Back Porch Bluegrass

The Steeldrivers, Russell Moore & Third Tyme Out, Detour and Longview are all presented in this episode, as are the Lovell Sister, Dan Tyminski, and some NZ bluegrass from the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band. Lyman Enloe plays a fiddle tune, and the Kentucky Colonels play a gospel tune. Of course, I remind you all about the forthcoming NZ tour of that great family band, the Petersons, in February 2025.

I enjoyed sharing the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with you all so much last week that I have included another couple of tracks this week, too. We’ll also hear from the Kody Norris Show, the High Desert Band, the Poor Valley Girls (from ETSU), and Tony Ellis. The Dry Branch Fire Squad introduce some humour and some fine banjo playing from Bill Evans, and there’s a couple of tracks from a live recording of Lou Reid and Carolina.

I’ve included a couple of tunes from that classic album “Circle” album from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, featuring them and some of their musical heroes. I’ve also included tracks from my musical hero, Doug Dillard, and offerings from Hot Rize, Jerusalem Ridge, the Osborne Brothers, the Earls of Leicester, Kathy Kallick, and of course, NZ’s own Hamilton County Bluegrass Band. It’s coming up to Christmas (already!) so I’ve sneaked in a song from the Trenwiths with Caroline Jones, too.

Some of my LP’s get an airing this week. The Johnson Mountain Boys, Charlie Moore, J D Crowe on the highly-regarded ‘Model Church’ album from 1971, and some Jimmie Rodgers songs from the great Merle Haggard album ‘Same Train, Different Time’. Of course, I’ve got some more recent music from Sally Jones, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Daniel Boner, and Rickie Simpkins. Something for all tastes!

I’m continuing to dig deep into my CD shelves, and I’ve selected some great music for you. Today’s show includes music from Karen Lynn (of Australia), Kathy Barwick, Eddie & Martha Adcock, the Barefoot Nellies (love that name), and I get to play the John Hartford track I missed out last week. We’ve also got Bill Monroe, Seldom Scene and the Earls of Leicester. Lots of great listening here. Best of all, I tell you all about the forthcoming NZ tour of that great family band, the Petersens, in February 2025.

Joe Mullins, the Spinney Brothers, Phil Leadbetter, Greg Blake, Cliff Waldron, the Nashville bluegrass Band, John Hartford, all feature in this episode of Back Porch Bluegrass. The Tuttles and AJ Lee, featuring Molly Tuttle and AJ Lee when they were teenagers, present us with a couple of fine examples of ‘the next generation’ of bluegrassers. Great music!

I’ve featured my friend Tom Henderson from Tampa, FL, this week, as a tribute to the folks of Florida and eastern USA in the recent devastating storms. With his Bluegrass Parlor Band and his programme, This Is Bluegrass, did much for bluegrass music in the Tampa Bay area. I’ve also included some music from the Grascals, Patty Loveless, Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson – a bluegrass Who’s Who, indeed. The Trenwiths, Matt & George & the Pleasant Valley Boys, and Country Ham also get some airtime. Enjoy.

A wide-ranging selection of bluegrass music offerings in this episode, from Missy Werner, the Lonesome River Band, Chris Jones & the Night Riders, to some pre-bluegrass from Bill Monroe, and some very early country music with what has become a bluegrass classic. Mac Wiseman, Sawmill Road and the HCBB with Pam Findlay also get some airtime – an eclectic collection!

I have my son Sam Trenwith in the studio with me today, talking a little about his music teaching world, as well as our upcoming concert in Raglan at the end of this month. I’ve also featured a band, the Forest Hills Bluegrass Band from south-west Ohio, playing their own original music, as well as offerings from Laurie Lewis, Jim Lauderdale, Bobby Hicks, Bill Blackburn, the Osborne Brothers and even The Trenwiths.

