The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast

Stephen Wade is a musician, author, and a Grammy-nominated recording artist best known for his long running stage performances of Banjo Dancing and On the Way Home. He is the author of the award-winning book The Beautiful Music All Around Us: Field Recordings and the American Experience. A Washington, DC-area resident for most of his life, he grew up in Chicago, where the music of the city’s stree...

Braeden Paul is a highly accomplished bluegrass historian, author, musician, and broadcaster based in Plano, Texas. Inspired by his father and grandfather to dive deep into the roots of acoustic roots music, Braeden has spent his life studying and preserving the genre. He is a well-known voice in the national bluegrass community, serving as a longtime correspondent and music reviewer for the premi...

Jet Poindexter Hatu is the host and creator of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, a show dedicated to the stories, people, and music that keep bluegrass alive. Raised in the bluegrass world, Jet grew up on a tour bus while her father played professionally, spending her childhood surrounded by musicians, festivals, and the culture that shaped her love for the genre. Years later, she found herself reconn...

On this episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, I sit down with Kenny Feinstein of Water Tower, a band known for blending bluegrass, old-time music, punk rock, and a strong DIY spirit into a sound all their own. We talk about Kenny’s journey through music, the creation of Water Tower, and what it means to build a career without worrying about fitting neatly into one genre. From busking and grassr...

On this episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, I sit down with Paul Hinton, better known online as Banjo757—a clean comedy content creator with millions of views and a personality that proves you definitely don’t have to do things the same way as everybody else. Paul has been creating content since 2014, with videos featured on MTV’s Ridiculousness, The Late Late Show, and even in Ripley’s Belie...

Rising from the rugged hills of Williamsburg, Kentucky—deep in the soul of the Daniel Boone Country and the storied “Gateway to the Cumberlands”—Tidalwave Road has carved out a reputation as one of bluegrass music’s most electrifying and fast-rising forces. Fueled by grit, precision, and an undeniable chemistry, the band delivers a high-octane brand of foot-stomping bluegrass that honors tradition...

The Wimberley Bluegrass Band is comprised entirely of four siblings based in Southern California and were named one of Los Angeles' Top Five Bluegrass Bands by CBS-LA and are members of California Music American Entertainment Hall of Fame.  They provide fun and wholesome musical entertainment, and strive to keep the traditional sounds of bluegrass music alive and well by taking it to new audiences...

The Banjo Brothers Podcast brings together Tony Mabe and Duane Hess for conversations rooted in bluegrass, banjo, tradition, and the people who keep the music moving forward. With years of experience performing, interviewing, and connecting with musicians throughout the bluegrass community, Tony and Duane bring plenty of stories, humor, history, and personality to every episode. Expect conversatio...

🎙️ My Top 5 Bluegrass Bands of All TimeIn this solo episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, I’m sharing my Top 5 bluegrass bands of all time—and the personal reasons each one made the list. From the timeless sound of Alison Krauss & Union Station, to childhood memories of The Country Gentlemen, the influence of The Seldom Scene, the hard-driving energy of Lonesome River Band, and the absolute...

On this episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, I sit down with John Gooding and Jasper Lorentzen of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys for a conversation about where it all started, the road that brought them here, and what’s coming next. We talk about how The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys came together, how both John and Jasper found their way into bluegrass music, and what it means to be celebrating the band’s 12-year...

Kevin Prater—or “Waldo,” as Jet has always known him—is no stranger to life on the bluegrass road. In this episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, Jet reconnects with Kevin to revisit their shared history from the James King Band days, when the music, memories, and miles were all tied together by an unforgettable purple tour bus. Kevin also shares the story of building his own path in bluegrass a...

On this episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, I sit down with Shannon Baker & Sometime Soon, an acoustic bluegrass and country group rooted right here in Eastern North Carolina. The group stays true to the traditional sounds of bluegrass and country while blending the unique talents and musical backgrounds of each member to create fresh arrangements, carefully crafted harmonies, and a sound...

