What's The Reason For This Podcast

🎙️ Kodi flies solo this week for a deep-dive conversation with guitarist, gear wizard, and Jerry Tone Store founder Jay Faires — a man on a mission to decode the electric alchemy behind Jerry Garcia’s legendary sound. From growing up jamming bluegrass in Tennessee to reverse-engineering vintage amps and building a tone empire online, Jay’s story hits every note of obsession, discovery, and pure love of music.🎸 This episode explores the intersection of curiosity and creativity — how chasing tone can become its own form of art, and why the spirit of Jerry still hums in every note of the jam scene today.💬 Highlights include: ⚡ Jay’s childhood jam sessions with his taper dad — and how improvisation shaped his musical DNA. 🎶 The evolution from reluctant bluegrass picker to tone-obsessed guitarist and gear entrepreneur. 🧰 A crash course in the science of signal flow, the “buffer” that changed everything, and why Jerry’s quest for sonic perfection was pure wizardry. 🎛️ The inside story of Waldotronics — the unsung hero behind some of the most accurate Garcia tone recreations today. 🔥 The origin story of Jerry Tone Store: from pandemic tinkering to viral TikToks and a full-blown business built by passion. 🌈 Reflections on authenticity, artistic identity, and how finding “your sound” can reconnect you with the joy of playing. 💡 Plus: gear talk, tone talk, and the spiritual weirdness that happens when music, science, and soul all line up.🎧 Tune in for a journey through tone, tech, and timeless inspiration — from the Grateful Dead’s sonic legacy to the next generation of guitar dreamers keeping that fire alive.

Kodi & Shay (well, just Kodi this week!) sit down with legendary rock critic and Lou Reed biographer Anthony DeCurtis for an electric conversation that spans decades of music history — from the British Invasion to bluegrass revival, jam bands, and what keeps great music timeless.🎸 This episode dives deep into how music shapes culture, community, and identity — and why open-mindedness might be the most rock ’n’ roll thing of all.💬 Highlights include: 🎤 Anthony’s firsthand memories of the Beatles’ arrival and the raw rebellion of the Rolling Stones. 🎶 Stories from Greenwich Village’s heyday — when magazine stands and record shops were gateways to discovery. 🌈 The Grateful Dead’s rise from free shows in Central Park to cultural icons — and how the “jam band” ethos built a whole new musical ecosystem. 🤘 A deep dive into Billy Strings’ genre-bending brilliance, authenticity, and how he’s redefining what bluegrass can be. 🏙️ Reflections on Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run sessions — chaos, courage, and the beauty of creating without a rulebook. 🧠 From Plato to pop hooks — why music bypasses intellect and speaks straight to the soul. 💡 Anthony’s challenge to listeners: stay curious, stay open, and never stop finding new sounds that move you.🎧 Tune in for stories that bridge eras, genres, and generations — from Rolling Stone magazine to the jamgrass scene.

