Doyle Lawson is our guest in this episode of The GrassCast. John and Doyle spoke recently just after the press conference announcing this year’s IBMA Award Nominees. Doyle and Rhonda Vincent were the hosts for the press conference. If you didn’t watch the video from that press conference, you can do so here. In this interview John and Doyle discuss Doyle’s carreer in bluegrass, his band, and why Doyle’s always smiling on stage these days. The GrassCast is configured to be delivered in a variety of formats. You can listen right now within this window, subscribe for free via Apple’s iTunes Music Store to receive each new episode as it is published, or download the file to your computer to listen at your convenience. All those instructions and link can be found below.
This episode is 11 minutes in length, with a download size of 10 MB (for the MP3 file).
Just click the Listen now link below to hear the interview now. The GrassCast available through the iTunes music store is an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
*NOTE: If you are using IE you will need to click the player below once to activate it, and a second time to start it playing. It may take a few moments for the audio to begin. If you are using a standards compliant browser such as Firefox you should be fine.*
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
This episode of The GrassCast features an interview with mandolin master Chris Thile.
We recorded this interview yesterday evening via the thilephone. Chris is on the road promoting his new CD,How To Grow A Woman From The Ground, and took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us. We discuss the new record, preview some songs from it, and yes, we do discuss Nickel Creek and the recently announced dissolution of that band. From there Chris talks about his plans for the future and more.
John adds: I was particularly struck by Chris’ obvious passion for bluegrass music, and how pained he is by folks who try to explicity exclude his music from being included in even a broad definition of the term. His comments about what this rejection may mean for new fans who are drawn to his music, or Nickel Creek’s, are worthy of serious consideration by those who seek to define bluegrass narrowly.
The GrassCast is configured to be delivered in a variety of formats. You can listen right now within this window, subscribe for free via Apple’s iTunes Music Store to receive each new episode as it is published, or download the file to your computer to listen at your convenience. All those instructions and link can be found below.
This episode is 22 minutes in length, with a download size of 21 MB (for the MP3 file).
Just click the Listen now link below to hear the interview now. The GrassCast available through the iTunes music store is an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
*NOTE: If you are using IE you will need to click the player below once to activate it, and a second time to start it playing. It may take a few moments for the audio to begin. If you are using a standards compliant browser such as Firefox you should be fine.*
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
This new episode features an interview John did with Jamie Johnson about three weeks ago in Nashville. Jamie spoke with us just after the IBMA Awards Nominations press conference on August 15, and the discussion centered around the band’s new CD Long List Of Heartaches.
Jamie discusses the special guest appearances they have on the CD from George Jones, Dierks Bentley, and Steve Warner. He aslo talks about being in the band, what their vision is for their music, and more.
We’ve included some short clips of several songs mentioned in the interview.
The GrassCast is configured to be delivered in a variety of formats. You can listen right now within this window, subscribe for free via Apple’s iTunes Music Store to receive each new episode as it is published, or download the file to your computer to listen at your convenience. All those instructions and link can be found below.
This episode is 11 minutes in length, with a download size of 10 MB (for the MP3 file).
Just click the Listen now link below to hear the interview now. The GrassCast available through the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
*NOTE: If you are using IE you will need to click the player below once to activate it, and a second time to start it playing. It may take a few moments for the audio to begin. If you are using a standards compliant browser such as Firefox you should be fine.*
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
Many of you may remember the first time world renowned podcast superstar, Wichita Rutherford, posted a Guest Contributor piece here on The Bluegrass Blog. We thought it was great to have him writing the occasional blog post for us. The first one came while I was on my honeymoon. It was titled Wichita on buttermilk biscuits and grits what followed was a series of intermittent posts that came to be known as The Bluegrass Way.
More recently Wichita started his own blog where he shares his insights into the world on a more regular basis. The Bluegrass Way really started to take shape.
Now, through the advent of self publishing, starting here as a guest contributor, moving to his own blog, and ending with a real life book, Wichita Rutherford has just published The Bluegrass Way. The book is available for download at a very reasonable price of $1.98, or, if you prefer, you may purchase the 118 page book in a physically printed and bound version for only $8.87.
Here are a couple little quotes from the book to whet your appitite for more.
You can tell someone you’re his friend; you can prove it by listening to his kid play his new banjo.
A sausage, biscuits and gravy breakfast can glue a friendship back together in a big hurry.
Our new episode features an interview John did with Rhonda Vincent about two weeks ago in Nashville. Rhonda spoke with us just after the IBMA Awards Nominations press conference on August 15, and the discussion covered an interesting range of topics.
She spoke in some detail about the process of writing two songs from her current CD, the title track, All American Bluegrass Girl, and God Bless The Soldier. There is also a discussion about some of the changes in the way she operates the business side of her music, and how taking charge of that personally has made a substantial impact on her career.
