Got 'Grass?

Send us Fan Mail

Mandolinist, band leader, singer, songwriter, teacher, and now father, Joe is the hub of bluegrass in New England. He has played with, and taught, virtually all the young stars of contemporary bluegrass. In our interview, Joe talks about many of his contemporaries, his mandolin playing and singing, teaching, and of course how it feels to have a baby daughter at home.

Send us Fan Mail

Bluegrass icon Larry Sparks started playing guitar with The Stanley Brothers in 1965, at age 17. He talks about his 61 years in the bluegrass  business, with many memories of Carter and Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, his approach to singing, and his beloved 1954 Martin D-28 with the distinctive double pickguard. What a thrill for me to talk with one of my bluegrass heroes!

Send us Fan Mail

A fascinating chat with bluegrass guitarist and singer Michael Daves. He talks about his partnership with pal Chris Thile, his exposure to jazz with college mentor, saxophonist Yusef Lateef, the amazing fiddle playing of Brittany Haas, as well as lots of talk about bluegrass guitar, past and present, and much more. Too much for one interview, I'll have to have him back!

Send us Fan Mail

Bassist Ronnie Simpkins, brother of fiddler Rickie Simpkins, has been a crucial member of several major bluegrass bands, including The Virginia Squires, The Tony Rice Unit, and currently The Seldom Scene. We talked about his musical upbringing, playing the bass "in the pocket", and of course many memories and stories about performing, travelling and recording with Tony Rice. Ronnie is an insightful and delightful conversationalist!

Send us Fan Mail

The second part of my interview with bassist, record producer and songwriter Jon Weisberger. He talks in detail about songwriting, co-writing, the Nashville music scene, and the specific responsibilities of being a record producer. He is a fountain of wonderful information about music, and we could have talked for hours. 

Send us Fan Mail

Jon is a prolific and successful record producer, bassist and songwriter. He has written over 200 songs which have been recorded, by bluegrass and country artists including Billy Strings, The Travelin' McCourys, Doyle Lawson, Blue Highway, and The Infamous Stringdusters. He also hosts "Hand Picked" with Del McCoury on Sirius radio, was bassist for Chris Jones & The Night Drivers for 16 years, is an IBMA board member.

In this first of two interviews, Jon talks about Tony Rice, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, and Billy Strings, and delves deep into the history of bluegrass and country music, and how and why they diverged. He's an encyclopedia of music knowledge!

Send us Fan Mail

Tony Trischka, banjo legend, innovator, composer and teacher, playing lately with young stars Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle, as well as his old pals Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland and Jerry Douglas. He won 2024 IBMA Song of the Year for "Brown's Ferry Blues" w/ Billy Strings. He talked about his wide-ranging music al influences, from Pete Seeger and jazz to Earl Scruggs and Charles Ives, and about  getting turned down for Bill Monroe's band. Recently he has been putting poems of Emily Dickinson to music. I wish we had more time to chat....

Send us Fan Mail

Jesse Brock is 3-time IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year, including 2024. He plays now with Authentic Unlimited. In this conversation Jesse talks about his mandolin style, how to play bluegrass "chop", his admiration for Michael Cleveland, Doyle Lawson and Tony Rice, and his own musical journey. He talks with great candor about his personal and musical highs and lows, a really heartfelt conversation that not many musicians are open to. Really a wonderful interview.

Send us Fan Mail

Deanie Richardson is one of the premier fiddlers in country and bluegrass. She has been voted IBMA fiddle player of the year twice, including in 2024. She has toured extensively with Holly Dunn, Patty Loveless, Vince Gill, rock star Bob Seeger, and her latest band, multiple award winning Sister Sadie. Deanie is at the pinnacle of her career right now, feeling energized and full of music, joy and ideas. This was a great look at her splendid career, and her insightful thoughts on fiddle playing. 

Send us Fan Mail

Baltimore based couple with gorgeous harmonies, original songs and tasteful instrumental chops. They have toured Europe and the US, and have 7 albums. A thoughtful and interesting chat about life on the road today, songwriting, and the evolution of their duet sound and influences.