Kodi & Shay sit down with Larry Keel — two-time Telluride Flatpicking Champion, bluegrass legend, and all-around mountain soul — for a deep dive into 🎸 roots, reinvention, and finding your center after 30+ years on the road.☕ The guys kick things off with a caffeine-fueled chat before diving into Larry’s Virginia upbringing — where a banjo-picking dad, a musical brother, and a tight-knit Appalachian community helped forge one of bluegrass’s most distinctive pickers.🎶 Larry opens up about: 🌄 How growing up in the mountains shaped his songwriting and worldview. 🎸 Crafting a unique sound that blends bluegrass, reggae, jazz, and psychedelic grooves — all without losing his soul. 🧠 The long road to “finding his own voice” after years of mimicking Tony Rice, and why individuality is everything in music. 💿 Writing with Tim O’Brien, Peter Rowan, and Jeremy Garrett (yep, that new Stringdusters track!), plus Del McCoury recording one of his songs now up for Grammy consideration. ❤️ His 30-year musical (and real-life) partnership with his wife, Jenny Keel — who learned bass just to play by his side. 🎸 The new duo album with John Stickley, featuring tributes to Jeff Austin and stripped-down, two-guitar magic.🌌 Larry also gets real about the grind of touring, the business behind the art, and how gardening, fishing, and staying centered keep him grounded in a noisy world.🎧 Highlights you don’t want to miss: 🎵 How he sneaks Bill Monroe licks into reggae tunes (because, why not?). 💬 The legacy of Jeff Austin and how his energy still inspires every note. 🔥 Electric Larry Land — his psychedelic, free-flowing side project that melts faces and opens minds. 🌱 The balance between hard work, heart work, and homegrown tomatoes.💬 “If something doesn’t grow, it dies,” Larry says — and after this conversation, you’ll understand how he’s kept his music thriving while helping evolve the entire jamgrass scene.🎧 Tune in for stories, laughs, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from a lifetime of picking, planting, and pushing musical boundaries.👉 Follow Larry at LarryKeel.com and stream the new Stickley & Keel album everywhere now — or better yet, buy the record, hit a show, and help keep this legend on the river. 🎣🎵

Kodi & Shay sit down with Luciya and Soraya Sullivan — The Sullivan Sisters — for a deep dive into 🎶 bluegrass beginnings, sisterhood, and the journey from backyard jams to record deals.👩‍🎤 The duo joins from opposite coasts — Soraya calling in from Berklee College of Music in Boston and Luciya from her senior year of high school in Evanston, IL — proving that talent has no age limit.🏆 From their early start in North Carolina to taking first at RockyGrass (Luciya making history as the festival’s first female banjo champ!) and signing with Dark Shadow Recording, the sisters open up about growing up musical in a non-bluegrass family, finding their community, and keeping their roots strong in a city not exactly known for pickin’ circles.🎶 Highlights include: 🪕 How their mom’s love for O Brother, Where Art Thou inspired their musical path. 🎓 Balancing high school and Berklee classes with touring, recording, and competitions. 🎤 Soraya on developing powerhouse vocals and finding her own voice as a songwriter. 🎵 The making of their debut EP Carolina Bluebird — two originals, two iconic covers, and a whole lot of heart. 💿 The story behind their brand-new record deal (signed at IBMA in Chattanooga!). 🎸 Luciya’s jaw-dropping win at RockyGrass and why she just can’t stop buying banjos. 🤘 And yes — the Katy Perry bluegrass cover we all need might just be on the horizon.💬 From social media virality (including a fan encounter at a random South Dakota gas station 😱) to staying humble, hopeful, and hilariously grounded, this episode captures the magic of two sisters blazing their trail through the next generation of bluegrass.🎧 Tune in for laughs, inspiration, and serious pickin’ power. 👉 Follow The Sullivan Sisters everywhere @SullivanSistersBluegrass and stream Carolina Bluebird now!

After a brief delay we are back! 💪 Grab your megaphone and a stein of Breck Brew 📣🍺 because things get loud and bluegrassy at Oktoberfest in Littleton! This chaotic, hilarious, and heartwarming episode dives deep with Silas Herman (yes, Vince Herman’s kid!) and The Tone Unit as they talk about music, fatherhood, train songs, and why the bassist never gets to solo.We’ve got fiddle stories, dad wisdom, band chemistry, and more “you can’t say that on mic” moments than a live mic should allow. From ghosted DMs 🎻 to mandolin therapy sessions 💆‍♂️, this one’s got all the Colorado bluegrass vibes with a splash of chaos and a chug of beer foam.🍼 Bluegrass Baby Boom: Silas is becoming a dad while starting a band—what could go wrong?🎶 The Tone Unit Origin Story: Born from jams, ghosted messages, and the Colorado bluegrass scene’s finest.🪕 Train Songs Are a Lifestyle: Nobody knows why we’re obsessed—but we are. Choo choo. 🚂🎻 Fiddle Philosophy: Carson warns us: don’t pick up a violin unless you enjoy ergonomic nightmares.🧘 Band Zen: Keep your jams fresh—mix up your crowd, your chords, and your breweries.💀 Bass Player Problems: “You can’t please Matt.” (Unless you pay him. 💸)🤘 Festival Dreams: Catch The Tone Unit lighting up stages from Colorado to who-knows-where next summer.Big love to Silas Herman & The Tone Unit for the laughs, the tunes, and the train whistles 🚂. If you had half as much fun listening as we did recording, go hit follow, share it with a friend, and we’ll see you next time — probably hungover, definitely happy. Cheers, y’all! 🍻”

