Music Trails with Mark Lafond

New Orleans has its fair share of musical ambassadors; but few are more rooted in the Crescent City than John “Papa” Gros. Born and raised in the city, Papa Gros melds funk, rock, jazz, and blues to deliver a sound that is both innovative and unmistakably New Orleans. Papa launched his career as a solo performer in the early 1990s, quickly gaining attention from marquee artists such as George Porter Jr. and Snooks Eaglin, both of w...

On this episode of Music Trails we meet the talented singer, song writer, music festival promoter Opal Agafia. Opal’s trail is embedded in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas where she developed a love of music at a young age but lacked the self -confidence and a plan to share with others. While finishing high school and starting college she discovered she and her mom shared an interest, and talent in writing which resulted in a song w...

On this episode of Music Trails you'll be introduced  to Christine Havrilla. Christine originally from Philadelphia, is a musician, performer, singer songwriter who’s musical career has spanned the last 20 years, including 13 albums, 3 EPs and playing a variety of venues, stages large, small, music festivals, to living rooms.  When seeing Christine live it might be as a solo act, a duo with long time collaborator Coleen C...

On this episode of Music Trails we meet one of Nashville’s best and well know Honky Tonk musicians David Graham. David shares his story which starts with realizing at a very young age, after first hearing Elvis’s Heat Break Hotel he knew all he wanted was to be was a "Rock Star".  David will give us his insight into life in Nashville, from the changing demographics, to the local music scene. David’s blue collar, hard working l...

In our last episode of the season we will hear from present and past artists that have loved performing at Winfield. These are guests that were unable to be interviewed but had an interest in participating in this project. Our guests in this episode submitted audio files of them answering submitted questions.

We will hear from Dave Firestine a founder of the famed Carp Camp. Mike and Katie West of Truckstop Honeymoon a Pecan G...

In this episode of Music Trails we meet Tommy Emmanuel, maybe the best guitarist on the planet, certainly your host’s favorite. Tommy will share part of his music trail which started as a youth in Australia, playing and touring in the family band, reaching out to his boyhood idol Chet Atkins and having the life changing opportunity of meeting and studying under him as a young man.

Tommy talks about his Guitar Camp which at the time...

Meet Rhonda Vincent, who along with her outstanding band The Rage will be making their Winfield debut this year. Rhonda is a renowned bluegrass singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who was recently inducted into The Grand Ole Opry, is a seven time Grammy award nominee and Grammy award winner for best Bluegrass album. Rhonda takes time from her international travel schedule and talks about making something fun, and positive...

Meet Tom Chapin whose career has spanned six decades, 26 albums, three Grammy awards and has been a regular scheduled performer at the Walnut Valley Festival over the last 25 years. Tom will share his excitement to return once again to Winfield in celebration of its 50th year, as well as his early days playing with his brothers Harry, Steve, and his father Jim in the successful early folk group The Chapin Brothers. Tom shares how a...

Meet Stevie Coyle! Stevie joins us from his high end acoustic guitar shop  Mighty Fine Guitars located in the East Bay area of Lafayette CA. Stevie talks about his current touring and music projects both as a solo artist and with his long time music collaborator Glenn Houston that make up the duo The Quitters. Stevie shares his early days of growing up in Southern California, early music influences, joining, and touring with t...