His guest this week on The Grand Old Time Machine is none other than Ricky Skaggs himself. The entire hour long show is a conversation with Ricky concerning his latest CD, Songs My Dad Loved.

This interview is unlike any other you’ve heard Wichita do. In fact, it’s unlike any you’ve heard Ricky do! Over the course of an hour you’ll get to hear all 13 of the tracks from the CD, and you’ll hear Ricky talk about the tunes, his childhood, growing up in rural Kentucky and learning to play bluegrass. He really opens up and shares his heart in this interview.

It’s a riveting discussion that gives you a picture into Ricky’s past, and his thinking about the music. I’m sure the story will resonate with many who grew up in similar circumstances.

Here’s a short clip to give you a taste of what the interview is like throughout.

If you want to hear the whole thing, you’ll have to tune in to SiriusXM radio channel 14(XM), channel 65(Sirius). Below are the show times.

Friday the 6th – 9 pm eastern
Saturday night the 7th – 12 midnight
Tuesday the 10th – 3 pm eastern

Mac called and asked if I would give him a ride to Cracker Barrel for breakfast… So we went to Cracker Barrel… and to 1947, to 1956, to 1985, to 1963, to 1997, to 1936, to…

In other words Mac was Wichita’s co-host aboard The Grand Old Time Machine this past weekend. He sounded good and seemed to be having a blast hanging out with Wichita and playing some great music.

If you missed it over the weekend, it’s about to come on again. Each week The Grand Old Time Machine airs Fridays at 9pm Eastern and Saturday night at 12, then the following Tuesday at 3PM Eastern.

So tune in to Sirius/XM this afternoon and get yourself a little Mac & Wichita!

Wichita tells me they are going to have a good time with this. Sam will have his mandolin in the studio with him as they host the show. It seems Wichita has issued a challenge to Sam concerning TV theme songs. Wichita has bet $20 that Sam won’t be able to play more than three TV show theme songs off the cuff with Wichita calling them out as they go. I love ya Wichita but I think my money may be on Sam for this one!

They also have plans to discuss the history of Bluegrass, and specifically the era of the 60’s and 70’s. They’ll also discuss the viability of Satellite Radio and the similarities between the situation now and the old days of terrestrial radio when Bluegrass was just getting started.

Another topic of discussion with the recently proposed “More Bluegrass Law” and its import for the citizens of The City of Bluegrass.

Sam will be hosting a contest as well. It’s a “Sound Like Wichita” contest with the winner receiving a guitar shaped commode seat with Wichita’s picture on it! Details here.

Each episode of The Grand Old Time Machine airs Fridays at 9pm Eastern and Saturday night at 12, then the following Tuesday at 3PM Eastern. So tune in tonight to hear Sam co-hosting with Wichita. It should be a good show!

Our intrepid Mayor of Bluegrass, Wichita Rutherford, has come up with a solution, the More Bluegrass Law.

As Mayor of Bluegrass it is my goal to keep each citizen as happy as possible by providing them with the most Bluegrass music a human can possibly listen to each and every minute of every hour of every day.

I will do everything in my power to make this, the More Bluegrass Law, pass for our great City.

The Law stipulates required instrumentation for all music played in public spaces with the City. It also requires appropriate levels of nasality in the vocals of male bluegrass singers, as well as placing restrictions on hair styling, or appropriate hat, for all male vocalists. Female vocalists are given much greater freedom in both hair style and vocal technique under this law.

Citizens of the City of Bluegrass may read the full text of the Law here, and then cast their vote.

Wichita tells me that many citizens have already contacted him offering suggested amendments to the law. He plans to discuss these ideas, and even play some of the phone calls, during his weekly radio address, The Grand Old Time Machine, beginning this Friday.

Our favorite Bluegrass time traveler, Wichita Rutherford, has brought yet another day under his control. Formerly Wichita had Friday and Saturday nights under his control, broadcasting his bluegrass music program, The Grand Old Time Machine, on SiriusXM at 9pm EST on Friday nights and 12 Eastern on Saturday nights.

