Bluegrass BKLYN

Liz talks with musician, teacher, and bluegrass historian Ira Gitlin about his musical journey. Ira shares about performing with the Johnson Mountain Boys, his work documenting bluegrass history, and his passion for teaching the next generation of players. Along the way, he offers practical insights on musicianship, practice, and building community through jams and camps. Then, Mike and Liz recap...

Tucked away in the South Street Seaport is one of New York’s iconic music venues - Cowgirl Seahorse Restaurant. Meet Gail Courtney and Steve Smith, who have worked for years to build up a music scene at this venue, providing support and encouragement to the entire bluegrass community. A real peek into the vibrant New York City bluegrass music scene. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode: Cowgirl Seahor...

Liz gets to speak with bluegrass pioneer Alice Gerrard for a wide-ranging conversation on music, legacy, and a lifetime in community. Alice reflects on her partnership with Hazel Dickens, her efforts to document traditional music, and on continuing to perform, write, and inspire. A warm, candid look at one of bluegrass music’s most influential voices. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode: Alice Gerrar...

Iin this final episode in Season 5, Liz speaks with Laura Orshaw, vocalist, fiddle player and Artist In Residence at the Joe Val Festival presented by The Boston Bluegrass Union. They discuss Laura’s musical journey, educational activities, inspirations, experience as a woman in bluegrass… and plans for the big festival! Enjoy. Mentioned in this Episode: Laura Orshaw / @fiddlin_laura Jen Larson Bo...

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 countess hopefuls on the course to banjo playing. Mike and Jim go in depth into how Jim tailors his teaching to how folks actually learn. Then, Liz and M...

Mike and Rick chop it up and talk about everything from podcasting to bluegrass musicians to museums to pickin' on the porch to ... NASCAR racing! Rick is the multifaceted host of 'The Rick Dollar Podcast Show' which brings interviews and insight into the world of bluegrass and it Apalachian roots. Enjoy this informal and informative discussion. Mentioned in this Episode: Rick Dollar Show Podcast...

Finally! Liz completes her Della Mae interview set with this fascinating conversation with Celia Woodsmith. Be prepared for a frank and personal discussion about her musical journey, joining Della Mae – and washboards! Plus, Mike and Liz celebrate bluegrass Grammy nominees with some music and some fun facts. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode: Celia Woodsmith / @celia.woodsmith Della Mae / @heyheyde...

Liz talks with Grammy-nominated master fiddler and Old-Time music legend Bruce Molsky. Listen in to get his take on personal interpretations of musical traditions from around the globe. Though best known for his work on the fiddle, Bruce is a multi-instrumentalist, including banjo and guitar, as well as an accomplished vocalist. We really loved getting to meet Bruce, we’re sure you will too. Enjoy...

Something special in this episode – Mike gets to talk with Carl Ray Williams, a talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Listen in as Carl tells of his long and winding road to success as a recording artist in the music business, a story of perseverance, faith, hard work, and a bit of luck! Plus, Liz and Mike and another Jam Talk, where they discuss how to prepare to bring a new song to a jam....

Liz has an in-depth discussion with Avril Smith – lead guitar player in Della Mae – and they cover a lot of fascinating ground. Learn about Avril’s musical journey, her joining Della Mae, as well as her ‘other life’ working as an organizer and activist in the labor movement. And … what do our favorite A-list musicians do when they’re hanging around at home? Join the fun! Mentioned in this Episode:...

You’ve been listening to some great music at the start of our episodes … but in 30 second clips! As a bonus, we’re posting the full-length versions of our introduction music for Season 4 and a bit beyond. Enjoy! Selected Episode Introduction Music: ‘Outrun the Rain’ – Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Vince Gill, Jaelee Roberts “ Big Ball in Brooklyn ” – Damn Tall Buildings 5 String Wake-Up Call ”...

Mike and Liz reflect on the first year of the Bluegrass BKLYN podcast. They reflect on the most interesting, informative, and surprising episodes. It’s a short episode, but fun … so enjoy and join us in looking forward to 2026 filled with the music we love! Mentions in this Episode: The Sonic Planet Radio Ear Trumpet Labs / @eartrumpetlabs Selected Episode Introduction Music: ‘Outrun the Rain’ – J...

Join Liz and get to know Tammy Rogers King, the dynamic fiddle player of The SteelDrivers. You’ll hear twin interviews; one conducted by Della Mae band leader and fiddler Kimber Ludiker and the other by Liz. They delve into every aspect of Tammy’s career - starting in a family band, formation of The SteelDrivers, songwriting, life on the road, being a woman in bluegrass … and winning a Grammy. Enj...

