Best Old Time Banjo Podcasts (2025)

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Stelle Elam medley of three tunes (TOTW)

Play Pause

7d ago

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The current Tune of the Week honors the only Illinois female fiddler Stelle (or Stella) Elam who recorded ten tunes for the immense Dear Old Illinois compilation. The medley of three included in this medley are called Grotts, Jaybird, and Crooked Road. They've been arranged in double C tuning and use an AAB format, as she did for the most part.…

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Episode 2387: 25-30 Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Pt.2 58:30

5d ago58:30

58:30

It's vacation time with music from John Gorka, John Hartford, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Thompson and lots more. Traveling on … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine. Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways Ben Plotnick / “Railroad to Babylon” / Greenland / Self-produced John Gorka / “Hole…

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Episode 465: Gray Dawson (Teaching Traditional Music and Addressing Disability at Festivals and Camps) 50:00

5d ago50:00

50:00

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Gray Dawson! I recorded them in June at Earful of Fiddle in Rodney, MI. Tunes in this episode: The Crooked Stovepipe (0:51) Little Burnt Potato (08:47) Pays De Haut (23:25) The Saint Lawrence Jig (42:23) Sheenboro Hop (46:43) BONUS TRACK: Spootiske…

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Cold Frosty Morning 2 Finger

8d ago

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Here's my attempt at Matt Brown's arrangement of Cold Frosty Morning, from his 2-finger Patreon/YouTube stuff.By DelusionsOBanjer

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Grotts

11d ago

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From the fiddling of Stella Elam. Key of D (aDADE)By LyleK

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Elam's Jaybird

11d ago

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Stella Elam's version of Jaybird (in key of G) with banjo tuned gEADE.By LyleK

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Episode 2386: 25-29 Planes, Trains & Automobiles 58:30

12d ago58:30

58:30

This is the time of the year for family vacations, so we'll feature some traveling music from Tim O'Brien, Tony Trischka, Kate Campbell, Rory Block and Steve Goodman. Destinations and modes of transportation blend together … this week on The Sing Out Radio Magazine. Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsoni…

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Episode 464: [FIXED AUDIO] Ruby John (Indigenous Identity and Fiddling) 1:29:26

12d ago1:29:26

1:29:26

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Ruby John! I recorded her in June at Earful of Fiddle in Rodney, MI. Tunes in this episode: Fox Family Reel (Andy de Jarlis original) (0:38) Sourgrass and Granite (Brian Pickell original) (32:09) The Green Eyed G**** (Budd Greenman original) (53:58…

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The Old Churchyard (TOTW)

16d ago

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A song from an 1800's hymnal, being brought back to life, as the departed souls are promised to be in the last verse.By JanetB

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Episode 2385: 25-28 Down to the Sea, Pt.2 58:30

19d ago58:30

58:30

This week on the Sing Out! Radio Magazine we'll venture back out onto the deep blue sea to conclude our two-part feature focusing on maritime music. We'll hear Lee Murdock, Lindsay Straw, Gordon Bok, Lindsay Stray, Molly's Revenge and many more. Voices across the water … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine. Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(e…

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Episode 463: Afton Coombs (Flatfooting) 51:27

20d ago51:27

51:27

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Afton Coombs! I recorded them in June at Earful of Fiddle in Rodney, MI. Here's the link to the YouTube playlist of tunes from this episode! Tunes in this episode: Devil in the Strawstack (1:05) John Lusk’s Apple Blossom (13:33) The Blackest Crow (…

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My Little Home in West Virginia

23d ago

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As played by WV fiddler Ellis Hall, here's a three-part tune that's been played all around by many well-known players. I'd like to hear James Bryan, but can't find his version. However, his partner, Carl Jones, plays it prettily on guitar and you can hear it on a link in this week's Tune of the Week.…

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Episode 2384: 25-27 Down to the Sea 58:29

27d ago58:29

58:29

This week on the podcast we begin a two-part feature focusing on maritime music. This time around we'll hear from Waterson Carthy, John Roberts & Tony Barrand, Cyril Tawney, Stan Rogers and many others. Mariners all … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine. Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Fol…