Beginning today, Wichita brings the show to Tuesday afternoons as well. The Grand Old Time Machine will continue to broadcast on Friday and Saturday nights, but will also be airing on channels 14 and 64 at 3pm est. Today’s show will be special as a way to welcome Tuesday’s to Wichita’s domain.

Wichita will be explaining the Time Machine and the various things that happen on the show every week like Make it Sound Like, where he makes it sound like Ricky Skaggs is arresting Doyle Lawson for the murder of Bobby Osborne. Today Make it Sound Like will involve the voice of Dolly Parton and Wichita’s unrequited love for her.

He’ll be explaining other portions of the show such as Ask Wichita Anything, a feature where people email Wichita and ask him everything from how to make a particle accelerator to how to get the best parking place at Waffle House no matter what time you go there.

He’ll tell us about the origins of The Bluegrass Way and there’s an interview with Doc Watson. Rumor has it he will also let us in on some of his plans for the City of Bluegrass (he refers to it sometimes as Grasstropolis) as he has reached the midway point in his 1st term as Mayor of Bluegrass.

In 2 weeks the first co-host of The Grand Old Time Machine will be Bobby Osborne. They will discuss Bobby’s legal tact when he was slapped with a multi-million dollar lawsuit for the alleged hearing damage of a Bluegrass fan.

This week’s show promises to be a good one, and his fan base continues to grow not only inside of, but outside of, Bluegrass as he is bringing more and more rock, alternative and jazz listeners into the banjo-laden light of Bluegrass music and it’s history.

He’s loaded these little devices with interviews, podcasts, music, ring tones, e-books, videos, never before seen Wichita photos, and more.

He’s got 50 of them to giveaway, and if you want one, he’s got three ways you can win.

Head on over to his blog to read all about it.

If you’re not there, but you’d like to know what’s going on. Or, if you are there, but you’d like to know what’s going on backstage, here’s your chance.

Our pal Wichita Rutherford is there all week and hanging out back stage with Doc and the other stars. He’s going to give us all a window into what’s happening, by Twittering his experiences. He tells me he plans to let us know who’s backstage and what they’re doing, what they’re eating, and who they’re talking to. Apparently there will be no privacy this year at Merlefest! Wichita will also be catching a few parking lot jams and letting us know what’s happening there.

Wichita tells me there may even be a friendly slap fight match or two. He’s challenged Tim Stafford, Terry Eldrige and Jerry Douglas among others. Of course, if Chris Thile shows up…

If Chris Thile shows there will be an all out slap fight brawl; a loser leaves MerleFest cage match, if you will.

I’m sure Wichita will let us know all the details if it happens. Be careful buddy!

In addition to just Tweeting the events as they happen, Wichita will also be posting photos on his Twitter page.

If you want to follow Wichita’s Tweets, then just go to Twitter.com, you’ll need an account, and search for WichitaR or Wichita Rutherford, and enjoy!

Apparently these handy little devices not only give you directions, they can actually speak the directions to you as you drive. And if you don’t want to listen to the default voice, you can change it by adding custom voices. A few celebrities have created voices for the TomTom, but now there’s a bluegrass voice.

Wichita Rutherford, the Mayor of Bluegrass, is announcing today that his voice is now available for free, for your TomTom. You can download it from 5MinutesWithWichita.com or from WichiTom.com. Wichita tells me the files went up last night and are being downloaded a pretty good pace. He’ll be announcing it on his show tonight, and on a bunch of country music stations nationwide.

So if you’re planning to hit the road this summer for a tour of your favorite bluegrass festivals, why not let Wichita get you there?

Ever wanted to travel like a Bluegrass Star? Now you can. Let The Mayor of Bluegrass direct you to Merlefest, Teluride, Bill Monroe’s childhood home, the mountains, the beach, the desert or to the new grocery store or restaurant across town.

Going to a show at 420 Banjo Street in the town of Pooterville in the state of Whatsit? Don’t panic, just put the address in your TomTom and let Wichita Rutherford guide you there, quickly and safely.

