The Rick Dollar Show Podcast!

Shane Austin is a bluegrass guitar player from East Tennessee State University. He plays with Appalachian Trail and is a recipient of the Steve Gulley Scholarship.

9:20 PM

Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Darrell Scott mines and cultivates the everyday moment, taking the rote, menial, mundane, and allowing it to be surreal, ever poignant, and candidly honest, lilting, blooming, and resonating. The words he fosters allow us to make sense of the world, what is at stake here, and our place in it. And ultimately, Darrell knows the sole truth of life is that love is all that matters, that we don’t always get it right, but that’s the instinctive and requisite circuitous allure of things, why we forever chase it, and why it is held sacred.

Darrell Scott comes from a musical family with a father who had him smitten with guitars by the age of 4, alongside a brother who played Jerry Reed style as well. From there, things only ramped up with literature and poetry endeavors while a student at Tufts University, along with playing his way through life. This would never change. 

 After recently touring with Robert Plant and the Zac Brown Band (2 years with each), and producing albums for Malcolm Holcombe and Guy Clark and being named “Songwriter of the Year” for both ASCAP and NSAI, these days find him roaming his Tennessee wilderness acreage, hiking along the small river, creating delicious meals with food raised on his property, and playing music. He often leads songwriting workshops to help people tell their own truths with their stories, and is as busy as always writing, producing, performing, and just plain fully immersing himself in life. 

Blue Highway Fest 2026 is coming October 8th through the 11th to beautiful Big Stone Gap, Virginia!

And folks, this lineup is something special! You’ll hear Blue Highway, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Dailey & Vincent, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Seldom Scene, The Grascals, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, Balsam Range, Authentic Unlimited, NewFound Road, The Cleverlys, High Fidelity, Kenny & Amanda Smith, and many more!

Four days of incredible music, great people, and the beautiful Appalachian Mountains as your backdrop.

So grab your friends, pack your bags, and make plans now for Blue Highway Fest — October 8th through the 11th in Big Stone Gap, Virginia!

Get all the details and tickets at BlueHighwayFest.com.

Blue Highway Fest 2026 — where the mountains meet the music!

Jamie “Grascal” Johnson is a respected bluegrass singer, guitarist, and songwriter best known as a founding member of The Grascals. His long friendship and musical partnership with country legend Dolly Parton led The Grascals to open for and perform as part of Dolly’s touring band, including her celebrated 2004–05 tour. Together, they have shared the stage, recorded music, and co-written songs that reflect their love of bluegrass, country music, and inspiring others through song.

Jim Pankey is a veteran bluegrass banjo player and educator from Chatsworth, Georgia, with nearly 50 years behind the instrument. His driving, tasteful style is rooted in the tradition of Earl Scruggs while shaped by decades of performing, teaching, and studying American roots music.

Since 1977, Jim has been helping thousands of students worldwide master the 5-string banjo. Often called "The Bob Ross of the Banjo," he brings the same encouraging, approachable spirit to his lessons—celebrating "happy accidents" and making the instrument accessible to players at every level. His YouTube channel and online lessons have built an international following, and he's been a contributor to The Banjo Newsletter as well as faculty at respected camps including Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp and the Maryland Banjo Academy.

As a performer, Jim is the banjo player for Barefoot Nellie & Company along with Bluetastic Fangrass, and he regularly performs in an old-time fiddle & banjo duo for contra-dances and other events. He's also shared the stage with many of today's finest acoustic musicians and earned numerous contest titles across the Southeast.

Whether leading a hard-driving breakdown, backing a heartfelt ballad, or guiding a beginner through their first roll, Jim brings experience, authenticity, and infectious enthusiasm to everything he does.

Summer Brook is a talented singer and entertainer best known as one half of Summer & Bray and as a member of the popular Mountain Faith Band. With her powerful vocals, genuine Appalachian roots, and engaging stage presence, Summer has become a recognizable name in the bluegrass, country, and Americana music communities.

Summer and her family’s musical journey gained national attention when Mountain Faith Band appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, where they introduced their unique blend of bluegrass, country, and contemporary music to millions of viewers across the country.

As a member of Mountain Faith Band, Summer has performed on stages throughout the United States, sharing the traditions of Appalachian music while bringing a fresh, modern energy to the genre. Her voice and musicianship have helped make the band a favorite among bluegrass and roots-music audiences.

Summer is also featured in Summer & Bray, continuing her musical journey with a sound that combines Appalachian tradition, bluegrass, country, and contemporary influences. Whether performing with Mountain Faith, Summer & Bray, or appearing as a guest artist, Summer Brook brings authenticity, talent, and a passion for music to everything she does.

Summer Brook represents the next generation of Appalachian-rooted artists—honoring the music of the past while helping take it into the future.

Summer Brooke McMahan is a talented singer, songwriter, fiddler, author, and one of the recognizable voices to emerge from the modern bluegrass and Americana music scene.

Hailing from Sylva, North Carolina, Summer grew up surrounded by music and Appalachian traditions. She became a founding member and lead vocalist and fiddler of the family-based group Mountain Faith, performing alongside her brother Brayden McMahan on banjo and her father Sam McMahan on bass. The group began performing together around 2000 and built a strong following throughout the Southeast.

