2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Clarence White - one of the undisputed greats of bluegrass guitar. To mark the occasion, and to celebrate Clarence, I've been speaking to people who knew and played with him, as well as musicians who were influenced by his playing. This is part 1, featuring all new interviews with David Grier, who knew Clarence in the final year of his life, and Alan Munde, who played with Clarence in those final months, most famously on The New Kentucky Colonels -...
Oct 10, 2023•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 322
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News IBMA episode News and announcements (Church street News) Caitlin Canty and Chris Eldridge - ‘Come By the Highway Home’ Nechville Billy Failing banjo Sarah Jarosz tour dates Releases (The Grass is New) The Grass is (mostly) New Spotify playlist Scroll on Buddy Eric Skye fiddle tune TABs Er...
Oct 08, 2023•9 min•Ep. 321
This week's episode is a special IBMA World of Bluegrass 2023 round up. I was incredibly lucky to be nominated for an IBMA Momentum Award for the podcast, so I made the trip over from the UK to Raleigh for the awards ceremony and the conference. While I was there I interviewed a few people, some you'll be very familiar with, some maybe less so, about their experiences of IBMA and what it means to the bluegrass community. My guests include: Alex Graf Fred Kosak of Stillhouse Junkies Daniel Patric...
Oct 03, 2023•53 min•Ep. 320
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News IBMA website Martin Simpson & Thomm Jutz interview News and announcements (Church street News) IBMA music award winners Releases (The Grass is New) Martin Simpson & Thomm Jutz record On The Honky Tonk Highway With The Brother Boys The Grass is (mostly) New Spotify playlist Other b...
Oct 02, 2023•10 min•Ep. 319
My guests this week are Martin Simpson & Thomm Jutz, who join me to talk about their wonderful new record 'Nothing But Green Willow : The Songs of Mary Sands and Jane Gentry.' The album brings together a selection of British folk songs collected in Appalachia in the early 20th century by Cecil Sharp and Maud Karpeles. Alongside Martin and Thomm it features a range of incredible artists from both sides of the pond, including Sierra Hull and Justin Moses, Angeline Morrison, Odessa Settles, Tim...
Sep 26, 2023•56 min•Ep. 318
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News Bluegrass Jam Along website Peghead Nation Use the code ‘jamalong’ for a free month of any course News and announcements (Church street News) Punch Brothers - Energy Curfew Music Hour Releases (The Grass is New) The Grass is (mostly) New Spotify playlist Scroll on Buddy IBMA app Apple Goo...
Sep 24, 2023•6 min•Ep. 317
My guest this week is James Kee, lead singer and guitarist with East Nash Grass. James chats about how the members first came together via a regular Nashville gig, how that slowly began to turn into a band and also about their fantastic new record Last Chance to Win . You can find out more at the East Nash Grass website, where you'll find tour dates, music, merch and links to social platforms for regular updates. I really enjoyed this one - hope you do too! Matt Send a message to Bluegrass Jam A...
Sep 19, 2023•37 min•Ep. 316
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News Bluegrass Jam Along website Peghead Nation Use the code ‘jamalong’ for a free month of any course News and announcements (Church street News) IBMA app Apple Google Releases (The Grass is New) Cory Walker - School Project The Grass is (mostly) New Spotify playlist Scroll on Buddy Lessons W...
Sep 17, 2023•8 min•Ep. 315
This week we're playing another tune back to back at two different speeds - once at 75 bpm then again at 85. We're doing Peartree and we're in the key of G. We're using the jam along format - that means I'm kicking off playing backup and you're on the tune, then we swap and go round 4 times. Then, after a quick pause, we do the whole thing again at 85 bpm. Don't forget to grab a chord sheet if you need one from bluegrassjamalong.com Happy picking! Matt Support the show Send a message to Bluegras...
Sep 12, 2023•15 min•Ep. 314
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News Bluegrass Jam Along website News and announcements (Church street News) Brad Farmer scholarship info Releases (The Grass is New) The Grass is (mostly) New Spotify playlist Other bits Sign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/ The Grass is (mostly) New Spotify playlist Full ...