Wichita has included a download link, and a link to directions for loading his voice into your TomTom GPS system. So go load him up and let Wichita get you safely to all the best festivals this summer.

Then on May 8th and 9th, he’ll be devoting his entire show to unsigned bands/artists. He’s calling it, Wichita Rutherford Presents: The Best Unsigned Bands in Bluegrass.

If you want him to play your tunes, just send him an mp3 via email, or drop a CD in the mail. He’s playing them in the order he receives them, and compiling the best stuff into the special May 8 and 9 show. Your songs must be submitted no later than May 1, 2009 for inclusion.

Visit his website for email and mailing address, and more info.

I predicted that Wichita would run “8 silly contests on his blog” during 2009. He’s getting off to an early start. If you can tell him the names of the artists he talked about on CMT over the weekend, he’ll put your name in a big old pile with everyone else who gets it correct. Then Mitchell, the monkey, will pull one name out of the pile. Sound silly so far. The lucky winner will receive a Sirius/XM radio. Not so silly anymore!

Visit Wichita’s blog for more info, and the email link (under his picture on the left) so you can get your entry in.

One down, seven to go…

Wichita’s Timemachine has a new time slot on the combined satellite radio provider.

My new time slot at SIRIUS/XM is 9 PM Eastern every Friday and then at 12 on Saturday nights on Channel 14’s Bluegrass Junction and Channel 65 for those with SIRIUS recievers.

That’s tonight for those of you who want some music in the background if you’re still having parties with friends and relatives.

You’ll have to hurry to win though, entry in the contest ends at 4PM CST today. He’s made the entry interesting, it’s not as simple as just filling out a zip code and email address. You’ll have to work for it bit.

Visit Wichita’s Blog for more details.

He’s posted this video on his blog. It was made back in the summer of 2006. The local news in Nashville did a story on Wichita and it contains a LOT of bluegrass musicians.

Wichita is offering a free “The Bluegrass Way” coffee mug to the first three people who can tell him the names of all the musicians in the video.

I’ll give one away, the guys pouring of the limo while playing are The Infamous Stringdusters. You’ll have to figure out the rest on your own.

To win you’ll need to visit Wichita’s Blog and email him your list.

Here’s the video…

Wichita’s show is called The Grand Old Time Machine. He travels back and forth through time playing the best of bluegrass from today and years gone by.

The Cherryholmes portion of the show includes an interview with the band and a lot of their music.

If you’re curious what Wichita’s show is like, he’s uploaded a short excerpt from the 30 minute show and has made it available as an mp3 on his blog. Head on over and check it out.

The Grand Old Time Machine airs today at 5 PM EST and then again Saturday night at 12 Midnight (EST).

If you don’t have XM, but would like to listen to the show, XM offers a free three day pass that allows you full online access to all the stations they offer.

This is the first time the key has been awarded in bluegrass history and Wichita was understandably excited at the prospect of presenting such an honor. The Cherryholmes family were quite overwhelmed by it. Speaking on behalf of the whole family, Jere had this to say.

Uh… yeah… It’s an honor? I mean, it’s really small… but hey, you know… It’s an honor I guess?… yeah… It’s an honor.

Admittedly, the key was quite small as such keys go, but it’s still an honor. The family was a little apprehensive about being in such close proximity to the Mayor though. It appears they have a slight issue with Wichita’s somewhat eccentric personality.

Well, we keep the doors locked and everything, but he still drives up and down the street in front of our house a lot.

He used to do that to me when I lived in Nashville. It’s no big deal, he’s harmless, and precious.

Read the full story over on Wichita’s Blog.

Bobby Osborne has reportedly been sued for $16 million, in a suit claiming he caused irreparable hearing damage to a listener’s ears, when hitting the high note in Ruby. The suit alleges that the note, unamplified, reached an ear shattering 190 decibels. That volume level would rival that of the largest commercially available firearm.

Furthermore, the suit goes on to imply that Osborne did this maliciously.