After a month-long hiatus (thanks to a full-on cyberattack 💻🔥), What’s the Reason for This? is BACK with Kodi & Shay in rare form. From losing their YouTube channel and email to clocking 3.6 MILLION views in 30 days 🚀, this episode is equal parts chaos, comedy, and comeback story. You’ll hear about: ✨ The hack that almost shut everything down 🤘 Why Billy Strings fans are pushing for bluegrass circle pits 😂 Shay getting mistaken for Tom Segura on a plane 🎶 Magoo’s rise, giveaways, and why Kodi is demanding a bluegrass Mariah Carey Christmas cover This one is messy, raw, hilarious, and 💯 heart — proof you can’t keep WTRFT down.

This week, Kodi and Shay welcome banjo powerhouse and IBMA Songwriter of the Year nominee, Brenna MacMillan. From her Kentucky roots to her Nashville grind, Brenna’s journey blends tradition, resilience, and artistry in unexpected ways.She opens up about:✈️ Touring the world (including an international festival in Tunisia) and why musicians really get a “bathroom tour” more than sightseeing.🎶 Picking up the banjo at age nine thanks to her “Pappy,” growing up in a harmony-filled family of singers, and rediscovering music in college after pursuing dentistry and chemistry.🌿 Working as a chemist in a cannabis lab while secretly writing songs that would later fuel her acclaimed debut album.💡 Her creative process—why 60% of her songs come from vivid dreams—and how vulnerability, despair, and healing turn into powerful lyrics that connect deeply with listeners.🤝 Collaborating with heroes like Sarah Jarosz, Ronnie McCoury, and Peter Rowan, and how the Nashville community helps dreams become reality.Brenna also shares her excitement for what’s next—touring her new album, songwriting inspired by both waking life and dreams, and balancing her solo career with tour-managing East Nash Grass.🔗 Find her music, tour dates, and official links at BrennaMcMillan.com

This week, Kodi & Shay sit down with Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters for a deep dive into 🎶 bluegrass roots, jamgrass evolution, and the art of pushing boundaries.👴 The guys kick things off with some “this is 40” aches & pains before Jeremy reminds them he just turned 50 and is still raging harder than ever.🎼 From teaching at RockyGrass Camp with his daughter to sharing the story of his one-of-a-kind 1914 Hagberg fiddle (that once survived being tossed down an airport ramp 😱), Jeremy takes us through his journey of family legacy, instrument history, and life on the road.🌍 He shares the pivotal moments that shaped The Stringdusters — from freelancing in Nashville, to their wild European festival breakthrough, to becoming jamgrass pioneers who helped bridge traditional bluegrass with the jam-scene crowd.🎧 Jeremy also opens up about:✍️ Writing thousands of songs & balancing band life with a passionate solo career.🏔️ Recording his latest solo album from a cabin on Storm Mountain — blending isolation, grit, and heart into every track.🎶 Why covers (from Avicii to Ozzy) aren’t just fun, but an entry point for new fans into bluegrass.🪕 Collaborating with world-class players like Ryan Cavanaugh and harmonizing with Lindsay Lou.💿 Plus, Jeremy drops details on his new vinyl release and upcoming Colorado shows, reminding fans to grab an extra-special bonus track when they order directly from his site.If you love bluegrass, jamgrass, or just stories of chasing your art at full throttle, this episode hits all the right notes. 🎵🔥👉 Tune in, share with a friend, and don’t miss your chance to see Jeremy live — this one’s for the music lovers and the lifers.

