In this episode of The Hometown Bluegrass Show, things get real traditional—and real good. Josh kicks things off with a heartfelt tribute to one of his biggest musical influences, singing a Keith Whitley classic that’ll take you right back to the golden era of bluegrass and country music.

Then we sit down for a great conversation with David Carroll of the Hammertowne Band, one of the most respected names in modern bluegrass. David shares stories from the road, insights into the band’s creative process, and what’s next for Hammertowne. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just discovering their music, you won't want to miss this one.

The Hometown Bluegrass Show — Episode #62
“Family Harmonies & Bluegrass Stories”

In this heartwarming episode, Josh kicks things off by singing a Merle Haggard classic with his youngest son — a special father-son duet you won’t want to miss! Then we sit down for a fun and insightful conversation with longtime bluegrass musician and storyteller, Uncle Joe Clark. From festival memories to behind-the-scenes tales, Uncle Joe brings decades of tradition and laughter to the mic.

🎶 Highlights include:

A touching rendition of Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings”

Josh’s reflections on passing music down to the next generation

Uncle Joe’s stories from the road and thoughts on how bluegrass has changed over the years

Plenty of laughs, pickin’, and good ol’ fashioned fellowship

Subscribe, leave a review, and don’t forget to share with your fellow bluegrass fans!

In this uplifting episode, we mix the spiritual, the traditional, and the future of bluegrass music!

⛪ Tim and Josh open up with a conversation about church – sharing personal stories, community reflections, and the role gospel music has played in shaping their musical roots.

🎶 Josh digs deep into the archives to play a classic Ronnie Bowman tune, sparking some great discussion about Bowman’s impact on modern bluegrass and songwriting.

🎤 Then we sit down for a fresh interview:

Dear Maribella& The Pig Kickers – A talented young sibling band with tight harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and a clear love for the genre. A high-energy group bringing a fun, rowdy edge to traditional bluegrass. Don’t let the name fool you—these folks can pick!

Whether you're here for the faith, the fiddle, or just a good time, there's something for you in Episode 61.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!

Welcome to Episode 60 of The Hometown Bluegrass Show with your hosts Tim Batts and Josh Williams!

In this lively and entertaining episode:

🎵 Name That Tune Challenge
Tim puts Josh to the test in a special edition of Name That Tune! Can Josh identify some classic bluegrass tracks from just a few notes? Tune in and play along — you might be surprised at what he gets right (and wrong!).

🎸 Live Performance: "Pride of Man"
Josh performs a heartfelt rendition of the Tony Rice classic, Pride of Man. It's a powerful tribute to one of bluegrass music's most iconic guitarists.

💬 Featured Interview: Amanda Cook
We’re thrilled to be joined by Amanda Cook of the Amanda Cook Band! She chats with us about her musical journey, the stories behind her songs, life on the road, and what's next for her powerhouse group. It’s a fun and entertaining conversation you won’t want to miss!

Whether you're a longtime fan or a new listener, Episode 60 is packed with music, laughs, and great bluegrass conversation. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with your friends, and leave us a review!

In this special on-the-road episode, The Hometown Bluegrass Show heads to the heart of bluegrass country—Rosine, Kentucky—for a night of music, memories, and tradition at the legendary Rosine Barn Bluegrass Jamboree!

Join Tim as he soaks in the atmosphere of one of the most iconic bluegrass gatherings in the world. You’ll hear:

🎻 Live performances straight from the barn
🎤 Interviews with pickers, fans, and local legends
📜 A look at Rosine’s deep connection to Bill Monroe and the birth of bluegrass
👣 The community spirit that keeps the music alive every Friday night

Whether you’ve visited Rosine before or it's on your bucket list, this episode captures the soul of small-town Kentucky and the front porch sound that started it all.

This week on The Hometown Bluegrass Show, we’re bringing the family, fun and the fiddles!

We kick things off with a lively round of Name That Tune—can you guess the song before we do?

Josh dusts off a true classic with a soulful performance of "Colleen Malone" by Hot Rize.

Then, we sit down for a warm and entertaining conversation with the talented Burnett Sisters Band. They share stories from the road, their musical roots, and what it’s like blending sibling harmonies with old-time and bluegrass traditions.

It’s a full hour of laughs, pickin’, and heartfelt harmony you won’t want to miss!

This week on The Hometown Bluegrass Show, Josh picks a classic with a heartfelt solo performance of “Bury Me Beneath the Willow,” showcasing the deep roots and emotion that define traditional bluegrass. Then, we sit down for a conversation with Kentucky native and seasoned country/bluegrass artist Kevin Denney.

Kevin shares stories from his musical journey—from his early days in Kentucky to charting on the country music scene and keeping his bluegrass heritage alive. We talk influences, songwriting, and what’s next in his career. If you love traditional sounds and genuine storytelling, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode 56: Bullshootin’, Tony Rice Pickin’, and Backline’s Katelyn Ingardia

In this episode of The Hometown Bluegrass Show, we cut loose and had a good ol’ time shootin’ the bull about everything from banjos to biscuits. Josh treated us to a fantastic Tony Rice tune that’s sure to make every flatpicker grin, and we had the pleasure of chatting with the always delightful Katelyn Ingardia from the Backline Bluegrass Band.

Katelyn shared some behind-the-scenes stories from the road, her musical inspirations, and what’s next for Backline. If you’re a fan of powerhouse vocals and strong traditional-meets-progressive bluegrass, you won’t want to miss this one.

On this episode we discuss our plans to bring the Hometown Bluegrass Show to life from the legendary Rosine Barn in Rosine, Kentucky — the birthplace of bluegrass music! In this special episode, Josh pays tribute to Tony Rice with a beautiful rendition of “All the Way to Texas.”

We also sit down with one of the finest bass players in the business, and 2 time IBMA Bass Player of the Year, Vickie Vaughn, to talk about her musical journey, her new album, and her inspirations.

Get ready for a foot-stompin’ good time on this week’s episode of The Hometown Bluegrass Show! Tim and Josh are diving deep into the world of banjo brilliance, starting with a conversation about the incredible Scott Vestal and his banjo work on Josh’s Modern Day Man album. We talk about his innovative style, legendary recordings, and why his picking continues to inspire pickers everywhere.

Then, Josh dusts off a bluegrass favorite and delivers a killer version of Ricky Skaggs’ “Highway 40 Blues.” You won’t want to miss this one — it’s got drive, soul, and that classic Skaggs flavor.

And to top it all off, we sit down for a fun and lively interview with Banjo Ben Clark! From his days touring with top artists to his massively popular banjo/mandolin/guitar lessons online, Ben shares stories, laughs, and insight into the bluegrass world and beyond.