I’m digging into my LP collection for some of today’s selections – Emerson & Waldron, great band from the late-1960’s/early 1970’s, and the Johnson Mountain Boys, classic bluegrass from the 1980’s. Of course we’ve got some fine offerings from Rhonda Vincent, the Brombies, Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, and the Stanley Brothers. Throw in some picking from Brad Kolodner, the HCBB and Eddie Adcock & Don Reno, and you’ve got a memorable bluegrass concert.

The Dreadful Snakes kick-off this episode of the Back Porch Bluegrass Show, and then we’ve got Balsam Range, Jeremy Stephens, Dr Pete Wernick (playing some pretty way-out sounding banjo licks), Longview and Ramona Church. I’ve got Dale Jett & Hello Stranger back this week, and the Trenwiths (previewing their appearance at the Raglan Country & Blues Festival), and a classic from Flatt & Scruggs ( because it IS a bluegrass show!)

This week, we’ve got some Carter Family music from Dale Jett, some old-time country from Lulu Belle & Scotty, and some banjo picking from Junie Scruggs – Earl’s brother. There’s some fine bluegrass in here from Aaron Foster, Jeanette Williams, Roland White, and the Earls Of Leicester, a great band called ‘Sideline’, and some straight-ahead picking from Nothing Fancy. The ‘best of bluegrass’.

Missy Werner, the Kody Norris Show, Seldom Scene, Jim & Jesse, and Nine Mile Creek (from Australia) are on the show this week. I’ve also included some great cuts from a Hot Rize live concert, and some fine picking from John Hickman.

I’ve just bought some ‘new’ CDs from a friend and fellow collector of bluegrass, and I’ve used them to compile this episode of Back Porch Bluegrass. I’ve also paid tribute to the great bluegrass fiddle player, Bobby Hicks, who passed away earlier this month.

Great banjo playing from Jim Mills, wonderful mandolin playing from David Grisman & Sam Bush, with a generous helping of fine picking & singing from the Stanley Brothers, Alison Krauss and lots of others. Pure delight!

A little bit of Irish bluegrass from Niall Toner, some dynamic music from Newtown, songs from David Parmley, Del McCoury, Double Overtime, Earl Taylor, and Sierra Hull, and some fine instrumentals from the Boxcars, and Billy Hurt. Oh, and some old-timey clawhammer from Bob Siggins. A rare mix of bluegrass!

A very eclectic collection of the varying shades of bluegrass in this episode, almost as many colours as in an artist’s blue palette. Lou Reid, Norman Blake, Jeremy Stephens, Jean-Luc Leroux, the Lonesome River Band, Frank Solivan, the Whitstein Brothers, Bluestone, Claire Lynch, Jim Mills – something for everyone. Enjoy!

This episode of Back Porch Bluegrass features music from 1927 right through to 2023, with lots of great tunes in between. Uncle Dave Macon, the Bluegrass Album Band, Starlett & Big John Talley, John Reischman & the Jaybirds, Jane Germain & Ian Simpson, the Stanley Brothers – some fine selections here.

Dan Tyminski, Alison Krauss, Dailey & Vincent, Hot Rize, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, are all featured in this episode of Back Porch Bluegrass, along with some fine picking from Clarence White & the Kentucky Colonels, the Sonoran Dogs and even NZ’s own HCBB get a chance to show their skills. Not to be missed.

At the suggestion of a listener, I looked through my archives and found some music featuring Aoife O’Donovan & Crooked Still; from this contemporary bluegrass we jump to Frank Wakefield and Red Allen in 1963, the Lilly Brothers, some great mandolin picking from Rhonda Vincent, the Spinney Brothers from Nova Scotia, and lots more you’ve probably not heard before. Worth a listen!

This episode of BPBg features an interview with Dr Des Walsh, of the Dublin, Ireland-based band ‘Whistle’. I visited with the band during my recent visit to Ireland, and enjoyed a great evening of their music, as well as some jamming with them. Of course, we’ve got a few ‘regulars’ on the show like High Fidelity, Blue Highway, David Grisman and even some HCBB.

