The Mulberry Tree

12/10/2025

Hello,

Before we settle into the holidays and holiday music, this week I’ve got an hour of songwriter music ready to entertain us on The Mulberry Tree, airing this Sunday, December 14. This week’s sneak peek playlist video is The Accidentals (Savannah Buist, Katie Larson) performing a beautiful version of their song “Blessed” with accompaniment from the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. It’s very moving and calming. Not all songs on my playlist fall into that category, but at this time of year it’s fitting to include a song to soothe us all now and then. Enjoy the video and I’ll meet you around the tree with:

Notting Hillbillies
Vance Gilbert
Civil Wars
Robert Earl Keen
Sarah Jarosz- 2 tracks
Leonard Cohen
The Shandies
Tim and Mollie O’Brien
The Matchsellers
The Accidentals
Richard Shindell
Simon & Garfunkel
Big Smith
YoYo Ma and Friends

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

Follow The Accidentals on:Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5JqJWTzD2wSWAp7UmFSP5xFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/theaccidentalsInstagram - https...

12/03/2025

Hello,

Looking forward to your company around The Mulberry Tree this Sunday, December 7. I have a few new releases sent my way that are noted in the list below. I will share those with you, along with a mixture of sounds that blend nicely.
For this week’s sneak peek playlist video, enjoy Nickel Creek with “The Fox” from the earlier self-titled record, one that seems to get better with age! Meet you around the tree with:

Lucinda Williams
Robert Earl Keen, Jr
Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
John and Jamie Hartford
Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Rain Perry
Nickel Creek
Alison Krauss
Jack Bryson Bowden-NEW
Chris Albert-NEW
Willie Nelson-NEW
Rising Appalachia
Artnok Divad-NEW
Molly Healey-NEW
Eloise & Co-NEW

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

...

11/26/2025

Hello,

I hope everyone travels safely this Thanksgiving holiday. If you can pick up a signal or stream The Mulberry Tree this Sunday, November 30, you’ll enjoy a real fun and interesting playlist I made for you. It’s got a great feel to it, and I’d love to sit around the tree with you and songwriter Chad Elliott, whose song “Great High Plains” is this week’s sneak peek playlist video. If you ever get the opportunity to see Chad live, try to get there, because he’s got a natural and charismatic stage presence that will hold your attention the entire time. Great talent there.

Here’s who is in the lineup with Chad:

Waxahatchee
Mary Lou Lord
The Cactus Blossoms
Sarah Jarosz-2 tracks
Chad Elliott
Three Tall Pines
Mary Gauthier
The Avett Brothers
Mark Knopfler
Adrienne Young
Billianne
Eva Cassidy
Neil Young
Jerry Garcia, David Grisman

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

Official video for "Great, High Plains" from Chad Elliott's 2013 released album, So Sang the Crow. Learn more at www.chadelliott.net.

11/19/2025

Hello,

This Sunday, November 23 will occur just a few days before Thanksgiving, so gratitude will be front and center and woven throughout my playlist. One of the most sincere and meaningful songs of gratitude I have ever heard comes from songwriter Glen Phillips. He penned “Don’t Need Anything” several years ago, but it stays in my rotation to remind me of what really matters.

I hope you enjoy the video, and if you love the song, you can find it on Glen’s album “Winter Pays for Summer.” Happy Thanksgiving to all. Meet you around the tree with:

Paul Simon
Simon & Garfunkel
The Chenille Sisters
The Youngbloods
Willie Nelson
Ari Hest
Glen Phillips
Jan Marra
Tim O’Brien
Tim Grimm Family Band
Ben Winship with John Lowell
Lyle Lovett
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Jay Ungar-with Mary Lea, Molly Mason,
Abby Newton, Steve Rust

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

Glen Phillips playing his song I Don't Need AnythingEnjoying my new Taylor 312ce-N nylon string guitar....Follow Glen Phillips everywhere!Like on Facebook ➡️...

11/10/2025

Due to a programming error the show I produced and hoped would air tonight November 9 is instead a rerun of last Sunday’s show. I hope to air tonight’s show next Sunday, November 16. Stay tuned!

