Words That Sing

This episode begins a two-part look at Pierce Pettis, an artist Clay has known for nearly 40 years. He remembers first hearing Pettis at Atlanta’s Rose and Thistle, a small, funky venue that left a lasting impression. This episode follows Pettis’s songs from his early work through 2019, with excerpts from Father Son. Along the way, Clay reflects on the tenderness in Pettis’s writing: its attention to love, relationships, memorable people, small-town life, and the outdoors. The episode opens with “Hold On to Your Heart,” an early song Clay sees as a glimpse of who Pettis is as an artist.

Clay shares a personal sampler from three albums by Crosby, Stills & Nash, tracing the group’s distinctive harmonies and its blend of folk and rock. A special edition with stories, reflections, and plenty of music.

This week on Words That Sing, Clay introduces the songwriting of Taylor Goldsmith, frontman of Dawes. From “A Little Bit of Everything” to “Somewhere Along the Way,” these songs hold vivid stories, hard-won tenderness, and the reminder that everyone has a story worth hearing.

Some music can make a moment feel like it might last forever. This week, Clay returns to the 1970s and to the soaring harmonies of Seals & Crofts. Their songs invite us to linger: in the warmth of a summer evening, in the company of someone we love, and in the life unfolding right now.

In Episode 24 of Words That Sing, Clay turns to the songs of Don Henley for reflections on innocence, change, forgiveness, and the challenge of remaining human in uncertain times. Revisit some of Henley's best work where he invites to pause, listen, and think together.

In today's episode Clay celebrates the remarkable range of Tim O’Brien—bluegrass pioneer, gifted songwriter, master instrumentalist, and adventurous collaborator. From his years with Hot Rize to his work with Darrell Scott and his striking interpretation of Bob Dylan, these songs travel through the Western landscape, Appalachian history, loneliness, freedom, and the hidden life within us all.

Clay remembers writer, farmer, poet, and conservationist Wendell Berry through stories, personal memories, and songs about land, home, farming, community, and belonging.

Featuring music from Woody Guthrie, David Mallett, Pierce Pettis (among others) this episode is a musical thank-you to a man who spent his life asking us to notice, and to protect, the irreplaceable things — the land, our fellow creatures, and the people we love.

In Episode 21, Clay celebrates The Wailin’ Jennys, the Canadian-born folk-roots trio known for exquisite three-part harmonies and thoughtful songwriting. Drawing from folk, bluegrass, Celtic, pop, jazz, and blues traditions, Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, and Heather Masse create music that can be tender, mysterious, joyful, and deeply contemplative. Clay shares some personal favorites—including songs of love, freedom, belonging, and hope—from a group whose voices seem to meet in a state of grace.

This week, Clay presents a special mélange of songs about remarkable people and the lives they touched. We encounter a starry night, a leader and his band, an empty garden, and a blackbird learning to fly. Together, these musical portraits speak of beauty, loss, gratitude, and remembrance—and remind us what we may discover when we stop merely hearing familiar songs and begin listening to the stories within them.

In this episode we celebrate Maine singer-songwriter David Mallett, who left home for Nashville only to discover that the heart of his music remained in Maine. Through songs including “Garden Song,” “I Knew This Place,” and “Celebration,” we meet an artist whose deeply rooted stories speak to the whole human family.

In Episode 18, Clay celebrates the songs of Darrell Scott—a masterful storyteller whose music embraces crooked roads, open hearts, family, sorrow, and hard-won joy. From intimate reflections to an irresistible closing anthem, these are songs that meet us in the fullness of being alive.

In Episode 17, Clay explores the enduring songs of Don McLean, beginning with the mystery, memory, and cultural sweep of “American Pie.” Through “Vincent" and lesser know selections, he reveals a songwriter equally at home with history, love, loneliness, and the passage of time.

In this songwriter profile, Clay celebrates Robin and Linda Williams, the beloved Virginia folk duo whose partnership has spanned more than fifty years. Through songs of home, longing, love, loss, humor, and resilience, he explores Robin’s gift for storytelling, Linda’s luminous musicianship, and the personal history that has kept him returning to their concerts for decades. Listen closely to the lyrics: these are songs that speak from one heart directly to another.

A change of pace and a dip into nostalgia: three songs each from two beloved bands whose names have faded but whose sounds haven't — Little River Band and Three Dog Night. Along the way, a memory of leaving one life for another and discovering a musical revolution already underway. Lyrics, harmony, and a little celebration to close.

Join us for another episode of Words that Sing. In this episode Clay's selections are a post-independence day reflection on the songs and words that shape his ideas of who we are and where we have been.

This episode of Words That Sing, features Jackson Browne, one of the great songwriters of memory, longing, conscience, and the road. Browne’s songs have a way of sounding personal and universal at the same time — intimate enough to feel like a confession, but wide enough to hold a generation’s questions about love, loss, justice, and what it means to keep going. Clay reflects on Browne’s gift for making words sing with emotional honesty, moral seriousness, and a kind of restless beauty.

Join us for another episode of Words that Sing with you host Clay Hipp.

In this episode of Words That Sing, Clay explores the idea that music can speak even without lyrics. Moving from “songs that sing” to “notes that speak,” the episode invites listeners to hear instrumental music as a form of expression, memory, mood, and mystery. Featuring reflections on pieces by the Kruger Brothers and John Mackey, this episode is an invitation to listen more slowly and consider what music may be saying beyond words.

Goodness in the World

Three songs by one exceptional band to explore the art of living.

A reflection on a world that feels unsettled—and the songs that help us face it. Featuring American Aquarium, Linda Ronstadt, and more, this episode explores fear, love, and the quiet call to step into the darkness and be the light.

Join us as we explore how the greatest songwriters use music to tell deeply human stories. Featuring powerful performances and insights from Harry Chapin, Taylor Goldsmith, Don McLean, and Mark Cohn, this episode celebrates the transformative power of listening to songs that illuminate our shared experience. Discover why storytelling through music matters—and how singing itself makes the world a better place.

We’ve settled into our usual rhythm at our favorite beach spot, where we come twice a year. Our mornings begin in that early blue light, coffee in hand, watching the waves find their way to shore. Before long, the pelicans arrive, gliding just above the water, and the dolphins begin their quiet patrol, as if they’ve been expecting us.

There’s something about this place that loosens things a bit.

Time stretches. Music sounds different. Even the old songs seem to carry a little more light in them.

So I’ve let this...

This show is about the magic that happens when words and music meet.

About the way songs can say what ordinary speech often can not.

About how listening—really listening—can make us feel a little less alone.

So wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing,

I invite you to slow down for a little while and listen along with me.

This show is about the magic that happens when words and music meet.

About the way songs can say what ordinary speech often can not.

About how listening—really listening—can make us feel a little less alone.

So wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing,

I invite you to slow down for a little while and listen along with me.

This show is about the magic that happens when words and music meet.

About the way songs can say what ordinary speech often can not.

About how listening—really listening—can make us feel a little less alone.

So wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing,

I invite you to slow down for a little while and listen along with me.

Music as a form of remembering our Past, Present and Future selves

This show is about the magic that happens when words and music meet. About the way songs can say what ordinary speech often can not. About how listening—really listening—can make us feel a little less alone.

So wherever you are, and whatever you’re doing, I invite you to slow down for a little while and listen along with me.

On this episode we explore a collection of songs that move from introspection to inspiration.