I’m delighted to be delving into my CD’s again, and I think I’ve come up with some gems for you. Great bluegrass from the likes of JD Crowe, The Dillards, Sawmill Road, Kenny & Amanda Smith, Sister Sadie and Joe Mullins; a new original opening track from me with Jean-Luc Leroux, and a track from Cliff Waldron that didn’t make it into last week’s show.

First show since I returned from my overseas trip, and I’ve picked out a variety of tracks for you, that I think you’ll enjoy.

Originally aired 16-06-20.

Formerly 14-09-21 - Jeremy Stephens interview.

Formerly 19-11-19 - Missy Raines interview.

Formerly 10-05-22 - Paul T with Claire Lynch.

Formerly broadcast 21-07-20 - K MacMillan interview.

May is NZ Music Month, and this show features some NZ musicians and bands that have contributed to the bluegrass genre whilst overseas. Musicians featured include BB Bowness, Gerry Paul, Mark Mazengarb, Leonard Cohen, George Jackson, and of course, members of the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band.

May is NZ Music Month, and this show features some NZ musicians and bands that have contributed to the bluegrass genre over the years.

Darren Beachley, Dale Ann Bradley, Blue Highway, the Bluegrass Album Band all feature in this show, along with the Gibson Brothers, and Sideline. I also pay tribute to NZ bass player Bruce Fergus, part of the 1970’s NZ band Bluegrass Expedition, who passed away recently.

Bluegrass legend, and one of my heroes, banjo player Ben Eldridge died very recently. On this show I feature just some of Ben’s magical banjo work with Seldom Scene and his prior work with Cliff Waldron & the New Shades of Grass. We’ve also got some music from Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, the All-Girl Boys, Bryan Christianson, and the Pleasant Valley Boys.

I’ve been digging deep into my shelves of CD’s, and I’ve come up some selections from familiar performers that I’ve not played on this show previously, as well as a few ‘favourites’ that leap out me saying ‘pick me, pick me’. Among the performers featured are the Osborne Brothers, Donna Ulisse, Special Consensus, Doyle Lawson, Longview, the Bluegrass Cut-Ups, and Seldom Scene.

A new album from French bluegrass legend Jean-Luc Leroux, plus offerings from Travers Chandler, X-Train, the Price Sisters, and Dan Tyminski. We’ve got some old-timey banjo picking from David Holt, and a rare gospel song from the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band.

Some songs you may not have heard previously, some instrumentals, some NZ performers, some from the USA, all part of the wide variety that is bluegrass music.

Bluegrass from Wildfire, the Grascals, the Missy Werner Band, Lou Reid & Carolina, instrumentals from Seldom Scene, Sidesaddle and the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, and gospel music from Rhonda Vincent as an Easter ‘special’. Lots to like in this episode.

St Patrick’s Day has just been celebrated the world over. And there’s a lot of the Irish in bluegrass music. I searched my collection to come up with songs that give a nod to our Irish heritage, and have featured some songs and tunes in this episode. There’s also some ‘regular’ bluegrass too, of course, and you’ll hear from Dale Anne Bradley, Hot Rize, the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, Bill Monroe, J D Crowe, Tony Ellis and others.

We had a great concert in my backyard with George Jackson & Brad Kolodner, and I’m featuring their music on this show. I’ve also got some great tracks from the Travelling McCourys, Barry & Holly Tashian, the Stanley Brothers, and Junior Sisk. High Fidelity get a look in, and there’s even an opening track from Australian great Slim Dusty and the Travelling Country Band.

Still finding treasures in my deepest shelves of bluegrass LP’s. This week’s show has music from Billy Baker (fiddler), Mac Wiseman & the Osborne Brothers, and Merle Haggard singing a Jimmie Rodgers favourite. There’s a brand-new release from Missy Raines & Allegheny, and songs from Peter Rowan, the Bluegrass Album Band, the HCBB and others; and some fine resonator playing from Kathy Barwick.