Summer and Mountain Faith received national attention in 2015 when they appeared on NBC's America's Got Talent. Their creative bluegrass interpretations of contemporary songs helped introduce their music to millions of television viewers, and the group advanced all the way to the show's semifinal round.

Following their success on television, Summer Brooke & The Mountain Faith Band continued to expand their national profile. They made their debut on the Grand Ole Opry and were named the International Bluegrass Music Association's 2016 Emerging Artist of the Year. The group also performed the National Anthem at major sporting events and was recognized as the Atlanta Braves' 2016 Band of the Year.

With Summer's soulful vocals and expressive fiddle playing at the center of the band's sound, Mountain Faith developed a style that blended traditional bluegrass instrumentation with contemporary country, Americana, gospel, and Appalachian influences. Their 2017 album Small Town Life showcased Summer's talents as both a vocalist and songwriter, including original songs such as "Who Will You Be" and "Lazy River."

In the years that followed, Summer continued developing her career beyond Mountain Faith, including performing with her brother as Summer & Bray. She has also embraced her talents as an author, writing children's books inspired by her Appalachian upbringing as well as the inspirational book She Will Not Fail: A Successful Life in God's Eyes.

Summer Brooke's story is one of family, faith, Appalachian heritage, perseverance, and a lifelong love of music. From the stages of bluegrass festivals to the national television spotlight, she has remained committed to sharing positive music and stories while carrying the traditions of her mountain roots into a new generation.

Virginia-born country singer Spencer Hatcher is one of the emerging artists making his mark on today’s country music scene. With a deep appreciation for authentic country music and a growing presence on the national touring circuit, Hatcher is quickly becoming an artist to watch.

Hatcher is currently touring with country music sensation Zach Top as well as legendary country star Hank Williams Jr., performing for audiences across the country and sharing stages with some of the biggest names in the business.

Rooted in Virginia and influenced by the traditions that have shaped country music for generations, Hatcher brings a fresh perspective and youthful energy to the genre while staying connected to its authentic roots. His work on the road alongside established country artists is providing him with an opportunity to reach new audiences and continue developing his own career as a recording and performing artist.

Hatcher recently sat down with Rick Dollar for an interview on The Rick Dollar Show Podcast, where he discussed his music, life on the road, and his experiences working alongside some of country music's most respected performers.

As his touring schedule continues to expand and his name reaches more country music fans, Spencer Hatcher represents a new generation of Virginia country artists carrying the music forward—one stage at a time.

From her beginnings in Wheeling, West Virginia, Carly Greer has emerged as one of the most exciting young voices in country and bluegrass music. Her musical journey began at just 12 years old when she co-wrote her first song, "West Virginia Moonlight," with her mother. The song was later recorded in Nashville, launching a songwriting career that has since produced more than 300 original songs.

A gifted vocalist and storyteller, Carly continues to make her mark as a solo artist with a growing catalog of original country music, including "Tallulah," "Save The First Dance," "Rhinestone Cowgirl," and her newest releases, "Greener on the Other Side" and "Being Poor." Whether performing country or bluegrass, Carly's authentic lyrics and expressive vocals connect with listeners through songs rooted in real life and heartfelt emotion.

Carly is equally respected in the bluegrass community. As the former lead vocalist of the award-winning bluegrass band Crandall Creek, she helped lead the group to widespread acclaim, including 2024 Josie Music Awards for Group of the Year (Bluegrass) and Music Video of the Year (Female) for "Just 18." She also earned back-to-back IBMA Momentum Vocalist of the Year nominations in 2024 and 2025, recognizing her as one of bluegrass music's brightest emerging talents.

Her accomplishments continue to grow. In 2025, Carly received Josie Music Award nominations for Vocalist of the Year (Modern Country) and Songwriter of the Year (Personal & Pitching - Female), while Crandall Creek also received a nomination for Group of the Year (Bluegrass). In 2024, she was additionally nominated for Female Country Vocalist of the Year and Best Performance in a Music Video (Female) for "Just 18." These honors reflect her versatility as a performer, songwriter, and recording artist across multiple genres.

Away from the stage, Carly graduated with high honors from West Virginia University with a degree in Business Marketing. As she prepares to relocate to Nashville in the fall of 2026, she continues to build a career defined by exceptional songwriting, powerful vocals, and a passion for creating music that resonates with audiences everywhere.

Dr. Daniel Boner is a Professor and the Program Director of the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). He earned his bachelor's degree in music from ETSU in 2006, where he was an active member of the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, performing at venues such as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and touring internationally. (aamearts.org)

After graduation, Dr. Boner joined ETSU's faculty as an adjunct instructor and later became the assistant director of the program. In 2010, he succeeded Raymond McLain as the program director. (aamearts.org) Under his leadership, the program has achieved significant milestones, including its 40th anniversary in 2022. (dc.etsu.edu)

Dr. Boner has been involved in over 50 recordings and has performed with notable artists such as Ralph Stanley, Jesse McReynolds, Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, and Porter Wagoner. (aamearts.org) He has also collaborated with Japanese scholar Takeharu Kunimoto, recording three albums and performing across the United States and Japan. (aamearts.org)

In 2021, Dr. Boner produced and performed on the single "When the Water Goes Down," which charted in the top 20 and was considered for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2021 Collaborative Recording of the Year. (aamearts.org)

He continues to contribute to the growth and recognition of ETSU's Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies program, fostering a rich environment for students and the community.