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Episode 462: Lazy Susan (Kelly Madewell and Iris Cooke) 44:09

27d ago44:09

44:09

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friends are Kelly Madewell and Iris Cooke, also known as Lazy Susan! I recorded them last week at Earful of Fiddle in Rodney, MI. Tunes in this episode: Farewell Trion (0:34) Cranberry Rock (10:24) Five Miles from Town (27:46) I’ve Endured (Ola Belle Reed or…

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Le Saut De Lapin (Rabbit Hop) (TOTW)

30d ago

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A tune popular especially in Quebec, Rabbit Hop is a dance tune with some hopping heard in the B part.By JanetB

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Cigarette Trees by The Local Honeys - Intro

1M ago

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Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.By dbrooks

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Annabel and the Moonbeam

1M ago

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An original tune by Eric FieldBy E Field

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Jessie's Dream

1M ago

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An original tune by Eric FieldBy E Field

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One-Legged Stool

1M ago

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An original tune by Eric FieldBy E Field

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Episode 2383: 25-26 Kid Stuff! 58:30

1M ago58:30

58:30

School is over and summer vacation season is upon us. This week we'll offer up some great music and stories for young people. We'll hear Elizabeth Mitchell, Ella Jenkins, Bill Harley, Greg Brown, Dave Fry and others. So gather up the kids and sit down around the old radio or computer for a laugh or two. Some great songs to start the season on a liv…

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Episode 461: Richie & Rosie (Live from Inside the Baltimore Museum of Industry’s 1953 Packard Clipper) 30:34

1M ago30:34

30:34

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friends are Richie Stearns & Rosie Newton, also known as Richie & Rosie! I recorded them back in April at the Baltimore Old Time Music Festival. Tunes in this episode: Five Miles to Town (0:33) Hang Me (6:35) Glory in the Meetinghouse (18:08) I Am With You A…

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Episode 460: Bruce Ling (Sharing Music and Energy feat. Austin Benzing) 59:37

1M ago59:37

59:37

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Bruce Ling, with special guest guitarist Austin Benzing! I recorded them in May at the Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend in Remus, Michigan. Tunes in this episode: Fiddle’s Waltz (Bruce Ling original) (0:35) Crawdad Shuffle (Bruce Ling original) (…

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Coon Dog

1M ago

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From the playing of Virginia fiddler Dudley Spangler (1885-1981), the association with Angeline the Baker is strong, but who knows which came first...By JanetB

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Episode 459: Ben Traverse (Folk Songs, Lomax, and Music from Michigan) 51:31

2M ago51:31

51:31

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Ben Traverse! I recorded them in May at the Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend in Remus, Michigan. Tunes in this episode: Raging Canal (Sent My Brown Jug Downtown) (0:50) Lost on the Lady Elgin (10:08) Who Feeds Us Beans (23:43) Beaver Dam Road (40…

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Tippin Back the Corn

2M ago

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Key of G and played on a newly crafted 11" walnut open backBy hudie

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Little Maggie

2M ago

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From the vocals of Doc WatsonBy JanetB

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Episode 458: Micah Ling (Dressing Tradition) 1:36:12

2M ago1:36:12

1:36:12

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Micah Ling! We recorded this at her home in Lansing, MI, then we ran out of time, and we finished at Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend. Songs and tunes in this episode: Le Valse de la Rebec (Bruce Ling original) (1:05) Are You Tired of Me, My Darl…

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Blind Steer In a Mudhole

2M ago

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fiddle and BanjoBy zach w

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Mowing The Meadow

2M ago

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Fiddle and banjoBy zach w

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Ducks On The Millpond

2M ago

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Fiddle and BanjoBy zach w

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Yellow Barber

2M ago

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fiddle and banjoBy zach w

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Jenny Get Around

2M ago

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fiddle and banjoBy zach w

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Cold Frosty Morning (TOTW)

2M ago

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This version of Cold Frosty Morning is from Melvin Wine, WV fiddler, learned from his father. It's different and "happier" than the other two more commonly known tunes with this title.By JanetB

