What's The Reason For This Podcast

🎧 This episode of What’s the Reason for This? is a little different — and a whole lot festive. Kodi and Shay coming to you from the dungeon to discuss a recent session from the newly christened Dungeon West to break down everything you need to know about the 4th Annual Jingle Jam, one of Colorado’s most beloved end-of-year bluegrass traditions. 🎄🪕✨After some legendary technical difficulties (including a lost-but-not-forgotten all-time-great interview), the hosts regroup to make sure the mission stays front and center: raising money, celebrating community, and getting everyone to this show before it sells out. 🎟️🔥The episode dives into what makes Jingle Jam so special — a scene-wide Christmas party packed with 40–50 musicians, zero repeat sets, deep-cut holiday songs, and nonstop collaborations. Taking place Saturday, December 20th at Roots Music Project in Boulder, the event brings together members of bands like Stillhouse Junkies, Deer Creek Sharpshooters, Mighty Holler, Jake Legg, Tonewood, Liver Down the River, and many more, with special guest appearances from Pete Wernick (Hot Rize) and other scene favorites. 🎶🤝Most importantly, 100% of ticket sales benefit Sister Carmen, a Boulder County nonprofit providing food, resources, and dignity to families and individuals in need. Last year alone, Jingle Jam raised over $8,000, and this year aims to do even more. 💛💪Kodi and Shay also highlight the fun chaos that defines the night — from audience-thrown “snowballs” (yes, pom-poms) ❄️😂 to outrageous holiday outfits, surprise sit-ins, and the reminder to support the venue by buying drinks and tipping bartenders. The episode closes by encouraging listeners to not only attend this year, but to get involved next year through volunteering, donating, or helping expand the event’s impact. 🌈🙌🎧 Stick around to the end of the episode for a Jingle Jam Session featuring three holiday songs that will absolutely put you in the spirit. This one is about music, generosity, and showing up for your community — exactly what the season is supposed to be about. 🎄💛

🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi and Shay sit down in the dungeon with one of the most influential architects of Colorado’s music culture — Scotty Stoughton of Bonfire Entertainment. 🌲🔥 The man behind WinterWonderGrass, Baja WonderGrass, Small Town for the Cause, river trips, and some of the most meaningful gatherings in modern roots music joins us for a deep, inspiring, wide-ranging conversation. whats-the-reason-for-thiss-stud…What starts as classic dungeon energy quickly turns into a masterclass on vision, community, risk-taking, and following your heart — from grilled-cheese-slinging Deadhead kid to festival builder, river guide, and global connector. 🌎💛Scotty opens up about: 🎶 Growing up on Dead Tour → hand drums → freestyling → sharing stages with Les Claypool, Sam Bush, and Mark Vann 🔥 Touring in the wild 90s and realizing kindness + intention can change an entire show’s energy 🏔️ Founding events like WinterWonderGrass, Snowball, and Camp Out for the Cause — and how each taught him to build culture, not just festivals 🧡 Why empathy, respect, and human connection are non-negotiable in his company ethos 🛠️ The REAL work: town councils, decibel limits, zip-tie battles, waste cleanup, pushback, and learning to stay grounded through it 🎤 Supporting emerging artists — and why some of your favorite bands got their first big moment on his side stages 🌊 Paddleboarding the Grand Canyon, discovering “river time,” and how the River WonderGrass trips became spiritual medicine during COVID 🇲🇽 How falling in love with Baja, its culture, and its healing environment led to Baja WonderGrass — not a resort event, but a community-rooted adventure 💚 Travel, discomfort, purpose, legacy, and why he believes we were never meant to be cogs in a machineAt its core, this episode is about building spaces where people feel good — whether it’s 5,000 people in Steamboat, 500 on a beach in Baja, or 25 in a canyon sharing music at sunrise. It’s about showing up with heart, lifting up the folks coming behind you, and remembering that community is the whole point. 🌈🤝🎧 Tap in now wherever you listen to podcasts. It’s inspiring, grounding, hilarious, and a reminder that the magic of this scene is something we all build together. 🫶✨#WhatsTheReasonForThis #BonfireEntertainment #WinterWonderGrass

🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi and co-host Shay hang in the dungeon with the absolute rip-roaring bluegrass crew Deer Creek Sharpshooters — fresh off their basement session and rolling deep into Colorado’s picking scene. 🪕🔥What starts as classic dungeon chaos quickly turns into a real-deal origin story: how a group of lifelong friends from the Mid-Atlantic turned a post-high-school bluegrass obsession into a no-guitar, all-gas band that’s now carving out a name in the Front Range circuit. 🏔️🎶The Sharpshooters open up about: 🏡 Growing up together back East (Maryland/Virginia/Philly energy) and catching the bluegrass bug AFTER high school — proof it’s never too late to start pickin’ 🎧 Their gateway bands: Trampled by Turtles, Old Crow, Yonder, Jeff Austin vibes — the stuff that lit the fuse 🌴 The Charleston era where it clicked: “we can actually be a band that plays venues” 🪕 Instrument origin chaos: mandolin “dibs,” banjo arm-wrestle decisions, dobro awakenings, and upright bass leap-of-faith madness 🎻 How Kay joined after an Irish-music background + moving to CO — and jumped into bluegrass headfirst 🎼 Their writing process: someone brings 80% of a song, the band builds the rest, arranging parts + solos together 📲 The grind of being artists and content creators — splitting up band “business roles” (booking, merch, marketing, accounting) so they can keep making music 💿 What’s next: building funding for a new album, plus a plan to start dropping live recordings that capture who they really are 🎪 Upcoming moves: Dec 19, 2025 at Globe Hall with Mighty Holler + Foggy Memory Boys, opening for Magoo at Bluebird in April, and festival runs like WinterWonderGrass, Palisade Bluegrass Bash, and moreAt its core, this episode is about community + commitment — the late-night festival picks, the fans who show up early for the “small names,” the merch tables that keep bands alive, and the kind of friendship that lets a group keep evolving without losing the spark. 🌈🤝🎧 Tap in now wherever you listen to podcasts. It’s loud, hilarious, heartfelt, and a reminder that bluegrass is a family sport. 🪕💛#WhatsTheReasonForThis #DeerCreekSharpshooters #Bluegrass

🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi heads back into the dungeon with guest co-host Dave and very special guest Alana Rocklin — bassist of Sound Tribe Sector Nine (STS9) — for a deep-dive into the band’s first studio record in nearly a decade, Human Dream, and the wild full-circle journey that took Alana from fan to family. 🎶✨From opening STS9’s first-ever Chicago show in 2001 🤯 to joining the band full-time in 2014, this conversation travels through origin stories, jazz discipline, improvisation philosophy, studio wizardry, touring realities in 2025, and why supporting live music matters now more than ever. Expect nerdy gear talk, big feelings, and a whole lot of love for the scene. 🙌❤️🎸 Meeting STS9 in 2001 when her band (then “All Rectangle”) opened for them, the instant connection, and becoming the first non-STS9 artist released on 1320 Records.🚐 Touring the old-school way — six-week runs in a car/van during the MapQuest era — forging friendships that eventually led her deeper into the STS9 orbit.🎓 Her jazz + improvisation foundation at the University of Michigan, how mentor Rodney Whitaker drilled the “2 & 4 metronome” method into her practice, and how it shaped her internal clock as the band’s rhythmic backbone.💿 Cross-genre session work, including recording bass for major hip-hop records (like Rick Ross’ Maybach Music 4) from her Nashville studio with charts, producer notes, and precision.🌈 Joining STS9 after Murph’s departure — the weight of stepping into a legacy, the six-week cram where she learned the top 50 tunes, and building confidence through festival sets before the massive Red Rocks initiation.🧪 How STS9 writes in real time — debuting songs live (sometimes learned minutes before stage time), letting crowds shape the music, then refining the ideas in the studio.💫 Why Human Dream became 19 tracks — a double-album born from COVID delays, evolving ideas, and a refusal to rush the creative process.🎶 Favorite Human Dream stories including: • Strange Games — reinvented after a sample didn’t clear, showing how limitations spark better art. • Big Basin — tied to the wildfire that destroyed her home, making the studio version deeply personal. • It’s All Right / Lives of Symphony & Unity — a live mutation turned studio favorite with vocals from longtime friend Maureen Murphy.🎤 The legendary 2016 choir shows (Alpharetta + Red Rocks) with huge covers like “Under Pressure” and “Get Lucky,” and why STS9 uses covers sparingly so they land as true events.🤝 A near-collab with Billy Strings, derailed by a hurricane but still destined to happen — proof of the joy in genre-crossing without rules.📣 Why studio albums matter even with endless live recordings: they’re a clean entry point for new fans and a definitive snapshot of who the band is right now.This episode is a wide-angle look at what it means to step inside a legacy — honoring the past, trusting the process, and fighting for the future of live music with your whole heart. 🌀🔥🎧 Stream now wherever you get your podcasts — and turn up Human Dream loud. Sometimes the reason is simple: keep showing up for the music and each other. 💛

🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi drops back into the dungeon with Colorado’s roots-rock homies Drunken Hearts — fresh off a live basement session and riding a big wave into their next chapter. 🎶🍻From mountain-town beginnings in Vail 🏔️ to surviving lineup shifts, loss, and the post-COVID rebuild 💥, this convo gets real about how a band keeps becoming itself over and over again. There are laughs, some heavy heart, and a whole lot of love for the road and the songs that carry it. 🙌❤️Drunken Hearts opens up about: 🎸 How the band started 15 years ago as a ski-town trio — and why the early days felt like a “powder keg” of southern rock energy 🕊️ Honoring founding drummer Ted Wells, whose passing in 2014 changed everything — and how his spirit still threads through the music 🎹 The wild, last-minute story of Tyler joining on keys in 2020 and instantly becoming essential to their sound 🎶 Writing songs in phone notes while driving, letting inspiration hit when it hits 🚗📱 🤝 Collaborating with Nashville hit-maker Dave Pahanish — including the surprise gift of a new unrecorded song, “Sacred Ground” 🔥 Their brand-new single “The Other Side” (feat. Bonnie Sims of Big Richard), recorded on the 10-year anniversary of Ted’s passing — a full-circle moment that still gives chills 🎪 What’s next: a stacked Denver show Dec 6 at Cervantes’ Other Side with Tyler Grant’s Electric Farm + Jake Legg, plus more CO winter dates 💿 The 2026 mission: record a new album, go bigger, go deeper, and keep building this thing the right wayThis episode is all about growth without forgetting the roots — the grief, the grit, the road miles, and the kind of brotherhood that keeps a band swinging through every season. 🌾⚡🎧 Stream it now wherever you listen to podcasts! Real talk, road stories, new music, and a reminder that sometimes the reason is just… don’t stop playing. 💛#WhatsTheReasonForThis #DrunkenHearts #ColoradoMusic #RootsRock #Americana #JamScene #NewSingle #TheOtherSide #Cervantes #DenverMusic #IndependentMusic #Songwriting #BandLife #HomiesHelpingHomies #MusicPodcast #BasementSessions #GoodVibesOnly

🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi sits down with the man behind one of the hottest podcasts in the jam scene — Clint Dodson of All Jammed Up! 🎶🔥From Billy Strings runs and Hulaween chaos 🎸🌀 to media passes, imposter syndrome, and the art of staying authentic,this convo dives deep into the grind, the growth, and the gratitude behind building something real. 🙌Clint opens up about: 🎙️ Turning a passion for live music into a full-blown podcast movement ☕ Editing episodes at Starbucks between shows (dedication level: MAX) 🎪 The friendships and community that make the jam scene magic 🍺 Brewing his own All Jammed Up Beer with One World Brewing in Asheville 💫 And finding balance, purpose, and love alongside his partner-in-crime, Chloe 💖This episode is all about chasing the dream without losing the why — the laughs, the burnout, the breakthroughs, and the moments that make it all worth it.🎧 Stream it now wherever you listen to podcasts! It’s real talk, good vibes, and a reminder that we’re all just out here trying to find our reason. 🌈✨#WhatsTheReasonForThis #AllJammedUp #ClintDodson #PodcastLife #JamScene #BillyStrings #Hulaween #AshevilleMusic #LeftoverSalmon #Bluegrass #JamGrass #MusicPodcast #HomiesHelpingHomies #Authenticity #GoodVibesOnly

