The Travis Book Happy Hour

Drummers don’t always get a lot of love or attention. But, mention the name Jeff Sipe to nearly any musician and their eyes light up. Also known as Apartment Q258, he was a founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit with Colonel Bruce Hampton (which also counted Otiel Burbridge of Dead & Co and Jimmy Herring of Widespread Panic among its members). I first heard him via early Leftover Salmon bootlegs and he’s toured with Tedeschi Trucks Band, Trey Anastasio, and Warren Haynes. Regarded as one of the best drummers alive, he’s also just a normal guy who lives down the street from me and who says “yes” pretty much any time I ask him to join me on a gig. Words really don’t do him justice; he’s just so wonderful and kind and supportive; I can hardly believe my good fortune getting to make music with him.

This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on April 4th of 2023.

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:06 – Soundbyte

0:42 – Intro

2:15 – Intro by Bill K.

3:26 – “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy”

10:37 – “A Little Too Much”

16:00 – “I Am A Pilgrim”

22:30 – “Once I Knew You”

29:17 – Interview

46:10 – “Summertime”

48:30 – “Minor Blues”

55:34 – “Back Home”

1:01:50 – Outro

As much a mystic as a musician, Phoebe Hunt makes music that speaks to the yearning we all have to connect with something larger than ourselves. A deep commitment to making music with meaning is her compass and she’s an example of what it means to be in loving relationship with music. We need more musicians like Phoebe Hunt in this world.

This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on April 23rd, 2024

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:08 soundbyte

0:22 introduction

1:22 Bill K’s introduction

2:03 Rise Sun

6:06 on Lint Head Girl

7:15 Lint Head Girl

10:40 Take Me Home

14:25 ad break 1 

14:30 interview 1

28:22 Galloping 

31:20 on Pink and Blue

34:51 Pink and Blue

31:01 insert

38:16 “I couldn’t”

38:57 ad break 2

39:02 interview 2

53:20 Nothing Else Matters

56:30 Good Blood 

1:00:20 outroduction

Wyatt Ellis can’t even drive a car but he’s making waves in the bluegrass community. A prolific tune-writer and a dedicated student of the mandolin, he’s growing and learning at a rate you only find in the under 20 set. I was surprised to find that he’s also humble, articulate, and a total professional. It’s not hard to envision him reaching the highest echelons of acoustic and bluegrass music and doing it very soon. I was grateful to my friend Jon Stickley for the introduction to this bluegrass wunderkind.

This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on June 11th, 2024

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:06 soundbyte

0:36 introduction

1:46 show introduction by Bill K

3:07 Blue Smoke

7:04 on Blue Smoke and Get Lost

8:16 Get Lost

13:17 When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again

16:48 ad break 1

16:58 Blue Night

20:00 interview 1

28:09 Watson Blues

31:07 insert

31:38 Rabbit In A Log

34:30 interview 2

40:00 Whites Creek

44:40 “how old are you?” and JAM

46:10 ad break 2

46:17 Cold On The Shoulder

49:17 Long Lonesome Day

54:10 Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms

58:29 outroduction

Trey Hensley is simply the most ferocious acoustic guitar player I’ve ever encountered. His attack and control of the guitar is unrivaled and left me in awe. He is, however, also just about as kind and as humble as an East Tennessee man can be. I had a great time playing music with and getting to know more about this musical titan and I’m really happy to make this podcast available.

This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, North Carolina on November 14th, 2023.

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:06 soundbyte

0:21 introduction

1:25 show introduction by Bill K.

2:14 Can’t Outrun the Blues

6:00 Can’t Judge A Book

9:38 ad break 1

9:48 Brown Eyed Women

13:40 story about Brown Eyed Women

15:20 Backstreets Off Broadway

18:15 interview w/ Trey

33:46 insert

48:15 ad break 2

48:40 Hold Whatcha Got

51:30 Mama Tried

53:50 outroduction

I met Andy Thorn during the winter of 2002/2003 when he was visiting Durango, Colorado on a ski trip. We played and traveled over two summers as members of The Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band, which broke up - or went on an 18 year hiatus - after the summer of 2005. Andy and I remain and always will be great friends, and sharing the stage with Andy and Jon Stickley was an honor. This episode captures three old friends rehashing old memories and jokes and making new ones. I know you’ll enjoy. 

This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on October 24th of 2023.

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

0:07 Soundbyte

0:20 Introduction

1:32 "Carolina Song"

2:50 We have legal marijuana

4:35 "Blazing New Frontiers"

9:19 "All That I Can Take"

15:50 Interview

35:25 "Aesop Mountain"

38:29 "What Child Is This"

41:02 On fox hunts

42:42 "Red Fox Run"

49:20 "Long Lonesome Day"

53:36 Did you skip my interview?

54:30 "Long Winding Road"

When I asked Mike Ashworth’s bandmates and friends to give me a sentence describing him, it was almost comical how similar their answers were. Two of them were identical, describing him as “the most natural gifted and versatile musician I have ever known.” One even said, “when God made the perfect musician, he made Mike Ashworth; enormously talented and versatile, but also humble, joyous, and a wonderful listener…” I call Mike whenever I can to join me on the Happy Hour or Travis Book and Friends. and he was my bass player of choice for my record. He laid his heart out for us in this interview and my only regret is that it took me so long to get this episode out.

This episode was recorded live at The Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC on February 3rd, 2021.

