Best Banjo Strings Podcasts (2025)

If you were listening last week, you'll know that my interview with Trey Hensley about Flatt and Scruggs at Carnegie Hall was the 500th episode of Bluegrass Jam Along. To celebrate I thought I'd put together an episode with a few of my highlights and favourite moments from those first 500. You'll hear from: Alison Krauss, on two different car journ…

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Trey Hensley Celebrates Flatt and Scruggs at Carnegie Hall 57:36

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15d ago57:36

57:36

Welcome to the 500th episode of Bluegrass Jam Along! My guest this week is Trey Hensley, who joins me to celebrate the very first record he bought - Flatt and Scruggs at Carnegie Hall. This historic album was a pivotal moment for bluegrass and also served as a personal intro to the music for many fans. We chat about why Flatt & Scruggs' performance…

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Bitesize - Happy 80th Birthday Bluegrass! 5:41

18d ago5:41

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This week's Bitesize episode celebrates one of the most important dates in bluegrass music - December 8th. The main reason this date is so important is that it marks the first time Earl Scruggs joined Bill Monroe at The Opry, on December 8th 1945, leading many people to describe it as 'the birth of bluegrass'. That makes 2025 the 80th anniversary o…

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Bluegrass Briefing - December 2025 16:12

22d ago16:12

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Welcome to this month’s Bluegrass Briefing, a monthly 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 European Bluegrass Summit registration Alison Krauss & Union Station - Live - vinyl reissue Bela Fleck Jingle All the …

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TAKEOVER // Finding Lucinda: Episode 1 25:28

23d ago25:28

25:28

Today on the program, we're letting our friends at The Bluegrass Situation takeover our feed with a brand new series called "Finding Lucinda." Episode One: Introducing Finding Lucinda As we join the story, Ismay has been living and working on their family ranch for almost a decade – and they're looking for change. For several years the independent …

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No Name Tenor

25d ago

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By bigsciota

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David Grier on The White Brothers Live in Sweden and Artistry in Music 36:21

29d ago36:21

36:21

My guest this week is David Grier, who joins me to celebrate the classic album 'The White Brothers - Live in Sweden' (recently remastered and reissued in an expanded form as 'The New Kentucky Colonels - Live in Sweden'). We talk about what makes this recording special, including the fact it was recorded live and never intended for release, and why …

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Musicality For Modern Humans with Craig Havighurst 1:04:34

1M ago1:04:34

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In an age where pop culture dominates the airwaves, understanding the rich variety of music beyond the mainstream becomes increasingly important. In this week's episode, journalist and broadcaster Craig Havighurst joins me to talk about his new book "Musicality for Modern Humans," his journey of exploring musical literacy and the importance of 'lis…

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Eddie Barbash - The Art of Fiddle Tunes on Saxophone 50:31

1M ago50:31

50:31

My guest this week is Eddie Barbash. We chat about his unique journey as a saxophonist who has embraced the world of fiddle tunes. He shares insights into the challenges and joys of transitioning from jazz to fiddle music, the intricacies of improvisation, and the importance of social music-making. Eddie also talks about his three year journey play…

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Bluegrass Briefing - November 2025 20:02

2M ago20:02

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Welcome to this month’s Bluegrass Briefing, a monthly 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 Old & In the Way Live vinyl release Craig Havighurst book Blue Ridge Guitar Camp Releases (The Grass is New) Buy the r…

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Earl Scruggs // King of the Five String 1:11:00

2M ago1:11:00

1:11:00

Today on the program, we're sharing our most robust and entertaining episode since beginning five years ago, honoring the king of the five string banjo, Earl Scruggs. Featuring more than 25 different voices all touched by Earl, this part narrative, part field recording feature will give you a glimpse into the life of Earl Scruggs and his story that…

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Bitesize - Chris Eldridge on Tony Rice's Church Street Blues 22:21

2M ago22:21

22:21

This week's Bitesize episode features a conversation I had with Chris Eldridge from Punch Brothers and Mighty Poplar celebrating Tony Rice's classic album Church Street Blues. Chris talks about Tony's ability to combine big musical gestures with intricate detail, how other musicians played better when they played with Tony and why you should listen…

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A Celebration of Connection - Darol Anger's 'Diary of a Fiddler 2' 51:01