Sep 11, 2023•12 min•Ep. 313
Hi everyone. Not a full episode this week, I just wanted to let you know what's going on over the summer as I'm taking a short break. Happy picking! Matt Send a message to Bluegrass Jam Along! (Don't forget to include your name so I know who you are!) Support the show === Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!) Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins - Sign up to get updates on...
Aug 14, 2023•2 min•Ep. 312
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News Bluegrass Jam Along website List of tunes on the website News and announcements (Church street News) IBMA music awards nominees IBMA industry/momentum award nominees Releases (The Grass is New) The Grass is (mostly) New Spotify playlist Scroll on Buddy Bluegrass Today George Gruhn article...
Aug 07, 2023•8 min•Ep. 311
My guest this week is singer songwriter Caitlin Canty. Caitlin joins me to chat about her new album Quiet Flame , produced by Chris Eldridge (of Punch Brothers and Mighty Poplar) and featuring a fantastic band, including Paul Kowert, Brittany Haas, Sarah Jarosz, Noam Pikelny and Andrew Marlin. We talk about working with those musicians, the fact that the record was about to be made when the pandemic struck, how the final record differs from the one it would have been if it had been recorded back...
Jul 18, 2023•54 min•Ep. 310
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News Bluegrass Jam Along website List of tunes on the website News and announcements (Church street News) New Northfield mandolin (and guitar) models Ron Block banjo app Releases (The Grass is New) Wyatt Ellis ‘Grassy Cove’ video The Grass is (mostly) New Spotify playlist Other bits Sign up fo...
Jul 16, 2023•10 min•Ep. 309
This week's episodes were supposed to be a set of backing tracks for Big Sandy River. I recorded them and started editing and they just sounded a bit....well...bad! So rather than put them out, or make up an excuse, I thought I'd share that in the hope it helps a few other people go a little easier on themselves on their bad days. Because we all have them (even Bryan Sutton). It's a short episode but hopefully there's some value in it. That's it - happier picking! Matt Send a message to Bluegras...
Jul 11, 2023•4 min•Ep. 308
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News New Bluegrass Jam Along website News and announcements (Church street News) IBMA Mystery Merch Sale Releases (The Grass is New) Wyatt Ellis ‘Grassy Cove’ Other bits Sign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/ The Grass is (mostly) New Spotify playlist Happy picking. Matt Sen...
Jul 09, 2023•10 min•Ep. 307
My guest this week is Tim Stafford of Blue Highway. Tim joins me to chat about his new record Guitar Melodies, a wonderful album of guitar instrumentals. We talk about the tunes, the guitars he used, who else plays on the record and why Tim dedicated the album to the memory and legacy of Tony Rice. It's a great record and it's always a pleasure to chat to Tim. Head to Tim's website for more info. You can buy Guitar Melodies from Tim's store . If you don't know the tony_units Instagram account Ti...
Jul 04, 2023•45 min•Ep. 306
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News New Bluegrass Jam Along website News and announcements (Church street News) Samuel Smith story Samuel’s Instagram Listen to ‘In the Springtime’ Releases (The Grass is New) Watch Molly Tuttle’s ‘San Joaquin’ The Grass is New Spotify playlist Scroll on Buddy Bela Fleck’s Blue Ridge Banjo Ca...
Jul 03, 2023•8 min•Ep. 305
My guest this week is Gabe Witcher. Just a couple of days before we recorded this, Gabe played his last shows with Punch Brothers, the band he was a founding member of and was in for 18 years. We chat about how the band came together, what the early years were like and why now felt like the right time to move on. We also talk about what's next for Gabe, including continuing his work as a producer and arranger. It was a joyous conversation and a real treat to get to be a part of. Punch Brothers a...
Jun 27, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 304
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News New Bluegrass Jam Along website News and announcements (Church street News) Preserve Rockwood campaign Releases (The Grass is New) Dan Tyminski - God Fearing Heathen Caitlin Canty - Quiet Flame Buy the album Listen Shannon Slaughter - Hard A’Port The Grass is New Spotify playlist Other bi...
