No Depression started it's life as a quarterly print magazine in 1995, fueled by it's founding editors' passion for alt-country music and long-form journalism.

Over the course of it's first print run, it helped solidify the importance of Americana and roots music on the national stage. In the years since, No Depression has developed a robust web publication, publishing long features, honest criticism, and weekly columns in addition to it's wealth of community-driven content.

In 2015, to celebrate the publication's 20th anniversary, the FreshGrass Foundation brought it back to print as a high-end, ad-free, quarterly journal focused once again on long-form music journalism.

To help us all celebrate getting through another tough year, No Depression aims to close 2021 on a positive note. The "Good News" issue will focus on what never seems to be covered enough these days - stories of kindness, positivity, and success in roots music and the musicians who have overcome some daunting obstacles to get to where they are today.

Included in this issue:

• Influenza Blues: How pandemics have shifted the American roots musical landscape - Liz Tracy
• To the Rescue: A photo essay of roots musicians and their pandemic pets
• The Essential Work of Songs: To keep connected off the road, The Steel Wheels wrote songs for one person at a time - Stacy Chandler
• Raising the Shield: Billy Bragg ponders healing and helping in the pandemic - Greg Cahill
• Black Opry and Belonging - Holly G
• Prioritizing People: Dualtone Records celebrates 20 years of doing things a little differently - Kim Ruehl
• Outside the Box: The New Orleans roots music community gets even more creative to survive - Jim Beaugez
• All Are Welcome: Dan + Claudia Zanes redefine togetherness - Avery Gregurich
• The World Beyond: Alice Coltrane's blend of spiritual and secular inspires the next generation of Black roots musicians - Jaelani Turner-Williams
• Saving the Day: Grant programs for marginalized artists help keep the music going - Rachel Cholst
• Taking Care: Austin nonprofit supports music community with affordable health care - Laura Scholz
• Recording History: The music lover behind Arhoolie Records' 60-year legacy of roots record collecting - Erin Osmon
• Between Provinces: Soundtracking the longest road trip in Uruguay through folk songs - Luis Minvielle
• Stay Crispy: Boy Golden preaches his own gospel of positivity through his Church of Better Daze - Matt Williams
• Lighting the Way: New models for mentorship in roots music - Katie Moulton
• All Things Must Pass: George Harrison's legacy of spirituality, music, and activism carries on - Hilary Saunders
• Screen Door: The power to change - Ana Egge

Photos/Art:

• Original design by Marcus Amaker
• Original cover art by Marlena Myles
• Original photos by M.X. Turner
• Archival materials courtesy of the Arhoolie Foundation