Bluegrass Jam Along

Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.

Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.

News and Announcements (Church Street News)

• Earl Scruggs Music Festival
• Rhiannon Giddens and Kristina Gaddy book

Releases (The Grass is New)

• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist

Scroll on Buddy

• Billy Strings and Sierra Hull - Midnight on the Stormy Deep

Other bits

• Sign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/
• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist
• Full list of interviews
• Collings Guitars

Happy picking.

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts

Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.

Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.

News and Announcements (Church Street News)

• North Carolina Guitar Celebration

Releases (The Grass is New)

• Darol Anger & Mike Marshall with the WDR Big Band
  • Spotify
  • CD
• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist

Scroll on Buddy

• Dawg at 80 - Hartford’s Reel (with Sam Bush, Billy Strings and more)

Other bits

• Sign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/
• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist
• Full list of interviews
• Collings Guitars

Happy picking.

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts

My guest this week is Sierra Hull.

Sierra has been a guest on the podcast twice before and both times we chatted about an ongoing project she's been working on since her last record 25 Trips. That project eventually became her new album, the wonderful A Tiptoe High Wire, which we talk about in this episode.

Recorded over four sets of sessions over a two year period, the album features Sierra's current touring band, as well as including guest appearances from Béla Fleck, Tim O’Brien, Ronnie Bowman, Lindsay Lou, Aoife O’Donovan and Sierra's husband Justin Moses.

We talk about the process of writing the songs, some of which were written with these specific musicians in mind; the themes and inspiration behind the tracks; Sierra's desire to write more optimistic and hopeful songs; her decision to put the record out independently and how the album, co-produced by Sierra's friend Shani Gandhi, feels like one piece, despite being split over several different sessions.

It's a fantastic record and, as always, it was a real treat getting to chat with Sierra.

For info on where you can buy A Tiptoe High Wire and a full list of Sierra's upcoming tour dates, check out sierrahull.com

Happy picking,

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts

My guest this week is a legend of American string band music.

When David Grisman raised his middle finger to MCA Records, after being  dropped for failing to meet arbitrary sales targets, he couldn't have known it would spark a 35-year musical revolution. As one of America's foremost, and best loved, mandolin virtuosos turns 80 this year, he offers a fascinating glimpse into the birth, evolution, and future of Acoustic Disc, the independent label he founded in 1990 that became a vital archive of American string band traditions, as well as home to over three decades of his own music.

Grisman's journey from frustrated artist to label founder came at a pivotal moment in music history, as CDs were eclipsing vinyl and the digital revolution loomed on the horizon. He built his own studio, using gear he bought from the iconic 1750 Arch Studios, and Acoustic Disc was born. The label's early success—including Grammy nominations for its first two releases—established a blueprint combining Grisman's new compositions, collaborations with luminaries like Jerry Garcia and Tony Rice, and carefully chosen historical recordings.

The switch from physical media to digital distribution liberated both Grisman's creative vision and business model.

"It's just too beautiful a concept to make one product and sell an infinite number without manufacturing anything," he explains. 

This shift allows him to release an album every month, including expanded versions of classic recordings with Tony Rice, Jerry Garcia, and others. These "deluxe editions" offer fascinating insights into the creative process behind influential albums like Tone Poems, capturing not just the music but the conversations between master musicians at work.

Whether you're a huge Grisman fan, dedicated bluegrass lover or just a fan of acoustic music at its best, Acoustic Disc's extraordinary catalog offers a gateway into America's rich string band traditions. 

Find out more at acousticdisc.com and, while you're there, sign up for their weekly newsletter to receive a free "Treat of the Week".

For updates, follow David on Instagram and Facebook

Happy picking.

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts

Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.

Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.

Pod News

• Bluegrass Jam Along guests on mandolins and Beer
  • Apple
  • Spotify
• Bluegrass Standard article on Bluegrass Jam Along!

