The Flashgrass Podcast

America has produced some pretty incredible stuff: the light bulb, bluegrass, the cotton gin, air conditioning, Kevlar, the Slinky, etc. But I only run a show about one of those things, so we celebrate America’s birthday the only way we can: with bluegrass songs about America, freedom, and nuclear war.   (00:00) Give Me Your Ears (02:17) The Star Spangled Banner -3 Fox Drive https://youtu.be/QtY8h...

(00:00) The Songs We All Know and Love, or Like, or Tolerate, or Hate, or Have Neutral Feelings Towards (01:02) The Letter -Detour  https://lnkfi.re/vQmq154T (04:03) Blue Letter -Big Twang https://youtu.be/KGzuqAS2QwE?si=0HGn2UrqrYT9RNvE (06:13) As Charlie Sheen Would Say… (09:32) Never Going Back Again -Mac Wiseman https://youtu.be/t6q2MgZgeYE?si=SjRVidksPSFG_--R https://youtu.be/t6q2MgZgeYE?si=C...

It's the fourth episode of The Sidemen Series, and this one is all about one of bluegrass's favorite fiddlers: Stuart Duncan. He's played with just about every big name in bluegrass and there's a reason for that. And if you don't know what that reason is, by the end of the episode you will. (00:00) Stuart Duncan: Good, Fast, and Cheap (02:35) Angelina Baker -Hot Rize https://ln...

It’s tax season, so this episode has some songs to get you in the filing spirit. And despite the name, I really didn’t end up playing many songs that actually mention taxes. But I did play a lot of songs about poor people, so the spirit is there. (00:00) The American Crisis (01:26) 17 Cents -Infamous Stringdusters w/ Dierks Bentley https://lnkfi.re/HBYoZIxu (04:03) Sixteen Cents -Tim Stafford &amp...

This episode is a beginner's guide to bluegrass, featuring some of the names you need to know if you know nothing. It also answers the most essential questions such as, "Who is the best-selling bluegrass artist of all-time?", "Who is the real Father of Bluegrass?", and "Who got custody when the Father of Bluegrass died?" There will be a quiz at the end. (00:00) A...

We're counting down some of my favorite songs from 2025, mixing in some music from some other years, as well as handing out the most worthless awards in bluegrass, The Cammys. (00:00) Waxing and Whining (07:02) Out of My Bones -Amanda Cook https://lnkfi.re/LO56yE4J (10:33) Bear Creek Clay -Pitney Meyer https://lnkfi.re/bLvKdwyL (13:10) Bear Creek Hop -Dillard/Hartford/Dillard https://lnkfi.re/...

I could write a description for this episode, but I have a feeling you can figure out what this one's about just by reading the title. (00:00) The More, the Merrier (01:08) Winter Wonderland -Scott Vestal & Some Other Happy Good Men https://lnkfi.re/vakDbBaN (03:14) Let It Snow -Authentic Unlimited  https://lnkfi.re/lrhX8AGf (05:38) Powder Day -Leftover Salmon https://lnkfi.re/hCl8Npgz (09...

This episode is all about nothing. But within that nothing, there are some songs about the US Congress, songs about things that won’t be in heaven, and there’s another installment of the segment formerly known as Notable (Stupid) Youtube Comments. (00:00) Christmas Music! (01:56) Nothin’ to You -Becky Buller https://lnkfi.re/ixYiSrjv (05:13) Nothin’ Like the Lonely -Patty Loveless https://lnkfi.re...

What’s in a name? Well, sometimes humor, or memorability, or mellifluence. And some of the best names in bluegrass are showcased here. (00:00) The Business of Bluegrass (02:05) I’m Already Gone -Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen https://lnkfi.re/zHue2lcD (05:01) Can’t You Hear That Whistle Blow -The Grascals https://lnkfi.re/MRx9Efps (08:02) Port Man Toes (10:16) Dine with the King -Pine Mountain...

This episode is freer than TurboTax Free Edition. For those listening to this in the future, TurboTax used to have a free edition. (00:00) Hot, Stanky Garbage (03:10) Revival -New Grass Revival https://lnkfi.re/Rrpp5PRe (07:00) Revival -Blue Moon Rising https://lnkfi.re/C1svDEUq (10:10) Revival -Punches Family https://lnkfi.re/Ef9iL5eC (13:41) Revival -Shiloh Mountain Trio https://lnkfi.re/ExNzri5...

It’s time once again for my once-every-three-years reminder to call before you dig, delivered in bluegrass fashion. (00:00) A Very Important Cause (03:01) I Should’ve Called -Larry Stephenson https://lnkfi.re/NmBVDMGp (06:06) Don’t Let Me Call Her -Mitch Harrell https://youtu.be/PcAdyfhij7c (09:23) Hot Cocoa (12:11) Just a Phone Call Will Do -Reno & Harrell https://lnkfi.re/Z0zPieQR (15:04) Ar...

