Please see our post on Programing Changes for correct times.
All times listed are Eastern Time
*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes – Earl Scruggs and Tom Rush
Earl Scruggs’ legendary banjo playing, aptly named “Scruggs Style,” has left its mark on American pop culture and inspired generations of banjo players. In the late 1960s, Scruggs, along with his sons, bravely crossed musical boundaries but his musical journey really started back at the beginnings of bluegrass, playing with Bill Monroe and later, Lester Flatt. We’ll talk to Earl and his sons, Randy and Gary, about performing on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium and why he doesn’t need to crack jokes about the banjo. New Hampshire-born folk singer songwriter Tom Rush may have gone to Harvard and studied with a ballad scholar, but he still knows how to sing the blues. We’ll visit with Rush to learn more about Boston’s folk scene in the 1960s, his time as a radio DJ and his inspired approach to songwriting.
Bluegrass Breakdown – April & May 1969
We’ll be shanghaiing the old bluegrass time machine and heading back to the high and lonesomely resplendent months of April and May, 1969 when, among other things: Tater Tate, John Palmer and Billy Edwards recruit Herschel Sizemore on mandolin and form the Shenandoah Cut-Ups; bassist Ed Ferris leaves the Country Gentlemen after almost five years of distinguished service; guitarist Melvin Goins leaves Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys to form the Goins Brothers with his banjo-pickin’ brother, Ray; even though they’ve officially split, Flatt & Scruggs will record one more album for Columbia pursuant to their contract; lawsuits prohibit both Lester and Earl from using the name “Foggy Mountain Boys”; and the Osborne Brothers, Benny & Vallie Cain, Emerson & Waldron, John Hartford, Carl Story and the Stanley Brothers make Bluegrass AM airwaves sing.
Bluegrass Master Class
A rebroadcast of Banks of the Ohio with Fred Bartenstein. This week, listeners bring some fascinating questions and materials. Where did “Stomp” come from in “Blue Grass Stomp?” How did “Ashokan Farewell” come to be written? Where did actor Warren Beatty first hear the 1949 version of “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” used in the “Bonnie and Clyde” soundtrack? Eddie Greenwood even sent a 1970 tape of Bill Monroe dedicating “Mule Skinner Blues” to Fred. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum.
Bluegrass Review
We continue playing the wave of new bluegrass, including a couple of songs about Mom. Then on the Gem of Bluegrass, we present traditional bluegrass complexity. It’s a timing and choreography thing. The second half of the show is devoted to bluegrass poetics. These are all songs that host Phil Nusbaum has been seeking a place for on the Bluegrass Review. Show host Phil Nusbaum enjoys interaction with listeners. Contact him at pnusbaum@bitstream.net.
Bluegrass Signal – Going Back To Old Kentucky, Part 1
Following last week’s show of songs about the Kentucky Derby and race horses, this week’s Bluegrass Signal is the first of three programs presenting songs about Kentucky. Most of the music is from the man who used his home state’s nickname as his band’s name, a name that came to define a genre of music. And like Bill Monroe, the other musicians included this week — brother Charlie, the Osborne Brothers, Larry Cordle, and Gary Brewer — are from Kentucky. However, the program opens with some Californians singing the Kentucky state song.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
Early music from the Osborne Brothers, flanked by Jimmy Martin (1951-54) and Red Allen (1956), and followed by Cousin Emmy, whose “Rub-yyyy” inspired Sonny and Bob. In the second hour, new reissues from Gusto featuring the immortal Opry/ and Hee Haw banjo playing comic Dave “Stringbean” Akeman. Once you’ve heard “Herdin’ Cattle in a Coupe de Ville,” you won’t forget it soon!
*etown
Returning to Etown in this encore broadcast are our friends from Los Lobos, David Hidalgo & Louie Perez, as they perform a rare duo set, sharing tunes old and new. There are intimate, stripped down moments, but Hidalgo & Perez also rock the house with Nick & Helen Forster and the Etones backing them up. Plus, they let us in on some remarkable behind-the-scenes stories of their exceptional songwriting craft. Also returning to Etown is singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne, here with his full band. He treats us to some of his brilliant songs and powerful, expressive voice. There’s another fine Etown hour of music along with a moving E-Chievement Award story from Washington State.
Featured News: Braille Banjo Lessons
The Free for All – Wednesday, 6-9 p.m. LIVE, Friday 9 p.m.-12 a.m.
The Gary Henderson Show – Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
The Katy Daley Show - Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. ET LIVE
The Lee Michael Demsey Show – Saturday 11a.m.-2p.m., Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET LIVE.
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m., Thurs. 12 p.m.
*Mountain Stage – Featuring Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Jon Randall, The Biscuit Burners, Shawn Camp, Alecia Nugent. Playlist.
Music from Foggy Hollow
In Music from Foggy Hollow from Australia this week, Mike Kear’s featuring the Gibson Brothers new CD “Ring That Bell”. It’s classic Gibson Brothers, with a touch of Alison Brown and we think you’ll like it. Also on the show new music from Honi Deaton & Dream, Angelica Grimm, Dale Ann Bradley, David Davis & the Warrior River Boys and lots more. As usual Mike doesn’t take himself too seriously – there’s time for some fun and levity too. It’s another show jam packed with bluegrass goodness, so don’t miss it!
Music that Matters to Darren Beachley
Open Mic - June Top 30 Countdown
Hosted by Lee Michael Demsey, the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Countdown features the top 30 songs as reported to Bluegrass Unlimited for the upcoming month, in the familiar countdown format. Demsey also includes brief comments from some of the artists and/or songwriters whose music is included.
Old Time Jam
Hubie King takes us on another road trip, this time through Kentucky and West Virginia. We’ll help carry the tobacco from Morehead to Maysville, Kentucky, sample the “moonshine” and praise the hills and the girls of West Virginia. Come with us.
The Ray Davis Show Mon-Fri 3-6p.m., Sunday 10am-1p, LIVE
Rotating Shows
The Bill Miller Show - Sunday 3 a.m. (May 31)
The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show – Tuesday 12 p.m., Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (June 7)
Special Programming
This week we hear two live performances recorded in our Washington D.C. studio. Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein perform and chat with Lee Michael Demsey and the Del McCoury Band plays some tunes and talks to Katy Daley. And, as usual, Phil Nusbaum brings us Gems of Bluegrass.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
This week is a very special program with highlights from a recent interview with the great Paul Williams, leader of the Victory Trio, and composer of over 30 classic bluegrass songs recorded during his 1960s tours with the late Jimmy Martin as well his time with the early days of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. Paul shares his inspirational stories regarding some of our favorite gospel songs he’s recorded since 1995. This promises to be an emotional time and we’ll enjoy the old hymns of course to start the third hour, so keep your song books at hand and let Paul stir up some of your favorite memories as well as views of the future.
*Thistle and Shamrock – New Releases and Debuts (part 2)
More handpicked new sounds from rising artists along with the latest from some of your favorite artists.
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
Uptown Bluegrass with George McKnight – “Music from Appalachia”
In this show we feature old and new music with a terrific array of songs and tunes for one of the most important music regions in North America.
