Bluegrass BKLYN

S4E4 Andy Statman!

Ready for some musical inspiration? Listen to bluegrass legend Andy Statman's story on mastering multiple instruments and crossing musical borders. Andy also shares his philosophy on mastering a musical an achieving self-expression in your music. Also, we check in with the talented young musician Riyae Park to find out what this Bluegrass Brooklynite has been up to. Enjoy!
Mentions in this Episode:Andy Statman Trio / @statmanandyBarbes / @barbesbrooklyn ‘Bluegrass Tracks’ by Andy StatmanRiyae Park @riyae_music11th Annual Roots ‘n’ Ruckus Festival – December 3 - 6Jalopy Theater and School of MusicBluegrass Jams Near MeMusic in this Episode (in order of Appearance):“Stoney Lonesome” – Andy Statman and Ricky Skaggs“Brown County Breakdown” – Andy StatmanPowered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonesListen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMAcontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved
 

S4M3 Ear Trumpet Labs!

Mike dives into the interesting and surprising world of … microphones! Philip Graham, proprietor of Ear Trumpet Labs provides a fascinating insight into the design, construction, and proper use of this essential part of our musical lives. Find out the inspiration for the classic iconic look of Ear Trumpet mics, and meet Dephina, Wanda, Nadine … all mics in the Ear Trumpet line up. Enjoy!
Mentions in this Episode:Ear Trumpet Labs / @eartrumpetlabsMusic in this Episode (in order of Appearance):“Big Ball in Brooklyn” – Damn Tall Buildings“Another Empty Bottle” – Raven and RedPowered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonesListen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMAcontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S4E3 Women in Bluegrass: Missy Raines!

Join Liz in an amazing conversation with bluegrass legend Missy Raines - the first woman to be awarded IBMA’s Bass Player of the Year, winning it a total of ten times. She shares openly about growing up bluegrass, making it in the music industry … and learning to cuss! Then, Mike and Liz have a Jam Talk about their favorite songs to call in jams. Enjoy!
Mentions in this Episode:Missy Raines / @missyraines‘Love & Trouble’ by Missy Raines & Allegheny‘Easy Standards Songbook’ downloadBluegrass BKLYN on FaceBookUpcoming Events of Note:AJ Lee & Blue Summit and East Nash Grass – Music Hall of Williamsburg, Sunday 11/23Jam Jersey – Mawah NJ, March 20 – 22Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance):‘Coal Black Water’ – Missy Raines & Allegheny‘Yanceyville Jail’ – Missy Raines & AlleghenyPowered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonesListen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMAcontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S4M2 Women in Bluegrass: Shelby Means!

In this episode, Liz sits down with two standout voices in today’s acoustic music scene. First up is Shelby Means, whose soulful songwriting and unmistakable bass groove shines on her new album. They discuss stories behind the songs, her upcoming tour … and an alternative use for the banjo!
Next, Liz chats with Chris Coole of the Lonesome Ace String Band, one of today’s most respected old-time and bluegrass groups. Chris gives us a preview of the band’s upcoming show at the Westchester Bluegrass Club on November 21, and they cover everything from what makes their sound so rich, to his John Hartford encounter. Enjoy!Mentions in this Episode:Shelby Means / @shelbass“Shelby Means” album on SpotifyChris Coole / @coole.chrisLonesome Ace String BandUpcoming Events of Note:Lonesome Ace Stringband @ Westchester Bluegrass Club, Nov 21stWinter Clothing Drive Jam – Strong Rope Brewery (Red Hook), November 20thJam Jersey – Mawah NJ, March 20 – 22Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance):“5 String Wake-Up Call” – Shelby Means“Streets of Boulder” – Shelby Means“The Moon is Down” – Lonesome Ace String BandWe are powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonesListen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMAcontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved
 

S4E2 Damn Tall Buildings!

Straight outta Brooklyn! Join Mike’s fascinating conversation with Avery Ballotta of the progressive, creative, innovative trio Damn Tall Buildings. Hear about the band’s journey from busking on street corners and off-ramps, to the bandstand, to the recording studio … to Saudi Arabia! Then, Liz introduces us to Phyllis Elkind, one of our home grown, locally *well* known artists we think you should know too. Enjoy! 
Mentions in this Episode: Damn Tall Buildings / @gramtallbuildings Sunset Park Music School ‘The Universe is Hungry’ Phyllis Elkind on Facebook The Sentimentals  
Upcoming Events of Note: Fiddle Hell - Westford MA, November 13-16 Jam Jersey – Mawah NJ, March 20 – 22 Winter Clothing Drive Jam – Strong Rope Brewery (Red Hook), November 20th  Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance): “Big Ball in Brooklyn” – Damn Tall Buildings “Blue Bayou” – Damn Tall Buildings  Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones 
Listen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA  contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group   © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved 
 

S4M1 Festival Recap - Podunk Bluegrass Festival!

