Hometown Bluegrass Show

Tim Batts and Josh Williams recap the 2026 River Folk Fest in Calvert City, Kentucky! We’re talking standout performances, memorable festival moments, and all the great bluegrass music that filled Memorial Park. This episode features performances from: 🪕 Rebecca Frazier Trio 🪕 Darren Nicholson Band 🪕 Josh Williams and Don Rigsby 🪕 Darin & Brooke Aldridge We’ll also catch you up on this wee...

Tim and Josh catch up on the latest bluegrass news, share their commentary on what’s happening across the scene, and offer their takes on the stories getting the bluegrass community talking. Tune in for an entertaining conversation about the music, artists, and developments shaping bluegrass this week. Subscribe, follow, and share the episode with a fellow bluegrass fan!

We’re back after a short break! Tim and Josh catch up on what they’ve been doing, and then welcome singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sarah Jarosz to the show. Join us for a conversation with Sarah and a chance to hear what Tim and Josh have been up to. It’s good to be back!

Tim and Josh are back for Episode #115 of The Hometown Bluegrass Show! This week, we catch up on what’s happening around the world of bluegrass music , talk about some of the latest news and happenings, and—as always—share a few stories and probably a laugh or two along the way. 🎸 To close out the show, Josh Williams picks and sings the bluegrass classic “Midnight on the Stormy Deep,” a song with...

It’s just Tim and Josh this week on The Hometown Bluegrass Show, and we’ve got some exciting news to share! We officially announce the Bluegrass at the Dam Music Camp , coming February 5–7, 2027 , at beautiful Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park . We talk about what inspired the camp, what you can expect, and why we think it’s going to be a special weekend of learning, picking, jamming, and blu...

Welcome to a milestone episode of the Hometown Bluegrass Show Podcast —it's our very first video podcast! 🎉 We're excited to launch this new chapter and hope you'll enjoy watching the show as much as you've enjoyed listening over the years. This week, Tim and Josh sit down with Mark Rogers , owner of McQuan Guitar and Mandolin Picks , to talk about the craftsmanship behind his popular picks, what...

Episode 112 welcomes bluegrass favorite Joe Mullins! Joe joins Tim and Josh for a great conversation filled with stories from his remarkable career, his love for traditional bluegrass, and life on the road with Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers. Joe also shares stories from his longtime broadcasting career in southwest Ohio, where he has helped keep bluegrass and traditional country music on th...

No guest this week—just Tim and Josh catching up for another episode of the Hometown Bluegrass Show Podcast! Josh shares some stories from his recent time playing with Rhonda Vincent at the Grand Ole Opry , and we talk about a special YouTube video making the rounds featuring Josh playing alongside the legendary Tony Rice back in 2011 . Any chance to talk Tony Rice is a good day around here! And,...

This week on the Hometown Bluegrass Show , Tim and Josh welcome one of the most respected banjo players in bluegrass music, Kristin Scott Benson ! Kristin shares stories from her incredible career, including life on the road, recording, and performing with The Grascals . The conversation is filled with laughs, behind-the-scenes moments, and great memories as Kristin and Josh swap stories from year...

Hometown Bluegrass Show Podcast – Episode #109 This week on the Hometown Bluegrass Show Podcast, Tim and Josh are joined by one of the most respected musicians in bluegrass music, Andy Leftwich! Andy shares stories from his incredible career, discusses his musical journey, and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at life as one of the most in-demand instrumentalists in acoustic music. As alway...

Hometown Bluegrass Show – Episode 108 After a short break, Tim and Josh are back behind the microphones and catching up on everything that's been happening! This week, Josh shares stories from Southern Legacy's recent Wild West Tour , including life on the road, the great audiences they met, and some memorable moments from the trip. The guys also have an exciting announcement— The Hometown Bluegra...

On this week's episode of The Hometown Bluegrass Show, Tim Batts and Josh Williams welcome one of bluegrass music's most recognizable voices, Darren Nicholson. Darren joins us to talk about his career in bluegrass, his time with Balsam Range, his current projects, songwriting, touring, and what continues to inspire him as an artist. You'll also hear stories from the road and get Darren's perspecti...