I’ve dug deep into my shelves of LPs, and hauled out a few favourites – the Blue Velvet Band, Seldom Scene, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, fiddler Glen Duncan, to find some tracks I’ve not played on the show previously. We’ve got a little more contemporary with the HCBB, George Jackson, the Kody Norris Show, and Balsam Range, and some classic bluegrass from Tony Ellis.

Jim Hurst, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Dale Ann Bradley, Tim O’Brien with some fine bluegrass; a ‘classic’ tune from Bill Monroe, and some offerings from the HCBB, Trev Warner, Alison Krauss & the Cox Family. There’s a strangely-named fiddle tune from Kenny Baker, and fine picking from some of your favourite musicians.

Classic bluegrass from Jim and Jesse, some ‘hardcore’ from Chris Henry & the Hardcore Grass, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Ricky Skaggs , some contemporary songs from Irene Kelley, and some 1970’s Californian bluegrass from Country Gazette. Real variety in this week’s show.

I enjoyed the first ‘live’ concert from Sassafras at Tauranga this past weekend, with more to come this week. So they are featured in this episode along with some classic bluegrass from Curly Seckler, George Shifflet, Bill Harrell, and the Country Gentlemen, and some contemporary bluegrass from Sawmill Road, Craig Smith and Karen Lynn.

I had a weekend of live music – some of it is represented in the songs I’ve selected, and the usual eclectic selection of bluegrass from many sources makes up the programme. Claire Lynch, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Dark Hollow Bluegrass Band, Sassafras and the Grascals are just some of the bands featured.

We kick off with some ‘original ‘ bluegrass from Bill Monroe & the Blue Grass Boys, and include both contemporary bluegrass (Sassafras, Jordan Tice, Del McCoury), some ‘classic’ bluegrass (Country Gentlemen, Joe Mullins, Nashville Bluegrass Band and the HCBB) and some that defies categorization (J D Crowe & the New South, Dan Walsh) but it’s all bluegrass, folks!

Mark Newton, High Fidelity, Scott Vestal & Co, Sierra Hull, and some classic bluegrass from ‘Here Today’, with all sorts of supporting music. Something for all tastes.

Some ‘classic’ bluegrass (Jimmy Martin & the Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse), some contemporary bluegrass (Midnight Skyracer, Sassafras) and lots of regular bluegrass, just to get 2024 off to a good start.

Created by Free FM, Hamilton, New Zealand

Holiday listening, with some of my favourite musicians. Skaggs & Rice, Byron Berline (with 3 banjos!) John Reischman & the Jaybirds, Country Gentlemen, Jerry Douglas all get to present their songs and tunes, as do Flatt & Scruggs, Doyle Lawson, the HCBB, Frank Wakefield and Seldom Scene. George Jackson plays a fiddle tune, and I even get to play the end of the last show for 2023.

A Christmas treat for you all – I have my son Sam in the studio with me, and we talk about a life of playing music, encouraging others, writing songs, going surfing – all the important things! He sings a new song, recently written, right here in the studio – a world premiere! There’s also some music from Alison Krauss, Mike Scott & Co, Tony Rice, the Trenwiths, Sassafras and Kenny Baker. Enjoy!

The Rice Brothers, Sassafras, Don Parmley, Doyle Lawson form the first part of the show, what a line-up! We’ve got Caroline Jones & the Trenwiths doing a Christmas song, bluegrass style (of course!) as well as the Dry Branch Fire Squad, Mac Wiseman, and a tribute to the great banjo player Terry Baucom. Blue Moon Rising also feature with a couple of songs – something for all tastes here.

We’re on the rundown to Christmas, so we’ve got Caroline Jones & the Trenwiths doing a Christmas song, bluegrass style (of course!) as well as some classic bluegrass from the Bluegrass Album Band, the Stanley Brothers and the Spinney Brothers. Jeanette Williams, Mike Compton, the Bluegrass Expedition, Leon Morris and High Fidelity also get chance to present some music. Definitely worth tuning in!

I’m still exploring my shelves full of LPs and CDs, and I think I’ve come up with some gems for this show. The Kathy Kallick Band, Charlie Moore, JD Crowe, Earl Taylor, Craig Smith, Chubby Wise all contribute, as well as a host of others.

