The first episode of our new series on Five String Holler, BackPorch Twisters is officially in the books, and Banjo Barnett is joined by none other than The Professor of Shred himself, Travis Fields.

On this episode, we kick things off with a pile of conspiracy talk, strange questions, and a few deep dives that may or may not get us put on a list. We talk about AI, how folks have gotten so desensitized that now anything they don’t understand gets labeled “AI,” and how hard it is to know what’s real anymore.

From there, we get into COVID, the Disney cruise/Hantavirus conspiracy, and even ask the hard-hitting question everyone’s been afraid to ask: is Mitch McConnell still alive?

Then we switch gears and talk music, diving into the recent Fender controversy involving cease and desist letters being sent to guitar companies over body shapes that have been copied, modified, and played for over 50 years.

It’s weird, it’s funny, it’s a little unhinged, and it’s exactly what BackPorch Twisters was meant to be.

Pull up a chair, put your tinfoil hat on, and come twist with us.

This week on Five String Holler, we pull up a chair on the front porch with Eastern Kentucky bluegrass legend Astor Taylor. For more than 40 years, Astor has been a fixture in the mountain music scene, carrying the traditions of bluegrass from local stages to festivals across the country.

A Vietnam veteran, retired coal miner, and longtime frontman of the legendary East Ky Tyme, Astor shares stories from a lifetime spent making music. From picking all over the region to spending time with icons like Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe, his memories offer a firsthand look at a golden era of bluegrass music.

Join us as Astor reflects on his life, his music, the people he met along the way, and the traditions that helped shape the sound of Eastern Kentucky. It’s an honest conversation full of history, laughter, and stories that deserve to be preserved.

Pull up a chair and listen in—this is one you won’t want to miss.

This week on Five String Holler, Banjo Barnett sits down with singer, songwriter, and music promoter Gary Joseph.

Gary’s musical journey has taken him through just about every corner of the music world. Growing up deeply rooted in gospel music, he learned the value of faith, family, and traditional music at an early age. As the years rolled on, his love for music led him into the world of bluegrass before eventually finding his home in country music as a member of The Country Troubadours.

Join us as Gary shares stories from a lifetime spent around music, the influences that shaped him, the challenges and rewards of performing, and what it’s like helping promote live music across Eastern Kentucky. From church pews to bluegrass festivals to honky-tonk stages, Gary’s story is one of dedication, passion, and a genuine love for keeping real music alive.

If you enjoy country music, bluegrass, gospel, and good stories from one of Eastern Kentucky’s finest musicians, you won’t want to miss this one.

Episode 3 of Five String Holler is one for the books! This week we sit down with Honky Tonk Pappy himself, Randy Wyatt — bass player, guitar picker, banjo man, former radio DJ, and retired law enforcement officer with enough stories to fill up a Waffle House jukebox.

Randy talks about hosting the legendary Bluegrass Express alongside Fiddlin Verlin Sanders, life behind the microphone, years in law enforcement, and memories from hanging around icons like Gary Stewart, Keith Whitley, Ricky Skaggs, and more. From Carter Stanley showing up at his mamaw’s house when he was a kid, to road stories and music memories from Eastern Kentucky’s and Virginia's golden days, this episode is packed tighter than a Double Kwik parking lot on payday.

If you love country music, bluegrass, old radio stories, and hearing how things USED to be around here, you absolutely don’t wanna miss this one. Pull up a chair and join us for laughs, memories, and a whole lotta holler talk.

This week on Five String Holler, we sit down with Eastern Kentucky’s own Travis Fields — musician, songwriter, educator, podcast host, and all around good man. Travis has spent years shaping young minds in the classroom while absolutely melting faces on stage with a guitar in his hands.

We talk about growing up around music, becoming both a teacher and musician, guitars, songwriting, life lessons, and the stories behind his brand new album that just dropped. Whether you know him from the classroom, the stage, or somewhere in between, one thing’s for sure: Travis Fields leaves an impression wherever he goes.

Join us for a conversation full of music, laughs, inspiration, and a little bit of guitar nerd talk from one of the finest musicians this side of the mountains.

Teaching kids and melting faces… Travis Fields has mastered both.

Welcome to the very first episode of Five String Holler! To kick things off, I sat down with one of my biggest influences and a true standout in the banjo world, Brent Amburgey. Known for his work with Fastlane and the classic “Tina at the Teardrop Inn,” Brent has spent years shaping the sound of modern bluegrass with his driving style and unmistakable tone.

In this episode, we talk about his journey, the music, the stories behind the songs, and what it really takes to become the kind of player others look up to. More than that, Brent is just a good, honest man—and it shows in everything he does. If you love banjo, bluegrass, or just good conversation from the heart of Eastern Kentucky, this one’s for you.