She also describes her upcoming Christmas CD, Beautiful Star: A Christmas Collection, due in mid-October from Rounder and gives a few hints about what will be included.
The GrassCast is configured to be delivered in a variety of formats. You can listen right now within this window, subscribe for free via Apple’s iTunes Music Store to receive each new episode as it is published, or download the file to your computer to listen at your convenience. All those instructions and link can be found below.
This episode is 15 minutes in length, with a download size of 17.5 MB (for the MP3 file).
Just click the Listen now link below to hear the interview now. The GrassCast available through the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
*NOTE: If you are using IE you will need to click the player below once to activate it, and a second time to start it playing. It may take a few moments for the audio to begin. If you are using a standards compliant browser such as Firefox you should be fine.*
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
I just got a note from our pal Wichita Rutherford. He’s got something special happening at WichitasBlog.com and he wanted the bluegrass community to know about it first. Here’s what’s happening. Starting tomorrow at 11 AM Wichita is going to be giving away a bunch of copies of his DVD The Best of 5 Minutes With Wichita. Check it out.
The next 30 people to subscribe to Wichita’s Blog at WichitasBlog.com will win “The Best of 5 Minutes With Wichita” DVD. After the first 30 I’ll randomly pick another 30 names out of the next 200 subscribers and they will win a DVD also. Only one entry per person is allowed. We’ll be checking ISP #’s and stuff to make sure nobody enters twice by accident. So good luck! Ready? and…….. GO!!!!!!!!
Remember this doesn’t start until Friday August 25th at 11 AM. At that time go sign up and win. Wichita really wants to see some hardcore bluegrass fans win in this thing and he wanted The Bluegrass Blog readers to be the first to know about it.
Episode #42 is a follow up to the recent IBMA press conference announcing this year’s award nominees. John speaks with Rhonda Vincent, Doyle Lawson and Cia Cherryholmes concerning the announcements. Following those clips is a full length interview with David Crow, the president of IBMA, about IBMA itself and this year’s World of Bluegrass and Awards Show.
The GrassCast is configured to be delivered in a variety of formats. You can listen right now within this window, subscribe for free via Apple’s iTunes Music Store to receive each new episode as it is published, or download the file to your computer to listen at your convenience. All those instructions and link can be found below.
This episode is 10 minutes in length, with a download size of 11.5 MB (for the MP3 file).
Just click the Listen now link below to hear the interview now. The GrassCast available through the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
*NOTE: If you are using IE you will need to click the player below once to activate it, and a second time to start it playing. It may take a few moments for the audio to begin. If you are using a standards compliant browser such as Firefox you should be fine.*
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
Episode #41 features an interview with banjo player Barry Crabtree of the band Wildfire. John sat down with Barry recently at the Roanoke Fiddle Fest. They talk about Wildfire, Barry’s history in the music including his time with Larry Sparks, learning to play with a band, and more.
This GrassCast is 18 minutes in length, with a download size of 21 MB (for the MP3 file).
Below is an mp3 file which you can hear now, or download to your computer. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
Rob Ickes, Dave Pomeroy and Andy Leftwich have just released Three Ring Circle, the trio”s debut CD. They talk about their world of music, share some their impeccable musicianship and artistry, and even their thoughts on a new Bose personal PA system.
Episode #40 features an interview with banjo player and band leader Sammy Shelor. We’ve interviewed Sammy before, but felt like it was time for an update. Lonesome River Band has seen some band member changes, has a new CD out, and a new website and online store since the last time we talked to Sammy. Sam discusses all those things and more in this interview.
This GrassCast is 13 minutes in length, with a download size of 15 MB (for the MP3 file).
Below is an mp3 file which you can hear now, or download to your computer. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
Episode #39 continues on the heels of last week’s discussion with Chris Pandolfi. This time, we are talking with dobroist/vocalist Andy Hall, also of The Infamous Stringdusters, and a fellow graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Andy talks a bit about the band, and how his Berklee degree in recording and audio production helped prepare him for his music career.
This GrassCast is a bit shorter than most, coming in at 6 minutes, with a download size of 6.8 MB (for the MP3 file).
Below is an mp3 file which you can hear now, or download to your computer. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
Voila!! After much consternation, trial and error, and long distance coaching, it appears that I have successfully uploaded what should have been last week’s edition of The GrassCast. My apology for the delay. Hopefully this week’s episode will be uploaded on time.
Episode #38 features my discussion with young banjo terror Chris Pandolfi of The Infamous Stringdusters. We spoke last fall during the IBMA convention in Nashville about what he had been doing, and about his education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Chris is a fascinating young man, not only for his skill as an instrumentalist, but also for his clear understanding of what making music a career entails, and his level-headed approach to doing so in his own life.
This GrassCast is 8.5 minutes in length and the file download size is 10 MB.
Below is an mp3 file for you to listen here or download. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
This week we continue our talk with August Watters, who in addition to being an accomplished mandolinist, guitarist and banjo pickers, is also an Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. This week August describes his involvement with the Boston Bluegrass Union and their effort to present bluegrass instructional opportunities to young people.
