Roots Music Rambler
Facebook TikTok Instagram YouTube
Interviews

Singer-Songwriter David LaMotte talks songs that stay with you and the small steps that change the world

October 2, 2026 · By Frank & Falls · Full Episode
Subscribe wherever you listen

Never miss a Roots Music Rambler episode.

Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Amazon Music Google Podcasts iHeartRadio Pandora Podcast Republic Podchaser Goodpods TuneIn

Falls first heard David LaMotte in a Birmingham bookstore café more than 20 years ago. He was working in college sports public relations, spending much of his life on the road, and “Northbound” sounded like somebody understood. The song, from LaMotte’s album Corners, has been a favorite ever since.

After promises to do so, Falls finally tracked LaMotte down to join Roots Music Rambler. He did so this week to talk about writing songs that leave room for the listener’s own life. That includes knowing when to start over, as he did with “Deadline,” and recognizing a song in an unexpected gift. A friend’s toy boat and rubber ducks became “S.S. Bathtub,” a children’s song that found plenty of grown-up fans. College students apparently need bath toys, too.

The conversation also heads to Uganda, where a visit with musician Chinobay turned into “Kirungi.” In just 10 days, the two wrote and recorded the song with Ugandan and Congolese musicians and made a video featuring children from a local arts center. LaMotte shared how that collaboration came together and his plans to reunite with the musicians for a full album in Nairobi.

There’s more to his work than records and stages. LaMotte talks about Senderos, the nonprofit he and his wife started on their honeymoon in Guatemala, and his book You Are Changing the World Whether You Like It Or Not. His case for making a difference starts with ordinary people working together. Sometimes changing the world means showing up for a Tuesday meeting.

Frank and Falls also have their normal pickin’ the grinnin’ choices for music recommendations this week. Frank chose Bebe Stockwell, whose soulful folk-pop caught her ear on SiriusXM’s North Americana. Falls recaps seeing past guest Trey Hedrick at The Basement in Nashville, where opener Clara Rae stopped him in his tracks. Her voice had him thinking of Janis Joplin.

Find the picks online. David LaMotte can be found on his website, Spotify, Facebook and YouTube. His Patreon community gets new songs, weekly music and regular online gatherings.

Watch the Episode on YouTube

Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com, watch the full episode on YouTube, or download wherever you get your podcasts. Backstage Pass holders (members of our Patreon community) get episodes early and an ad-free feed. Join at patreon.com/rootsmusicrambler.

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 Rambler 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:

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 episode 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.

Find more at rootsmusicrambler.com and join our Backstage Pass Community on Patreon.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.