2M ago51:01

51:01

My guest this week is Darol Anger, who joins me to discuss his new album 'Diary of a Fiddler 2 - The Empty Nest'. We chat about the original 'Diary of a Fiddler', released in 1999, and how the second volume celebrates and deepened Darol's connection to the fiddle community, in particular the players he's taught, mentored and collaborated with since…

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IBMA Dark Shadow Special - Becky Buller, Ben Wright (Henhouse Prowlers), Rick Faris & Jana Mougin 1:19:44

3M ago1:19:44

1:19:44

This week's episode is another special recorded at IBMA's World of Bluegrass in Chattanooga. I have four shorter interviews for you, each with someone connected to Dark Shadow Recording. First up is Becky Buller. Becky came onto the podcast in August of 2024 to chat about her record Jubilee. This time we're talking about her album of covers Songs T…

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Bluegrass Briefing - October 2025 18:43

3M ago18:43

18:43

Welcome to this month’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. Pod News Sara Watkins interview News and announcements - church street news List of IBMA Award winners Releases (The Grass is New) Alison Brown & Steve Martin albu…

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Maddie Denton (East Nash Grass) on Collaboration and Community 33:37

3M ago33:37

33:37

My guest this week is Maddie Denton, fiddle player with East Nash Grass. I caught up with Maddie at IBMA World of Bluegrass in Chattanooga, the day after she was named IBMA's Fiddle Player of the Year! We chat about East Nash Grass and their wonderful new record 'All God's Children' and about musical communities, collaboration (both within the band…

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Ben Garnett - Building Worlds in Sound on his New Record 'Kite's Keep' 41:54

3M ago41:54

41:54

My guest this week is Ben Garnett, chatting about his superb new record 'Kite's Keep'. The album features a core band of Ben, Brittany Haas and Ethan Jodziewicz, with guest appearances from Darol Anger, Paul Kowert and Chris Eldridge. We talk about Ben's background, initially in electric guitar, and the influence his cousin Andy Timmons had on him …

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Alison Brown - Celebrating 30 Years of Compass Records 57:52

4M ago57:52

57:52

My guest this week is Alison Brown. Alison was the first woman to win an IBMA award in an instrumental category, winning Banjo Player of the Year in 1991. She's also a sought after producer, with credits including Dale Ann Bradley, Peter Rowan, Missy Raines and Bobby Osborne and she spent three years as a member of Alison Krauss's band Union Statio…

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Ethan Setiawan's Encyclopedia Mandolinnica 38:59

4M ago38:59

38:59

My guest this week is Ethan Setiawan. Ethan's new album Enyclopedia Mandolinnica is a collection of duets and trios featuring some of Ethan's mandolin heroes and contemporaries, including Mike Marshall, Caternia Lichtenberg, Jacof Jolliff, Matt Flinner and more. Recorded over the space of a year, the album showcases a wide range of styles and dynam…

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MY SIN (1929)

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Chord melody versionBy DeSylvia, Brown & Henderson

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A quick update on the podcast 4:23

4M ago4:23

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Hi everyone. This is a very short episode just to update you on a couple of bits and let you know about some changes coming to the Bluegrass Jam Along podcast over the coming weeks. There's some really exciting content coming your way but the format will be changing a little (I explain why in the episode). That's all, folks. Happy picking, Matt Sup…

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March of the Siamese Children

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By Rodgers and Hammerstein

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Bluegrass Briefing August 18th 2025 9:43

4M ago9:43

9:43

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 Fretboard Summit Alison Brown Banjo Basecamp Bela Fleck banjo raffle Releases (The Grass is New) Infamous Stringdusters …

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Cinema Paradiso

4M ago

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Played with fingerpicks on my 4-string banjo.By Ennico Morricone

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Bitesize - Gabe Witcher on first meeting Chris Thile and how Punch Brothers came together 13:27

4M ago13:27

13:27

My guest on this week's bitesize episode is Gabe Witcher. This extract comes from a longer conversation I had with Gabe in June 2023, directly after he'd played his final shows with Punch Brothers at Telluride. Gabe talks about first meeting Chris Thile at a festival when they were kids; playing football together before they even got round to jammi…

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ANNOUNCEMENT // Béla Fleck Banjo Raffle 2:01

5M ago2:01

2:01

Get your raffle ticket here! For just a moment, put yourself in the shoes of a person who plays music, whether they're professional, amateur or just getting started. Imagine what it would be like to lose the instrument that helps you understand your life, to make sense of the world. Now, imagine losing it and most of what you own during the most tr…

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Bitesize - Jarrod Walker on playing with Billy Strings, plugging in and pedals 19:44

5M ago19:44

19:44

My guest for this week's Bitesize episode is Jarrod Walker, best known to most of you as the mandolin player in Billy Strings' band. This is a segment of a longer interview from 2022. In this section Jarrod talks about getting the gig with Billy, how it was both the most progressive and the most traditional gig he'd had, learning to play plugged in…

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Bluegrass Briefing August 4th 2025 8:24

5M ago8:24

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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 Joe Brent Adhyâropa Records interview JD Crowe and the New South reissue Tim Stafford JD Crowe interview episode Earl Sc…

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Joe Brent - Adhyâropa Records : Reimagining What a Record Label Is 51:04

5M ago51:04

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My guest this week is Joe Brent, founder of Adhyâropa Records. So many of the guests I've had on the podcast have released their albums through Adhyâropa and I was fascinated to find out more about the label. We talk about why Joe set up the label in the first place, the reasons why it's almost impossible for musicians to make a living today, how A…

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Bluegrass Briefing July 28th 2025 8:17

5M ago8:17

8:17

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. Releases (The Grass is New) Alison Krauss vinyl reissue from Craft Recordings The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist Other bits Sign up for emails https://bluegras…

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Bitesize - Caitlin Canty on Songwriting and Slow Processing 9:00

5M ago9:00

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This week's Bitesize episode comes from one of my favourite interviews, the conversation I had with Caitlin Canty about her record Quiet Flame. The album was produced by Chris Eldridge (of Punch Brothers and Mighty Poplar) and features a fantastic band, including Paul Kowert, Brittany Haas, Sarah Jarosz, Noam Pikelny and Andrew Marlin. In this exce…

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Bluegrass Briefing July 24th 2025 - IBMA Music Awards nominations special 12:13

5M ago12:13

12:13

Hi, This week's briefing is slightly different - I'm running you through some of the nominees for this year's IBMA Music Awards. I'd love to hear what you think - who you think will win, who you think should win, who's missing from the lists and any other thoughts. Come and join the conversation via Instagram, Facebook or Threads and let me know! M…

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Sara Watkins - Connection and Collaboration on I'm With Her's 'Wild and Clear and Blue' 54:35

5M ago54:35

54:35

My guest this week is Sara Watkins, with a deep dive into I'm With Her's latest record, 'Wild and Clear and Blue', which has already become one of my favourite records of recent years. We talk about the album’s first writing sessions in 2021, just as the world was starting to reconnect post-pandemic and how that theme of connection eventually grew …

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Bluegrass Briefing July 14th 2025 10:01

5M ago10:01

10:01

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) Gillian Welch & David Rawlings Tiny Desk Concert IBMA Nominee Announcement details Releases (The Grass is New) The Grass…

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Shelby Means on her new solo record and 4 years with Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway 40:47

6M ago40:47

40:47

My guest this week is Shelby Means. Lots of you will know Shelby from her time with Della Mae and, more recently, from her time as the bass player in Molly Tuttle's band Golden Highway, who she won a Grammy with. She now has a new solo record out called Shelby Means. We talk about making the record, including the people she assembled to play on it;…

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Joe K Walsh - Less is More, Conversation and Space in Music 54:25

6M ago54:25

54:25

My guest this week is Joe K Walsh. Joe plays mandolin with several projects, including Mr Sun (featuring Darol Anger, Grant Gordy and Aidan O’Donnell); the Mike Block Trio; a duo with Matt Flinner and a trio with Ella Jordan and Jed Wilson. He joins me this week to chat about his most recent solo record “Trust and Love” and also his previous record…

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Bluegrass Briefing June 30th 2025 12:08

6M ago12:08

12:08

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) IBMA Picking For the Prize Noam Pikelny tour dates Jake Workman safari Ned Luberecki safari Releases (The Grass is New) …