Mr. Osborne is a phenomenal singer, there’s no question about that, however, he used a high note as a weapon. This isn’t the first time either.

It appears the suit is being settled out of court for a lesser sum than the plaintiff originally requested from the court.

Read the full report on Wichita’s Blog.

Actually, there are several versions available in iTunes. There is the traditional single, and an instrumental version, a club mix, an instrumental club mix, and and extended club mix. So take your choice.

Wichita has finished the video as well, and he tells me he had a blast producing it. He says that all the guys we’re easy to work with, except one. He didn’t name names.

My sources tell me the single is selling well in iTunes. It just may be that Wichita is introducing bluegrass to more new fans once again.

He’s uploaded the video to YouTube. Here it is for your viewing pleasure.

Cautionary note: This is not your typical bluegrass video. If your prone to be offended by anything that is not traditional bluegrass, you might want to pass on this.

The folks at GrooveGrass Recordings asked me to direct a video for the new single by The GrooveGrass Boyz about a song called ‘Crank That (Farmer Boy)’. It’s a ‘GrooveGrass’ or “Country” version of the gigantic hit ‘Crank That (Soulja Boy)’. We thought it would be fun to have a contest where people would send in videos of themselves doing the Soulja Boy dance and then I’d put the best ones in our video. They’ve got until February 15th to do a quick 30 second video and get it uploaded to me. The details are over at 5MinutesWithWichita.com. We’ve already done the initial shooting and here are some photos from it. The single will be on iTunes in about 2 weeks.

Scott Rouse produced the single with a variety of Bluegrass musicians as well as “infamous” Bluegrass musicians. The original GrooveGrass Boyz are Doc Watson, Bootsy Collins, Mac Wiseman and The Del McCoury Band. I guess we’ll have to wait and see who’s on this track.

Here are the photos Wichita sent:

Christmas. What a wonderful time of year. When the snow falls and the family gathers and the fire glows in the living room it reminds me of when I was younger and of the little Bluegrass children who would one day grow up to be stars scampering around the Christmas dinner table. I think about all the times a little Mac Wiseman would be singing “Christmas Memories.” I can still see a tiny Arthel Watson asking his mother when the cornbread would be ready and a short haired Ronnie McCoury jumping up on my lap thinking I was Santa Claus’s brother, Richard, because I was so fat. I’ll never forget the time Tim O’Brien was a toddler and threw up up on my aunt Pearl because he’d been eating tinsel all morning. Then there were the ever precious, pre-teen, Sonny and Bobby Osborne fighting over who would be the first to give me a “wet willie” (that’s when you lick your finger and stick it in somebody’s ear when they’re not looking) while I was wrapping presents for Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush who thought they were hiding in the box I brought the new refrigerator in. It was supposed to be a submarine or a spaceship. I can’t remember which. As a matter of fact I had to spank Ricky Skaggs a few minutes after that for giving Larry Cordle a wedgie… for the 3rd time. Then Doyle Lawson kept sassing me and I couldn’t catch him because he ran so fast. Those 8 year olds are quick. Then there was sweetest little flower of all of Christmas time, the baby, Alison Krauss. Oh what a precious little angel. 2 years old. Oh my goodness, gosh-a-mighty me. I would just talk to her and she would giggle and smile and laugh and scooch around in that little high-chair. Then she threw her fork and put my eye out.

Your Pal,

Wichita

For their cover story this month the Road King magazine crew had decided to do an article about bidding on big rigs at auction sales. They needed an auctioneer, and in stepped Wichita. Who knew? Guitar player, podcaster, DJ, pool cleaner, and now auctioneer, is there no end to this guys talent?

You can read a short profile about Wichita on the Road King website, and you can visit Wichita’s blog to watch his video podcast of the cover photo shoot.

Some people have criticized Wichita for spreading beyond the known borders of the bluegrass world, but he has this to say about that:

I want to educate people about bluegrass, get them interested in it ‚Äî no matter what kind of music they like, where they’re from or what their background or age is. Bluegrass is for everybody.

Well said my friend, well said.