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Cold Frosty Morning from Melvin Wine

2M ago

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Melvin Wine learned this tune from his father.Banjo - aEAC#EBy carlb

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Episode 457: Gray Buchanan (Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend and Original Tunes from Friends) 41:20

2M ago41:20

41:20

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Gray Buchanan! We recorded this on Sunday at the Wheatland Traditional Arts Weekend in Remus, Michigan. Thanks again for bringing Tall Poppy String Band out, Wheatland! Tunes in this episode: Oysters in the Half Shell (1:09) (Claire Silbernagel ori…

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Pear Tree

2M ago

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By JLouis Thiry

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Episode 456: Joseph Decosimo (Shiny New Tunes and Human Limits) 1:20:23

2M ago1:20:23

1:20:23

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Joseph Decosimo! We recorded this about a month ago at Sonya Badigian’s place in Durham, NC. Thanks again for hosting us, Sonya! Tunes in this episode: Blackberry Blossoms (0:41) Betty Baker (14:48) Two O’Clock (50:50) Flowery Girls (1:13:46) Punch…

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The Jolly Blacksmith (TOTW)

2M ago

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From the playing of the late Christian Wig and the collections of old tunes by William Hamblen. Blacksmiths are near and dear to me, as my son is one.By JanetB

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Episode 455: SunFish Duo (Sarah Ells Fish and Dan Fish) 1:05:23

3M ago1:05:23

1:05:23

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friends are Sarah Ells Fish and Dan Fish, also known as Sunfish Duo! We recorded this a couple weeks ago at my home in Portland, OR. Tunes in this episode: The Cuckoo (0:48) Going to the West (10:25) Aragon Mill (29:50) Midnight on the Stormy Deep (45:46) Wi…

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John Henry

3M ago

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By Dave Hicks

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Episode 454: Kristina R. Gaddy (Early Black American Fiddle and Banjo Music) 1:10:32

3M ago1:10:32

1:10:32

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Kristina R. Gaddy! We recorded this at Brad Kolodner’s place in Baltimore. Tunes in this episode: Pompey Ran Away (0:45) Throw the Banjo Out of Tune (12:15) Congo Prince Jig (36:39) Congo (55:55) Poor Rosy (1:07:45) BONUS TRACK: That’s My Rabbit My…

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Susan's Gone (Sweet Susan)(TOTW)

3M ago

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Learned from the playing of a group called Ruglifters. I hadn't heard of them, but John Herrmann was their banjo player and that's good enough for me. The source recording was by the Lomaxes in 1937 by Kentucky fiddler J.W. Day.By JanetB

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Episode 453: Brian Dolphin (Writing Original Tunes) 1:06:04

3M ago1:06:04

1:06:04

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Brian Dolphin! We recorded this recently in Baltimore. Tunes in this episode: Ducks on the Pond (0:40) Old Ford (Brian Dolphin original) (12:28) Squirrel in the Fig Tree (Brian Dolphin original) (28:12) Robin in the Field (Brian Dolphin original) (…

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Calloway (Lee Hammons)

3M ago

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The Tune of the Week is presenting a beauty of a WV tune. With a few variations between the family members, the one from Lee Hammons is the focus. This gave me an opportunity to draw something different.By JanetB

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Sunday Mountain Rain

3M ago

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Written and recorded on my ipad playing my Bacon Belmont in open G.By Danny D

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Old Joe Clark

3M ago

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Played on one of my mini banjos.By Ho C Ying

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Episode 452: Shanice Richards (Jamaican Church, The Little Mercies, and Old Time with Somethin’ Sassy) 1:00:26

3M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Welcome to Get Up in the Cool: Old Time Music with Cameron DeWhitt and Friends. This week’s friend is Shanice Richards! We recorded this on Monday in Baltimore. Tunes in this episode: The Girl I Left Behind (0:59) New Jordan (7:12) Jenny on the Railroad (30:26) Three Forks of Cheat (46:05) Jubilee (56:09) Bonus Track: Snake’s Wild Tune Visit The Li…