In this episode, Liz takes you along to the iconic Podunk Bluegrass Festival in Goshen, Connecticut — a beloved gathering that’s been bringing world-class bluegrass to New England since 1996. From the delicious food options to the late-night jams echoing through the campgrounds, Podunk is pure bluegrass magic. Liz chats with one of the festival’s food vendors about feeding hungry pickers, visits the Housatonic Stage for a listen to the Hosmer Mountain Boys,a family-style band that keeps the local tradition alive, and stops by the Litchfield Stage to talk with festival organizer Jeff Horton. You’ll also hear her interview with The Rock Hearts, whose hard-driving traditional sound and tight harmonies have made them New England favorites. Stick around till the end for some late-night jamming and behind-the-scenes festival moments you won’t want to miss! https://podunkbluegrass.com
Bands Mentioned in this Episode:Hosmer Mountain Boys - Simon Brogie (banjo), Keegan Day (guitar), Cathy Day (fiddle), Tom Bowman (bass), Red Day (mandolin), and Paul Wolfe (percussion) https://www.hosmermountainboys.com
Rock Hearts - Joe Deetz (banjo), Alex MacLeod (guitar & lead vocals), Billy Thibodeau (mandolin, vocals), Rick Brodsky (bass), Austin Scelzo (fiddle, baritone vocals) https://rockheartsbluegrass.com   
Stillwater - Trip Nickel (guitar), Yoni Musher (mandolin), Kiera Luu (double bass), George Horvat (fiddle), Jack Pasternak (dobro) https://stillwaterband.comIntro Music:"Are You Lonesome Tonight" - Michael Daves from 'Early Morning Sum'
Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonescontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S4E1 Carter and Cleveland!

We kick off season 4 Mike having a free-wheeling interview with bluegrass legends Michael Cleveland and Jason Carter.  The discussion ranges from thoughts on recording an album, to practice advice, to origin stories, to … pizza! Plus, Liz visits with Trish Plays Bass, our friend of the show who has news about her recent and upcoming music releases. Enjoy!
Mentions in this Episode:Jason Carter / @jasoncarterfiddleMichael Cleveland / @michaelclevelandfiddleTrish Plays Bass‘Carter & Cleveland’ on Fiddleman RecordsThe Sonic Planet Radio Ear Trumpet Labs / @eartrumpetlabs
Upcoming Events of Note:Fiddle Hell - Westford MA, November 13-16Jam Jersey – Mawah NJ, March 20 – 22Winter Clothing Drive Jam – Strong Rope Brewery (Red Hook), November 20thMusic in this Episode (in order of Appearance):‘Outrun the Rain’ – Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Vince Gill, Jaelee Roberts‘Kern County Breakdown’ – Jason Carter, Michel ClevelandPowered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonescontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S3E12 Bluegrass Down Under!

Mike takes a musical journey to the Land Down Under - speaking with Neil Adam, a Victoria-based musician and one of the organizers of CresFest music festival. They discuss musical traditions, festivals, bands …. and the Gold Rush! Hear an overview of some of the most authentic bluegrass bands in Australia. Enjoy the trip!
Mentioned in this Episode:Neil Adam CresFest / @cresfestaus The High Street Drifters /  @highstreetdriftersThe Davidson BrothersNine Mile CreekThe Water RunnersMustered Courage
Fiddle Hell – November 13 – 16, Westford MAJam Jersey – March 20 – 22 2-26, Mahwah NJBluegrass Jams Near MeThe Sonic Planet Radio – Hear Bluegrass BKLYN starting November 8th
Music in this Episode (in order of appearance):The High Street Drifters – Snakes ReachThe High Street Drifters – Back to the Hills Davidson Brothers – Davidson CountyNine Mile Creek – Leaving RosineThe Water Runners – South Coast DreamingMustered Courage -  Southern StyleThe High Street Drifters – Words for Leaving
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMAcontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S3SE5 Darin Aldridge!

Liz goes in-depth with Darin Aldridge, half of the Darin & Brooke Aldridge singing duo. Listen in on their discussion as they cover how Darin and Brooke formed their singing (and marital) partnership, Darin’s time with the legendary Country Gentlemen, the role of singing in jams and in professional bands. Enjoy!
Mentions in this Episode:Darin & Brooke Aldridge /  @darinandbrookealdridgeThe Country GentlemenMusic in this Episode (in order of Appearance):“A Million Memories”- Darin & Brooke Aldridge featuring Vince Gill on “Talk of the Town”
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMAcontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S3E11 Rick Faris!

We enjoy a free-wheeling and broad ranging conversation with the Bluegrass Man for All Seasons, Rick Faris - singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, band leader and … luthier! Rick shares his views on everything from the dynamics of a family band, to the right tone for guitar wood, to getting his voice heard on radio and recordings. In a new segment - Heart and Mind Music -  Mike explores ways to overcome the mental and emotional challenges facing the older music student. Enjoy!
Mentions in this Episode:Rick Faris Music / @rick.faris.guitarRick Faris Guitar Co.Dark Shadow Recording / @darkshadowrecording‘The Practice of Practice’ by Johathan HarnumFiddle Hell – November 13 – 16 in Westford MADarin & Brooke Aldridge @ Westchester Bluegrass Club – Thursday, October 23Roots Radio on The Sonic PlanetBluegrass by the Bridge Open Jam in BrooklynBluegrass Jams Near Me
Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance):All music in this episode is from Rick’s new album, “Life’s Parade”“The Rabbit Hole”“The Sound of Lonely”“On the Right Track”“The Story of my Life”“Bend, Don’t Break”
Episode Index:Interview with Rick Faris – 3’43”Heart and Mind Music – 25’18”Concluding Comments – 33’27”
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA Listen to us on Roots Radio – Saturday and Sunday 9AM Eastern – starting 11-8-25© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved