KGNU Music

Steep Canyon Rangers join KGNU from RockyGrass 2026 to reflect on their long history with the festival, their evolution as a band, and their latest album, Next Act. The Grammy Award-winning group discusses their return to a more traditional bluegrass sound, the songwriting and recording process behind the new record, and the excitement of sharing new songs with longtime fans.

The band also introduces new member Aaron Burdett, talks about their connections to RockyGrass dating back to the late 1990s, and shares stories from life on the road, including recent performances in Reno and their roots in western North Carolina. They discuss Asheville’s recovery after recent challenges and invite listeners to experience the region’s vibrant music scene (Air Date 7/25/26).

The Kody Norris Show had a conversation with KGNU to talk about their new concept album, Spirit of America, a collection inspired by the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. In this interview, Kody Norris, Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, Charlie Lowman, and 14-year-old banjo player Jim Hensley share the story behind the album’s creation, their distinctive stage style, and life on the road as a bluegrass band.

The group discusses how the idea for the album unexpectedly grew from their red, white, and blue stage outfits, as well as the process of bringing together original songs, traditional favorites, and guest musicians including Michael Cleveland and Ron Stewart. They also talk about their busy touring schedule, appearances at the Grand Ole Opry, and the experience of having a young musician like Jim Hensley grow up on the road with the band (Air Date 7/26/26).

Ann Hall joins DJ Fergus Stone to talk about the vibrant artwork that has transformed the Planet Bluegrass grounds for RockyGrass and other festivals. In this conversation, Hall shares the story behind the now-famous bobcat on the stage, reflects on growing up in Lyons, and describes her journey from creating small fiber-based artwork to designing massive stage installations for Telluride Bluegrass and Planet Bluegrass. She also discusses the collaborative team behind the festival art, the role of recycling and reimagining past pieces, and the inspiration she draws from Colorado's landscapes and wildlife (Air Date 7/26/26).

Fresh off their RockyGrass 2026 main stage debut, British Columbia's Under the Rocks joined KGNU to talk about their roots in the Okanagan Valley, their songwriting process, and the band's growing momentum on the bluegrass scene.

The conversation covers their first RockyGrass experience, their upcoming third album produced by Trent Freeman with guest appearances from John Reischman, their recent IBMA Momentum Band of the Year nomination, and what's next as they head back to Canada before touring the Pacific Northwest. They also reflect on how the landscapes of British Columbia shape their music and why authenticity remains at the heart of their songwriting (Air Date 7/26/26).

Ahead of their appearance at RockyGrass 2026, David and Martin Howley sat down with KGNU's DJ Fergus Stone to talk about the evolution from We Banjo 3 to their new band, Howley, and the musical journey that brought them from Ireland to Colorado.

The conversation explores the deep connections between Irish traditional music and American bluegrass, the banjo's remarkable history on both sides of the Atlantic, favorite Irish influences, recording techniques, and the joy of musical collaboration. They also reflect on immigration, community, the spirit of festivals like RockyGrass, and why, in the end, great music is about people, not gear (Air Date 7/26/26).

Montana Palmer joins KGNU's Wendy Mills to talk about her studies in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado Boulder, her passion for music, and the inspiration behind her original song, "Rain Is Shine." Written in a CU songwriting class, the song reflects on finding hope and growth through life's hardships and is dedicated to her father, Adam Palmer, who died in an avalanche in 2021.

Montana also discusses the documentary The Casual Enormity of Adam Palmer, which celebrates her father's lasting impact as a musician, environmental advocate, skier, and community leader. The interview concludes with a moving live performance of "Rain Is Shine," featured in the documentary (Air Date 7/27).

Singer-songwriter Sierra Spirit joins KGNU's DJ Jules to talk about the power of Indigenous storytelling through music and the importance of creating spaces where Native youth can see themselves reflected on stage. She shares how songs like "Devil's Tower" draw from traditional stories passed down by her family and discusses the role music plays in carrying forward oral history.

Sierra also previews her appearance at the All My Relations Celebration in Denver, a community event supporting Rock the Rez, a music camp for Indigenous youth. The conversation explores the growing visibility of Native artists, the importance of community, and how cultural traditions continue to inspire a new generation of musicians. (Air Date 7/21/26).

In this interview, KGNU’s Joel Davis speaks with Ulana Bihun of Sunflower Seeds Ukraine about the upcoming Boulder performance by Ukrainian band DakhaBrakha at Chautauqua Auditorium on July 22nd, presented by KGNU, and the role of music and culture in supporting Ukraine during the ongoing war.

Bihun discusses DakhaBrakha as cultural defenders and ambassadors, and how their music continues to connect audiences around the world. She also highlights the growing Ukrainian community in Colorado and several local events supporting Ukraine, including a Ukrainian meal at Chautauqua Dining Hall, Dine Out for Ukraine, and Sunflower Seeds Ukraine’s efforts providing medical supplies, protective equipment, and solar chargers to people in Ukraine (Air Date 7/18/26).

Pianist Alice Sara Ott joins Sanford Baran on KGNU to discuss her evolving artistic journey, from her early rise as a virtuoso to her work as a thoughtful interpreter and musical storyteller. She reflects on the power of music beyond words, the importance of silence and connection in performance, and how she has found her own voice through carefully chosen projects.

Ott also shares her passion for rediscovering overlooked composers, including John Field, whose nocturnes inspired her latest recording, and discusses bringing the music of Jóhann Jóhannsson to the piano. She talks about collaboration, creativity, and the ways both forgotten and contemporary composers continue to shape how we experience music (Air Date 7/20/26).

Singer-songwriter Kat Lane joins KGNU’s Ginger Perry in the Kabaret Studio for a live session featuring original music, conversation, and collaboration with guitarist Ryan Gelinas. Kat shares her journey from classical violin to the Colorado folk and bluegrass scene, talks about her songwriting process, and discusses being selected as a troubadour for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival songwriting competition. The duo performs original songs including “12 State Lines” and “Not For Lack of Trying,” along with a cover of “Skylight” by Pinegrove. Kat and Ryan also talk about their recent performances, recording plans, and the joy of making music together in Colorado (Air Date 4/30/26).