This GrassCast is 7 minutes in length and the file download size is 7 MB.
Below is an mp3 file for you to listen here or download. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
Continuing with our education focus, we talk this week with August Watters, who in addition to being an accomplished mandolinist, guitarist and banjo pickers, is also an Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. August describes how Berklee has come to embrace using traditional string instruments (like banjo and mandolin) as a principal of study at the school, and how useful this has been for young musicians seeking a career in bluegrass and acoustic music.
John’s discussion with August will be continued in the next episode of The GrassCast, where he goes on to discuss his involvement with teaching young people to play bluegrass through the Boston Bluegrass Union.
This GrassCast is 11 and a half minutes in length and the file download size is 13 MB.
Below is an mp3 file for you to listen here or download. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
This week we start a roughly month long focus on issues relating to bluegrass education, and bringing bluegrass music to young people in the schools. We start with Greg Cahill, who in addition to his work as banjo picker with Special Consensus, has been credited with helping launch IBMA’s official Bluegrass In The Schools program. Greg discusses what he has been up to with the band, his recent Huber Banjos endorsement, and how he got started making bluegrass presentations to school children.
This GrassCast is 13 minutes in length and the file download size is 13 MB.
Below is an mp3 file for you to listen here or download. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
Podcasting superstar Wichita Rutherford has just opened an online store where you can purchase a DVD of The Best of 5 Minutes With Wichita Vol. 1. The disc features 19 fan favorite interviews and videos from TV and video podcasts, music and photos, and Wichita and Dan Tyminski giving away the “Female Vocalist of the Year” award at the IBMAs last year.
The interviews on the DVD include Doc Watson, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Charlie Daniels, NASCAR’s Junior Johnson, John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin, The Osborne Brothers, Ronnie and Rob McCoury, Bela Fleck, Chris Thile, Dierks Bentley, Tim O’Brien, Sam Bush and more. There are 6 hilarious videos from Wichita’s TV and Podcast archives and things you just can’t get anywhere else. You get the best of Ask Wichita ANYTHING as well as a photo slide show that is about the funniest thing you’ve ever seen! A load of videos, photos, music and famous folks all crammed on to one DVD. Take it from Wichita, this DVD is “Precious!”
In addition to the DVD, the store also features a Wichita Doll that is currently sold out, and you can purchase a tie just like the one Wichita wears. That tie’s not cheap though! Check it out.
This is our second week of GrassCast episodes focused on bluegrass songwriters. Episode 34 is a discussion with Donna Hughes, whose song Poor Old Heart was recorded by Alison Krauss & Union Station on the CD Lonely Runs Both Ways. Donna has a new project of her own that will be released on Rounder Records when completed.
This GrassCast is 11 minutes in length and the file download size is 13 MB.
Below is an mp3 file for you to listen here or download. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
For the next two weeks, The GrassCast will focus on bluegrass songwriters. Episode 33 is a discussion with Mark “Brink” Brinkman, whose publishing company, Brinksongs, has been successful getting cuts on projects from Don Rigsby, The Kruger Brothers, Pine Mountain Railroad, Wildfire and others. We include audio samples from some of these recordings, and talk about how he got started as a songwriter, and how the digital download phenomenon affects independent songwriters.
This GrassCast is 17 minutes in length and the file download size is 16 MB.
Below is an mp3 file for you to listen here or download. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
This week’s edition of The GrassCast features a discussion with Alan Bibey of BlueRidge. Alan talks about their new CD, Gettin’ Ready, their first for Pinecastle - and their first all-Gospel release - and we include samples of several tunes in the interview.
This GrassCast is 10 minutes in length and the file download size is 11.5 MB.
Below is an mp3 file for you to listen here or download. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
Episode #31 of The GrassCast features an interview with Jakub Racek, guitarist, vocalist and primary songwriter for the Czech band, Monogram. This interview was recorded last October during the IBMA convention, the band’s first visit to the US.
This GrassCast is 10 minutes in length and the file download size is 11.5 MB.
Below is an mp3 file for you to listen here or download. The GrassCast is also available in the iTunes music store as an enhanced podcast containing photos and hyperlinks relative to the subject matter being discussed in the interview.
To subscribe with your own podcatching software, copy and past this url into the appropriate entry box in your software: http://www.thegrasscast.com/rss
Doyle Lawson is our guest in this episode of The GrassCast. John and Doyle spoke recently just after the press conference announcing this year’s IBMA Award Nominees. Doyle and Rhonda Vincent were the hosts for the press conference. If you didn’t watch the video from that press conference, you can do so here. In this interview John and Doyle discuss Doyle’s carreer in bluegrass, his band, and why Doyle’s always smiling on stage these days.
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Episode #41 features an interview with banjo player Barry Crabtree of the band 
