We hope you’re enjoying Season 2 of the Honky Tonk Papa podcast!

Your guest host, and my cousin, Lee Connah returns with a new episode filled with captivating stories and music about my father, Atlanta artist and musician Whit Connah. Lee’s exploration takes us back in time to revisit the antics of Whit and his longtime partner in crime, Albert Smith, followed by a a virtual trip to the Galax Fiddlers Convention, insightful conversations about Whit’s songwriting process and a closer look at two more Whit originals, “Hungry Ghosts” and “Dark Angels.” If you missed Episode 1, be sure to go back and listen for the back story behind this series and a deep dive into the songs “Holy Robes” and “Ponce de Leon Avenue.”

– Show Host & Producer Amy Connah Hudson

Whit the Songwriter, Episode 2 Highlights:

Lee was inspired to make a cranky based on Dark Angels in 2015, before Whit’s illness. A cranky is a scrolling panorama of images that tells a story accompanied by music. Here’s the cranky as Lee described it in the episode.

Guests in order of appearance:

John Ferguson, Albert Smith, Barbara Panter-Connah, Mitchell Gibbs and Michael Daves.

Music featured in this episode:

Roving Rounder. (Intro) Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy’s intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Cajun Intro. Performed by Hair of the Dog.

Soldier’s Joy. Traditional old-time tune. Performed by friends and family. (Since the early 1970s, it’s been a family tradition to play this song right before midnight every New Year’s Eve.)

Medley (during John’s Interview). Performed by Albert, Whit and Hurt Dog.

Cajun Instrumental. Performed by Barbara Panter-Connah.

The Cuckoo. Traditional old-time tune. Performed by The Rosin Sisters: Barbara Panter-Connah, Ann Whitley and Jan Smith.

Give the Fiddler a Dram. Traditional old-time tune. Performed by The Rosin Sisters: Barbara Panter-Connah, Ann Whitley and Jan Smith.

Long Tall Sally. Performed by Hurt Dog.

Sweet Magnolia from Mongolia. Written by Whit Connah, performed by Hurt Dog.

Cajun Interlude. Performed by Hair of the Dog.

Hungry Ghosts. Written by Whit Connah, performed by Hair of the Dog.

Dark Angels. Written by Whit Connah, performed by Whit Connah, Barbara Panter-Connah and Michael Daves.

Cajun Outro. Performed by Whit and Hair of the Dog.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Honky Tonk Papa podcast!

It is my extreme pleasure to introduce your guest host for this new 3-part series, Lee Connah. Lee and his brother Graham, my Baltimore cousins, both caught the music bug early in their lives. As a singer, musician and songwriter himself, Lee was curious about his Uncle Whit’s songwriting process and began interviewing people close to the music. Those conversations became the drive behind this series.

– Show Host & Producer Amy Connah Hudson

Lee plays Whit’s favorite harmonica, a cherished gift passed down. He learned to play harmonica from my father in his 20s.

With each episode, we will explore 2 of Whit’s most beloved original songs:

E1 – Holy Robes & Ponce de Leon Avenue

E2 – Hungry Ghosts & Dark Angels

E3 – Roving Rounder & Bon a Rein

Whit the Songwriter, Episode 1 Highlights:

Whit and Barbara played Holy Robes backstage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN when Michael Daves opened for Punch Brothers. Here’s the visual to the audio heard in the episode:

The evening of Whit’s memorial service in September 2016, friends & family gathered on the back porch to sing, watch a slideshow and share memories. Here’s Holy Robes as heard in the episode:

Show Guests in order of appearance:

Doug Connah, Paul Connah, Barbara Panter-Connah, Albert Smith, John Ferguson and Michael Daves. The slideshow below includes photos of guests and others featured in the show.

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Music featured in this episode:

Roving Rounder. (Intro) Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy’s intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Improv Cajun Intro. Performed by Hair of the Dog.

Roving Rounder (Background to Lee’s Intro). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit, Barbara and Stepson John Ferguson, Thanksgiving 2009.

Improv Harmonica Interlude. Performed by Whit Connah and Hurt Dog.

Medley (during Albert’s Interview). Performed by Albert, Whit and Hurt Dog.

Holy Robes (back porch jam version). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by family & friends.

Holy Robes (backstage at the Ryman version). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit and Barbara.

Holy Robes (Old First Church version). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Michael Daves (vocals & guitar) and Jen Larson (vocals).

Ponce De Leon Avenue. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit (vocals) and Hair of the Dog band members Barbara Panter-Connah (vocals & fiddle), John Ferguson (Telecaster), Bob Visentin (bass), Doug Landsberg (drums) and Bill Fleming (Pedal Steel). Recorded on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Ponce De Leon Avenue (live version). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Michael Daves (vocals & guitar), Tony Trischka (banjo), Brittany Haas (fiddle), Jenni Lyn Gardner (mandolin) and Mike Bub (bass).

Cajun Outro. Performed by Whit and Hair of the Dog.

It’s the love story we’ve all been waiting to hear. When Barbara Panter and Whit Connah met on New Year’s Eve of 1972 going into 1973, they never imagined they’d be married a little more than 10 years later. Barbara sat with me and shared their love story in early February 2020. We kicked things off with a conversation about their annual Valentine’s Day Treasure Hunt which Whit carried out for 35 years. It was a tradition he picked up from his father who did the same for his mother as long as he could remember.

Amor Eterno, part of the final treasure during a Valentine’s Tradition

Whit transforms the “Brave” into himself and the “Maiden” into Barbara…

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Barbara and Whit were musical partners for more than 40 years and marriage partners for 33 of those years. They were in two Atlanta Bands – Hurt Dog and Hair of the Dog – and played venues across Atlanta and North Georgia, but also faraway places like Serbia, Ireland, and Wales. Whit and Barbara shared a rare love – the kind that most people dream of.

Barbara takes us through the ups and downs, highs and lows. You might think Whit’s illness would be the lowest of all points, but it was quite the opposite in many ways.

In the words of his daughter Jenny, “He brought light and laughter and pure joy into his circumstance. His answer was to live! And live he did. Even from his paralytic bed, he lived life to the fullest. It was a beautiful thing to behold.” Indeed, it was. He was able to live the last three months of his life from home, surrounded by his colorful art and the people he loved. The front door revolved continually, and the rollers on his hospital bed became his legs, as he moved into the main room to enjoy the stream of friends, neighbors and family visiting from near and far. There was always music, and people prepared the most wonderful meals. Even the caretakers felt like members of the family.

Episode 4 includes some priceless music and audio bits which provide an unforgettable listening experience! Music (in order of appearance):

Roving Rounder. (Intro) Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy’s intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Valse De Cercle De La Vie. (Throughout episode). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Improv Cajun Musical Interludes. Performed by Hair of the Dog.

Improv Harmonica Interlude. Performed by Whit Connah and Hurt Dog.

Improv Musical Interlude. Performed by Whit Connah and Michael Daves.

Ponce De Leon Avenue. Written and performed by Whit Connah.

Dark Angels. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit, Barbara and Michael Daves. Michael recorded this version of Whit’s song Dark Angels on his double album Orchids & Violence.

Below are some videos that compliment the stories Barbara shares: 

Whit and Barbara sing one of their favorite songs in the hospital: Will There Be Sweethearts in Heaven.

More songs Whit and Barbara played when they shared the stage with musical Godson Michael Daves at Rockwood Music Hall in New York:

Georgia Crawl

Standing on the Corner

Wonderful World Outside

Have you ever given away a prized possession because you had a feeling it might really make a difference for the person receiving it?

Cameron Connah with the Martin guitar given to him by Uncle Paul

Paul Connah plays with nephews Lee and Cameron

Cameron and Paul love any chance to play together

My guest Cameron Connah returns for Episode 3, the second in a two-parter, to share the fascinating story of someone who did just that for him more than 20 years ago. It not only changed the trajectory of his life, but played a key role in the creative endeavors of three close friends. Get ready to be inspired by the lovely sounds of “the gift” in this beautiful tapestry of story and song.

Most of our episodes include stories about the legacy of Atlanta artist and musician Whit Connah – aka Honky Tonk Papa – and the impact he made on the lives of people who encountered him. But we’ll often explore other legacy-makers, like the people you’ll hear about in today’s show:

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Learn more about Taylor Brown’s fiction at www.taylorbrownfiction.com.

Learn more about Blaine Capone’s art at www.blainecapone.art.

