social media conversation with artist Lance Rogers and Bill Taylor that helped crystallize his purpose in doing this podcast, his radio show, and beyond. And he and Frank share their picks for new music to listen to in our Pickin’ the Grinnin’ segment.

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.

Links:
Rock-N-Roll Story Guys Podcast – https://open.spotify.com/show/1jnyKfqk6SuX7FxNfLRcqh
Sparkle Carcass Online – https://www.sparklecarcass.com/
Sparkle Carcass on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/4f8AkxhV9AqBr9UwP0mzXL
Sparkle Carcass on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/sparklecarcass/
Lance Rogers on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lancerogersmusic/
For the Love of Appalachia – https://fortheloveofappalachia.org/

Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations

King Margo – Can’t Have You (Can’t Lose You) – https://open.spotify.com/artist/4nU1TOkubLd1C3dMnPLkiR
Lance Rogers – Golden Hour – https://open.spotify.com/artist/5WqUoLKTuTzjH9gMoqMXkf

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

Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 – 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.