Episode 106 – Bluegrass on the Bluff Recap & Nathan Lynn of The Wheelhouse Rousters On this episode of The Hometown Bluegrass Show , Tim flies solo behind the microphone and looks back on the incredible success of the very first Bluegrass on the Bluff Festival held at beautiful Columbus-Belmont State Park in Columbus, Kentucky. Tim shares stories from the day, highlights some of the outstandin...

This week on The Hometown Bluegrass Show, Josh and Tim welcome a very special guest, Dwight Whitley , brother of the legendary Keith Whitley . Dwight shares personal stories and memories of what it was like growing up alongside one of country music's most beloved voices. From their early days in Eastern Kentucky to Keith's rise through the bluegrass world and eventually to country music stardom, D...

This week on The Hometown Bluegrass Show , Tim and Josh sit down with the newest member of legendary bluegrass group Balsam Range, Stephen Hudson. Stephen talks about joining one of bluegrass music’s most respected bands, stepping into the fiddle and vocal role, and what it’s been like becoming part of the Balsam Range family. The guys discuss Stephen’s musical roots, his love for traditional blue...

This week on The Hometown Bluegrass Show , Tim and Josh hit the road with special guest Ami Ricci, creator of BluegrassRoadtrip.com . Ami shares the stor y behind her website, how it helps bluegrass fans discover festivals, venues, and events across the country, and why the bluegrass community continues to thrive through travel and live music. Plus, Josh spins a great tune from Josh Turner that wa...

In Episode #102, Tim sits down with Lindsay Bowles , Director of GRRO (The Great River Road Organization) , for a conversation about history, tourism, community partnerships, and one of the region’s most exciting upcoming music events. Tim and Lindsay talk about the mission of GRRO and the important work being done to preserve, promote, and celebrate the communities and landmarks along the Great R...

Episode #101 – The Hometown Bluegrass Show Featuring Kenny Smith with host Tim Batts and Josh Williams In Episode #101, Josh sits down with Kenny Smith for a conversation centered around the heart of bluegrass music—great songs, great guitars, and the stories behind both. Kenny shares memories of his early musical influences and the players who shaped his approach to guitar. From learning traditio...

Episode 100 is one we’ll never forget. We had the honor of recording this milestone episode live at the Grand Ole Opry during their historic 100th anniversary celebration. It was an unforgettable night filled with incredible music, special moments, and the kind of memories that only happen at a place as legendary as the Opry. Adding to the excitement, Josh took the stage playing guitar with Rhonda...

Welcome to Episode 99! Josh and Tim recorded this week’s episode on location at beautiful Columbus-Belmont State Park with a great view and plenty of bluegrass talk. In this episode, we discuss Batts Music & Media’s upcoming bluegrass festival, Bluegrass On The Bluff , happening June 6 . We share details about the event, what attendees can expect, and why this festival is shaping up to be a sp...

In this heartfelt episode, Tim Batts and Josh Williams sit down with bluegrass legend Don Rigsby for a deeply personal conversation about music, legacy, and family. Don shares the story behind his latest single with his band Southern Legacy, titled “Bill from Isonville.” The song is a tribute to his late father, Bill Rigsby, and carries a powerful emotional weight that resonates far beyond the blu...

This week on The Hometown Bluegrass Show , we’re taking a trip back to where it all began. Join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Josh Williams’ debut album from 2001 —a project that helped launch one of bluegrass music’s most respected voices and pickers. From those early studio sessions to the road miles that followed, we reflect on the music, the memories, and the moments that shaped J...

In this episode, we kick things off with a look back at Josh’s recent trip overseas as he shares stories from touring Ireland with Southern Legacy. From the warm welcome of bluegrass fans across the pond to the unforgettable moments on stage, Josh gives us a glimpse into what it’s like bringing traditional American music to an international audience. We also take time to reflect on the life and le...

Josh is still across the pond in Ireland performing with his band Southern Legacy , so Tim is holding things down this week with another great episode full of music and conversation. Tim kicks things off by sharing a couple more of his original songs , giving listeners a personal look at his songwriting and musical style. It’s always a treat to hear the stories and inspiration behind the music str...

In this episode of The Hometown Bluegrass Show , Tim Batts takes the reins solo while co-host Josh Williams is overseas in Ireland, performing with Southern Legacy. Tim shares a bit about Josh’s travels and what it means to take bluegrass music across the pond. With a little extra room in the show, Tim opens things up personally—talking about his own musical journey and playing a couple of his ori...