Riley Downing sings about the overlooked corners of American life in 'Landfill Poetry'

Geoff Bennett:

Riley Downing has spent his life collecting stories from the overlooked corners of American life, from his days working as a trash collector in rural Missouri to the people and places that shaped his small-town Midwestern upbringing.

Downing was a founding member of The Deslondes, the New Orleans Americana band known for its earthy mix of country, soul and roots music. Now on his second solo album, "Landfill Poetry," Downing turns those memories into songs about working-class life, family, and the moments that might otherwise be forgotten.

As part of our arts and culture series, Canvas, Riley Downing joins us now here in studio.

Thanks for being here.

Riley Downing, Musician:

Thanks for having me.

Geoff Bennett:

So, as we mentioned before, music became your career. You worked as a garbage collector in rural Missouri. How did that experience and your upbringing shape the stories you choose to tell now in song?

Riley Downing:

I think just, creatively, lots of nostalgia for different things in life, and that's kind of what I think folk music -- that's one part of it.

You can mix it all together and just sing about life.

Geoff Bennett:

We were talking earlier about how you're set to debut at the Grand Ole Opry, the most celebrated stage in country music. What's that -- what's that feel like for you?

Riley Downing:

I mean, it's a huge honor.

I grew up watching that with my grandparents on the television and going to a bunch of small opries. And after spending years in and out of Nashville, it's one of the highest honors you could have.

Geoff Bennett:

This new album, "Landfill Poetry," what's the title mean?

Riley Downing:

Just kind of a mix of old pieces of songs and ideas that put together -- like a piece of wood that's in your shed that you don't know what you're going to use it for, but then 10 years later you come back and you're ready to use it, you know exactly what you're going to use it for.

Geoff Bennett:

And you're about to perform the title track off the new album. And what do you hope people hear in this song?

Riley Downing:

I hope you just hear the experiences you can have in life and you can make them whatever you want to be. You can turn a trash pile into something magical.

Geoff Bennett:

OK.

Riley Downing, take it away.

(Music)