In this touching and insightful episode of What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi and Shay sit down with Katie Hartford-Hogue to talk about her father, John Hartford's enduring legacy and the ongoing preservation of his music. From his eccentric lifestyle to his profound influence on bluegrass, this episode explores the personal and professional journey of a legendary figure in music. 🎶💬

✨ Episode Highlights: 👨‍👧 The Reconnection – Katie opens up about growing up with an absent father due to his career, and how their relationship was able to heal later in life through her own children.

🎻 The Mammoth Collection – The creation of John Hartford's Mammoth Collection of Fiddle Tunes book, and the challenge of curating 68 spiral notebooks full of his ideas, songs, and doodles.

🎶 The Creative Process – Katie shares the journey of piecing together Hartford's music, including the organic approach they took with each album, allowing the project to evolve naturally.

🎸 Generations of Music – Katie discusses the special moment of recording No End in Love with her mother and daughter, creating a powerful song that honors her father’s legacy.

🚢 Steamboats & Hartford’s Obsession – A deep dive into Hartford’s fascination with boats, especially the Julia Bell, and how that connection resonates within the music and family history.

🎤 The Festival, The Community, and The Future – Katie talks about the Hartford festival’s history, what it meant to fans, and whether there’s a chance it might return.

💿 Volume Three in the Works – With the second album now out, Katie hints at the plans for Volume Three, already in the works and focused on further building community around Hartford’s music.

🎧 Whether you’re a lifelong fan of John Hartford or a newcomer to his music, this episode gives an intimate and compelling glimpse into the artist’s world and the deep connections that continue to shape his legacy.