Bluegrass BKLYN

Mike chats with Lake Carver and Lyla Cherry of the dynamic North Carolina-based band Carolina Detour. These talented and accomplished young musicians (they are both 16 year old!) reflect on a broad range of musical topics like performing, competing – and the challenges of fitting it all into a crowded school schedule. Hear the voices of the next generation of Bluegrass. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Ep...

Our last episode of Season 6! To end on a high note, Mike sits with Bronwyn – one of our greatest fiddle players – who is about to release her first album of songs she wrote or co-wrote! She delves into her motivations for pursuing this musical path, thoughts on learning and playing music – and how a bumpy bus ride led to a hit song! Plus, Mike and Liz reflect on season 6 and look forward to seaso...

Festival Alert! The iconic Earl Scruggs Music Festival is coming up very soon – Friday September 4th through Sunday September 6th.  Held at the Tryon Equestrian Center, the festival features amazing headliners, workshops, vendors, jamming – and Bluegrass BKLYN as Podcast-in-Residence! Mike speaks with Mary Beth Martin – Executive Director of the Earl Scruggs Center – and gets the whole story about...

Liz talks with award-winning singer Brooke Aldridge about the heart behind the uplifting music she and husband Darin create together. Brooke shares how they choose songs that inspire hope, balance life on and off the stage, and build a musical partnership that's as strong as their harmonies. Plus – Bluegrass BKLYN will be Podcast-in-Residence at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival. Enjoy! Mentioned in...

Mike gets to meet the Biscuit Eaters, a traditional bluegrass family band from North Carolina. Meredith Wilkerson (the “Band Mom”) shares her thoughts, along with guitarist Maggie (age 12), fiddler Silas (age 10) and dancing fiddler Molly (age 7). It’s a surprising and fascinating discussion covering their journey from family jam circle to festival bandstand to recording studio. Enjoy! Mentioned i...

Meet Darren Nicholson, son of Western North Carolina who brings generations of pickin’ and singin’ to his music. Join the wide-ranging conversation about the soul of bluegrass, virtuosi showcases vs singable songs, and enjoy a game of ‘musical tag’ Darren and Mike play. Also, we’re proud to introduce our new sponsor – Peghead Nation on-line music school. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Darren Nic...

Whether you're new to bluegrass or looking to improve your jamming skills, Harry Gambrill shares practical wisdom drawn from years of teaching and performing. Learn how to build confidence, communicate in a jam, and stop waiting for the "perfect" moment to join in. Plus, find out more about the Wernick Method Silver Bay jam camp.  Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Harry Gambrill The Jersey Corn Pic...

Liz talks with Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival organizer Shanna Connor about what makes this award-winning festival such a favorite among bluegrass fans. From world-class music and late-night picking to volunteers, community, and the bluegrass family, discover why so many people return to Podunk year after year. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Podunk Bluegrass Festival – August 5th to 9th @ Goshe...

Liz talks with award-winning vocalist and guitarist Greg Blake about the lessons he's learned from decades of performing, teaching, and making music. From what creates a great singer to the importance of rhythm guitar, audience connection, and finding your own musical voice, Greg shares thoughtful insights for musicians at every level. Plus, Liz and Mike look back on their experience as Podcast-in...

The Man … The Banjo … The YouTube Sensation! Mike gets to chat with Jim Pankey, an award-winning, cross genre banjo master and skilled educator. Listen in on the origin story of the now-famous 10-lesson banjo course for beginners that has started countless hopefuls on the road to banjo playing. Mike and Jim go in depth into how Jim tailors his approach to how folks actually learn. Enjoy!  Mentione...

Mike chats with David Benedict – mandolin master and well-known YouTube and Patreon personality. David delves into his musical roots, his somewhat DIY musical education, the impact of the pandemic on his career, his somewhat DIY band, and his somewhat DIY album. We learn about his band, the Foreign Landers as well as his upcoming concerts and tours. Plus – Mike tests you mandolin ear with a “Name...

Liz sits down with singer / songwriter Rachel Sumner to reflect on the journey that shaped Rachel’s music and career - from volunteering at Telluride to winning its prestigious Band Contest. They discuss the courage it takes to write songs that tackle meaningful subjects, band chemistry, creative inspiration, and how they made their mark on one of bluegrass's biggest stages. Then Liz reflects on h...

