Videos

Bill Taylor and the Appalachian Heatherns basking in AGT success

Bill Taylor got a message on TikTok in November from a talent scout for America’s Got Talent. Yes, he was interested, but he thought little of the outreach until two weeks later when the process began to have him and his Appalachian Heatherns fly to California for an audition in front of Simon Cowell, Sophia Vergara, Mel B and Howie Mandel.

The band recorded their audition in March. In June, it aired and the nation finally got to see and hear Taylor’s bluegrass and countrified version of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” which instantly vaulted Taylor and the Heatherns to global exposure. The performance warranted not just four “yes”es from the judging panel, but standing ovations from everyone in the packed theatre.

The Facebook video of the audition alone stands at over 11 million views.

Taylor and Appalachian Heatherns drummer Joe Cox joined us on Roots Music Rambler this week to take a breath from a month of exploding in the wake of national TV exposure. In this segment, the pair talks about the band’s meteoric rise to national prominence, what’s next in AGT-land and a lot more.

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

**BREAKING** Bill Taylor and the Appalachian Heatherns expect to drop new album by end of year

We don’t often break news on Roots Music Rambler, but @bill_taylor_music and the Appalachian Heatherns announced on this week’s episode they are set to have a 13-track album ready for us by the end of this year! The @agt audition stars of the summer (Bill and drummer Joe Cox) sat in with us this week to talk about the show, their explosion and more.

Frank and Falls talk about @amandapearlshires new single and share their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ pics of the week. Hear the full episode now at rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

#billtaylorandtheappalachianheatherns #billtaylor #billtaylormusic #agt2025 #americasgottalent #bluegrassmusic #folkmusic #countrymusic #kentuckyartists #rootsmusic

Bill Taylor credits his Pentecostal upbringing for his now famous voice

The latest episode of Roots Music Rambler is live! This week, we talk with the latest @agt audition sensation @bill_taylor_music and the Appalachian Heatherns (or at least Bill and drummer Joe Cox).

That amazing voice captured America in June with the band’s AGT audition. We asked Bill where his style came from and more about the band’s music.

Incidentally, he shared news they have an album in the works that will hopefully drop by the end of the year! **can’t wait**

Frank and Falls talk about @amandapearlshires new single and share their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ pics of the week. Hear the full episode now at rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

#billtaylorandtheappalachianheatherns #billtaylor #billtaylormusic #agt2025 #americasgottalent #bluegrassmusic #folkmusic #countrymusic #kentuckyartists #rootsmusic

Bill Taylor and Appalachian Heathern Joe Cox on the hidden fun stories behind their #AGT performance

We’ve got @bill_taylor_music and the Appalachian Heatherns coming your way tomorrow on Roots Music Rambler! Bill and Joe Cox from the Heatherns sat in with us to talk about their explosion in exposure after June’s appearance on @agt, new music in the works and more.

Cox told us there’s so many cool facets to the story he forgets some of them when friends, fans and family ask him about it.

Hear their full journey story and what’s coming in the next few months when the episode drops tomorrow at rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

#billtaylorandtheappalachianheatherns #billtaylor #billtaylormusic #agt2025 #americasgottalent #bluegrassmusic #folkmusic #countrymusic #kentuckyartists #rootsmusic

Bill Taylor tells the story of being picked for America’s Got Talent

A new episode of Roots Music Rambler drops Friday and we have a doozie this week! Hot of their America’s Got Talent appearance, Bill Taylor and the Appalachian Heatherns (or at least Bill and drummer Joe Cox) join us for a little holler holler!

We talked about the journey to AGT, what it was like exploding after the appearance went live, what their short- and long-term plans are to ride the wave and more.

In this clip, Bill explains how AGT happened from the first recruiter phone call.

Plus, Frank and Falls talk about Amanda Shires new single and share their Pickin’ the Grinnin’ pics of the week. Hear the full episode Friday at rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you get your podcasts.

#billtaylorandtheappalachianheatherns #billtaylor #billtaylormusic #agt2025 #americasgottalent #bluegrassmusic #folkmusic #countrymusic #kentuckyartists #rootsmusic