Roots Roadshow

The Roots Roadshow series, presented by the American Roots Music Program, is a showcase that explores and celebrates America’s rich musical heritage. Each month, the series presents a variety show of student bands and ensembles performing styles such as country blues, old-time, bluegrass, new acoustic, Celtic, classic country, and Western swing. Whether it is a faculty-led ensemble, new student project, or band making its name in the Boston scene, you never know what will happen at a Roots Roadshow.

Come connect with Berklee College of Music’s thriving roots community and hear some of the college’s finest rising acoustic talent as they propel American roots music into the 21st century.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Paul Rishell and Annie Raines teaming up to become one of the world’s best blues duos. They have recorded six albums together, including the W.C. Handy Award–winning Moving to the Country (2000). They also have received numerous award nominations from the Blues Foundation.

The duo has performed and recorded with John Sebastian, Susan Tedeschi, Pinetop Perkins, and Rory Block; opened for Ray Charles, Dr. John, and Little Feat; and performed on international radio and television shows, including Late Night with Conan O’Brien and A Prairie Home Companion. Although they currently work as country blues visiting artists in the college’s American Roots Music Program, they continue to entertain and educate audiences with traditional and original songs at festivals, concert halls, and clubs worldwide.

Bruce Molsky, a Grammy nominee and visiting scholar in the American Roots Music Program, is known for unearthing and bringing to light some of the greatest, yet forgotten, rarities from the Southern Appalachian songbook. WBUR, Boston’s NPR station, notes, “It is no exaggeration to say that Bruce Molsky is one of the greatest American fiddlers of all time. His playing is mesmerizing and transporting, and best experienced live.”