Bluegrass BKLYN

S1E8: Bluegrass Charlotte NC!

From Bay Ridge to Blue Ridge! Mike ventures down to Charlotte, North Carolina and encounters a vibrant and welcoming bluegrass music community. Join us as he meets the incredible fiddle maker Brad Robinson and talks fiddles, life, and dogs. We join a jam circle, chat with jammers, and find out about the Charlotte Folk Society. We drop by The Violin Shoppe and spend time with Glen Alexander, co-owner and champion fiddler.Some mentions and music heard in this episode:Brad Robinson Fiddles @bradrobinsonfiddles www.robinsonfiddles.com
Charlotte Folk Society@charlottefolksociety www.folksociety.org/
The Violin Shoppe@theviolinshoppe www.theviolinshoppe.net
Galax Fiddle Conventionhttps://www.oldfiddlersconvention.com/
Jam Jerseyhttps://bluegrassjamsnearme.com/jamjersey/
 
Music in order of hearing'My Cabin in Caroline' - Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs'Angeline the Baker' - Eric Nafziger playing Robinson fiddle #19 "Clara" https://youtu.be/HO_QqSkcsQk?si=RceZdN3l7LNPb1MC'Road to Columbus' - Noam Pikelny plays Kenny Baker plays Bill Monroe
'Worried Man Blues' - Steele Creek Jammers
'Wildwood Flower' - Carter Family
'East Virginia Blues' - Stanley Brothers
 
 
 
 
 

S1E7: Vickie Vaughn!

Your hosts Liz and Mike speak with some of the most amazing women in bluegrass today. We'll get their perspective on jamming etiquette, the increasing visibility of women in our music, leading a band, and where to get the best pizza in NYC (in one woman's opinion!). Enjoy this fascinating episode.Some mentions and music heard (in order of appearance) in this episode:Vickie Vaughn: @wickiewaughn https://www.facebook.com/vickie.vaughn/
Grey Fox Festival: @greyfoxbluegrass https://greyfoxbluegrass.com/
Hilary Hawke: @highatmisshere https://www.hilaryhawkemusic.com/
Jalopy Theater: @jalopybrooklyn https://jalopytheatre.org/
Melody Berger: @melodiva42 https://www.facebook.com/melodyallegramusic/
Fringe Festival / End of all Flesh: https://tickets.frigid.nyc/event/6897:1099/
Mathilda's: @mathildabrooklyn  https://www.mathildebrooklyn.com/
Bluegrass by the Bridge Open Jam : @bluegrassbklyn https://www.facebook.com/groups/502898005440270 www.deliaslounge.com
Jam Jersey: https://www.facebook.com/events/1745484499566244 https://bluegrassjamsnearme.com/jamjersey/
Music in this episode (in order of hearing):"Leavin'" - Vickie Vaughn Band ... brand new single pre-release!
"Ain't no Ash will Burn" - Della Mae on 'This World Oft Can Be'
Hillary Hawke Band - live at Jalopy Theater 3/1/25
"How Mountain Girls Can Love" - Melody Berger & Christian Apuzzo live at Mathilda's 3/12/25
"Take me Back to Tulsa" - Maddie Denton and East Nash Grass live at Floyd County Store
"Squirrel Hunters" - John Hartman on 'Wild Hog in the Red Bush'

S1E6: Sam Dallas!

What a milestone! Bluegrass BKLYN podcast reaches Episode 6!  Join your hosts Mike Willner and Liz Wolfe as they explore the theme of "Home Grown & Locally Known", highlighting local members of the bluegrass community. You'll meet Sam Dallas and hear her thoughts on jamming, performing, and ... why play the bass?!? Ron and Liz recount how they built their sprawling Jampire uptown and beyond. It's a fun and interesting episode, jump in and enjoy! 

S1E5: Pete Wernick

Join your hosts Mike Willner and Liz Wolfe as we explore all aspects of the music we love. In this episode, Liz sits with the Bluegrass giant, Pete Wernick - banjo legend, member of the band Hot Rize, and creator of the Wernick Method (https://wernickmethod.org/). They cover all aspects of Pete's music career, philosophy of teaching, and more.
We get key insights into Pete's approach and vision for learning to play music, and for building full musical potential in the jam circle. It's fascinating to hear how he expanded and refined that approach into the Wernick Method we have today.
Additionally, we'll get the inside scoop on the upcoming Jam Jersey jamming weekend (April 4 - 6 https://bluegrassjamsnearme.com/jamjersey/). Enjoy the episode, send feedback to mike@bluegrassbklyn.com Follow in Instagram @bluegrassbklyn . See you around the jam circle!Mike & Liz

S1E4: Sheriff Bob!

Watch out, the Sheriff's in town ... and he's makin' sure everyone is jammin' and havin' a good time!
In Episode 4 we have an in-depth discussion with the Sheriff of Good Times, Bob Saidenberg, a fixture in country and bluegrass music for many decades.
He shares his perspective on the music scene in NYC from the 50's to the 90's, on hosting and participating on jams .... and on saxophone playing! Plus, upcoming shows, events, and jams. 

S1E3: JamVal Recap!

Special Edition! Our host Mike Willner and our new co-host Liz Wolfe adventure up to JamVal 2025 in Framingham Mass. for 2 days of jamming, workshops, interesting conversations and fun. We talk with guitar virtuoso and instructor Tony Watt, bass legend Mike Bub, and East Nash Grass' Maddie Denton and Harry Clark!  We meet some the the attendees, get to hear some of the live jam music, and catch up on shows and events in the area. Join the jam circle and enjoy this special report ...

S1E2: Michael Daves!

We continue to spread love of bluegrass the Brooklyn Way! In Episode 2 we have an in-depth interview with Michael Daves, nationally known performer and teacher. Also, we reveal Mike Willner's Bluegrass Mt. Rushmore for Fiddle. And, we get a slew of updates on up-coming events and jams. Enjoy! Here are links referenced in the episode:Sunday March 2nd - Christian Apuzzo @ Delia's Lounge 7-10PMwww.deliaslounge.comBluegrass by the Bridge Jam @ Delia's on Wednesdays 6-9PM. facebook.com/groups/502898005440270"Posh Jams" on Sundays 2-5PM on the Upper West Side of NY with Liz Wolfeliz@bluegrassjamsnearme.comSunday Bluegrass Session with Sean Kershaw @ Prospect Grill 545 5th Ave. 4-7 PM.facebook.com/groups/307357758423428
Michael Daves Bluegrass Vocal School on Artistworkswww.artistworks.com/bluegrass-vocal-lessons-michael-davesJamVal Non-Festival Festival - February 14 - 16 @ Framingham Sheratonhttps://bbu.org/events/jamval/
Maddie Denton and East Nash Grasswww.eastnashgrass.com
Follow us at @bluegrassbklyn on Instagram Join 'Bluegrass BKLYN' on FacebookContact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com
 

S1E1: Christian Apuzzo!

Our first episode! We get to speak with Christian Apuzzo, the BKLYN-based singer, guitar player, band leader, jam leader ... Also, we have some fun with Bluegrass Mount Rushmore!