I’m still exploring my shelves full of LPs and CDs, and I think I’ve come up with some gems for this show. The Kathy Kallick Band, Charlie Moore, J.D. Crowe, Earl Taylor, Craig Smith, Chubby Wise all contribute, as well as a host of others.

I keep finding tracks that I’ve not previously played on Back Porch Bluegrass, and I think you’ll enjoy them. The Earls of Leicester, Ivan Rosenberg, Bill Evans, Detour, Rhonda Vincent, the Gibson Brothers, and Tony Rice, all playing great bluegrass music.

All the elements of fine bluegrass music in this episode – driving banjo, punchy rhythms, soaring fiddles, incredibly dextrous mandolin playing, heartfelt vocals and wonderfully crafted songs. I’ve included songs from Dan Tyminski, Tony Ellis, Starlett & Big John, Rickie Simpkins, Doc Watson and even NZ’s own HCBB, to make up a show that’s purely bluegrass. Enjoy!

I’ve chosen some favourite albums and performers for this episode of BPBg, including Laurie Lewis, the Johnson Mountain Boys, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Merle Haggard singing songs of the great Jimmie Rodgers, and High Fidelity singing a song from their new gospel album. Lots to enjoy.

I’ve been buying bluegrass albums from County Sales (USA) since the mid-1960’s, and I’ve just received another package from them, of albums I ordered from their catalogue. It’s always exciting opening such a package, and I thought I’d share that with you this week. Featured performers include Cliff Waldron, the Bluegrass Alliance, Missy Werner, the Country Gentlemen, the Stanley Brothers, fiddler Billy Baker and Ronnie Reno.

A brand-new gospel album from High Fidelity is featured on today’s programme, along with some classic bluegrass from the Gibson Brothers, the Lonesome River Band, and a very young Dillards in their first ‘live’ recording. Other pickers include David Grisman, Hunter Berry, Mountain Heart and Donna Ulisse.

Bluegrass musicians enjoying ‘jamming’ with each other, and there’s a wonderful repertoire of songs and tunes that are familiar to most pickers. I’ve collected some of these for this episode, and there’s some versions of standards that may surprise you.

A rare treat this week – we have French mandolinist who together with host Paul Trenwith, plays some music ‘live’ in the studio. Of course, we have some gems from my shelves, too, including songs featuring IBMA 2023 winners Greg Blake (Male Vocalist of the Year) and Vickie Vaughn (Bass Player of the Year). Vickie is playing with High Fidelity, and we have songs from the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Richard Bennett, the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band and Jean-Luc Leroux.

I’m delighted to host, in the studio at FreeFM, French mandolinist and vocalist extraordinaire Jean-Luc Leroux. We talk about his early days in bluegrass, his approach to the music, his recordings, and we play some tracks from his newest album as well as some from his earlier albums. Next week, we might play some ‘live’ music in the studio! Of course, we kick off the show with some classic bluegrass from Curly Seckler, and the Nashville Bluegrass Band.

Lots of ‘classic’ bluegrass in this show, with a few surprises thrown in! The Bluegrass Album Band, Dan Crary, Sonoran Dogs, the Bluegrass Cardinals, Lynn Morris, plus some great songs from Tim O’Brien, Vince Gill, some fine fiddling from Billy Hurt and guitar picking from Dan Crary. There’s a track from the 1960’s, too, from the HCBB singing about springtime. Seasonal bluegrass?

I regularly surprise myself with some of the gems of bluegrass that I find hiding on my shelves! Some of these tracks come from albums that have featured many times on the show, and some are new to the show. Listen here for tracks from Jeremy Stephens (High Fidelity), Grasstowne, Scott Vestal & Co, Kenny & Amanda Smith, Joseph Decosimo, Pam Findlay with the HCBB, and others.

