Dolly Parton's America – "Traveling Creatures: Live Music from the Series"

Hosted by Jad Abumrad | Released: December 24, 2019

Episode Overview

In this special holiday bonus episode, host Jad Abumrad shares some of the rich, live musical performances recorded during the making of the “Dolly Parton’s America” series. The episode highlights two young singer-songwriters—Nora Brown and Amethyst Kiah—whose interpretations and original songs provide fresh perspective on the enduring impact of Appalachian and roots music, a major thread in the Dollyverse.

This intimate session is less about Dolly herself and more about the wider world of music she inspires, serving as a bridge between traditional sound and current voices.

Key Discussion Points & Musical Performances

Introduction: Setting the Tone (01:27–02:20)

• Jad Abumrad checks in with Nora Brown before she performs, underscoring the informal, cozy vibe of the session.
• He explains this is a bonus episode shared while the team edits their final chapter, as a “token of appreciation” to listeners.
• Jad praises the “incredible musicians” they’ve worked with and sets up a showcase for two performers.

Nora Brown: Young Old Soul and the Banjo (02:20–08:33)

Background and Early Influences (02:20–03:20)

• Jad introduces Nora as a “very wise, very old soul who is actually only 14 years old…already well established in the old time music scene.”
• Quote (Jad, 02:20): “Nora is a very wise, very old soul who is actually only 14 years old, already well established in the old time music scene.”
• Nora explains how she learned music from “Shlomo Pesca,” who started her on ukulele at age 6 before his passing. She soon transitioned to banjo, learning from other respected musicians in Brooklyn.

Musical Performance: “The Very Day I’m Gone” (03:20–08:33)

• Jad describes the venue—St. Augustine Church in Brooklyn, with its “big domed ceilings”—providing a sense of place.
• Song: “The Very Day I’m Gone,” written by ballad singer A.D. Graham, learned via Anna and Elizabeth’s recording.
• Nora’s performance is raw and poignant, her youth merging with her mastery of tradition.
• Memorable moment (Jad, 08:33): “Oh my God, kills me. That is beautiful. Wow. Can I just give you a high five? That was just…” (Jad is audibly moved by her performance.)

Additional Notes

• Jad teases that Nora will reappear in the series, helping to create a scene from Dolly’s childhood.

Amethyst Kiah: Original Song and Roots Power (08:33–12:38)

Introduction and Background (08:33–09:39)

• Jad introduces Amethyst as a key member of the acclaimed group Our Native Daughters (with Rhiannon Giddens, Allison Russell, and Leyla McCalla).
• She’s based in Johnson City, Tennessee, near Knoxville.
• Initially, Amethyst was set to perform a labor-organizing song for an episode segment that was eventually cut. Instead, she performs her own song, which deeply resonated with Jad.

Musical Performance: “Firewater” (09:39–12:38)

• Song: “Firewater,” an original by Amethyst Kiah. The lyrics explore struggle, melancholy, and the search for healing, using layered metaphors of spirits and “firewater” (alcohol).
• Quote (Amethyst, 09:52): “How many spirits does it take to lift a spirit? I don’t know, I don’t know. ’Cause I bought every spirit and I’m still laying here crying on the floor, on the floor, so can you just leave me be?”
• Amethyst’s voice is haunting and direct, her performance recorded at The Willow Tree Coffee House in Johnson City.

Notable Quotes & Standout Moments

• Jad on Nora’s playing (08:33): “Oh my God, kills me. That is beautiful. Wow. Can I just give you a high five?”
• Amethyst Kiah, performing “Firewater” (09:52): “How many spirits does it take to lift a spirit? I don’t know, I don’t know. ’Cause I bought every spirit and I’m still laying here crying on the floor…so can you just leave me be?”
• Jad wraps up (12:38): Thanks are given to all the musicians and collaborators and to those who helped record and facilitate these sessions.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:27 – Jad’s intro and episode set-up
• 02:20 – Nora Brown introduction and background
• 05:09–08:33 – Nora Brown performs “The Very Day I’m Gone”
• 08:33 – Jad’s emotional response to performance
• 09:39–12:38 – Amethyst Kiah performs “Firewater”
• 12:38 – Credits and thanks; episode wrap-up

Tone and Style

The episode is intimate, celebratory, and steeped in respect for heritage and new talent. Jad’s narration is warm, enthusiastic, and deeply appreciative of the musicians’ artistry.

Final Thoughts

"Traveling Creatures: live music from the series" offers a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes look at the traditional roots that shape Dolly’s story—and the new voices carrying that heritage forward. Nora Brown and Amethyst Kiah’s performances remind us that musical traditions live on through each new generation, blending history with personal experience.

This episode is a treat for fans of folk and roots music, and a testament to the intergenerational power of storytelling in song.