🎙️ Season 2 Kicks Off with a Bang! 💥🚀🎨✍️No more excuses, b*tches — Season 2 of What’s the Reason for This? is officially here! 🎉 After cranking out 60+ episodes last year, we’re back, rearranged, upgraded 🔧🎛️, and ready to cause even more podcast chaos.To kick things off, we brought back fan-favorite artist Owen Murphy (One Drop Design) 👨‍🎨. From poster walls to live painting at Red Rocks 🎶🎨, Owen’s been full throttle since his last visit — and this convo proves it.Inside this season opener you’ll get:🖌️ Stories of painting in front of a wild crowd (while everyone else is three beers deep 🍺).👨‍👦 The scoop on Owen’s new “Me & Dad” art show debuting during Billy Strings’ Halloween throwdown 🎻.🛹 How a Sector 9 skateboard dream became real — and why Owen’s afraid to ride his own deck 😂.🧠 A raw chat on mental health, sobriety, and telling critics: “you’re mid.” 😎And of course, it wouldn’t be What’s the Reason for This? without side tangents about spelling “amphitheater,” rage-baiting on socials 📱🔥, and even toe trauma (don’t ask 🦶🤢).Season 2 starts NOW, and we’re coming in hot. Buckle up, weirdos. 🤘🎧👨‍🎨 Connect with Owen Murphy:🔗 Instagram: @onedropdesign📘 Facebook: One Drop Design Studio👥 Facebook Group: The Oddballs👴 Don't forget to follow his Dad: @krmurphyart#WhatsTheReasonForThis #BillyStrings #OwenMurphy #OneDropDesign #Podcast #PodcastLife #Season2Podcast #FunnyPodcast #ArtistInterview #CreativePodcast #ConcertPosters #GigPosters #PosterArt #RockPosterArt #PsychedelicArt #SkateboardArt #LivePainting #BillyStringsHalloween #RedRocks #JamBand #Bluegrass #Jamgrass #FestivalLife #RockPosterSociety #TRPS #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealth #Creativity #IndependentArtist #ArtCommunity #SocialMediaTrolls #RageBait

In this banjo-fueled episode of What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi chats with the one-and-only Béla Fleck 🪕✨ — a living legend who has reinvented bluegrass, jazz, classical, and everything in between.Here’s what you’ll hear:🎶 New Grass Revival origins → the misunderstood meaning of “newgrass” and how it shaped a generation 🌱🎵🪕 Béla’s musical curiosity → blending bluegrass with jazz 🎷, Celtic 🎻, classical 🎼, and even Shakira’s rhythms 💃🔄 Constant reinvention → from traditional roots to the adventurous Béla Fleck Beat Trio 🥁🎸🌍 Collaborations across cultures → finding freshness by stepping into new musical worlds 🌏✨💡 Wisdom for musicians → stay humble 🙏, embrace mistakes 🤷, keep experimenting 🔥, and always find your own voice 🎤Béla reminds us that music is a living conversation — passed around, reinterpreted, and made new every time 🎶➡️🎶. Even as a Mount Rushmore figure of the banjo ⛰🪕, he’s still chasing curiosity, inspiration, and the joy of discovery. 🌟

