Deep Roots Magazine

Deep Roots Magazine

Roots Music and Meaningful Matters

 
 

 

The Elite Half-Hundred of 2020, Part 1

THE ELITE HALF-HUNDRED OF 2020, Parts 1 and 2, is topped by the REV. LUTHER BARNES and THE RESTORATION WORSHIP CENTER CHOIR’s LOOK TO THE HILLS.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Blues Boss Goes Global

Paying tribute to MEMPHIS SLIM and WILLIE DIXON, KENNY 'BLUES BOSS' WAYNE, now 77 and better than ever, delivers on all fronts on his latest outing.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Heart of the Matter

Pop, soul and doo-wop come together on 23-year-old CHRIS RUGGIERO's first Christmas album. Underneath Ruggiero's impressive voice is something else: pure, unadulterated heart.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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Updike at Easter, 2026 Edition

Our 15th installment of Update at Easter, pondering the meaning and purpose of the literary giant's iconic poem about Christianity's signal event , with musical interludes by REGINA VANDERJEICK, ELVIS, MAHALIA, THE SENSATIONAL ...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Summoning Bukka

RORY BLOCK continues her Mentor Series with a scintillating tribute to a perennially underrated Delta blues man in KEEPIN' OUTTA TROUBLE: A TRIBUTE TO BUKKA WHITE
by David McGee
 

 
 

George Beverly Shea Turns 104, Honored with Graham Library Exhibit

An indispensable component of Billy Graham's Crusades with his ministry in song, GEORGE BEVERLY SHEA, a towering figure in 20th Century gospel music, turned 104 on Feb. 1. A look back at a life writ large.
by David McGee
 

 

 

The Old Guard Hated the Rock But Loved the Bankroll (Field Notes From a Music Biz Life, Part 4)

In Part 4 of his autobiography, MICHAEL SIGMAN explains why the old guard post-war pop songwriters 'hated the rock but loved the bankroll'
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Quiet Heroism of ‘Right Living’

Contributing editor MICHAEL SIGMAN reflects on the recent fall of 'self-appointed heroes' and the virtues of 'quietly going about one's business.'
by David McGee