Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, an indestructible Nashville studio and the DNA of folk music

Feb 18, 2026

David Rawlings, guitarist-producer who rebuilt Nashville’s Woodland studio after tornado damage, and Gillian Welch, singer-songwriter steeped in American folk and bluegrass, chat about their musical partnership and the indestructible Woodland studio. They explore the lineage of folk music, haunting harmony craft, studio salvage and rebuilding, and why melancholy ballads keep drawing listeners in.

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ANECDOTE

The Theatre That Became Woodland Studio

Woodland Studio began life as the Woodland Theatre in the 1920s and still shows theater features like a balcony and projection booth.
David Rawlings and Gillian Welch bought and restored it, preserving booking calendars and studio history tucked in the attic.

ANECDOTE

Surviving The 2020 Tornado

A tornado struck East Nashville in March 2020 and ripped Woodland's roof off during heavy rain at night.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings and friends scrambled to move guitars, tapes and gear into the old box office and saved most of their recorded history.

ANECDOTE

Community Rally After Disaster

Neighbourhood support arrived within a day with generators, fans, food and volunteers to help salvage the studio.
The musicians who then recorded at Woodland after rebuilding were overjoyed to be back in the studio.

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The iconic folk duo met at an audition for the only country music band at a prestigious jazz school in Boston. They immediately clicked, and joined the rich lineage of Americana artists that stretches back centuries.

In their 20s, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings discovered they had something special when they sang together, a sort of eerie emotional resonance that is usually confined to the blood harmonies produced when siblings sing together.

Ever since they've been making music together which draws on the bluegrass, country and folk traditions they love.

In their historic recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee (which has withstood three tornadoes in the last century), they craft haunting songs about the ugly and beautiful parts of humanity.

For Gill and Dave, the DNA of folk music is something we can all contribute to, and which contributes to all of us.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are currently touring Australia's eastern states. You can find information about where and when they are playing on their website.

Their seventh studio album is called Woodland, named after their indestructible studio.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.

It explores music, recording, career musicians, Woody Guthrie, The Carter Family, Lead Belly, revival folk, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, Emmy Lou, Dolly Parton, Southern America, United States, Pete Seeger, Love, relationship, natural disaster, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Odetta, Harry Belafonte, Rhiannon Giddens, banjo, guitar, mandolin, true crime, murder ballad, Revival, Time (The Revelator), Soul Journey, The Harrow & The Harvest, All the Good Times (Are Past & Gone), Grammy Awards, Grammys, songwriting, Coen Brothers, O Brother, Where Art Thou?

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