Darren Beachley is a powerhouse vocalist and virtuoso multi-instrumentalist who has shaped the bluegrass and Americana landscape for over four decades. A former lead singer for Hall of Fame legends Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Beachley has commanded iconic stages from the Grand Ole Opry to the Hollywood Bowl. Known for his soulful, driving vocals and masterclass work on the resonator guitar, he...

Rooted in the rich tradition of bluegrass while embracing a fresh, contemporary sound, The Amanda Cook Band has quickly earned a respected place in the acoustic music scene. Fronted by award-nominated vocalist Amanda Cook—now owner of Mountain Fever Records as of August 2025—the band delivers heartfelt storytelling, tight harmonies, and dynamic instrumentation that connects with audiences of all a...

Starlett & the Bluegrass Knights are a new band hitting the bluegrass scene with sounds of tradition, new songs & classic composed in a unique way. With Starlett leading the way with songwriting & lead vocals this band brings a dynamic sound. We talk about their journey and their newest album coming out soon. "Safe Harbor" written by Starlett herself, is the title of the album and the...

Born and raised in central Illinois, singer-songwriter Rylie Bourne grew up surrounded by music. Some of her earliest memories include tagging along with her dad, a guitar and mandolin player, to countless weekend bluegrass festivals, jams and rehearsals. Rylie absorbed the harmonies and rhythms from the sidelines, quietly building the foundation for what she now credits as the source of her vocal...

Molly Clair Corman is the 18 year old daughter of Gene and Anna Corman. Molly Clair was raised a farm girl in the Missouri Ozark Mountains. Her deep roots in that Ozark music has helped make her a rising star in bluegrass, country, and gospel music. Molly has been playing the Mandolin and singing lead vocals with her band, Molly Clair & Co., in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, North Carolina, Ken...

On this episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, I sit down with Jamie "Grascal" Johnson of The Grascals for a conversation filled with bluegrass memories, music history, and stories from a remarkable career. As a 3-time Grammy nominee, 2-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year winner, and performer with more than 200 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry stage, Jamie has spent decades helping shape the sou...

On this episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, I sit down with Brandon Lee Adams—Emmy Award-winning television host of Life of a Musician, singer, songwriter, and passionate advocate for the music community. Brandon shares his journey through the music industry, from performing and songwriting to telling the stories of artists across the country through his award-winning television show. We talk...

Donna is an award-winning songwriter whose music has been recorded by some of the biggest names in bluegrass. During our conversation, we discovered we have quite a bit in common—from being North Carolina natives to working as Real Estate Agents and licensed contractors! We also dive into the story behind one of her most well-known songs, "Poor Old Heart," and how it found its way onto the iconic...

Brad Kaylor and Mineral Bluff Review started in 2025. Brad and Chris also founded and promote Ridge Jam Bluegrass Festival in Blue Ridge GA, and attended IBMA in 2025 to promote the festival. Ridge Jam held a showcase on Friday and had bands throughout the day and they threw their Band in to fill one of the slots. That show caught some attention of several people and the following week, they had a...

For over two decades, NewFound Road has been known for powerful harmonies, world-class musicianship, and songs that reach deep into the heart of American roots music. Founded in 2001, the band quickly carved out a reputation as one of the most dynamic groups in bluegrass and acoustic music. With a sound built on soulful vocals, tight arrangements, and instrumental firepower, NewFound Road became a...

Retro 78 formed in October of 2021 and hasn't looked back since! What started as a good jam is now a band with a mixture of modern & traditional bluegrass, gospel and country music. Retro 78’s goal is to revisit and refresh some classic bluegrass music while bringing a high energy experience to the audience. The band is made up of powerhouse vocals and one of a kind musicianship. Lead vocalist...

Adam Poindexter is a Bluegrass musician, song composer & long time banjo player for The James King Band. He is also the Dad of Jet Poindexter Hatu. Listen to hear stories of life on the road, how he started in the industry and how he met his idols. 

In the very first episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, Jet Hatu shares the story behind the name, the brand, and the music that shaped her life. Raised on a tour bus by a professional bluegrass musician, Jet takes you back to her roots—growing up surrounded by banjo strings, long road trips, and the culture that helped raise her. From dancing beside her dad while he played, to stepping away an...