It’s both an early and late celebration of Opposite Day. Here’s hoping this episode doesn’t get you in the Opposite Day spirit. (00:00) The Spirit of the Law of Opposites (01:46) We’ll Burn That Bridge -Josh Williams https://lnkfi.re/W7SZIMv9 (04:39) Build Me a Bridge -Flatt Lonesome https://lnkfi.re/VWyyuUSj (07:29) Approximately Happy?  (10:10) No Place to Hide -Adam Steffey https://lnkfi.re/4HW...

It’s the 5th annual Stealing the Covers episode: where great songs get greater by process of grassification.  (00:00) That Remains to Be Heard (01:56) How Long Gone -Brooks & Dunn feat. The Earls of Leicester https://lnkfi.re/pyYQPQqV (05:45) How Long -Flatt Lonesome https://lnkfi.re/r4L8FzvC (08:29) How Long Has This Been Going On -Grass Cats https://lnkfi.re/WeP2LTmX (11:32) Bird Is the Word...

Many bluegrass artists, just like the genre itself, are underrated and often understated. So in this episode I’ve collated a list of some of those implicated. You’ll hear music from some of the best of the lesser-known, such as Crucial Smith, Eddie Shelton, Michael Prewitt, and more. (00:00) ’Tis what ’tis (03:42) Lord I Hope This Day Is Good -Paul Brewster https://lnkfi.re/MZdzj40X (07:23) Hope -...

It's another episode of legendary lyrics, but this time, it also includes an instrumental somehow. This episode puts the "pro" and "fun" and "ditty" in "profundity." No, that wasn't my best joke. Hit play for more cringe humor. (00:00) Something Along Those Lines (02:10) What a Waste of Good Corn Licker -Mac Wiseman w/ the Shenandoah Cut-ups https://...

If you live in the United States, then do I ever have a song for you. Maybe. This is the first episode in a series where I try to find a bluegrass song for every state. And if that’s not unique enough for you (understandable), you’ll also hear the first installment of Instrumentals with Names About Animals Being in Places You Don’t Want to Find Them. (00:00) No No No, Don’t Touch That Button! (03:...

Love can be a complex topic; so here’s an episode that will not clear things up at all. And to make matters more confusing, there will be songs that are optimistic, pessimistic, realistic, sad, happy, and delusional. So whether you love love, hate love, or “it’s complicated” love, there should be a song for you. And towards the end, I also take another crack at The Bluegrass Quiz from Chris Jones....

It’s a recap of the best in bluegrass from 2024. And that includes my top 10 songs, and other awards such as Banjo Break of the Year, Most Thought-Provoking Song of the Year, Best New Song Named “Time” That’s Approximately 3 Minutes and 10 Seconds Long Award, and more. And you’ll also hear some music that’s not from 2024 as well. Best Bluegrass of 2024 playlist: https://lnkfi.re/gySlC16z Best Blue...

’Tis the season to be jolly. So as soon as the calendar hits December 26th, you can go right back to being a sourpuss. But until then, it’s time for some Christmas cheer, and here’s some bluegrass to inspire that cheer. (00:00) To Save You from Tears (02:17) O Come, O Come Emmanuel -Bud’s Collective https://lnkfi.re/xUmwmcuK (07:23) O Come All Ye Faithful -Lindsey Family https://lnkfi.re/qCm0p5fV...

This episode is a real nothingburger. Just chocked full of songs about nothing. It’s a show about nothing. Nos, nots, nones, nobodies, nothings, nowheres, and n’ts. And also some songs about things that won’t be in heaven. (00:00) Shut Up and Strum (03:46) No Chance -Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen https://lnkfi.re/GNuYMxsr (07:57) No Clue -NewFound Road https://lnkfi.re/Pxjw37ni (10:09) Ambiguo...

You may not recognize his name, but you’ll likely recognize his music, because he’s been a part of some legendary stuff. It’s the Jim VanCleve episode, with music from Alex Hibbitts, The Mashville Brigade, Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, and more. And The David Mayfield Parade gives us another segment of It Could Pass as Grass.  (00:00) The Unsung Legends of Bluegrass (03:10) Ramblin’ Heart -Mount...

Some songs just naturally go together. And other songs really don’t, but I made them go together. And you’ll probably find a mix of both kinds in this episode. And I made sure to include some music in memory of Bobby Hicks. 00:00 The One and Only 02:33 Leaves That Are Green -Adam Steffey https://lnkfi.re/WXTEgE90 05:01 '52 Vincent Black Lightning -Jonathan Maness https://lnkfi.re/ktheXMlx 10:4...

Another episode with complete coverage of covers, with covers of Tears for Fears, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Goodman, and bunches more. And I also finally tell that story I failed to tell in the last episode. Some might call it “A Tale of Two Pities.”  00:00 This Is Fine 02:10 Hitch a Ride -Brad Benge https://lnkfi.re/F0QFpiiJ 05:22 Hitchin’ a Ride -Pickin’ On Series https://lnkfi.re/9sWN7RrX 08:05...

It’s a suite of bluegrass songs that are either about or at least mention a President. You'll also get to hear my long, drawn-out explanations of some Presidential history. And I also take Chris Jones’s 2024 Bluegrass Quiz, attempting to rebound from last year’s pitiful performance.