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:09 - Soundbyte

0:47 - Introduction

2:10 - In-studio Introduction

2:45 - "Turn Your Radio On"

5:20 - Monologue 1

7:44 - "I Will Lead You Home"

10:21 - Monologue 2

14:30 - "Beauty In The Ugliest Days"

19:42 - Interview

48:00 - "First Girl I Loved"

52:06 - "I Want To Sing That Rock & Roll"

55:11 - "Palm Tree"

58:55 - "I’ve Endured"

1:02:50 - Outroduction

I met Ed Jurdi at a taping of The Travis Book Happy Hour in March of 2021. Our mutual friend Nicki Bluhm was on the show and she’d invited Ed, who’d recently moved to Asheville, to attend. I was not yet acquainted with Band of Heathens or Ed Jurdi, but when we met after the show I was struck by his warmth and attentiveness. It was a couple years before I would get him to Brevard to join me, but immediately during rehearsals I knew we’d be friends and this would only be the first of many times we’d share a stage. I had a blast on this episode (as evidenced by my over-playing) and I’m happy to share it with you.

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

This episode was recorded live at 185 King St in Brevard, North Carolina on May 30th, 2023. Huge thanks to Ed Jurdi, Tommy Maher, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps

0:00 - Soundbyte

0:49 - Introduction

2:09 - Bill K’s introduction

2:45 - Travis’ audience greeting

3:31 - “All I’m Asking”

7:33 - “Bumblebee”

12:52 - “What a joy”

13:27 - “Jackson Station”

18:32 - Interview

34:11 - “South By Somewhere”

38:51 - “The Good Doctor”

42:45 - “Walking and Talking”

48:43 - Outro

The night Jordan Tice joined me in Brevard for the taping of this episode it was cold, wet and dark - classic Western North Carolina in late January. We had the garage door behind the stage closed and the lights low. Jordan’s guitar playing, soft spoken demeanor, and humor made for a wonderfully intimate and enjoyable evening for everyone in the room. Jordan’s a gem and this episode feels like an evening by the fire with a good book, dog curled up at your feet. 

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

This episode was recorded live at 185 King St in Brevard, North Carolina on January 31st, 2023. Huge thanks to Jordan Tice, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:07 - Soundbyte

0:33 - Introduction

1:48 - Bill K Introduction

2:48 - “Tell Me Mama”

6:07 - “Covers are nice…”

6:24 - “Dayton, Ohio - 1903”

10:30 - “Bachelorette Party”

12:30 - “Why did you name it that?”

13:40 - “Weary Blues”

17:51 - “Matter Of Time”

21:21 - “Bad Little Idea”

25:40 - Interview

43:02 - “Trying To Get To Heaven”

48:33 - “Wild Bill Jones”

52:30 - Outro

Acoustic Syndicate is one of the best acoustic rock and Americana bands on earth. Fronted by Steve McMurry, the band’s music leans toward themes of sustainability, social justice and quality of life and they’ve built a loyal following over the last 30 years. Steve takes us on a musical journey filled with inspiration and tradition in this episode, and he is as down-to-earth as they come; he still farms the land his ancestors first tended over 200 years ago near Shelby, North Carolina, and we get together every Thanksgiving for a hometown holiday jam in Brevard where I get absolutely blown away by the gravity of this musical titan. As a third-generation folk performer, Steve, in our interview, reveals the deep-rooted sources of his creativity, from legendary Americana influences to the tight-knit musical family that nurtured his sound. I was honored he agreed to join us for an episode of the Happy Hour and I know you’ll love his story and his insights and humility. 

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

This episode was recorded live at The Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC on May 19th, 2021. Huge thanks to Steve McMurry, Mike Ashworth, Mike Guggino, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Timestamps:

0:06 - Soundbyte

1:00 - Introduction

2:24 - Bill K. Introduction

4:00 - “I Will Lead You Home”

6:52 - “Beauty In The Ugliest Days”

10:44 - Interview 1

26:45 - “Sweetest Breeze”

33:51 - “Rainbow Rollercoaster”

40:00 - Interview 2

50:25 - “Sunny”

57:18 - “Song For Myself”

1:03:26 - Outro

Rachel Baiman’s indie folk and Americana vibe, rooted in Chicago and rich with fiddle tunes, unfolds as she shares her transition to singer songwriter. Influences ranging from Courtney Barnett to John Hartford and other roots music make their way into her live performance. Rachel is part of a generational scene in Nashville that I’ve been watching with awe for the last 5-10 years. A unique voice, multi-talented, and articulate, she’s not afraid to sing and speak what’s on her mind. She writes a semi-regular column for the Bluegrass Situation that shines some light into the darker corners of the music industry, addressing inequality, and challenging all of us - creators and fans - to do better, dig deeper, and expect more. In this episode we discussed everything from climate change concerns to hopes for a more equitable future. We had a great time on the happy hour and I’m sure you’ll dig it.

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

This episode was recorded live at 185 King St in Brevard, North Carolina on August 8th, 2023. Huge thanks to Rachel Baiman, Riley Calcagno, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:06 - Soundbyte

0:57 - Introduction

2:09 - Bill K. introduction

2:57 - Travis introduction

3:33 - On “Bad Debt”

4:52 - “Bad Debt”

9:52 - “Shame”

12:35 - On Mullets

14:24 - “She Don’t Know What To Sing About Anymore”

18:18 - “When You Bloom (Colorado)”

22:25 - “Won’t You Come and Sing For Me”

26:10 - Interview

43:45 - “Twin Fiddles”

47:30 - “Bitter”

51:15 - “In Tall Buildings”

54:53 - Outro