A Roots And Rockabilly Holiday Concert With JD McPherson And His Band on NPR’s Fresh Air
[NPR]
McPherson never thought he’d make a Christmas album. Then, he says, “I got a bug in my ear.” He and his band perform live in studio from Socks, and McPherson talks about growing up on a cattle farm.
TERRY GROSS, HOST:
This is FRESH AIR. I’m Terry Gross. After pledging to never make an album of Christmas songs, my guest, roots and rockabilly musician JD McPherson, has broken that promise. And I’m really glad he did. His new album “Socks” features his original holiday songs, and they’re really fun. McPherson and his band came to our studio last week with their instruments to play some of those new Christmas songs and talk about music and other things.
McPherson is a songwriter, singer and guitarist who is described by music critic Ann Powers as a supreme rock reinventor. McPherson grew up far away from the hubs of the music world on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma. His father runs the ranch. His mother is a preacher. Before becoming a full-time musician, McPherson taught art for four years to students in middle school. His Christmas album “Socks” is his fourth album.
Welcome all of you to FRESH AIR. It’s so exciting to have you here, and the new Christmas album is great. JD, I’m going to ask you to introduce the first song and to introduce the members of the band.