I Hear America Singing - Favorite Ladies of Folk

By Ross Burns

Published April 11, 2026 at 7:15 PM CDT

Ross shares some of his favorite ladies of Folk Music this week on I Hear America Singing. From traditional singers including Jean Ritchie and Susan Reed to today’s singer-songwriters such as Rhiannon Giddens and Waco’s own Katie Stewart.

FAVORITE LADIES OF FOLK

1. I Hear America Singing by Bob Gibson
2. The Cuckoo by Jean Ritchie
3. Paper of Pins by Jean Ritchie & Oscar Brand
4. Gue, Gue by Susan Reed
5. I’ll Fly Away by Carolyn Hester
6. Lonesome Tears by Carolyn Hester
7. Love at the Five and Dime by Nanci Griffith
8. Boots of Spanish Leather by Nanci Griffith & Carolyn Hester
9. Silver Dagger by Joan Baez
10. Farewell, Angelina by Joan Baez
11. Rambleaway by Jean Redpath
12. Both Sides Now by Judy Collins
13. Suzanne by Judy Collins
14. Gunslinger (A Ballad for AdultWesterns) by Katie Lee
15. Calling Me Home by Rhiannon Giddens
16. Lasso the Clouds by Katie Stewart

I Hear America Singing

Ross Burns

A native of Austin, Texas, Ross grew up in the midst of the Urban Folk Revival of the 1950s and 60s. His first introduction to folk music was the Kingston Trio with their million selling albums. From there, he went forward, backwards and sideways collecting music all along the way. He is a retired librarian and a student of history.

See stories by Ross Burns