Some real stars of the bluegrass music scene are featuring in today’s programme. Ricky Skaggs, Mike Compton, Blue Highway, Lou Reid, Dale Ann Bradley and the Goodbye Girls with Molly Tuttle. There’s some songs from Darren Beachley, John Bowman, and some classic bluegrass from the Stanley Brothers and Flatt & Scruggs.

I’ve dug deep into my LP shelves to come up with music from Seldom Scene (1979), the Bluegrass Alliance (1970), and Tony Trischka (1980). Of course, there’s some more contemporary bluegrass as well, from the Spinney Brothers, the late Roland White, Sierra Hull, Mike Scott and the Kathy Kallick Band. A song from the HCBB, a tune from Kenny Baker – some great music here.

American Drive, the Get Down Boys, Michelle Nixon, Claire Lynch, Hot Rize, John Reischman & the Jaybirds all feature on this episode, along with a tune from Doc Watson with Flatt & Scruggs, a banjo tune from Jim Mills, and the Gibson Brothers to round it all out. What’s not to like?

Joe Mullins and his Radio Ramblers kick us off (it IS FIFA World Cup time!), and I’ve featured Patty Loveless, Bluestone, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, , as well as some tracks from the ETSU Old Time band, Bill Monroe, the Witcher Brothers, Tony Ellis and the Band Of Ruhks. I’ve got the HCBB playing a tune, and Art Stamper with an old favourite. Lots to like.

Music for a variety of tastes here, from Special Consensus, the Lynn Morris Band, and High Fidelity to Stringbean, the early Country Gentlemen, and Kenny Baker. There’s also some fine music from Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, the Larry Stephenson Band and songwriter Larry Cordle.

A variety of bluegrass styles here, including music from Blue Highway, Claire Lynch, Monroe Crossing, the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, and Sawmill Road. There’s some fine picking from Norman Blake, some classic bluegrass from Marvin Howell and the Franklin County Boys, the Lonesome River Band, and a great starting tune from yours truly, recorded back in 1976.

On a recent trip to Wellington, I went shopping for (and purchased) some second-hand CD’s – but NEW to me. I thought I’d share them with you all. Music from Jim Lauderdale, Chris Jones, Alison Krauss, the original Jimmie Rodgers, Ricky Skaggs and Roy Acuff. There’s some songs from Dierks Bentley, and Delia Bell and Bill Grant, as well as a tune from the HCBB featuring mandolinist Graham Lovejoy.

A tribute to bluegrass great Bobby Osborne, who died on June 27, 2023. Featuring music of the Osborne Brothers, plus recordings of Bobby working with Rhonda Vincent, Mac Wiseman, and tracks from other groups doing Osborne Brothers’ tunes. You’ll hear NZ’s own HCBB, Bill Runkle, the Dillards, Doyle Lawson and others in this great line-up.

Bluegrass from my shelves. Something here for all tastes – contemporary bluegrass from Midnight Skyracer, old-time from Uncle Dave Macon, classic bluegrass from the Bluegrass Album Band, Rickie Simpkins, the Osborne Brothers, Jim Hurst, the Grascals, Dan Tyminski – a great line-up! There’s a song from Ralph Stanley I and Ralph Stanley II, and more besides. Enjoy!

This episode is a ‘tribute show’ for the great Jesse McReynolds who died 23 June 2023, aged 93. The influence of his ‘brother’ duo, Jim & Jesse & The Virginia Boys, has been immense for bluegrass music. Jesse was the lead singer, a stunning mandolin player who developed his own style of mandolin playing that is difficult to emulate, a fine song-writer and great band leader. His legacy is huge. This show features Jim & Jesse and the Virginia Boys, Carl Jackson, Raymond McLain, the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, and High Fidelity, all playing Jim & Jesse songs and tunes. We’ve also got a new track from the Kody Norris Show, and songs from Claire Lynch, Rhonda Vincent and Matt Leadbetter.

This programme features some classic bluegrass as well as some offerings from contemporary performers like Becky Buller and NuBlu.

