British singer-songwriter Jack Browning brings country songs and a painter’s eye to Painted Skies
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Jack Browning doesn’t think country music needs a particular zip code. The British singer-songwriter grew up on his dad’s records, climbed the furniture to borrow a Johnny Cash CD, and eventually found that pedal steel and fiddle fit the stories he wanted to tell. The accent might surprise you. The songs make perfect sense.
Browning joined Frank and Falls this week to talk about his new album Painted Skies and the unlikely road that led to it. After touring in a rock band, he went back to construction work and enrolled in art school. Then the pandemic left him alone with a guitar and songs that needed a singer. There wasn’t a band to hide behind anymore.
That road eventually took him to Kentucky, where a painting commission and a show in Greenville led to friendships with the locals and a surprise visit from Benjamin Tod. Browning shares the story behind “Muhlenberg County Stars,” his love for John Prine, and what it means to be welcomed into a community thousands of miles from home.
The painting and music now feed each other. Browning painted his own album cover and talks about assembling a record the way he would a gallery show. He also recaps his first Americanafest, where Painted Skies arrived mid-festival. The timing was a happy accident, which prompts a little free media coaching from Falls.
Frank also recaps Evanston Folk Festival, including finally seeing longtime favorite Kathleen Edwards. For this week’s pickin’ the grinnin’ choices, Falls recommends Joe Jordan after catching his live show at The Burl. Frank chose One Acre West, the Americana duo whose self-titled debut captures the places behind the songs. There’s also some discussion of scones and a British accent Falls probably shouldn’t attempt again.
Find the picks online. Jack Browning’s music is on Spotify and Bandcamp, with CDs and vinyl available through his website. Find his paintings online, too, and follow him on Instagram and YouTube.
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Notes and links:
- Get the Roots Music Rambler Backstage Pass on Patreon for early and ad-free episodes and more
- Jack Browning online
- Jack Browning on Spotify
- Jack Browning on Instagram
- Jack Browning on YouTube
- Jack Browning’s artwork
- Painted Skies on Bandcamp
- Red Eye Radio on Spotify
- “Speak Your Mind (But Ride A Fast Horse)”
- “Muhlenberg County Stars”
- “Factory Reset”
- “Painted Skies” title track
- Americanafest
- Evanston Folk Festival
- The Roots Music Rambler Store
- Roots Music Rambler on YouTube
- Roots Music Rambler on Instagram
- Roots Music Rambler on TikTok
- Roots Music Rambler on Facebook
Pickin’ the Grinnin’ picks:
Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler for free on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts. For early access to episodes and ad-free episodes, plus bonus content, outtakes and more, join the Backstage Pass community at Patreon (https://patreon.com/rootsmusicrambler).
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.