Bluegrass BKLYN

S3SE4 Jam Talk!

Want to start a jam? Already lead one and could use some pro tips? Listen and learn - in this Special Edition, Liz shares her considerable experience and wisdom on how to start a jam, keep it going, and lead it successfully. Everything from marketing and promotion ideas to nitty-gritty logistics you need to consider. Enjoy this very special Jam Talk!, and go forth and jam!Mentions in this Episode:Bluegrass Jams Near MeWernick MethodEmail Liz for a copy of her Jam Song BookMusic in this Episode (in order of Appearance):“Big Ball in Brooklyn!” – Damn Tall BuildingsBluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S3E10 Iconic Venues: The Ashokan Center!

Mike and Liz visit the Ashokan Center, where music, nature, art, and history have thrived and grown for more than four decades. Listen in on their fascinating conversation with Jay Ungar -  composer of “Ashokan Farewell” – and Molly Mason – musician, organizer, and former Prairie Home Companion Biscuit – and follow the incredible saga of this iconic venue. Enjoy!
Mentions in this Episode:Ashokan Center / @ashokancenter  Fiddle Hell  - Westford MA, November 16th – 18thBanjo Weekend 2025 – Ashokan Center, November 7th to 9thJam-uary Weekend 2026 – Ashokan Center, January 16th to 18thOpen Space Institute / @openspaceinstituteRoots Radio on The Sonic PlanetBluegrass Jams Near MeBluegrass by the Bridge JamMusic in this Episode (in order of Appearance):“Ashokan Farewell” – Jay Ungar from ‘Harvest Home’
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

SE3 Ballad of America!

In this Special Edition Liz explores the deep connections between the history of America, the banjo, and America’s folk music. Meet Matthew Sabatella of Ballad of America, who traces the African roots of the banjo from the Caribbean, through 19th century minstrelry, the jazz age, to bluegrass, up to today. Join us on this fascinating journey. Enjoy. 
Mentions in this Episode: Ballad of America Smithstonian Folkways Bluegrass Jams Near Me   Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance): “Foggy Morning Breaking” – Alison Brown and Steve Martin on “On Banjo” “Ralph’s Banjo Special” – Alison Brown, Kristin Scott Benson and Gina Britt  
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved 

S3E9 IBMA Event Recap!

Mike and Liz got an education at this year’s IBMA World of Bluegrass. Did you know IBMA has a charitable foundation, and awards numerous grants and scholarships? Or that they offer a Leadership Program, organize community fundraisers … all kinds of stuff. We hear from Brad Kolodner - IBMA Board member, Austin Scelzo – Momentum Award Winner to learn more. Mike and Liz haunt the late-night Rambles and Showcases where hand-picked bands show their stuff. They got to talk with – and hear songs by - The Midnight Run, Backline, and Unfaithful Servants. Listen, learn, and tap your feet.
Mentions in this Episode:IBMA World of BluegrassIBMA Foundation Job PostingBrad KolodnerBaltimore Old Time Music Festival, Baltimore MD April 17 – 18Austin ScelzoConnecticut Bluegrass Association Part By Heart AppAcoustic Coffee https://www.acoustic.coffee/Seth Mulder and Midnight RunBacklineThe Unfaithful ServantsWernick Method Jam Camp, Warwick NY October 10 – 12 Fiddle Hell, Westford MA November 13 - 16Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance):“Columbus Stockade Blues” – Jake Jolliff Band on ‘The Jake Jolliff Band’“Liza Jane” – Hilary Hawke Band on ‘Lift Up This Old World’“Looking Past the Pain” – Seth Mulder and Midnight Run on “Coming on Strong’“Dark Rolling Deep” – Backline“Fallen Angel” – The Unfaithful Servants on ‘Fallen Angel’“Another Empty Bottle” – Raven and Red on ‘We Rise Up’
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

SE2 California Bluegrass Association!

This special edition explores the work of the California Bluegrass Association. Executice Director Pete Ludé gives tells us about the Association … We were surprised and impressed with the many programs and initiatives they lead to help our musicians and sustain our music. Listen in and learn more.
Mentioned in this Episode:California Bluegrass Association / @californiabluegrass
International Bluegrass Music Association / @intlbluegrass
Bluegrass Jams Near Me
Bluegrass BKLYN / @bluegrassbklynMusic in this Episode – All kindly provided by local artists!
“Where the Soul of Man Never Dies” – Rick Snell and the Six Deadly Venoms on “The Lucky and the Losers”
“Another Empty Bottle” – Raven and Red on “We Rise Up”
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S3E8 Home Grown, Locally Known with Rick Snell!