Episode #3 Music (in order of appearance):

Roving Rounder. (Intro) Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy’s intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Suzy (Guitar & Harmonica Instrumental). Written and performed by Cameron and Lee Connah (aka The Urban Tumbleweeds).

Roving Rounder (Guitar & Harmonica Instrumental). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Cameron and Lee Connah.

Various Instrumentals. Composed and performed by Cameron Connah.

Old Time Instrumental. Performed by Hurt Dog with Paul Connah on guitar.

The Wolfman. Lyrics written by Taylor Brown. Composed and performed by Cameron Connah.

Seamus O’Malley. Lyrics written by Taylor Brown. Composed and performed by Cameron Connah.

Suzy. Composed by Cameron Connah; lyrics written by Lee Connah. Performed by Cameron and Lee (aka The Urban Tumbleweeds) with cameo by Heron Connah 🙂 Hear Suzy and other great tracks on their album “Love & Tumble” at www.bandcamp.com.

If you didn’t catch part 1 with Cameron, you’ll want to go back and listen to Episode #2: Whit Songs. It’s filled with Whit’s original music and some mind blowing surprises!

Photo: Cameron Connah, our guest on Episode 2 loved any chance to play music with his Uncle Whit Connah and Aunt Barbara Panter-Connah.

Before show host Amy Connah Hudson ever knew she’d be producing a podcast, she was simply on a mission. She was determined to visit with as many people as she could to capture stories about her parents who had both passed away in 2016. This mission brought her to Baltimore, MD in the summer of 2017 where she interviewed family members, including cousins Lee and Cameron Connah. They each shared about the impact her father, Atlanta artist and musician Whit Connah, had on their lives. Today’s show takes us back in time to Cameron’s basement where Amy sat down to talk with Cameron. Listen to Episode 2 here or on your favorite smartphone app. It’s available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, and RadioPublic where it’s been selected as an indie to watch.

Whether you knew Whit or not, you’re going to feel the essence of the man in Episode 2. And you’re going to hear some really good music! Cameron talks about Whit’s musical tastes and style, then dives deep into his favorite Whit songs. He describes how – through their musical connection – he discovered a kinship with his uncle that goes deeper than blood. Below is a video that literally portrays exactly what happened in one of Cameron’s stories!

It is uncanny how beautifully the live recordings heard in this episode – which Cameron only recently sent to Amy – accompany the reflections, memories and stories he shared with her more than two years ago. All of this – and more – is included in today’s show.

Episode #2 Music (in order of appearance):

Roving Rounder. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit & Michael Daves. Sound design by Dave Spencer. Host introduction by Kenneth Johnson.

Back Step Ellie (Background to Amy’s intro). Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Harmonica Interlude. Composed by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit and Hurt Dog.

Hungry Ghosts. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Bon à Rien.

Valse De Cercle De La Vie. Written by Barbara Panter-Connah. Performed by Barbara and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Ponce De Leon Avenue. Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit and Hair of the Dog on the band’s album, Mongrel.

Ponce De Leon Avenue (Thanksgiving 2009 Impromptu). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Cameron Connah with Barbara, Whit and other family/guests joining in.

Roving Rounder (Thanksgiving 2009 Impromptu). Written by Whit Connah. Performed by Whit, Barbara and John Ferguson.

Below is a video of Cameron and Lee playing a rendition of Roving Rounder prior to Amy’s interview with Cameron. 

Below, Amy with cousins Cameron (left) and Lee Connah during her trip to Baltimore

Show host Amy Connah Hudson with E-1 guest host Cira Lara

In Episode 1, Honky Tonk Papa Podcast Producer Amy Connah Hudson and Guest Host Cira Lara (right) discuss how and why Amy decided to create a podcast about her father, Atlanta artist and musician Whit Connah. Several months after Amy lost her mother and father in 2016, she went on a mission to get their stories. She conducted audio interviews with close friends and family members in Atlanta and across the country.

Amy shares stories about her father’s illness and how he lived his last four months of life with joy, humor, courage, and an intense love for his family, friends, and community. While diving deep into the legacy he left, she also explores how we can all be more mindful about living a legacy life.

In future episodes Amy will invite you into some of her early interviews, as well as many more new conversations to come. Hop on board the Honky Tonk Papa Podcast, and subscribe to the show so you don’t miss an episode!