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Celebrating IBMA World of Bluegrass as it Prepares to Move to Chattanooga in 2025 1:03:31

6M ago1:03:31

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This week we're celebrating IBMA World of Bluegrass as it prepares to make the move to Chattanooga after a successful decade in Raleigh. First I'll be talking to former IBMA Executive Director, and current board member, Paul Schiminger about the history of World of Bluegrass, how it started, the various cities it's been hosted in over the years and…

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Celebrating 50 years of the David Grisman Quintet - part 3 David Grisman 1:23:41

6M ago1:23:41

1:23:41

We're celebrating 50 years of the David Grisman Quintet with a special set of 3 episodes. This week is part 3, featuring the man himself, David Grisman. I chat to David about how the Quintet came together and developed over those early years, how it built on the work he'd already done with The Great American Music Band, how Tony Rice joined the ban…

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Bluegrass Briefing June 16th 2025 13:32

6M ago13:32

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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) Tony Rice Backwaters re-release Del McCoury Pickin’ Party Bluegrass at the Ryman Releases (The Grass is New) The Grass i…

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Celebrating 50 years of the David Grisman Quintet - part 2 Todd Phillips 43:45

7M ago43:45

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We're celebrating 50 years of the David Grisman Quintet with a special set of 3 episodes. This week is part 2, featuring Todd Phillips, who was in the band before it was even a band! We chat about how he got to know David Grisman and how, through taking mandolin lessons from him, they started developing a duet that eventually grew into the Quintet.…

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Celebrating 50 years of the David Grisman Quintet - part 1 Darol Anger & Mike Marshall 1:18:04

7M ago1:18:04

1:18:04

2025 marks 50 years since The David Grisman Quintet first got together, an event that changed string band music forever. The DGQ played a huge part in the careers of some incredible musicians, including Tony Rice, Mike Marshall, Darol Anger and Todd Phillips, as well as including collaborations with Stéphane Grappelli. Their first record, The David…

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Bluegrass Briefing June 2nd 2025 10:28

7M ago10:28

10:28

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) IBMA Bluegrass Live - lineup and tickets Releases (The Grass is New) Acoustic Disc Frank Wakefield album The Grass is (m…

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Talkin' Blues // Buffalo Nichols 1:05:41

7M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

Today, I'm sharing a conversation I had with one of today's most eclectic roots musicians, Buffalo Nichols. Since his earliest infatuations with guitar, Carl, who goes by the name Buffalo Nichols has asked himself the same question: How can I bring the blues of the past into the future? A student of African traditions and its roots in the blues, as…

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Celebrating Norman Blake's 'Whiskey Before Breakfast' with Bob Minner 1:21:53

7M ago1:21:53

1:21:53

My guest this week is Bob Minner and we're celebrating one of the most iconic flatpicking records of all time - Norman Blake's 'Whiskey Before Breakfast'. We chat about Bob first hearing this record and why he loves it so much; its place in the flatpicking repertoire; the gear Norman used (including guitars, picks and even string gauges!) and we go…

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Bluegrass Briefing May 26th 2025 12:42

7M ago12:42

12:42

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) Romp Festival lineup and tickets Bluegrass Hall of Fame gigs Green Mountain Lineup Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Carolina Ch…

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Wayne Erbsen on 50 Years of Writing About Southern Mountain Music 36:15

7M ago36:15

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My guest this week is Wayne Erbsen, professor of old-time and bluegrass music at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Wayne joins me to talk about half a century of writing about old-time and bluegrass music, including his latest book Southern Mountain Music: The Collected Writings of Wayne Erbsen. Over the past 50 years Wayne has intervi…

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Bluegrass Briefing May 14th 2025 12:55

8M ago12:55

12:55

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 on Hudson lineup and tickets IBMA WOB tickets IBMA International Stage applications Note - the deadline is bei…

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ANNOUNCEMENT // American Songcatcher's Future 2:06

8M ago2:06

2:06

Over the last 5 years, we have had the privilege of bringing you stories of Pioneering musicians such as Bill Monroe, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash, Lead Belly, Dolly Parton, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Pete Seeger, Jean Ritchie and so many more. However, a recently shift was forced upon the American Songcatcher program. Our distributor, Spotify for Podcasters…