In this special RockyGrass episode, we sit down with Steve Szymanski, co-founder of Planet Bluegrass, the visionary behind Telluride Bluegrass, Folks Fest, and RockyGrass. Steve shares how a chance encounter in the late ’80s led him into the bluegrass world and eventually to shaping the thriving festival culture we know today.We dive into:🌱 The Origin Story – How a struggling festival and a meeting on the streets of Boulder sparked the creation of Planet Bluegrass.🏔️ Building RockyGrass – From dusty fairgrounds and zoning battles to establishing Lyons, CO as a year-round home for music.🎶 Balancing Tradition & Evolution – The delicate art of honoring bluegrass purists while embracing adventurous sounds and adjacent genres.👥 Community & Family – Why these festivals are more than music—they’re spaces where friendships, collaborations, and lifelong memories are made.🎸 Legends & Innovation – Stories of artists like Tim O’Brien, Peter Rowan, and new-generation bands carrying the torch forward.Steve also reflects on the importance of volunteers, fans, and keeping the culture alive for future generations. From “tarp runs” to family jams, this episode captures the heart of what makes Planet Bluegrass a cornerstone of the Americana music scene.Whether you’re a festival veteran or a first-time listener, this conversation is a reminder of why these gatherings are sacred spaces for artists and fans alike.

Live from RockyGrass in Lyons, Colorado 🌲🎶, we’re taking you behind the curtain of the festival magic! Instead of spotlighting just the bands, this episode dives deep into the unsung heroes—the stagehands, volunteers, and the tight-knit crew that makes the music flow seamlessly.Our guest, Eric Abramson 👷‍♂️🎛️, shares stories from his dual life as a firefighter 🚒 and stagehand ninja 🥷, weaving together tales of precision, chaos, and community. From swapping basses on the fly 🎸, to wrangling stage plots 📋, to creating that family-first vibe at both Telluride and RockyGrass—Eric gives us the inside scoop.We wander through decades of bluegrass history 📜, shenanigans at Camp Outing 🍻🥓, and how bands like Leftover Salmon and Jerry Garcia’s projects shaped the scene 🎵. Eric reminds us that festivals aren’t just about the music—they’re about the people, the culture, and the feedback loop 🔄 between artists, crews, and fans.✨ From late-night campground jams 🔥🎻 to tarp-run madness 🏃‍♂️🪑, to sustainability efforts 🌎💧, this episode celebrates the spirit of community that keeps bluegrass thriving after 50+ years.👂 Tune in for stories of resilience, tradition, and heart—and don’t forget: next time you see a volunteer or crew member in black, thank them! 🙏

This week on What’s the Reason for This? we’re riverside at RockyGrass in Lyons, CO with mandolin ripper Seth Mulder of Midnight Run! 🌲🎶From growing up in North Dakota (not exactly a bluegrass hotbed 🤠) to leading a house band in Gatlinburg, Seth’s story is all about chasing sound, building community, and finding his voice on stage. He shares:✨ The moment Del McCoury shook his hand as a teen — and how it changed everything. 🎻 Starting on violin, switching to fiddle, and discovering the mandolin by accident. 🔥 How playing 5 hours a day, 6 days a week in Tennessee forged his chops. 🎩 The chemistry and evolution of Midnight Run’s current lineup. 💿 Dropping their new record Coming on Strong on Rebel Records — produced by legends Ken Irwin & Dudley Connell. 🚐 Life on the road, staying sane in the grind, and why supporting local music matters more than ever.It’s tradition meets edge — a band sharp in suits but wild on stage. 🎩🎸 This convo is packed with laughs, inspiration, and reminders that one small moment (or one hand-shake with a legend 🙌) can set a whole life in motion.👉 Follow Midnight Run Bluegrass on socials, grab the record, and catch them on tour. Support the homies — because great music doesn’t move unless we do! 💙