🎙️ This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi and Shay sit down with one of the most beloved pickers in the jamgrass world — Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon! 🎶You might know him as the banjo-slinging wizard who went viral for serenading a fox 🦊 outside his home in the Colorado hills… but there’s so much more to Andy’s story than that one magical moment.From his bluegrass roots in North Carolina 🎻 to earning a degree in jazz guitar 🎸 (because, yep — there wasn’t a banjo program back then), Andy’s path to becoming one of the most respected players in modern bluegrass is a story of grit, heart, and pure love of the music.He talks about: 🌄 What drew him out west to Colorado — and how the mountain scene and community completely changed his life. 🎸 The wild journey from playing small college jams to joining Leftover Salmon, one of the most iconic jamgrass bands ever. 🥁 What it’s like to go from bluegrass purity to plugged-in, full-band chaos with drums, keys, and amps turned to 11. 🦊 The day a curious fox wandered up mid-banjo session — and how that viral video became a global feel-good story during COVID. 👶 Being a full-time dad AND full-time touring musician (spoiler: no naps, lots of caffeine ☕). 🎧 Recording his latest solo album at home, surrounded by instruments, baby toys, and sunrise views — featuring friends like Tyler Grant, Greg Garrison, and Eric Deutsch of The Black Crowes. 🎶 Why “music should be fun” — and how bluegrass still feels like a tight-knit family of friends who just want to jam and lift each other up.The guys also dig into the evolution of Leftover Salmon, the Colorado bluegrass scene, and how the next generation — bands like The Fretliners, Arkansauce, and Tonewood String Band — are keeping the fire alive 🔥.Andy reflects on teaching at RockyGrass Academy, passing along his skills to the next wave of pickers, and what it means to see bluegrass finally becoming “cool” again with younger fans. 🙌It’s one of the most genuine, funny, and inspiring convos we’ve had yet — packed with stories from the road, dad-life humor, and a reminder that no matter how big the stage gets, it’s all about the music, the people, and the pick. 💙🎧 Stream “The Andy Thorn Episode” now on What’s the Reason for This? — available wherever you get your podcasts.👉 Hit play, laugh a little, and maybe even go pick up that old instrument again. Because as Andy says: “Music should be fun — that’s the whole point.” 🎵✨#WhatsTheReasonForThis #Podcast #AndyThorn #LeftoverSalmon #JamGrass #Bluegrass #ColoradoMusic #BillyStrings #Banjo #MusicPodcast #MusicianLife #PodcastCommunity #MusicLovers #FoxGuy #BanjoLife #BluegrassFamily #WTRFT

This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi sits down with the legendary Matt Mundy — the mandolin master whose innovative style helped shape the sound of the Aquarium Rescue Unit and the jamgrass movement that followed. From growing up in a bluegrass family in the deep South to jamming with icons like Béla Fleck, Sam Bush, and Oteil Burbridge, Matt takes us on a journey through decades of music, humility, and rediscovery.Matt opens up about being “born into bluegrass,” learning from his mom and uncle, and finding his own voice on the mandolin after realizing the fiddle just wasn’t for him. He shares stories from his early gigs, turning down high school homecoming for a gig that changed his life, and his wild ride with Bruce Hampton’s ARU—including van mishaps, chaotic tours, and the legendary live album that still inspires jam fans today.We dig into his decision to walk away from music at the height of his success, selling all his instruments, and how—ten years later—the spark to play came back stronger than ever. Now, Matt’s full circle moment shines through in his new album, “Many Ways Home”, featuring collaborations with longtime friends and family, including his mother Frances Mooney and drummer Jeff Sipe. It’s a record that blends bluegrass, jazz, and pure soul—just like his story.Whether you’re a diehard Widespread Panic fan, a bluegrass purist, or someone who just loves a good comeback story, this episode hits every note.🎧 Listen now to hear Matt’s reflections on fame, friendship, and finding joy in the music again. 📀 “Many Ways Home” is available everywhere you stream music.

🎙️ 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! 🙏