News and Announcements (Church Street News)

• I’m With Her
  • Album preorders
  • Tour dates

Releases (The Grass is New)

• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist

Other bits

• Sign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/
• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist
• Full list of interviews
• Collings Guitars

Happy picking.

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts

This week's episode is a Bitesize episode, which is a short section highlighting a previous episode you may have missed, which feels apt, given that this is episode #450, so the back catalogue is getting pretty big!

But, it's not a previous episode of Bluegrass Jam Along. This week I'm sharing part of an episode on mandolins and Beer, because the guest was....me!

Daniel has been on my podcast a couple of times and was kind enough to invite me onto Mandolins and Beer to chat about how I got into bluegrass, how the podcast started, how t's developed, some of my favourite moments and (of course) what my favourite beer is.

I really enjoyed chatting to Daniel for this. If you want to hear the full interview just head to the Mandolins and Beer website. You can also listen on Apple, Spotify or wherever else you get your podcasts.

Happy picking.

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts

Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.

Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.

Pod News

• Doc Watson 100th birthday episodes
  • Part 1
    • Apple
    • Spotify
    • YouTube
  • Part 2
    • Apple
    • Spotify
    • YouTube
• Bluegrass Jam Along guests on mandolins and Beer
  • Apple
  • Spotify
• Bluegrass Standard article on Bluegrass Jam Along!

News and Announcements (Church Street News)

• Telluride lineup
• Rockygrass lineup

Releases (The Grass is New)

• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist

Other bits

• Sign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/
• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist
• Full list of interviews
• Collings Guitars

Happy picking.

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts

My guest this week is Tim Stafford, who joins me to celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the best loved and most influential albums in bluegrass.

'JD Crowe & The New South' was recorded in January 1975 and released in August the same year. Tim joins me to chat about what makes it such a milestone record in bluegrass, despite it not really being a bluegrass album at all in some ways. 

We chat about the musicians who made it so special, including the rhythmic magic Tony Rice and JD Crowe had; why Ricky Skaggs is potentially the greatest tenor singer in bluegrass; why you it's important not to underestimate Bobby Slone's role in the band and the Jerry Douglas break on this record that was so good all three singers forgot to come back in after it!

Tim also tells me why the session almost didn't happen due to Tony cutting his hand and suffering from a bad cold, plus plenty more fascinating detail about the band and the making of this record.

You can see the video Tim talks about (along with the wonderful hair and shirts!) on YouTube

2025 is also a big anniversary year for Tim's band Blue Highway, who turn 30 this year. Fund out more at bluehighwayband.com

Happy picking,

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts

Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.

Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.

Pod News

• Bluegrass Jam Along guests on mandolins and Beer
  • Apple
  • Spotify

News and Announcements (Church Street News)

• Rhiannon Giddens’ American Tunes
• DelFest Lineup

Releases (The Grass is New)

• Sierra Hull - Spitfire video
• Sierra Hull - tour dates
• Max Wareham - tour dates
• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist

Scroll on Buddy/In my ears

• Jake Workman - Northern Shore video
• Atkin Guitars - D37 vs White Rice video

Other bits

• Sign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/
• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist
• Full list of interviews
• Collings Guitars
• Peghead Nation
  • Use the code ‘jamalong’ for a free month of any course

Happy picking.

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts

My guest this week is guitarist Jake Workman. Jake joins me to talk about his recently ended 9 year run with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, including a great story about how he got the gig, what he learned from playing with Ricky, why rhythm guitar is so important in that role and why now was the time to look for a new challenge.

We also talk about Jake's long standing teaching career, including his thoughts on why listening is more important than transcribing and the importance of being yourself as a musician.

To find out more, visit jakeworkman.com and follow Jake on Instagram and YouTube

Jake is also teaching at Bryan Sutton's Blue Ridge Guitar Camp this year.

Hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.

Happy picking!

Matt

Support the show

===

Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)

Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins and Token premium guitar picks

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

• Instagram
• Facebook

- Review us on Apple Podcasts