11/04/2025

Hello,

My program intended to air last Sunday, November 9 is ready to go for this Sunday, November 16 on The Mulberry Tree. It’s a great place to spend time! So great in fact, that I will open the program with a set of music dedicated to radio. Included In the list of songwriters and musicians below you will see songwriter Josh Ritter, who performs this week’s sneak peek playlist video with his live version of “Golden Age of Radio,” a song he included on his collection of the same name. Enjoy the video and I’ll meet you around the tree with:

Greg Brown
Joni Mitchell
Josh Ritter
Kane’s River
John Hartford
Kevin Cott and the Ghost Chorus
Gillian Welch
Ray Bonneville
Sarah Harmer
Townes Van Zandt – 2 tracks
Robert Earl Keene
Judy Collins
Barb Barton

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

Josh Ritter performing "Golden Age of Radio" at the Heights Theater in Houston, TX on September 30, 2023.

10/29/2025

Hello,

Let’s enjoy an hour of songwriters and musicians who created music that somehow fit together just perfectly to create a Sunday evening mood. This program will air this coming Sunday, November 2. You’ll notice that the Haden Triplets are in the lineup, and that’s who is featured in this week’s sneak peek playlist video. The Haden Triplets are indeed triplets! They are the daughters of the late legendary double bassist Charlie Haden. You’ll see and hear just how perfectly the girls inherited music genes from their father. Also featured in the video is the triplets’ brother and Charlie’s son Josh, also a bassist and who obviously was graced with those music genes. Josh heads up the group Spain. I’ll meet you around the tree with:

Rosanne Cash
John and Jamie Hartford
Arlo Guthrie
Jakob Dylan
AJ Croce
Rufus Wainwright
Holly Williams
Tommy Prine
Air Loom
Melinda Mullins
The Haden Triplets
Eliza Gilkyson
Norah Jones
Sally and Ben Taylor
Emily Higgins (feat. Molly Healey)

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

Petra, Rachel and Tanya Haden are three sisters in love with the art of singing. Born in 1971 to a famous musical father (Charlie Haden is a world-class upri...

10/22/2025

Hello,

I will start The Mulberry Tree this Sunday, October 26 with a nod to Halloween, then the remainder of the show will be focused on singer-songwriters. It’s good to be back with all of you after taking a few weeks to move. Below are the musicians and songwriters scheduled for this Sunday’s program. Included in the list is the Wailin’ Jennys who perform this week’s sneak peek playlist video with “Devil’s Paintbrush Road,” a Halloween favorite of mine! Enjoy the video and I’ll meet you around the tree with:

Jason Wilber
Amy Speace
My Politic
Wailin’ Jennys
Court Yard Hounds with Jakob Dylan
Judy Collins
Honey Dewdrops
Emmylou Harris
Robert Earl Keen Jr.
Suzy Bogguss
Jack Williams
Ray Bonneville
The Creek Rocks
Brandon Moore with Marcus Chatman
Ilace Mears

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg5Ap_ZIYdg

The Wailin' Jennys at the 2006 Pickathon Roots Music Festival (www.pickathon.com) at Pendarvis Farm in Portland Oregon - Aug. 5th

09/28/2025

Hello,

For the next four episodes of The Mulberry Tree while I am on break, you will hear an encore four-part series with songs about each state in the United States. It seemed like a good time to unite us all in song. Since this series aired previously, I have made a few new song selections and tightened things up a bit. I think you’ll really enjoy every single song.
There is no sneak peek playlist video this week, but listed below are the musicians and songwriters who are occupying a seat around the tree for the next four weeks, in the order in which they will be heard. I’ll be tuning in along with you while I’m out on my adventure, so I’ll meet you around the tree with:

