Bluegrass BKLYN

The Man … The Banjo … The YouTube Sensation! Mike gets to chat with Jim Pankey, an award-winning, cross genre banjo master and skilled educator. Listen in on the origin story of the now-famous 10-lesson banjo course for beginners that has started countess hopefuls on the course to banjo playing. Mike and Jim go in depth into how Jim tailors his teaching to how folks actually learn. Then, Liz and Mike re-cap their experience at the recent JAM-uary Weekend at the Ashokan Center, hosted by Austin Scelzo. Enjoy! 
Mentioned in this Episode:Jim Pankey / @wildjimboJim’s YouTube banjo lessonsJalopy TheatreThe Ashokan CenterAustin ScelzoBruno BruzzeseEvents of Note:Bruce Molsky @Westchester Bluegrass Club RESCHEDULED for February 15thOld-Time Square Dance @ Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Sunday February 15th SUBJECT TO SNOW DELAYMusic in this Episode:“Old Chattanooga” – Jim Pankey and the Hamilton County Ramblers“She Left Me Standing on the Mountain” – Jim Pankey and the Hamilton County Ramblers
Help us have Brooklyn *officially* declared “The Bluegrass Borough” by NYC government! Click here to sign our petition ….
Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonesWe exclusively play fiddles from Brad Robinson Fiddles and Linen Frederick Violinscontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / visit bluegrassblyn.com / follow @bluegrassbklyn Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA
© Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

Mike and Rick chop it up and talk about everything from podcasting to bluegrass musicians to museums to pickin' on the porch to ... NASCAR racing! Rick is the multifaceted host of 'The Rick Dollar Podcast Show' which brings interviews and insight into the world of bluegrass and it Apalachian roots. Enjoy this informal and informative discussion.Mentioned in this Episode:Rick Dollar Show Podcast / @rickdollarshowpodcastJunior Appalachian Musicians Gruhn GuitarsBilly StringsDan TyminskiMountain Grass Unit
Music in this Episode:“Big Ball in Brooklyn” – Damn Tall Buildings“Cherokee Shuffle” – Trish Plays Bass with Becky Buller
Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonescontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved
 

Finally! Liz completes her Della Mae interview set with this fascinating conversation with Celia Woodsmith. Be prepared for a frank and personal discussion about her musical journey, joining Della Mae – and washboards! Plus, Mike and Liz celebrate bluegrass Grammy nominees with some music and some fun facts. Enjoy!Mentioned in this Episode:Celia Woodsmith / @celia.woodsmithDella Mae / @heyheydellamaeJalopy Theatre and School of MusicBluegrass by the Bridge Open Jam @ Delia’s LoungeLucinda’s Music BarBluegrass Jams Near Me
Events of Note:Della Mae @ Jalopy Theatre of Music, January 28th Jam-uary Wernick Bluegrass Weekend @ The Ashokan Center, January 16th – 18thBruce Molsky @ Westchester Bluegrass Club –January 18th
Music in this Episode:“Family Tree” – Della Mae“Kern County Breakdown” – Carter & Cleveland“Outrun” – The SteelDrivers“Headlight” – Della Mae
Help us have Brooklyn *officially* declared the Bluegrass Borough … click here to sign our petitionPowered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonescontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved
 

Liz talks with Grammy-nominated master fiddler and Old-Time music legend Bruce Molsky. Listen in to get his take on personal interpretations of musical traditions from around the globe. Though best known for his work on the fiddle, Bruce is a multi-instrumentalist, including banjo and guitar, as well as an accomplished vocalist. We really loved getting to meet Bruce, we’re sure you will too. Enjoy!Mentioned in this Episode:Bruce Molsky  / @bruce_molskyDarol Anger / @darolangerfiddlerBerklee College of Music
Events of Note:Bruce Molsky @ Westchester Bluegrass Club –January 18th Bruce & Darol’s Great Bid Fiddle Hang – North Adams MA, June 14th – 18th
Music in this Episode:“Last of Calahan” – Bruce Molsky“Piney Mountain” – Bruce MolskyPowered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonescontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

Something special in this episode – Mike gets to talk with Carl Ray Williams, a talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Listen in as Carl tells of his long and winding road to success as a recording artist in the music business, a story of perseverance, faith, hard work, and a bit of luck! Plus, Liz and Mike and another Jam Talk, where they discuss how to prepare to bring a new song to a jam. Have fun!Mentioned in this Episode:Carl Ray Williams / @officialcarlrayCarl Ray’s Black Country Music Radio“Coming Home” on SpotifyDavid SussmanGlenn Spivak
Events of Note:Bruce Molsky @ Westchester Bluegrass Club –January 18th Andy’s Ramble @ Jalopy Theatre - January 18thDella Mae @ Jalopy Theatre – January 28th Jam Jersey @ Mahwah Doubletree Inn – March 20th – 22ndJam-Uary @ The Ashokan Center -  January 16th – 18th
Music in this Episode:“Mountainview Missionary Baptist Church” – Carl Ray“Get on Board” – Carl RayPowered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonescontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

