Credit our guests Town Mountain with the idea. After our interview for their episode, the conversation drifted over to talk about all the times that they had an audience member shout out a “Wagon Wheel” request. Their method of dealing with it is to simply tell the person wanting to hear it that they will play it provided that person gets on stage to sing it. This takes care of hearing any more requests for it most of the time. Immediately it occurred to me that this Old Crow Medicine Show hit would be an excellent topic for a show. It is a white whale of a song. Everyone has a take on it, everyone has a memory associated with it — probably multiple takes and multiple memories.
The original version of “Wagon Wheel” released in 2004 was certified gold in 2011 and platinum in 2013, with a triple platinum and #1 charting cover version turned in by Darius Rucker soon after.
Writer and editor Garret Woodward, singer songwriters Dave Brewer, Reed Foehl, and music professional Zac Altheimer are among our guests on this episode, which traces the origins of the song that is in many ways bigger than the artists who made it. From music by the likes of Big Bill Broonzy and Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup that foretold it, to the almost forgotten sketch that Bob Dylan first gave it, to the ambitious original by a couple of homesick Southerners away at school in New Hampshire, and eventually its incredible run and high profile covers, you will hear the story of just how exceptional this piece of music is.
Thanks for visiting, and we encourage you to spread the word about this independent project and consider helping by subscribing, rating and commenting on the show where you get your podcasts, and by becoming a patron. You can find out more about Old Crow Medicine Show on their website here. Also, you can check out Dave Brewer’s band Possum Jenkins music on this website, and Reed Foehl on his site. This is Southern Songs and Stories: the music of the South and the artists who make it. - Joe Kendrick