Live from Lyons, CO, we planted ourselves in the heart of RockyGrass to chat with the absolute barn-burners of Cane Mill Road—and folks, these boys didn’t just blow the roof off… they power-washed it, repainted it Hi-Viz yellow, slapped a dome-swap hat on it, and then crowd-surfed it into the next county. 🧢⚡We dive headfirst into the glorious chaos, covering everything from viral Wook Fame (yep, Costco run-ins and airport “chair guy” sightings included) to their Halloween plan of dressing as Béla Fleck & the New Grass Revival—full Japan tour regalia and all. 🎃🎶 Along the way, they share:Liam’s wholesome Doc Watson–inspired start in Deep Gap, NC 🎸Why East Tennessee State might secretly be the Hogwarts of Bluegrass 🪄🪕How not rehearsing (but living together) can make you tighter than a fresh banjo head 🥁Easter eggs in their live sets, from Ozzy riffs to Allman Brothers jams 🤘🍑The importance of listening—both musically and when your bandmate signals “time to shred” with a lick 🎯And the ongoing mystery of their missing guitarist, possibly lost in a Google Drive folder 📂🔍We get into their recording process—part studio wizardry, part “jam it till it sticks”—and why the next album is shaping up to sound as unhinged (in the best way) as their live shows. Spoiler: there’s still one last banjo part to record, but 40 days on the road might just delay that… thanks to side quests, camping chaos, and occasional Boy Scout flashbacks. ⛺🔥Whether you’re a diehard jamgrass junkie, a casual festival hopper, or just here for the Bears–Packers trash talk 🏈💥, this one will have you grinning like a mandolin player with perfect fret buzz.🚐 Tour’s just starting. Energy’s high. Socks are questionable. 📀 New album coming… as soon as they stop making the crowd lose its collective mind.

In this episode of What’s the Reason for This?, we’re backstage at RockyGrass with Slay & Stinson—one of the three finalists in this year’s definitely-not-amateur Amateur Band Contest! 🎻🔥 These Colorado-based bluegrass rockers aren’t strangers to the stage, and host Kodi dives deep into their journey from Telluride pick-up band to RockyGrass contenders. THIS INTERVIEW WAS COMPLETED BEFORE THEY WON THE 2025 BAND CONTEST!!!!🎶 Highlights include:🪕 How a one-off Telluride band evolved into a powerhouse group with 13+ original tracks on all major platforms🏔️ What it’s really like competing in Colorado’s biggest band contests and the differences between Telluride and RockyGrass🎻 How weekly residencies in Denver (190+ shows!) shaped their sound and gave them the edge on stage🧠 Bass player love 💪 – Why Chubb’s addition to the group completely transformed their vibe💡 How Carson (the newest member) brings fresh, non-traditional bluegrass influence to the band💰 The real cost of chasing the bluegrass dream—and why they’d pay to play it all over againFrom stage fright to telepathic transitions, the band opens up about the energy, pressure, and community that defines Planet Bluegrass culture. You’ll hear why original music matters, how weekly shows make magic, and why Colorado might be the greatest place in the world to grow a bluegrass band.💿 Catch their album “Product of Colorado” on Spotify, iTunes, and more. 📍 See them live every Wednesday at Seven Grand in Denver. 🌱 Follow their journey to festival greatness—because next year, they are the ones opening RockyGrass!🎧 Tune in, cheer them on, and remember: even the “amateur” stage is filled with pros. #SupportLocalMusic #RockyGrass2025 #SlayAndStinson #BluegrassLives

