Bluegrass BKLYN
Check out the vibrant bluegrass music scene here in Brooklyn, NYC - and beyond. Join your hosts Mike Willner and Liz Wolfe to meet the musicians and teachers, explore the venues and events, and share the stories and community in the Bluegrass Borough .... and beyond. We’ll talk classic bluegrass, bluegrass-adjacent music, vendors, instruments, jam camps, current events, gear ... you know, all the good stuff! So give a listen, we’ll have a fine old time.
Episodes
Mike gets to chat with Martha Spencer, leader of the Wonderland Country Band, and fiddle player Lucas Pasley. They share about their musical roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains, self-expression in music, … and some surprising fiddle-playing techniques! Liz and Mike have another Jam Talk, where they discuss different jam cultures, finding the right jam for you, and … sousaphones. Join us!
Mentioned in this Episode: Martha Spencer and...
Bluegrass legend and mandolin virtuoso Emory Lester shares his insights into the development of style and technique in bluegrass, his experiences playing with bluegrass royalty … and his belt-length hair and rock-and-roll career! Plus, we get to meet Brooklyn’s own Alex Deane (by way of Nashville TN), and discuss her growing up in bluegrass, and tips on jamming. Enjoy!
Mentions in this Episode: Emory Lester emorylester.com Emory Le...
Our very first Special Edition! We meet Lee Henke, Ryan Acker, and Vinny Donatelle of The Last Revel, who have been delivering driving music and emotionally powerful lyrics for years. They share about the band's history, song writing, touring, and their latest album 'Gone for Good'. Enjoy! Mentioned in this episode: The Last Revel @thelastrevel thelastrevel.com
Mike chats with some of our favorite local musicians and they share their musical journeys. Raven and Red (Mitchell Lane and Brittany Jones) are Tennessee transplants who have taken root and thrive here in the East. Emma Turoff is an extraordinary mandolinist who is Brooklyn born and bred. Also – how well do you know the Bluegrass Borough? Take Liz’s Brooklyn Quiz and find out!
Mentions in this Episode: Raven and Red ravenandred.c...
Liz chats with Becky Buller, 10-time IBMA award winner and fiddle virtuoso. They cover Becky’s life in bluegrass music, her new album “Songs that Sing Me”, what it’s like to win an IBMA award – and her daughter’s dance recital! We also learn about the Westchester Bluegrass Club, an amazing venue just north of New York City where we can go hear the top bluegrass musicians. Join us!
Mentions in this Episode
Becky Buller @beckybuller...
Liz and Mike kick off a new ‘Iconic Venues’ theme … and where else but at Sunny's Bar in Red Hook, Brooklyn! Liz interviews Tone (pronounce too-na) Johansen, the owner of Sunny's, who shares her musical background, her passion for bluegrass, and some advice for new jammers. Mike chats with Tim Davis, a longtime regular at Sunny's, who gives us a glimpse into the magic of the Sunny’s jam community. Join us!
We’re excited to be back with Season 3! Harry Clark and Maddie Denton of East Nash Grass tell us about the band's life on tour, songwriting, and much more. We catch up with Hilary Hawke for an update on her busy musical schedule, jamming with a guitar, and what music she's been listening to! We hope you enjoy this visit with our musical friends!
Some Mentions in this Episode:
East Nash Grass eastnashgrass.com @eastnashgrass
We meet Tati Hargreaves (yes, that Hargreaves), a brilliant fiddler and dedicated music educator who is helping to reshape the sound and repertoire of old time music and bluegrass! We explore her approach to teaching and learning, her career as competing in Texas Style fiddle contests, jamming - and how all that shapes her music today. Also, Liz and Mike get into some jam busting in the new segment "Jam Talk"! Enjoy the episode.
Me...
Join Mike on his trip down under, in search of Bluegrass in Australia! He visits the National Folk Festival where musicians from across the wide continent converge. Listen in as he talks with Bruce Packard, a veteran bluegrass musician, The High Street Drifters, a hard-driving bluegrass band … and Linda Dowdy, a banjo-playing trail boss from Missouri! It’s an amazing journey, and we hope you’ll enjoy tagging along.
Mentions in this...
