Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast

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%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%)  -- Real Roots Radio: realrootsradio.com (Listen online or download the FREE app.)

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%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

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%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

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%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

Russell Moore is IBMA’s most-awarded Male Vocalist and leader of the award-winning band, IIIrd Tyme Out. Here in Part 2 of his interview with Daniel Mullins, Russell recounts his journey from sideman to band leader, and the journey in-between. He talks about his favorite moments in music, as well as the songs that made his career, and band, stand out among others in the genre. Listen to Russell talk about where his passion for music still comes from, even after thirty years as a bandleader in this second episode of his spotlight interview, recorded in Columbus, OH with Daniel Mullins on Walls of Time Bluegrass Podcast. This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

As the most awarded male vocalist in bluegrass, Russell Moore has earned a pedigree as a lead singer and guitarist from the biggest artists in the industry. Still at the top of his game, Russell continues to record and perform with his award-winning band, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out. Here in Part 1 of a two-part interview with host Daniel Mullins, recorded in Columbus, OH at Musicians Against Childhood Cancer, Russell recounts his journey from Texas to North Carolina, and all the miles between and since. In this episode, Russell talks about how it all started as a teenage musician and how he transitioned to a full-time performer with the legendary Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, in Part 1 with Russell Moore on the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast. This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

A renaissance woman of bluegrass, Andrea Roberts has led the life of a musician with the trailblazing, all-female group, Petticoat Junction, as well as one of manager, promoter, and talent agent for some of bluegrass music's most well-known artists. She is the wife of mandolin player, Danny Roberts of The Grascals, and mother to up-and-coming artist, Jaelee Roberts. She has been a mentor to countess young artists and tastemakers in the field including our own, Daniel Mullin,s who she sits down with Andrea in Lexington, KY at Bluegrass in the Bluegrass to talk about her journey on this episode of Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast!  This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

  Fiddle master, Michael Cleavland is considered one of today's greatest bluegrass artists. Here in Part 2 of Daniel Mullins' interview with Michael, they talk about his journey in bluegrass, from his first professional performances to fronting his own Grammy award-winning band, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper. Recorded backstage during rehearsal for the 2019 IBMA Awards Show in Raleigh, NC, hear the conclusion of this two-part episode with fiddling legend, Michael Cleveland. This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

  As one of the most awarded fiddle players in bluegrass music today, Michael Cleveland’s career is still unfolding. Born visually impaired, Michael has had a unique journey as an artist. In this two-part episode, Daniel sits down with Michael in Raleigh, NC, backstage during rehearsal for the 2019 IBMA Awards Show, as Michael shares his story of becoming an accomplished master of bluegrass fiddling. Michael talks about his influences, his philosophy of music, and his intense study of the instrument and music, that molded him into the fiddling tour de force he is today. Enjoy this first part of Daniel's interview with National Fiddler Hall of Fame member, Michael Cleveland!   This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

For over three decades, Larry Stephenson has been a band leader, recording artist and leader in bluegrass music. Prior to launching his solo career, Larry worked with some important figures in the genre, including Bill Harrell and the trailblazing band, The Bluegrass Cardinals. Over the last thirty years, a who's who of world class musicians have been members of The Larry Stephenson Band. Daniel sits down with Larry in Nashville, TN to talk about his journey in pursuit of originality and authenticity as he continues to be a celebrated mandolin player and singer in bluegrass.   This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

  Skip Cherryholmes now plays in the powerhouse North Carolina-based outfit, Sideline which also has a family connection for him. In Part 2 of Skip’s conversation with Daniel Mullins, hear the continuation of Skip’s journey with his family band, Cherryholmes, the conclusion of that band, the struggle to survive outside of music, and his inevitable return to playing music full-time alongside his father-in-law, the celebrated banjo player, Steve Dilling. Enjoy Part 2 of this interview with accomplished artist, Skip Cherryholmes!   This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%)  -- Hey Everybody!: Listen here.

  As the guitar player and a vocalist in the seminal family band, Cherryholmes and now, Sideline, Skip Cherryholmes’ story is one of bootstrap beginnings and a fast rise to the top. Although now disbanded, Cherryholmes blazed a trail for young bluegrass artists, and their legacy remains an important one. In Part 1 of a two-part conversation with Daniel Mullins, Skip talks about the emergence of his family’s band and talks about the spiritual path that led them to make music together. Hear how this band borrowed from the East Coast bluegrass tradition, combined it with West Coast musical instincts, and created a one-of-a-kind sound in bluegrass that is still imitated today. This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

  Kitsy Kuykendall is one of bluegrass music's most beloved personalities. Her late husband, Pete Kuykendall founded Bluegrass Unlimited magazine, fondly referred to as "The Rolling Stone of Bluegrass." Kitsy and Pete dedicated their lives to promoting, supporting, and spreading the music of bluegrass throughout the world. For over 50 years, Bluegrass Unlimited has been the premier print resource for this music community, and Kitsy’s energy, personality, and knowledge have been factors in its success and longevity. Daniel sat down with Kitsy at the 2019 IBMA World of Bluegrass business conference, where Kitsy is referred to as "The Queen." They talked about the origins of the magazine, its current state, its lasting impact, and the legacy of her late husband, Pete Kuykendall. Enjoy this episode of Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast with the always engaging, Kisty Kuykendall. This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

Prolific fiddle player, golf professional and son of a Hall of Fame fiddler, Johnny Warren is a member of the bluegrass supergroup, the Earls of Leicester, whose mission is to promote the timeless sound of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs and The Foggy Mountain Boys. With the Earls, Johnny helps preserve his father, Paul Warren’s, classic fiddle style. In this episode of Season 2 of Walls of Time, Daniel talks with Johnny backstage at Memorial Hall in Cincinnati, a mere blocks away from where Flatt & Scruggs recorded some of their earliest records, including “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” They chat about Johnny’s time growing up around some the founding fathers of Bluegrass, as well as Johnny's journey of carrying on his father's traditional flavor of fiddling. Johnny also talks about his career in the golf industry as both a player and instructor. Today, we welcome the great fiddler, Johnny Warren to the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast. This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 

  From The Johnson Mountain Boys, to Longview, and The Seldom Scene, Dudley Connell is one of the most identifiable and beloved voices in Bluegrass. Today, on the third episode of Walls of Time Season 2, Daniel Mullins sits down with this charismatic performer in an old camper parked backstage at the SamJam Bluegrass Festival in Piketon, OH. They talk about Dudley’s journey from first getting hooked on the traditional bluegrass sound, to how he helped develop and change the music through the years by bringing it to new listeners and making ­new songs classics of the genre. Dudley also talks about his important role in preserving historic roots music recordings in our nation’s capitol. Sit back and enjoy Episode 3 of the second season of the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast. This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:  -- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)  -- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%)