Strap in, folks—we’re going Off the Rails in the best way possible 🚂💥! Recorded backstage at the legendary RockyGrass Festival in Lyons, CO 🎶⛰️, this episode is a wild ride with the 2024 Amateur Band Contest Champions, Off the Rails 🏆🔥.From alien-level banjo skills 🛸🪕 (yep, Frank has the visa to prove it 🇨🇦➡️🇺🇸), to porta-potty QR code pranks 🚽🤳, dubstep remixes 🎧⚡, and teaching kids Appalachian music 🎒🎻, this isn’t your average bluegrass interview.🎧 Episode Highlights:🤪 Backstage Shenanigans: Wizards 🧙‍♂️, lizards 🦎, and flamingo hats 🦩—just another day at RockyGrass🥇 Winning the Contest: One mic 🎙️, three-song sets 🎵, and full-on choreography 💃🕺🎶 Genre-Bending Goodness: A Chattahoochee ➡️ Shakedown Street ➡️ Trad medley? Yup. Mind = Blown 🤯👦 Inspiring the Next Gen: One kid watched them rehearse, then watched them win—goosebumps moment 🥹💫📚 Giving Back: JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) is preserving tradition while lighting up young hearts 🧡🎻🔥 Recording News: Collabs with Vince & Silas Herman 🎤👨‍👦, live EPs coming soon 🎛️, and maybe a banjo version of Iron Man?! 🦾🤡 Festival Pranks: From porta-john websites to redneck dubstep, it’s full chaos (and full love) ❤️😂🎟️ See 'Em Live: Off the Rails is on a Colorado run—Evergreen, Boulder, Golden, Denver, and more! 🗺️📅 📲 Follow @officialofftherails to keep up with their shows, music, and madness 💥Whether you’re a die-hard bluegrass fan 🎼, a wandering festie 🌞🕺, or just here for the porta-john gossip 🚻😂—this episode is guaranteed to leave you inspired, laughing, and craving live music 🎤💫👇 Hit play and get ready to go Off the Rails! 🚂💨

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, we’re joined backstage at 🎻 RockyGrass by the sensational fiddle phenom Bronwyn Keith-Hynes—just hours before she takes the stage for the final 🎤 show with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. 😢 But don’t cry yet—this is just the end of one chapter 📖 and the start of a thrilling solo adventure 🌟.🔥 Episode Highlights:🎶 Golden Goodbye: Bronwyn reflects on 3.5 years of nonstop touring 🚌, deep friendships, and what it means to say goodbye to a band that’s become family ❤️‍🩹✨ Solo Spark: How weekly shows at Dee’s in Nashville lit the 🔥 for her to step into the spotlight and explore her own voice 🎤🎻🧠 Creative Shift: From sidestage fiddler to full-on bandleader 🎙️—Bronwyn talks about lyric-writing at midnight 🌙, managing a rotating band, and finding her sound 🧩💕 Life & Love: Touring and jamming with her husband Jason Carter 💑🎻 (when they’re not running in opposite directions!)🪕 From Suzuki to Stage: The childhood buskers 🎶 that inspired her, classical training 🎼, and how Celtic fiddling gave her groove 💃🌲 Festival Feels: Why RockyGrass is one of the most magical places to perform ✨—and how the next generation of pickers is already catching the spark 🔥🎶Whether you're a diehard bluegrass fan 💙, a creative soul ✍️, or just vibing with the festival life 🎪—this one’s for you.📍 Catch Bronwyn on tour this fall 📱 Follow @BronwynKeithHynes 🌐 bronwynkeithhynes.com🎧 Listen or Watch now wherever you get your podcasts! 🔊💥

In this jam-packed episode, we’re coming to you live from backstage at RockyGrass with two of the most dynamic forces in modern bluegrass—Harry and Cory of East Nash Grass. From fanboy moments to mandolin heroes, this candid convo dives deep into the heart of the music, the madness of touring, and the magic of festivals like RockyGrass.🎶 Episode Highlights:🪕 Banjo Beginnings & Mandolin Magic: Hear how Cory and Harry each found their musical footing—from childhood jams to Chuck Hicks and Ricky Skaggs.🎤 Festival Favorites: The boys recall their epic sit-ins with Sierra Hull, Billy Strings, and Béla Fleck—and the nerves that come with sharing stages with bluegrass legends.🧠 Imposter Syndrome & Humility: What it's like to meet your heroes... and then become someone else's.🎧 New Music Vibes: The creative process behind their upcoming album (dropping August 22!) and their side project with Christian Ward.🐟 Creek Freak Chronicles: Cory’s new hobby of smallmouth bass fishing and Harry’s culinary adventures on tour—including redfish in New Orleans and a bold anti-brunch stance.🍖 Rick’s Custom Meats & Country Boy Cubans: Yes, we’re serious—and yes, we’re hungry now.🎵 What’s in the Van Playlist?: From Robert Earl Keen and Mac DeMarco to hard bop jazz and red dirt roots, find out what fuels East Nash Grass on the road.🌺 Bluegrass from Hawaii? Spam musubi, slack key, and musical bridges from island to mainland.Get ready for laughs, deep dives, and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes this band a rising staple in the modern bluegrass scene. As always, expect wild stories, musical nerd-outs, and a few spicy food takes.🎧 New album out August 22 📲 Follow them @eastnashgrass 💸 Venmo ‘em if you’re feelin’ generous 😎