Liz talks with bluegrass vocalist, songwriter, historian, and educator Jen Larson about her remarkable journey from New York City jam sessions to preserving bluegrass history. They discuss Jen's work on the first full biography of Hazel Dickens, her years performing in New York, the importance of welcoming jam communities, and her passion for education, archives, and ensuring bluegrass history is...

Liz talks with Kaia Kater about growing up in the Grey Fox community, discovering clawhammer banjo, collaborating with Trey Wellington, and building an internationally recognized music career. Then her mom, Tamara, shares the family tradition that began with a search for a nearby bluegrass festival and grew into more than twenty years of Grey Fox memories. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Kaia Kat...

Mike takes a deep dive with Ben Morrison of The Brothers Comatose! They chat about everything from the band’s musical influences, the ‘California’ sound, their latest album “Golden Grass” … and the perils of IPA! Listen to tunes hand selected by Ben and Mike, and hear Ben’s take on them! Plus, another heart-warming Grey Fox Story. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Ben Morrison The Brothers Comatose...

Liz chats with Don Flemons, The American Songster, and Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist. Dom is a connoisseur and curator of Black music of 19th and early 20th century America. He takes us on a journey through the songs, stories, and drama of that period. Liz and Dom delve deep … pull up a chair and join the conversation. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Dom Flemons The American Banjo Mu...

Mike goes deep with the legendary Darrell Scott, award-winning song writer and front man of the Darrell Scott String Band. They explore the Zen of song writing, the challenges of performing, the joy of finding your inner musical voice – even the geeky details of mic’ing the band! Darrell and his band, now including dobro wizard Rob Ickes, are headlining at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in July....

Mike gets to talk with Grammy award-winning Cajun musician Wilson Savoy, front man of the Pine Leaf Boys. They get into all kinds of topics like an intro to Cajun music, the Savoy family’s musical history, the musical vision of Pine Leaf Boys, being a musical ambassador – and Wilson tells us his wonderful Grey Fox Story. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Wilson Savoy The Pine Leaf Boys Marc Savoy T...

The American Roots Music Festival is going to be a day of awesome music, great food, and natural beauty. All at the iconic Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah NY. Mike gets to chat with Gillian Fox –President and CEO of the Center – who gives us the inside scoop on the Festival, other not-to-be-missed programming at the Center … and sound art! Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode The Car...

Liz chats with Anissa Burnett and they explore the story behind the Burnett Sisters Band—from growing up in the mountains of North Carolina to becoming one of bluegrass's exciting young touring acts. They discuss family harmony, songwriting, festivals, and the unique musical connection that comes from performing with siblings. Plus, Celia Woodsmith returns to the show to share her amazing Grey Fox...

Meet Blake Miller, one of the organizers of the Augusta Heritage Cajun, Creole & Classic Country Week. He’s a top-tier accordionist and fiddler, plays in several bands – including his passion project ‘Blake Miller & the Old Fashioned Aces’. He shares insights into the famous Augusta Heritage Music Festival (which is in its new location for the first time this year!), Cajun music and cultur...

Liz talks with award-winning musician and songwriter Bob Amos about his journey from geologist to full-time bluegrass musician, the joy of performing with his daughter Sarah, and why teaching has become such an important part of his musical life. They also share practical insights on leading successful jams and what makes the Silver Bay Wernick Method camp such a special experience. Enjoy! Mention...

J.M. Clifford shares his views and experience with Mike on a wide range of topics from songwriting to sound engineering to use of AI in music. This Brooklyn-based songwriter / singer is a Grey Fox Emerging Artist, a public-school music teacher – and has an awesome Grey Fox story. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode: J.M. Clifford Music Together early music education Dawn Kenny songwriter “Trains Drin...

Liz talks with Erin Dube about teaching bluegrass jamming at Grey Fox Festival, navigating jam culture as a woman musician, and helping adult learners discover the joy of making music together. Plus, a look at Rhode Island’s thriving bluegrass and Irish music communities. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode: Scott Hopkins’ Bluegrass Camp Wernick Method Jam Classes @ Grey Fox Events of Note: Porch Sto...

Liz talks with Grammy-winning songwriter, performer, and bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien about his remarkable musical journey—from accompanying folk masses as a teenager to becoming one of the most respected voices in acoustic music. They explore songwriting, creativity, touring, teaching, AI in music, and the deeply human connection at the heart of bluegrass. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode: Tim O’...