KGNU Music

Bob Carpenter, keyboardist of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, checks in with KGNU’s Greg Schultz ahead of their upcoming "All The Good Times" Farewell Tour performance at Denver’s Paramount Theater. The band has been active for 58 years and is known for its wide-ranging musical repertoire, including country, bluegrass, and hits like "Fishing in the Dark" and "Mr. Bojangles." Carpenter discusses the band's longevity, the current lineup, and their recent work, including the "Dirt Does Dylan" album, which reimagines Bob Dylan's songs. The tour aims to cover the band's extensive career, providing fans with a comprehensive musical experience (8/9/2024)

Keith Roberts, founder of The Young Dubliners, speaks with KGNU’s Karl Kumli about the band's upcoming Colorado shows and their new album. Keith discusses the challenges of balancing touring and recording, with the new album expected by March next year. He reflects on the band's long career, starting in the early '90s, and their evolution from a duo to a five-piece band. Keith shares stories about collaborating with Bernie Taupin and touring with Jethro Tull. He emphasizes the band's mission to blend traditional Celtic music with rock, aiming to create a unique and powerful sound that appeals across genres (Interview date: 8/7/2024)

Kristin Andreassen and Chris "Critter" Eldridge chat with Old Grass Gnu Grass DJ Neil Smart at RockyGrass. They share their experience performing together on the main stage for the first time as a duo, highlighting their collaborative dynamic where Chris's guitar playing and Kristin's songwriting are equally showcased (Interview date: 7/28/2024)

In an interview at the RockyGrass Festival, Michael Cleveland discusses his musical influences and upcoming projects with Old Grass Gnu Grass DJ Fergus Stone. Cleveland mentions a potential live album, collaborations with Béla Fleck, and his admiration for Colorado’s bluegrass scene.

Chloe Prendergast, violinist of the Butter Quartet, joins KGNU’s Iris Berkeley to discuss the quartet’s new album "Scintilla," released in early July. Chloe, originally from Denver, formed the quartet at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Their album features early Italian string quartets played on historical instruments. Chloe shares insights about composer Felice Giardini and the album's selection process, highlighting the unique challenges and artistic decisions involved. The quartet has upcoming performances in the Netherlands and a North American tour kicking off in November (Interview date: 8/5/2024)

Georgia Anne Muldrow, musician and multi-media artist, speaks with KGNU’s Deep Rawk Dave ahead of the Visible Planets art show and concert. Deep Rawk Dave also introduces Dan Drossman, the creator of Visible Planets. Drossman explains that the event showcases featured artists' music and visual art together. Georgia Anne Muldrow discusses her artistic journey, emphasizing the importance of positivity, authenticity, and the influence of her artistic community. She highlights her commitment to creating uplifting music and the revolutionary power of joy and love (Interview date: 8/2/2024)

KGNU’s Greg Schultz spoke with Noel McKay. McKay shared anecdotes about Guy Clark’s workshop, where they wrote and recorded songs together. McKay performed songs from his new album "You Only Live Always" and discussed his musical journey, including his time in Europe and his upcoming projects (Interview date: 7/30/2024)

KGNU’s Sanford Baran interviewed Grammy-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich, who will perform Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto at the Colorado Music Festival on August 1st and 2nd. Hadelich shared his musical journey and discussed the evolution of his technique, the importance of constant practice, and how the accessibility of music today helps young musicians. Hadelich highlighted his busy summer performing schedule and his upcoming album "American Road Trip," featuring American violin and piano music.

KGNU’s Dave Ashton discussed the All My Relations Celebration on August 10th with Helen Gover, festival promoter and communications manager, and Melissa Ivey, a featured musician and activist. Helen highlighted the mix of music genres and emphasized the importance of contemporary Indigenous art. She explained the festival's aim to reshape narratives and promote Indigenous stories authentically. She also mentioned the event's partnership with the Denver Indian Center, which will benefit from donations and merchandise sales.

Melissa Ivey, a musician and advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR), shared her background and passion for community-focused music and activism. They discussed the festival's role in raising awareness and providing a platform for Indigenous artists to share their stories and connect with the community.

Sanford Baran of KGNU interviews classical guitarist Sharon Isbin, highlighting her achievements and influence in classical music, including founding the guitar departments at Juilliard and the Aspen Music Festival. Sharon discusses her upcoming recital at the Aspen Music Festival on July 30th, featuring a diverse program. Sharon shares insights on her collaborations with various artists across genres and how these enrich her music. She reflects on her prolific recording career, emphasizing the conceptual nature of her albums, and discusses her new album "Live in Aspen" with Amjad Ali Khan and his sons.