Rhiannon Giddens, who No Depression named one of the most important roots musicians of the decade a few years ago, serves as the honorary guest editor for this Spring 2025 issue. A MacArthur “Genuis” Grant award winner and Grammy award winner, Giddens is as respected in opera as she is in bluegrass, and has spent decades practicing and preserving Black stringband musical history. In this issue, she is profiled about all her most recent projects (including the upcoming Biscuits & Banjos Festival and her appointment with the Silkroad Ensemble). She also lent her expertise to brainstorming a story idea — about the death of the middle class musician. The Spring issue also includes features on Ringo Starr’s new country record, author Flannery O’Conner’s centennial and continued influence on roots musicians, and so much more!
Included in this issue:
30 Years of No Depression - Peter Blackstock
0044 At 50: Landmark bluegrass album J.D. Crowe & The New South celebrates half a century - Avery Gregurich
Traveling The Backroads: Drive-by Truckers' Patterson Hood visits his past and explores new sounds on first solo album in 12 years - Neil Ferguson
A Legacy on the Rise: New efforts spread the music and story of "Indigenous rock star" Jesse Ed Davis - Jim Shahen
Writing The Recipe: Rhiannon Giddens finds many ways to tell the big story
Stacy Chandler
The Myth of The Musician Middle Class: The American Dream is harder than ever for roots musicians to reach - Meredith Lawrence
Birds of a Feather: Why the offbeat stories of Flannery O'Connor continue to resonate with musicians - Coleen McNally Arnett
Coming Out Swinging: Queer country musicians don't plan to stay quiet under the new administration - Rachel Cholst
Country Music Gets a New Starr: Ringo Starr partners with T Bone Burnett for a ride in to a new musical frontier - Hilary Saunders
Screen Door: Finding the Truth - Amy Irving
Photos/Art:
Original design by Marcus Amaker
Cover art by Troy Hahn
Archival images courtesy of Georgia College and State University and the Bob Dylan Center