Rosanne Cash Is Not a Regular Mom (Basic Folk)

Thirty years ago, Rosanne Cash experienced an all-encompassing transformation. She had just left Nashville, her major label record deal and her marriage. She was living in New York and found herself falling in love with her producer, the guitarist John Leventhal. Her previous album Interiors had set the stage for the new Rosanne. With her landmark album, The Wheel, Cash and Leventhal came together to work on a brand new sound for the artist, who had a well established career in mainstream country along with multiple #1 radio hits. She blew it all up for love! Cash had been unhappy and was yearning to live a life of authenticity in her music and her personal life. Three decades later, she’s reissued The Wheel and is ready to TALK ABOUT IT.

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFY • STITCHERAMAZON • MP3

In our conversation, Rosanne addresses the inner critic and how she’s come to harness its power for good in the editing process. She took a painting class, where she painted a picture of her inner critic and has never looked back. After her divorce, she struggled with motherhood: being a good mom and trying not to ruin her kids’ lives. She looks back now with regrets and guilt as most mothers do. Her saving grace is that she was not a normal mom. Her oldest daughter assures her that she would not want a normal mom. We also talk about John’s upcoming solo debut album and why the two have established their own record label. Rosanne Cash is a treasure and I very much appreciated this deep dive into such a pivotal moment in her career and life!


Photo Credit: Pamela Springsteen

LISTEN: Gillian Welch, “Happy Mother’s Day”

Artist: Gillian Welch
Song: “Happy Mother’s Day”
Release Date: May 8, 2020
Label: Acony Records

Editor’s Note: “Happy Mother’s Day” comes from a newly rediscovered cache of demos and home recordings from the early 2000s.

In Their Words: “We can’t always be with the ones we love, but that can’t stop us from saying ‘I love you.’ I wrote this song one May when I was far away and couldn’t be with my mom on Mother’s Day. Then I called and sang it into her answering machine when I knew everybody’d be sitting down to eat. Here is the original home demo for the song, recorded on a portable reel to reel.” — Gillian Welch


Photo credit: David Rawlings

A BGS Mother’s Day Gift Guide

The end of April swiftly approaches and, with the impending May flowers comes Mother's Day. If you haven't grabbed a gift for mom yet (and don't worry, Mother's Day is on May 8, so you still have some time!), we highly recommend you start planning now, lest you gift the woman who gave you the life with whatever second-rate box of candy is left at the grocery store after everyone else has done their shopping. To help you out, we rounded up a handful of bluegrass- and roots-inspired Mother's Day gifts that are sure to please even the in-laws. 

9 to 5 DVD

For the working mom, the Dolly Parton fan, or the movie buff, 9 to 5 is sure to please. Just don't be annoyed when your mom won't stop singing the film's title tune.

Glass violin bottle

Whether your mom plays the fiddle or just appreciates a unique take on a vase, these antique violin bottles make a great gift. We've found eBay to have the best selection online, so order up, throw in a few hand-picked wildflowers, and give mom something one of a kind.

"Mom" guitar strap

If your mom likes to shred, you can't beat these vintage tattoo-inspired guitar straps. And, hey, if you're the musician in the family, send mom a photo of you pickin' and grinnin' with a "mom" strap of your own — what mom wouldn't love that?

"How I Roll" mug

For coffee drinkers and banjo aficonados alike, this punny mug will have your mom starting her day with a real "pick" me up. (Yeah, we went there.)

Hal Leonard Mandolin Method Book

Is your mom an aspiring musician? Get her started with this definitive guide to playing the mandolin. Just don't be surprised when she stops taking your calls in favor of practice sessions.

"Love You More" Hatch Show Print

Your mom may not agree with the sentiment (after all, what's stronger than a mother's love?), but she'll love displaying this authentic Hatch Print nonetheless.


Lede photo credit: FutUndBeidl via Foter.com / CC BY