Quick Look: The Roots Channel was founded by Michael Thomas Connolly, who was inspired with an idea to create a platform where working artists can create sustainability. He felt this could best be achieved by creating a place where artists of all backgrounds can submit their work for the world to see.
The channel offers full-length concerts, interviews, and more from established artists in addition to newcomers hoping to make it big. Many different musical genres are represented but the majority of music borders more on the folk/contemporary sound rather than pop or harder-edged music. In addition to full-length concerts there are music videos, documentaries, interviews with the artists, and instructional videos teaching the basic techniques on playing several different string instruments.
While the channel is free to add, only a very small amount of content is actually able to be viewed without a subscription. The introductory price is $1.99/month for the first month and then jumps up to $8.99/month. What this gets you is commercial-free music, videos, concerts and instructional videos. The channel also requires you to link your Roku and create an account if you do decide to subscribe, which can be done at this Roku Link Page The channel is separated out into the following categories; you can peruse all of the available content without a subscription:
- Live From Empty Sea - A series of concerts from the Empty Sea Studios featuring new artists. (All videos require a subscription to be viewed.)
- Music Videos - A sampling of the available content. Only portion of the channel that can be viewed without a subscription.
- Songwriter - A series of interviews with mostly Nashville based bands and musicians.(subscription required)
- The Fretboard Journal - Several videos featuring extraordinary artist that play string instruments. (subscription required)
- "EP"The Extended Play Sessions - 30-minute videos featuring up and coming artists. (subscription required)
- Solos: The Jazz Sessions - Just like the title says, jazz solos form some of the premier jazz artists today. (subscription required)
- Concert Films - Concerts from past decades featuring names like Donavan, O'Jays, John Lee Hooker, Shawn Mullins, and Joe Cocker plus several others. (subscription required)
- Documentary - Mostly musically themed films, some of the names and titles include Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Song of the South, and last Shop Standing. (subscription required)
- Wigby - A show featuring new artists and their videos. (subscription required)
- Band in Seattle - Features bands that originated in Seattle Washington. (subscription required)
- How It's Done -Instructional tutorials for string instruments. (subscription required)
-- Information is current as of January 7, 2015
Developer's Channel Description: Musician owned and operated, The Roots Channel features full-length concerts live and on-demand, spanning roots music genres from around the globe, as well as artist interviews and documentaries. From jazz to blues to bluegrass to world music, plus urban farming, crafting, and DIY skills.
CHANNEL STORE CATEGORY: Music
DEVELOPER: The Roots Channel
FEES: Channel is free, Premium content requires a subscription, Introductory offer of $1.99/month for first month, then $8.99/month
RELATED LINKS:
The Roots Channel Website
The Roots Channel on Facebook
The Roots Channel on Twitter