Jun 26, 2023•9 min•Ep. 303
This week we're playing another tune back to back at two different speeds - once at 75 bpm then again at 85. We're doing Blackberry Blossom and we're in the key of G. We're using the jam along format - that means I'm kicking off playing backup and you're on the tune, then we swap and go round 4 times. Then, after a quick pause, we do the whole thing again at 85 bpm. Don't forget to grab a chord sheet if you need one from bluegrassjamalong.com Happy picking! Matt Send a message to Bluegrass Jam A...
Jun 21, 2023•16 min•Ep. 302
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Bluegrass Jam Along News New Bluegrass Jam Along website News and announcements (Church street News) IBMA Bluegrass Live! Releases (The Grass is New) Tim O’Brien Cup of Sugar Tim Stafford Guitar Melodies Watch Cup O’ Joe Weathered and Worn Scroll on Buddy David Grisman’s New Smokey Grass Boys Other bits Sign up f...
Jun 18, 2023•8 min•Ep. 301
My guest this week is Tim O'Brien. Tim has a wonderful new record called 'Cup of Sugar', which I think is as good as anything he's done. We chat about the songs and themes on this record, as well as those on Tim's last album 'He Walked On'. Many of them revolve around connection and understanding other people's stories and experience. Tim is such a fascinating musician and I really loved this conversation. I hope you do too! For more info on Tim and 'Cup of Sugar', and to check latest tour dates...
Jun 13, 2023•40 min•Ep. 300
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. News and announcements (Church street news) Bluegrass photos Scott Simontacchi Instagram Tony Rice photo Releases (The Grass is New) Tim O’Brien Cup of Sugar pre-order link Tim Stafford Guitar Melodies pre-order link Scroll on Buddy Wyatt Ellis and Free Guitars 4 Kids Instagram post Free Guitars 4 Kids website Si...
Jun 11, 2023•10 min•Ep. 299
This week we're jamming along to the classic tune Peartree. This is a performance track, rather than a backing track. It's me playing both tune and backup so you've got a reference to listen to if you're new to the tune, or just want to be able to listen a few times to the whole thing. Don't forget to check out the other three episodes when you're done and jam along! If you want a chord chart (or just want to find out more or get in touch), head to bluegrassjamalong.com Send a message to Bluegra...
Jun 06, 2023•4 min•Ep. 298
This week we're jamming along to Peartreeand I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. This is the jam along track where I play backup, followed by the melody then we keep swapping. It's four times through in the key of G at 85 bpm. Don't forget to check out the other three episodes when you're done. If you want a chord chart (or just want to find out more or get in touch), just head to bluegrassjamalong.com Send a message to Bluegrass Jam Along! (Don't forget to include your name...
Jun 06, 2023•8 min•Ep. 297
This week we're jamming along to Peartree and I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. This is the you play lead track where I play backup so you can work on the tune. It's four times through in the key of G at 85 bpm. Don't forget to check out the other three episodes when you're done. If you want a chord chart (or just want to find out more or get in touch), just head to bluegrassjamalong.com Send a message to Bluegrass Jam Along! (Don't forget to include your name so I know wh...
Jun 06, 2023•4 min•Ep. 296
This week we're jamming along to Peartree and I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. This is the you play rhythm track where I play the melody so you can work on backup. It's four times through in the key of G at 85 bpm. Don't forget to check out the other three episodes when you're done. If you want a chord chart (or just want to find out more or get in touch), just head to bluegrassjamalong.com Send a message to Bluegrass Jam Along! (Don't forget to include your name so I kno...
Jun 06, 2023•4 min•Ep. 295
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Sign up for email alerts Natalie and Brittany Haas interview Apple Spotify Tristan Scroggins Facebook page Tristan Scroggins interview Apple Spotify The Grass is New Spotify playlist Happy picking. Matt Send a message to Bluegrass Jam Along! (Don't forget to include your name so I know who you are!) Support the s...
Jun 05, 2023•7 min•Ep. 294
My guests this week are Natalie and Brittany Haas, who join me to chat about their great new record Haas. Some of you will be familiar with Brittany from Hawktail and Crooked Still, and Natalie from her long standing musical partnership with Alasdair Fraser. This new record marks their first duo recording, despite them having played music together for most of their lives. It was a fascinating, and fun, conversation - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Here's where you'll find more info on the...
May 30, 2023•40 min•Ep. 293