Jason Isbell
Livingston Taylor
Jeffrey Foucault
Lyal Strickland
Joni Mitchell
Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Shoregrass
The Duhks
Doc Watson and David Grisman
Eva Cassidy
Steve Forbert and the Rough Squirrels
Josh Ritter
Chad Elliott
Fred Stoneking
Tony Furtado
Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Melinda Mullins
Jesse Wi******er
Ellis Paul
Vonda Shepard
Arlo Guthrie
The Milk Carton Kids
Eddie from Ohio
Eric Weiler
Wil Maring
Kasey Rausch
Robin and Linda Williams
Richard Shindell, Lucy Kaplansky, Dar Williams
Chad Elliott
Red Clay Ramblers
Bruce Springsteen
Rosalie Sorrels
Anne Hills
John Gorka
Roy Rogers
Simon & Garfunkel
John Hartford
Lyle Lovett with Rickie Lee Jones
Gillian Welch
Jimmy Lafave
Woody Guthrie
Dakota Jay
John Fahey
Louis Weeks
Ross Moore
The Floorbirds
Doc Watson
Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt
Rosalie Sorrels
Vance Gilbert
Justin Townes Earle
Steve and Kristi Nebel
Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore
Cedarwell
Bill Staines
Brewer and Shipley
Mark O’Connor
El McMeen

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

09/17/2025

Hello,

It will be both exciting and bittersweet to share my playlist with you this coming Sunday, September 21 on The Mulberry Tree. For this Sunday’s edition, I bid farewell to my home in the country to return to the city limits of Springfield. It’s been quite a happening in my life, and I wanted to share with you some of the highlights of the past seven years through song. Included in the list below is Tim Grimm and the Family Band who perform this week’s sneak peek playlist video with “Finding Home,” a song that’s part of the collection “A Stranger in this Time.”
NOTE: Since I'll be busy relocating the next several weeks, you can enjoy encore editions of The Mulberry Tree on Sundays, September 28-October 19.
Meanwhile, enjoy the video, and join me and the following songwriters and musicians for a special hour of music this Sunday:

Tim and Mollie O’Brien
Emmylou Harris
John Prine
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Hal Ketchum
Kate Wolf
Rain Perry
Wailin’ Jennys
Tim Grimm and the Family Band
Kevin Welch
Growling Old Men – 2 tracks
Jimmy LaFave
The Sandroids

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.

Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

TIm Grimm Family Band "Finding Home" @ Meneer Frits Einhoven 15-5-2017

09/10/2025

Hello,

I’ve got the perfect lineup for a Sunday evening on September 14. I always strive to give you a good listening experience and a wide variety of sounds. Hope you like this Sunday’s show. In the lineup below you will see Elephant Revival who performs this week’s sneak peek playlist video with “Grace of a Woman,” composed by Daniel Rodriguez. Enjoy the video and I’ll meet you around the tree with:

Darden Smith
Brandi Carlile
JD Souther
Kevin Welch
Marideth Sisco
Austin Terry
Nanci Griffith
Steve Earle
Bob Schneider feat. Patty Griffin
Elephant Revival
Amy Helm
Chad Elliott
Eastmountainsouth
Mark O’Connor

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

Elephant Revival performing "Grace Of A Woman" at Music City Roots live from the Loveless Cafe on 9.19.2013

09/03/2025

Hello,

Let’s get together around The Mulberry Tree this Sunday evening, September 7 to spend an hour with songwriters and their musical creations. The first set of the hour will be eight songs long and focus on the theme of kindness. It will be great to be there with you. During this Sunday’s program, you will hear Natalie Merchant perform “Kind and Generous” which is part of her album “Ophelia.” You can enjoy Natalie’s song even more by simply watching this week’s sneak peek playlist video. I will meet you around the tree with:

Cliff Eberhardt
Patty Griffin
Natalie Merchant
Buffalo Springfield
Emmylou Harris
Amy Speace
Randy Newman
Jesse Colin Young
Keb Mo
Steve Young
Kate Campbell
Andy Mann
David Crosby
Greenwood Rye

The Mulberry Tree airs on Sunday evenings at 9 p.m. CST on KSMU 91.1 FM, Springfield Missouri's NPR affiliate station, and also at the following locations: Branson - 90.5, West Plains - 90.3, Mountain Grove - 88.7 Joplin - 98.9 and Neosho - 103.7. AND we also stream live at ksmu.org.
Meet you on the airwaves!
Emily

Music video directed by Mark Seliger and Fred Woodward.