Liz has an in-depth discussion with Avril Smith – lead guitar player in Della Mae – and they cover a lot of fascinating ground. Learn about Avril’s musical journey, her joining Della Mae, as well as her ‘other life’ working as an organizer and activist in the labor movement. And … what do our favorite A-list musicians do when they’re hanging around at home? Join the fun!Mentioned in this Episode:Avril Smith / @avrilplaysguitarKimber Ludiker / @kimberludikerAlison Brown / @alisononbanjoDella Mae / @heyheydellamaeDella Mae at Jalopy Theater – January 28th“Magic Accident” to be released on January 23rd
Music in this Episode:“Magic Accident” – Della Mae“16 Tons” – Della Mae, Avril Smith, Alison BrownPowered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonescontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

You’ve been listening to some great music at the start of our episodes … but in 30 second clips! As a bonus, we’re posting the full-length versions of our introduction music for Season 4 and a bit beyond. Enjoy!Selected Episode Introduction Music:‘Outrun the Rain’ – Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Vince Gill, Jaelee Roberts“Big Ball in Brooklyn” – Damn Tall Buildings5 String Wake-Up Call” – Shelby Means‘Coal Black Water’ – Missy Raines & Allegheny“Stoney Lonesome” – Andy Statman and Ricky Skaggs“Bienvenue” – Le Vent du Nord“Orphan Annie” – Nate Sabat on ‘Bass Fiddler’“I’ve Endured” – Michael Daves from ‘Early Morning Sun’ “Gone Home” – Gene Yellin and the Sentimentals“Second Fiddle Blues” – Austin Scelzo and Vickie Vaughn“Outrun” – The SteelDrivers“The Rabbit Hole’ – Rick Faris“Where the Soul of Man Never Dies” – Rick Snell and the Six Deadly Venoms“Girl’s Breakdown” –  Alison Brown“You’ve Rambled Too Long” – Martha Spencer and the Wonderland Country Band‘Fisher’s Hornpipe’ – Emory Lester & Mark Johnson
Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonescontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

Mike and Liz reflect on the first year of the Bluegrass BKLYN podcast. They reflect on the most interesting, informative, and surprising episodes. It’s a short episode, but fun … so enjoy and join us in looking forward to 2026 filled with the music we love!
Mentions in this Episode:The Sonic Planet Radio Ear Trumpet Labs / @eartrumpetlabsSelected Episode Introduction Music:‘Outrun the Rain’ – Jason Carter, Michael Cleveland, Vince Gill, Jaelee Roberts“Big Ball in Brooklyn” – Damn Tall Buildings5 String Wake-Up Call” – Shelby Means‘Coal Black Water’ – Missy Raines & Allegheny“Stoney Lonesome” – Andy Statman and Ricky Skaggs“Bienvenue” – Le Vent du Nord“Orphan Annie” – Nate Sabat on ‘Bass Fiddler’“I’ve Endured” – Michael Daves from ‘Early Morning Sun’ “Gone Home” – Gene Yellin and the Sentimentals“Second Fiddle” – Austin Scelzo and Vickie Vaughn“Outrun” – The SteelDrivers“Rabbit Hole’ – Rick Faris“Where the Soul of Man Never Dies” – Rick Snell and the Six Deadly Venoms“Girl’s Breakdown” –  Alison Brown“You’ve Rambled Too Long” – Martha Spencer and the Wonderland Country Band‘Fisher’s Hornpipe’ – Emory Lester & Mark Johnson
Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphonescontact mike@bluegrassbklyn.comfollow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA© Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

Join Liz and get to know Tammy Rogers King, the dynamic fiddle player of The SteelDrivers. You’ll hear twin interviews; one conducted by Della Mae band leader and fiddler Kimber Ludiker and the other by Liz. They delve into every aspect of Tammy’s career - starting in a family band, formation of The SteelDrivers, songwriting, life on the road, being a woman in bluegrass … and winning a Grammy. Enjoy!
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Mentions in this Episode:Tammy Rogers King
The SteelDrivers
“Outrun” on Sun RecordsKimber Ludiker
Della MaeThe Ashokan Center / @ashokancenter
 
Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance):“Outrun” – The SteelDrivers
“When the Last Teardrop Falls” – The SteelDriversPowered 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
 

Mike is joined by three experienced music educators – Austin Scelzo, Matt Curley, and Liz Wolfe  -in a panel discussion covering all aspects of teaching and learning music. We get some surprising takes on the value of music theory, music education in public schools … and, why Mike took up the bassoon in junior high school! Listen in on this fun, informal and informative discussion. Enjoy!
 
Mentions in this Episode:Austin Scelzo / @austinscelzoMatt Curley / @matthew_curley
The Wernick Method
Summer Music Camps or Kids and Teems
Grants and Scholarships for Kids and Traditional Musicians
Bluegrass Jams Near Me
Events of Note:Jam-uary Weekend, The Ashokan Center – January 16-18Austin’s Fiddle Heaven – Pamona Beach FL March 13 - 15
Creative Strings Academy Retreat – Asheville NC June – July 2026
 
Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance):“Second Fiddle Blues” – Austin Scelzo with Vickie Vaughn  “Where Do We Go From Here” – Austin Scelzo, On the Trail
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