Rephonic
Artwork for The String
Nashville
Americana Music
Bluegrass
Country Music
Bluegrass Music
American Roots Music
JAZZ
Folk Music
Molly Tuttle
Kaitlin Butts
Berklee College Of Music
Songwriting
Grammy Awards
WMOT Roots Radio
Oklahoma
Sacred Steel
Jacob Jolliff
American Music
Grand Ole Opry
Gaby Moreno

The String is weekly think radio featuring conversations and features on culture, media and American music - anchored by veteran journalist and broadcaster Craig Havighurst. Music makers, enablers, instigators and documentarians are featured with enough time to go deep and burrow into issues, while letting the music play too. Music news, previews, Time Machine Tape and 90 Second Spins round out th... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsSociety & CultureArts

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Artwork for The String

Latest Episodes

Episode 364: As Avery Hellman came of age in California, she took advantage of her good fortune of being from the family that established the game-changing Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in San Francisco. It exposed her to standard-setting songwr... more

Episode 363: Devon Gilfillian has been a key artist fulfilling the promise of a New Music City - a Nashville that's been welcome to the widest-ever range of genres, influences and innovations. He came to town with no contacts and a job with AmeriCorp... more

Episode 362: Songwriter and artist Tenille Townes is a certified star in Canada where she's won heaps of awards and seen her moving songs top the country charts. In over a dozen years in Nashville, she's been an impressive songwriter with one foot in... more

Episode 361: Folk rocker John R. Miller can be dry and understated, but get beneath the surface and you'll find an artist keen to write music that helps people be better people. Inspired by John Prine and others, the Nashville based West Virginian ha... more

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Recent Guests

Avery Hellman
Nashville/California-based singer-songwriter known as Ismay
Ismay, Fossil Records (label)
Episode: ISMAY
Devon Gilfillian
Singer-songwriter, musician behind Time Will Tell and Marvin Gaye tribute project
Fantasy Records (Time Will Tell), Capitol Records (past)
Episode: Devon Gilfillian
Tenille Townes
Songwriter-artist, Canadian country musician
Nashville music scene
Episode: Tenille Townes
John R. Miller
Nashville-based, West Virginia-raised singer-songwriter
Rounder Records, The Great Unknowning
Episode: John R. Miller
Andy Leftwich
Fiddler and mandolinist, Bluegrass musician
Solo artist / The Aces
Episode: Andy Leftwich
Kashus Culpepper
Musician, debut album Act 1 on Big Loud Records
Big Loud Records
Episode: Kashus Culpepper
Kenneth Pattengale
Member of Milk Carton Kids
Milk Carton Kids
Episode: The Milk Carton Kids
Joey Ryan
Member of Milk Carton Kids
Milk Carton Kids
Episode: The Milk Carton Kids
Liam Duncan
Stage name Boy Golden; indie artist from Canada
Boy Golden / Indie rock
Episode: Boy Golden

Host

Craig Havighurst
Host of the show focusing on culture, media, and American music; deep-dive conversations with music makers, enablers, and documentarians.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 60 ratings
  • Look forward to every episode!

    I can’t believe what a good interviewer Craig is. His questions are insightful and thoughtful, and he obviously puts guests at ease with his easy manner. His critiques are intelligent and make me want to go out and buy music from almost everyone he talks with or about. Keep it up, Craig!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KatyGLibrarian
    United States2 years ago
  • Jerry Garcia episode is a classic

    The Jerry Garcia episode is the best podcast episode (of any type) this year. The three part structure, interviews and analysis are supurb. Lots of great new info here. I’m keeping this episode and telln’ all my friends about it. Tks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pwb in dc
    United States2 years ago
  • Craig is a fount of music wisdom

    So good!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    StopeNasty
    United States3 years ago
  • Wonderful Todd Snider interview!

    Questions I’ve never heard him asked… very intimate discussion. Thank you, Craig!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rick Shanley
    United States4 years ago
  • Great show!

    I loved the episode on Tulsa. Looking forward to the Blonde on Blonde episode as well as many others.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tomgentry9796
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the host's insightful, thoughtful questions and easy demeanor.
The host is viewed as a credible source with smart musical taste and curiosity.
Episodes are described as respectful, in-depth, and artful, with strong musical insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tenille Townes
Q: What was it like getting signed and knowing this was where you'd place your faith?
Townes recalls the excitement of performing in a boardroom, being told her voice reminded others of Leonard Cohen, and the realization that the initial big-label path could be both inspiring and constraining, which ultimately led her to pursue a more independent route.
Voices From Folk Alliance 2026
Q: What is Folk Alliance to you specifically, personally, professionally right now?
The guest describes Folk Alliance as a pivotal, circle-completing moment that aligns personal, professional, and artistic growth with opportunities to connect with an intentional audience.
Kristina Train
Q: What prompted your shift from a heavily orchestrated Dark Black to a more country-inflected County Line?
A combination of wanting to honor my roots, the move back to the South, and a long-game mindset to experiment with what I'm capable of, while staying true to my voice.
Kristina Train
Q: How did your time with Herbie Hancock shape your approach to music and collaboration?
It taught me to observe, lead by example through action, and treat every collaboration as a deep, respectful journey rather than a quick fix; the personal growth was as important as the music itself.
Andy Leftwich
Q: Why move away from a full-time touring role with Ricky Skaggs?
Leftwich shares a personal decision to devote time to church ministry and family, recognizing the need for flexibility and choosing projects that align with his life priorities rather than solely chasing a full-time gig.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The String

What is The String about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, music-forward program that centers conversations with artists, songwriters, and industry insiders who shape American roots, Americana, and folk scenes. Episodes commonly explore craft, influences, collaboration, and the evolving music business, often balancing deep personal storytelling with practical career insights. Noteworthy are long-form, musician-centered discussions that blend technical artistry with cultural context, and a tasteful mix of live-performance moments and behind-the-scenes anecdotes that make the craft feel accessible to fans and aspiring guests alike.

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How many episodes of The String are there?

The String launched 9 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The String?

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What guests have appeared on The String?

Recent guests on The String include:

1. Avery Hellman
2. Devon Gilfillian
3. Tenille Townes
4. John R. Miller
5. Andy Leftwich
6. Kashus Culpepper
7. Kenneth Pattengale
8. Joey Ryan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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