Red Barn Radio

Episode 256
First Air 09-20-26

Matt Axton and Badmoon

Badmoon
Gravey
Home Sweet Home
Same Old Story

Matt Axton is a gifted singer/songwriter. Granted, that’s a claim made by many artists that inhabit the world of Americana these days, but in Matt’s case, it’s more than a mere boast. The ability to make music is firmly infused in his genes, courtesy of a family history that implanted that ability in him early on.
While he modestly describes his sound as a “humble slice of Americana,” it’s clear that it possesses so much more. With a style that encompasses country, folk, roots, rock, R&B, and pure pop proficiency, he defies easy categorization. With a rich reservoir of original tunes — over 300 in fact — and three well received albums (Blue Sky Rain, Matthew C. Axton and Badmoon), he’s established himself as a prolific and proficient singer, songwriter and guitarist, both on his own and at the helm of his various ensembles.
Even a small sampling of his musical output proves the point. His “Blue Sky Rain” is both stirring and seductive, an easy amble that belies its description of the topsy turvy travails that accompany the entanglements of relationships. “Born of Chains” is flush with steadfast determination, a rugged, relentless bluesy-rocker that conveys clear conviction and a desire to overcome whatever obstacles are tossed in his way. On the other hand, “Everything” is an homage to romance, desire and faithfulness shared with some upbeat bluegrass banter. Here again, Matt demonstrates his remarkable fluidity and a decidedly affable attitude.
Notably, he also keeps good company. Matt has recorded original material with Steve Ferrone (drummer for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) and Hal Cragin (bassist for Iggy Pop), and shared sessions at the legendary East West Studios in Hollywood where Tom Petty recorded much of his work. The songs include: “Last Search”, a Southern rock-style anthem; “Born of Chains,” which shares a sparse and dark singer/songwriter vibe; the Americana style “What a Day”; the soulful strains of “Soul to Sell” and “The Big South”, a blues groove reminiscent ZZ Top.
He has collaborated on projects such as “Abbey Road Reimaged – A Tribute to the Beatles” where Aaron Badgley of Spill Magazine called Axton’s cover of ‘Octopus’ Garden’ “pure genius.”
“Matt’s powerful songwriting and vocals, along with his natural rapport with the audience, was the highlight of the 4th of July celebration where we hired him to play for the 3,500 people at Donner Lake,” said Ben Martin, executive director of the Tahoe Truckee School of Music and Tahoe Music Professionals booking service.

Grace Rogers is a musician & writer from Kentucky having just released her debut full length album Mad Dogs (Sophomore Lounge, 2025). Grace Rogers blends rock, country, and traditional influences into tunes that, in the words of Leigh Viner, "hum like hymns and drive like rain." Pitchfork named Mad Dogs one of the 30 best Rock Albums of 2025, and Stereogum writes, “Rogers has the kind of talent and irrepressible per-sonality that makes a singer-songwriter stand out in a crowded field.” Long Bio: Kentucky singer, songwriter and poet, Grace Rogers, comes from a family of old time, traditional and string band musicians. Her great grandpa Charlie Rogers played guitar in the Kentucky String Ticklers, recorded on the Gennett Record Label in Richmond Indiana during the Great Depression. Grace, herself, has been playing solo shows and tradi-tional music for around ten years. But on Mad Dogs (Sophomore Lounge, May 2025, Worried Songs, Nov 2025) her debut studio album, Rogers has ventured beyond the music she cut her teeth on with the help of a group of skillful, kind-hearted musician friends: Ian Gordon on electric guitar, Chris Cupp on bass and cello, and Fiona Palensky on drums and vocal harmonies. Drawing nourishment from the deep roots of her home place in Bath County and watered by the freak waters of Louisville, Rogers has crafted eight original tracks that hum like hymns and drive like rain. The album was recorded by Jim Marlowe at End of an Ear (Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band, Joan Shelley, Young Widows) in Louisville, KY, and mixed and mastered by Carl Saff at SaffMastering. Pitchfork named Mad Dogs one of the 30 best Rock Albums of 2025, and Stere-ogum writes, “Rogers has the kind of talent and irrepressible personality that makes a singer-songwriter stand out in a crowded field.”

Every so often we have the chance to introduce you to an artist who's still at the be-ginning of the journey. Those are some of my favorite evenings, because years later you can say, "I remember hearing them before everyone else did." I think you'll feel that way about Garrett Dearing, our guest next week on Red Barn Radio.
Garrett has turned a lifetime of Kentucky memories, a mix of colorful characters, sad times and hopeful times, into songs that are we like a lot not because they're flashy or trying to be clever, but because they are honest and accessible to all. Raised in Barren County, Garrett began singing in church before discovering that songwriting could help him make sense of the life he's lived.

Growing up in the small town of Union, West Virginia, Caden was sur-rounded by old timers. While no one in his family played an instrument, he got bored and decided he would learn to play the banjo. He taught himself to play bluegrass banjo at a young age. That lead to Caden pick-ing up a guitar as well. Eventually he would grow to love southern rock, blues, country, and folk music with big inspirations such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Doc Watson, Jim Croce, The Allman Brothers and many more! These inspirations molded his voice to what it is today! His knowledge and playability of music is a wide variety of all genres! Caden has music across all platforms telling tales of Appalachia.

The only thing Full SpectrumBluegrass has to prove is that bluegrass music is for everyone. 
Their debut EP Homesick (releasedNovember 2025) virtuosically showcases the driving rhythm of classic artistslike Bill Monroe and JD Crowe, while intertwining original songwriting thatexplores the modern queer, trans, and urban experience. Without losing sight oftradition, Full Spectrum invites people from all walks to access everythingthat makes bluegrass special. 
 ‘Full Spex’ finds fans in oldschool grassers, deadheads, Americana fans, and everyone who enjoys apassionate live performance. Their live set is a high energy mix of originals,bluegrass standards, and unexpected deep cuts.