Kodi and Shay welcome Boulder-based bluegrass powerhouse Mighty Holler into the Dungeon for an episode packed with laughs, stories, and serious music insight. The band opens up about their origin story, how Colorado’s thriving jam community brought them together, and the journey that led to their debut single Fresh Tracks in the Snow.From clawhammer banjo and mandolin chops to songwriting at 3 a.m. and running a women’s jam that’s empowering new musicians, Mighty Holler shares how passion, practice, and community have shaped their sound. The conversation dives into building band chemistry as couples, overcoming the early jitters of playing in public, and the mentors and musical icons who helped inspire their path.Plus: RockyGrass stories, instrument nerdery (bassists finally get their due 👏), and a ton of real talk about the hustle, heart, and humor it takes to build a band from the ground up.✨ Episode Highlights:🌲 The Colorado jam scene that sparked Mighty Holler’s creation (and why women’s jams matter)🎼 Learning clawhammer banjo during lockdown & blending old-time with bluegrass🎤 Writing vulnerable lyrics and building a strong band dynamic🎻 Tips for breaking into jam circles and building confidence as a musician🎶 Playing 100 gigs in 2025 and what’s next for Mighty Holler👉 Follow Mighty Holler: mightyholler.com | Instagram & Facebook @Mighty_Holler 👉 Stream their debut single Fresh Tracks in the Snow on all platforms.

🚨 It’s release day, y’all! Spencer Hatcher just dropped his brand-new single “When She Calls Me Cowboy” 🐎🤠🎸🔥—and he’s hanging out in the studio with us to spill all the behind-the-scenes tea. We talk about the song, the emotion behind it, and the cinematic music video 🎥 dropping soon. This one hits hard—whether you're the cowboy... or the one who let him ride away.But the new single is just the tip of the cowboy hat. 🤠From Christmas caroling with Grandma 🎄👵🏻 to torching banjo solos with The Hatcher Boys 🎻🔥, Spencer shares how his journey took him from small-town Shenandoah Valley to viral stardom—where one TikTok cover of “Folsom Prison Blues” 🚔💥 launched a whole new career.We get into the hustle, the heartbreaks, the hilarious dirt bike videos 🐶🏍️, and why Spencer is unapologetically himself—on stage, on camera, and on social media.✨ Episode Highlights:🐴 New Music Drop! — The story and soul behind “When She Calls Me Cowboy” and what it means to Spencer🎶 From Basement Jams to Big Stages — Learning harmony by ear, playing with Dad, and loving every second of it📲 The Viral Moment — How a 24-follower TikTok account exploded to 10K overnight after one Johnny Cash cover🍕 First Country Show Ever — No setlist, no plan... just pizza, panic, and pure passion🧡 Fan First Philosophy — No autotune. No egos. Just handshakes, real talk, and real talentWhether you’ve been following Spencer for years or you’re just hopping on the Hatcher train 🚂—this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and the kind of heart you don’t find in auto-tuned pop country.🎧 Press play, stream “When She Calls Me Cowboy,” and get to know the guy behind the six-string, the skits, and the cowboy charm. 🤠❤️🎙️