Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast

In Part Two of our conversation with Ken Irwin & Marian Leighton Levy, we continue diving in to the fifty-plus year history of Rounder Records, which they helped found alongside Bill Nowlin. They tell us why J.D. Crowe & The New South's 1975 release (Rounder 0044) was so pivotal for the aspiring label (and so unlikely as well). Ken also takes us to the exact moment he first heard the voice of Alison Krauss of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, and we learn more about her rise as one of the most celebrated vocalists in American roots music history. Ken & Marian also share some of their pick hits from the Rounder catalog, and we put Ken's knowledge of the label's stock numbers to the test. Enjoy the second half of our in-depth conversation with this pair of Rounders (and Bluegrass Music Hall of Famers), Ken Irwin & Marian Leighton Levy!

Be sure to check out the new book on the history of Rounder Records, written by David Menconi, 'Oh, Didn't They Ramble.' Click here to learn more!

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 

The story of Rounder Records is one of the most unlikely success stories in American roots music. Two of the historic record label's three founders, Ken Irwin & Marian Leighton Levy join us to tell the tale in this extensive, in-depth, two-part interview. We learn how this set of outlaw romantics journeyed from the counter-culture to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, and learn many lessons along the way, like the importance of "knowing that you don't know" and how to travel across the entire country on only eleven cents! Enjoy the first part of our conversation with this legendary pair of Rounders.

Be sure to check out the new book on the history of Rounder Records, written by David Menconi, 'Oh, Didn't They Ramble.' Click here to learn more!

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 

Jeremy & Corrina Stephens are truly old souls. They both seek a deeper understanding of their shared passions: traditional music and their faith. Both are uber-talented multi-instrumentalists with an immense knowledge of the music of early roots music pioneers such as Reno & Smiley, Jim & Jesse, The Chuck Wagon Gang, Charlie Monroe, Fred Rose, and more, which is evident in the style of bluegrass they create with their band, High Fidelity. It was a treat to sit down for a visit at the Coffee Hub in Xenia, OH with this wonderful folks, as we chatted about everything from Corrina's love of punk rock to Jeremy's analysis of canned tuna! Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 

Tammy Rogers King is a founder of the Grammy award-winning band, The Steeldrivers. Known for her fiddling, singing, and songwriting, her musical journey includes touring with Patty Loveless, working as a Nashville songwriter, and making music with Dusty Miller in the late 80's/early 90's. In this interview, she sits down backstage on a Saturday night at SamJam Bluegrass Festival in Piketon, OH, and Tammy dives deep into the "why" of carving her own path, how the right song can make an impact when you least expect it, and why she chose a life "fiddlin' around" with music (or did the fiddle choose her?).

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 

Dubbed "The Sweethearts of Bluegrass", Darin & Brooke Aldridge are a strong couple -- both in music and in marriage. Growing up in the same region of North Carolina, they met through mutual friends and bonded over a mutual interest in bluegrass. Recorded in a hotel room in the fall of 2021 in Wilkesboro, NC, Darin and Brooke discuss how their love blossomed, Darin's early days with Charlie Waller & The Country Gentlemen, the allure of the Grand Ole Opry, and the importance of making music with a message.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 

Jamie Dailey is a ball of energy, both on stage and off. After making some legendary music with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, he formed the award-winning Dailey & Vincent with Darrin Vincent. For over fifteen years, they have found immense success in bluegrass and beyond. Dailey & Vincent host their own television show and were made members of the Grand Ole Opry in 2017.

In August of 2020, Daniel joined Jamie at his kitchen table in Nashville, for an insightful conversation (filled with laughs and tears) about the power of music, bringing Lester Roadhog Moran out of retirement, the importance of setting goals, and what it means to be a part of the Opry family.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 

We are posting this episode on what would have been J.D. Crowe's 85th birthday. He was a dear friend of the podcast, and was our special guest on our first two episodes. J.D. Crowe passed away on December 24th, 2021. His friend and former lead guitarist, Tony Rice passed away 364 days earlier on December 25th, 2020.

In the days following Tony's passing, Daniel Mullins interviewed J.D. Crowe about his late friend, Tony Rice, for Daniel's daily radio program on Real Roots Radio. We are grateful to Real Roots Radio for allowing us to feature this special interview on the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast, in honor of J.D. Crowe's 85th birthday. This is the last interview that Daniel Mullins ever conducted with his friend, J.D. Crowe.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 

Bill Emerson was a banjo giant, whose work with Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys, The Country Gentlemen, Emerson & Waldron, and more, resulted in his 2019 induction into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. His impeccable playing, innovative spirit, and pleasant demeanor, made this southern gentleman a beloved figure in bluegrass music.

This interview was recorded the day after his Hall of Fame induction in Raleigh, NC. Due to some technical difficulties with Mr. Emerson's microphone, the audio quality of this interview is subpar, but the content that this legend has to share is priceless. Bill Emerson passed away August 21, 2021, making this interview special, but bittersweet.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 

A member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, Del McCoury has one of the most distinctive voices in all of roots music. With The Del McCoury Band, he has led one of the most successful bluegrass bands of all time, bringing the high lonesome sound to new places and new heights. Del sits down with Daniel Mullins at the Dayton Art Institute to talk about his legendary career. From his humble beginnings growing up on a farm, to his many years working in the timber business, Del’s story is one of unexpected twists and turns, both personally and professionally. He talks with Daniel about making music with some of the genre’s founders, like Bill Monroe and Don Reno, and how The Del McCoury Band’s ability to embrace variety has helped in creating a diverse fanbase and has also led to some unique collaborations, like with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band.  Let’s say “DEL YEAH!” as we head to Dayton, OH to sit backstage with the Grammy award-winning Del McCoury, for the Season Two finale of the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast.

(A big shout out to our buddy, Key Chang. Without him, this episode would not have been possible. Thanks, Key!)

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 

From the Ozark hills to the Grand Ole Opry, CJ Lewandowski and his band The Po Ramblin Boys are a bluegrass success story who have taken their traditional sound to new audiences. Daniel Mullins sits down with  CJ in Nashville at the 2020 SPBGMA convention in Nashville to talk about CJ’s introduction to music, his fascination with the mandolin and first generation of bluegrass artists, and about his path to a successful career in the genre. Hear why bluegrass is more than just music to mandolin player and singer, CJ Lewandowski, in this episode of Walls of Time.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)