Mike is joined by three experienced music educators – Austin Scelzo, Matt Curley, and Liz Wolfe  -in a panel discussion covering all aspects of teaching and learning music. We get some surprising takes on the value of music theory, music education in public schools … and, why Mike took up the bassoon in junior high school! Listen in on this fun, informal and informative discussion. Enjoy!   Mentio...

Mike gets to talk with Altlanta-born / Brooklyn’s own Michael Daves. The noted Bluegrass master vocalist, guitar virtuoso, and educator catches us up on all his latest doings – everything from recording EPs, to leading his Artistworks bluegrass vocal school … to Wild Geraniums! Also, Liz shares her wisdom on the role of singing in jams – and why you can sing just fine even if you don’t think so. E...

Join Mike on his four-day journey to Hell … Fiddle Hell. This unique musical experience offers dozens and dozens of workshops with top-tier artists, non-stop jamming, a dozen music genres. Meet the organizers, teachers, vendors, music, and players who make this event so special. Enjoy! Mentions in this Episode: David Reiner Fiddle Hell with information on Fiddle Hell On-Line Bruce Molsky Darol Ang...

Mike and Liz get to hear two first-hand accounts of the birth of the bluegrass movement in New York, and how it grew and evolved over the years. Bluegrass singer and guitarist Gene Yellin was right there when our favorite music took root in iconic Washington Square Park. Fiddler Alan Kaufman tells us his journey through that historic time … only this time with knishes! Enjoy this fascinating piece...

Mike sits down with Olivier Demers, fiddler  - or violineur - of Le Vent du Nord and learns about the Quebecois style of roots music. Hear about the history of musical migration, fiddle tuning, touring with life balance … and foot tapping! Enjoy this fun and fascinating episode – and maybe add a new genre of music to your play list. Mentions in this Episode: Le Vent du Nord / @leventdunordquebec ‘...

Liz sits down with bassist, vocalist, composer, and educator Nate Sabat, whose work spans bluegrass, folk, songwriting, and innovative solo bass performance. Nate shares the story behind his album Bass Fiddler—a bold project featuring only upright bass and voice. They touch on his roots in New York, his musical education at Berklee; his collaborations, and the joy of community-based jamming and na...

Liz sits down with Greg Kotis - playwright behind  Urinetown - discuss his unexpected journey into bluegrass and how it became a defining creative force. From picking up a banjo during the pandemic to weaving old-time tunes into original theatrical work, he shares how bluegrass reshaped his artistic life and inspired productions like The End of All Flesh and the fully improvised musical The Wayfar...

Ready for some musical inspiration? Listen to bluegrass legend Andy Statman's story on mastering multiple instruments and crossing musical borders. Andy also shares his philosophy on mastering a musical an achieving self-expression in your music. Also, we check in with the talented young musician Riyae Park to find out what this Bluegrass Brooklynite has been up to. Enjoy! Mentions in this Episode...

Mike dives into the interesting and surprising world of … microphones! Philip Graham, proprietor of Ear Trumpet Labs provides a fascinating insight into the design, construction, and proper use of this essential part of our musical lives. Find out the inspiration for the classic iconic look of Ear Trumpet mics, and meet Dephina, Wanda, Nadine … all mics in the Ear Trumpet line up. Enjoy! Mentions...

Join Liz in an amazing conversation with bluegrass legend Missy Raines - the first woman to be awarded IBMA’s Bass Player of the Year, winning it a total of ten times. She shares openly about growing up bluegrass, making it in the music industry … and learning to cuss! Then, Mike and Liz have a Jam Talk about their favorite songs to call in jams. Enjoy! Mentions in this Episode: Missy Raines / @mi...

In this episode, Liz sits down with two standout voices in today’s acoustic music scene. First up is Shelby Means, whose soulful songwriting and unmistakable bass groove shines on her new album. They discuss stories behind the songs, her upcoming tour … and an alternative use for the banjo! Next, Liz chats with Chris Coole of the Lonesome Ace String Band, one of today’s most respected old-time and...

Straight outta Brooklyn! Join Mike’s fascinating conversation with Avery Ballotta of the progressive, creative, innovative trio Damn Tall Buildings. Hear about the band’s journey from busking on street corners and off-ramps, to the bandstand, to the recording studio … to Saudi Arabia! Then, Liz introduces us to Phyllis Elkind, one of our home grown, locally *well* known artists we think you should...