Everyone in New York and many around the country (and even the world) know about Mona’s  Bluegrass Session. Mike gets to chat with Rick Snell – NYC-based guitarist and singer – host and organizer of that iconic session. Liz and Mike swap initial impressions of the 2025 IBMA World of Bluegrass and learn about … bluegrass coffee! Join the fun.
Some Mentions in this Episode:
Rick Snell / @ricksnell
Mona’s Bluegrass Session
International Bluegrass Music Association World of Bluegrass / @iintlbluegrass
Acoustic Coffee Company / @acousticcoffeecompany
Seth Mulder and Midnight Run / @midnightrunbluegrass
Austin Scelzo, 2025 IBMA Industry Involvement Award Winner
Wernick Method Camp in Warick NY Oct 10 - 12
Fiddle Hell in Westford MA Nov 13-16
Music in this Episode (in order of appearance):
“Six Deady Venoms do the Ninja Walk” – Rick Snell and the Six Deadly Venoms  on The Lucky and the Losers
“Stoop Pickin’” – Rick Snell, Chris Luquette on City Suite for Two Guitars
“Kid on the Mountain” – Rick Snell, Chris Luquette on City Suite for Two Guitars
“Where the Soul of Man Never Dies” – Rick Snell and the Six Deadly Venoms on The Lucky and the Losers
Episode Index:
3:40 Interview with Rick Snell25:25 Reflections on IBMA Experience38:03 Conclusion and Final
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S3E7 Women in Bluegrass: Alison Brown!

In this very special episode Liz talks with Alison Brown, virtuoso banjo player, First Lady of Bluegrass, Grammy award winner. She shares her insight into our favorite music, the industry, the increasing role women in bluegrass – and encourages Liz to take up the banjo! Plus, Mike reviews the roots and predecessors of banjo-playing women.
Some Mentions in this Episode:Alison Brown / @alisononbanjoBanjo Basecamp: October 6 – 10 in North Adams MAAlison’s Banjo School on ArtistworksIBMA World of Bluegrass: September 16 – 20 in Chattanooga TNFiddle Hell: November 16 -20 in Westford MAWernick Method Jam Camp: October 10 – 12 in Warwick NY
Music in this Episode (in order of appearance):“Girl’s Breakdown” –  Alison Brown on ‘Fair Weather’“Song of the Banjo” – Alison Brown on ’Song of the Banjo’“Wolf Moon” – Alison Brown on ‘Simple Pleasures’“Leaving Cottondale” – Alison Brown on ‘Simple Pleasures’“Under the (Five) Wire” -  Alison Brown with Joe Craven, Garry West, John R. Burr on “Company You Keep”
Episode Index02:50 Allison Brown's Musical Journey22:26 Women and Banjo in History28:00 Upcoming Events and Announcements
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the International Bluegrass Music Association© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S3E6 Martha Spencer and Lucas Pasley!

Mike gets to chat with Martha Spencer, leader of the Wonderland Country Band, and  fiddle player Lucas Pasley. They share about their musical roots in the Blue Ridge Mountains, self-expression in music, … and some surprising fiddle-playing techniques! Liz and Mike have another Jam Talk, where they discuss different jam cultures, finding the right jam for you, and … sousaphones. Join us!
Mentioned in this Episode:Martha Spencer and the Wonderland Country Band / @marthaalice_in_wonderland
“Wonderland” by Martha Spencer
Lucas Pasley / Lucas on Patreon
Women in Roots Project
The Blue Ridge Girls @theblueridgegirls
Junior Appalachian Musicians @juniorappalachianmusicians
Westport Folk Festival @westportfolkbluegrass
Bluegrass by the Bridge Open Jam @ Delia’s Lounge
bluegrassjamsnearme.com
Fiddle Hell – November 13 – 16thMusic in this Episode, in order of appearance:(Note: All music can be found on Martha’s “Wonderland” album)
“You’ve Rambled Too Long”“Midsummer Serenade”“Young Rover”“Rags Over Riches”“Come Home, Virginia Rose”Episode Index:03:54 Interview with Martha Spencer and Lucas Pasley19:34 Jam Talk: Diversity and Variety in Jamming29:50 Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview
 
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

S3E5 Emory Lester!

Bluegrass legend and mandolin virtuoso Emory Lester shares his insights into the development of style and technique in bluegrass, his experiences playing with bluegrass royalty … and his belt-length hair and rock-and-roll career! Plus, we get to meet Brooklyn’s own Alex Deane (by way of Nashville TN), and discuss her growing up in bluegrass, and tips on jamming. Enjoy!
Mentions in this Episode:Emory Lesteremorylester.com Emory Lester on Facebook
‘1863’ – Emory Lester & Mark Johnson Alex Deane@alexdeanemusic
Michael Daves@michael.daves michaeldaves.com
 Wernick Method Jam Camp – October 10-12
Fiddle Hell – November 13-16
Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance):
‘Fisher’s Hornpipe’ – Emory Lester & Mark Johnson
‘My Long Journey Home’ – The Monroe Brothers
‘Where I’m Bound’ – Della Mae & Tom Paxton
‘Back Up and Push’ – Emory Lester
 
Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

SE1: The Last Revel!

Our very first Special Edition! We meet Lee Henke, Ryan Acker, and Vinny Donatelle of The Last Revel, who have been delivering driving music and emotionally powerful lyrics for years. They share about the band's history, song writing, touring, and their latest album 'Gone for Good'. Enjoy!Mentioned in this episode:The Last Revel@thelastrevel  thelastrevel.com
"Gone for Good" on Spotify
The Mercury Lounge East
Music in this Episode, in order of appearance:'Solid Gone' - The Last Revel'Simple Wheel' - The Last Revel'Porcelain' - The Last Revel'Until Death' - The Last Revel
© Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reservedProfessional Member of the International Bluegrass Music Association