March 11-16: Join host Sam Litzinger and Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place for another Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways, this time featuring folk singer Jean Ritchie. More information on the music played in this program is available from Smithsonian Folkways. Please note this program will air at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 11th, instead of the regularly scheduled 6 p.m.

Starting things off, Phil Nusbaum discusses some well-known bluegrass “characters” on Gems of Bluegrass. Following that, Katy Daley is joined by the recently retired guitar player from the Country Current, Wayne Taylor. To round out the hour we’ll hear Kathy Mattea talk in-depth about her career and her new album, Coal.

April 20-25: This week we’re joined by a new voice on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country, Trevor Whitney. Trevor and Jen Hitt will highlight the artists performing at MerleFest 2008.

April 13-18: Starting things off, Phil Nusbaum highlights the Blue Sky Boys on Gems of Bluegrass. Following that, Old time banjo player and NPR newscaster, Paul Brown, visited our studios recently along with guitar player John Schwab. They sat down with Hubie King to chat and play some tunes.

April 6-11: We hear from students and faculty in the bluegrass music program at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Associate Professor of Music and fiddler, Andy Carlson says the main thrust of their program is to, “expose as many students from as many walks of campus, here at Denison, to this great music, to this music that is the history of our country embodied in sound.”

April 6-11: The Wilders new album, Someone’s Gotta Pay, will be released on Free Dirt records on April 15th. On the album is the 5-part piece, “Sittin’ on a Jury”, inspired by mandolin player, Phil Wade’s recent experience as a Juror for a murder trial in Kansas City. Jen Hitt speaks with Phil Wade and Ike Shelton and discusses their modern murder ballad.

March 23 - April 2: Bob Webster talks with Lou Reid, Jen Hitt reviews the bluegrass featured at SXSW 2008, and we hear the Punch Brothers recent appearance on the NPR program, All Things Considered.

March 9-21: Join host Sam Litzinger and Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place for another Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways, this time featuring folk singer and political activist, Pete Seeger. More information on the music played in this program is available from Smithsonian Folkways.

March 1-7: You’ll tune in for the music and stay for the stories of Alan Jabbour, an enthnomusicologist and old time fiddler, who served as the director of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress from 1976-1979. Alan was a founding member of the Hollow Rock String Band and is credited for inspiring a whole new generation of old time musicians. Alan talks about music with Hubie King and shares some of the songs he learned from his mentor, Virginia fiddler Henry Reed. Pull up a chair and enjoy a very special edition of Old Time Jam, featuring songs like Over the Waterfall, Flying Cloud Cotillion, and Turkey in the Straw.

February 24-29: Jen Hitt and Echo Propp interview singer and songwriter Kristin Andreassen, member of the band Uncle Earl. Kristin joined us in studio during the Friday Night Free for All on February 15th. Danny & Neil Knicely backed her up on some tunes from her solo album, Kiss Me Hello.

February 24-29: In early February Public Radio International host, Bob Edwards interviewed the Seldom Scene’s Ben Eldridge, Dudley Connell, and Fred Travers about their latest album on Sugar Hill Records, “Scenchronized.” They discuss the Seldom Scene’s start as a band, their urban approach to bluegrass, and what it means to be working musicians.

February 9-22: Join host Sam Litzinger and Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place on for another Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways, this time featuring the life and music of the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe. More information on the music played in this program is available from Smithsonian Folkways.

January 19 - February 1: Host Bob Webster talks with long-time banjo icon from North Carolina, A.L. Wood. A.L. has been playing bluegrass and fronting bands since the early 1960’s. He’s written over 40 bluegrass songs, some of which have been recorded by Rhonda Vincent, The Bass Mountain Boys, and, most recently, Dailey and Vincent. Also, segments from NPR on Merle Haggard and the radio station WSM.

January 6-18: Join host Sam Litzinger and Smithsonian Folkways archivist Jeff Place on for another Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways, this time featuring the life and music of old time banjo player, Dock Boggs. More information on the music played in this program is available from Smithsonian Folkways.

December 28 - January 11: Here at Bluegrass Country, we’ve been to many concerts this year, and so have you, but we bet you’ve never been to K.O.M. for this all star Fantasy Festival. Some of the acts “performing” include the Greencards, the Steep Canyon Rangers, and The Wilders. Listen during the Open Mic time slot.