We get to talk with Jake Jolliff, one of Brooklyn’s Finest, a mandolin virtuoso of the first order, composer, bandleader, and teacher. He shares his thoughts on practice, performance, blending musical influences, and much more. As a special treat, we hear from Riyae Park, one of Brooklyn’s best kept musical secrets … but not for long! Join us and enjoy the episode.
Mentioned in this Episode The Jacob Jolliff Band @jacob.jolliff www...
This episode explores the theme of Women in Bluegrass. Liz has a fascinating discussion with Della Mae bandleader Kimber Ludiker where they cover everything from upcoming camps, new albums and tunes, the challenges of touring – and throwing pottery! And, once again, you can test your knowledge of bluegrass history with a quiz. Enjoy the episode!
Some Mentions in this Episode
Kimber Ludiker and Della Mae @kimberludiker www.dellama...
Join Mike on his journey through the amazing 4-day music camp leading up to the iconic DelFest. Meet Chris Ward, the new fiddle player in the Del McCoury Band and Travelin' McCourys. Follow his progress through the Band Scramble, and along listen in on intriguing and informative conversations with instructors and musicians. Del Yeah!
Mentions in this Episode: Delfest Academy www.delfest.com/delfest-academy Del McCoury Band www.de...
There are so many great musicians and personalities here in the Bluegrass Borough - we wanted you give you a chance to meet a few. We chat with some of our favorite folks from around the jam circle. Listen in on the interesting and surprising conversations, and join us as we drop in on an iconic New York City jam. Some ‘Mentions’ in this episode: Roger Oliver @rto_oliver Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook, BKLYN sunnysredhook.com Zach Wil...
Liz revisits her bluegrass roots, returning to her home town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We get to meet some of the amazing musicians and characters there, drop in on the jam scene, take a trip down memory lane with Liz and her sisters … and what’s this about potatoes? You’ll enjoy discovering a thriving bluegrass scene you may not have known about.
Some Mentions in this Episode:
Trish Imbrogno www.trishplaysbass.com @trishplaysba...
One of our great fiddle players, Alex Hargreaves, tells us about his diverse musical journey that includes Texas-style fiddle competitions, and jazz bands, and bluegrass. We talk about touring, teaching, performing, and ... a proposal! Also, Liz and Mike compare notes on shows, events, and festivals coming up this Summer and Fall. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Mentions in this Episode:
Alex Hargreaves https://www.alexhargreaves.ne...
Mike and Liz get a chance to speak with Chris Jones, long time bluegrass musician, front man of 'Chris Jones and the Night Drivers', host of Sirius XM's 'Bluegrass Junction' channel, and songwriter. He touches on all areas of our favorite music, and provides fascinating insights from his unique perspective.
Mentions in this Episode: Chris Jones @chrisjonesgrass www.chrisjonesgrass.com "Plenty Ventured" - Chris' latest single http...
Liz and Mike continue to explore the theme of 'Women in Bluegrass' with an in-depth interview with Hilary Hawke, Brooklyn-based banjo virtuoso, band leader, and teacher. The topics range from cross-over Country music, women in jams, approach to learning and .... fish-net stockings(!). Mike offers you a challenge to your musical knowledge with a fun quiz. Enjoy the episode!
Some mentions in this episode: Hilary Hawke @highatmisspher...
We had an unbelievable time at Jam Jersey in April, and wanted to give you a recap. So much fun, so much music! Mike, Liz, and co-producer Jordan Richmond talk about how this important new event in the Northeast region took shape, and we get to talk with attendees and volunteers, hear some of the music. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed making it! Some Mentions in this episode: Jordan Richmond...
Our second season, how exciting! Your hosts Mike Willner and Liz Wolfe give some teasers on up-coming episodes. Theo Boguszewski, fiddler and organizer extraordinaire, gives background and a preview of the up-coming Porch Stomp - the annual iconic day of music and fun on NYC's Governors Island. Then, Mike drops in on the fun and funky Bluegrass by the Bridge jam to listen to some tunes and talk with the folks. We're so glad to be b...
Mike and Liz are so excited to reach this amazing milestone! In this season finale, we meet Nate Lee, an IBMA Award winning mandolinist. He's got fascinating things to say about learning, teaching, and performing bluegrass music. Thank you to all our listeners, and Enjoy! See you all when we return for Season 2 on May 1st, 2025. Some mentions in this episode: Nate Lee https://thenatelee.com/ @nateleellc
"The Practice of Practice" ...
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