The Great American Folk Show — North Dakota Public Radio
“The Great American Folk Show is a little place on the radio where we commune with you to share stories, sing songs, and talk to some good people with great voices. Episode 83 features musicians Tommy Prine, Lou Shields, and Erika Sherger.“
Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) — Musician Lou Shields Embraces Driftless Region, Sounds Of The Past
“Lou Shields music fits in with the scene and hearkens back to a long-gone time. He’s a one-man band who plays a 1931 metal guitar from a Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog, a banjo and harmonica. He also plays percussion by standing on a homemade stomp box he made. It transports audiences to a time when folks would play music on their front porch after a hard day of work, usually on their own land.”
Roadtrippers: Rustic Roads
“The roads are popular with antique car and motorcycle clubs, as well as those organizing rides for charity. Musician Lou Shields—originally from Madison, Wisconsin—was so inspired by a Rustic Road that he wrote a song about it.”
Discovery Channel Show – Monsters & Critics
“I was just in Europe on tour and they’re talking about the same kind of thing where the weather has been too cold or it’s been too hot or the weather’s been so different the last couple of years and it’s all just really strange.”
Discovery Channel: Homestead Rescue
“Wisconsin Washout Season 5, Episode 2: Marty takes on a risky first-time build – a huge diverter trench to deflect the torrents of storm water devastating the homestead of musician Lou Shields and his wife Stacey Roou. But with a huge storm forecast, no one can predict if this rescue will succeed.”
Maximum Ink Album Review – Madison, WI
“Elements of a distant America, or “the old country,” as Shield calls it, are present throughout the album, which complements the essence of folk music well. Shields’ noted influences span folk, Americana, blues and jazz and include iconic figures from folk-legend Woodie Guthrie to Charlie Patton (the “Father of Delta Blues”) and the likes of Bob Dylan. When listening to his music, those influences certainly make sense and there is a raw (and frankly, refreshing) sound to the entire experience that takes you back to the John-Steinbeck America of old with hard-working people persevering through dust and struggle.”
Explore La Crosse: Driftless Musician Living an Old Fashionable Life
“Writing old-time music inspired by styles from the past or performing traditional folk and country tunes are their first love, homesteading and connecting to nature and an old-fashioned life, with a twist are the commonalities that bring us and these amazing folks together. We are lucky to have found a place that we can finally feel at home and follow our passions. Meeting friends and neighbors who share our longing to live a simpler life surrounding by music is the dream I can’t fully snap out of. I appreciate the life we have all built and that our paths crossed in this beautiful place.”
Show review in Ghent, Belgium
“Lou stepped onto the stage around nine o’clock armed with his National Resonator, a “rack” around the neck and standing on a piece of wooden “bark” to indicate the rhythm with his feet. He started at top speed and would never take gas back until the end of the show . He tells stories about himself or friends and casts them into songs. We get a mix of blues with or without a slide and when Lou brings out the banjo the style goes to country, hillbilly with a hint of bluesgrass. His voice fits perfectly with the songs delivered and sometimes reminds us of The Reverend Peyton’s music.
The whole thing was very pleasant to follow and especially very energetic. ‘Fireside’ was the first song that was fired at us followed by ‘Lovin Man’ song from his latest CD and from that we would get a firm grasp on our plate, such as ‘One Of Them Days or’ Old Friend ‘and’ Travellin Shoes’. Besides that, Lou brings good things with the slide or blows his lungs with the Mississippi Saxophone. Before the break a few good things like ‘Rustic Roads’ or ‘Cabin In The Woods’.”
Show Review in Herselt, Belgium
“In general you can describe Lou’s music as country blues’ n roots but when he takes up his banjo, it seems as if the “Appalachian Trail” are following us and end up in the middle of the music of a Bill Monroe. Bluegrass and folk then just come to the surface.”
Maximum Ink – Interview, Madison WI
“You’ve toured all over North America and Europe. What’s been your favorite show so far? What happened there that made it so memorable?
LS: I’ve had a lot of good and bad experiences out on the road. The best of times can come from a place that you least expect. My favorite places have a lot of old world character and these days I seek venues like that out… These old places that have such history that they seem to attract amazing old souls who keep life within the walls, bring music, art and culture to great people who are there to enjoy it.”
Chicago Ambassador
“I like to think of the music before the 1920s when they started recording music and creating genres. It was just music, American music that came from many places in the world and happened here. It was just stuff that people played at night. That’s what’s my art is about also.”
Northwest Indiana Times
“Shields traced the origins of his musical journey to pioneers from Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash to Led Zeppelin. From there, he made his way to their influences, which led him to acoustic American music from the ’20s and ’30s and the likes of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charley Patton and Leadbelly.”