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Tim O’Brien, Sidesaddle & Co from San Jose, J D Crowe & the New South, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Roy Acuff and the HCBB are among those who feature in this show. There’s also a track from the legendary fiddle player, Billy Baker. Lots of top bluegrass here, and a few you might not expect!

Still digging deep into my CD collection, I’ve found some music I’m sure you’ll enjoy. We’ll hear from Greg Blake, the Gibson Brothers, Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands, Larry Stephenson, the Boxcars, John Reischman & the Jaybirds, and a banjo tune from Bill Emerson.

In this week’s show, I pay tribute to Joy Kirkpatrick OAM, premier lady of Australian country music, and a huge influence on my life, by featuring a track from Slim Dusty’s ‘Live At Tamworth’ album that she wrote. There’s also music from my LP collection – tracks from the Country Gentlemen, Here Today, Charlie Monroe, the Johnson Mountain Boys and the Marshall Family. I’ve also included a few more recent favourites, such as Corrina Rose Logston, Barry & Holly Tashian, and Bill Evans. Enjoy!

This week I’ve selected some favourites from my shelves, but there’s also some artists you may not have heard before, all playing some great music. The Bluegrass Album Band, Dan Tyminski, the New Coon Creek Girls, the Lilly Brothers, Fiddlin’ Billy Hurt, Mitch Harrell, Tony Ellis. Enjoy.

May is New Zealand Music Month, so in this show I’m featuring NZ artists including, The Remarkables, Mark Mazengarb, the Pipi Pickers, Rhode Works, Pam Findlay, the Bluegrass Expedition, and of course the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band and its derivatives.

May is New Zealand Music Month, so in this show I’m featuring NZ artists including Wires & Wood, and Hot Diggity, plus some early HCBB. And, I’m talking, in the studio, to Keith MacMillan, Hamilton musician and luthier, about his work in the repair and maintenance of musical instruments. We also pick a couple of tunes in the studio.

May is New Zealand Music Month, so in this show I’m featuring NZ artists, including the Pipi Pickers; You, Me, Everybody; Bryan Christianson; Pete & the Skiffy Rivets; the Antipodean Serenaders; and our celebrated banjo virtuoso Catherine Bowness with her band Mile Twelve. Of course, the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band gets to play a few tunes, too, having been part of the NZ music scene for seven decades.

Anzac Day is observed in both New Zealand and Australia on 25 April. This date marks the first major military action fought by the Australian and New Zealand forces (the ANZACs) during World War 1, at Gallipoli. We remember and honour not only those who died at Gallipoli, but all who have served their country in times of war. Accordingly, I have selected a few songs with an appropriate theme for this show.

I’ve dug into the bottom shelf of my old LP’s to come up with some tracks that haven’t been played on this show previously – Delia Bell & Bill Grant, Jim & Jesse, John Hartford, Buck White & the Down Home Folks, Eric Weissberg & Marshall Brickman. I’ll also be playing some lesser-known Flatt & Scruggs, Raymond McLain, the Gibson Brothers, and newer friends like Balsam Range, Starlett & Big John Talley, and even some HCBB.

Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie, Ricky Skaggs, Larry Sparks, Sister Sadie, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, and Walt Crider singing some Mac Wiseman songs. Lots of bluegrass, from classic to contemporary, with some Australian and NZ songs included. Enjoy!

I give my old Gibson RB100 banjo a bit of an airing at the start of the show, and later on feature a very young Ray Goins playing a similar banjo with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. There’s some tracks from Seldom Scene, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Australia’s Karen Lynn & Marty Louis, the Dry Branch Fire Squad, and a short tribute to Carl Pagter of the California Bluegrass Association. The HCBB get a song in too, as do John Reischman & the Jaybirds. Lots to listen to.

The Johnson Mountain Boys, legendary group from the 1980’s, are featured on the show at last, from some recently obtained LP’s. There’s also some great music from Union Station with Alison Krauss, Larry Cordle, the Grascals, the Osborne Brothers, the David Grier Band, and the Foghorn String Band.

The Bluegrass Album Band, Dailey & Vincent, Longview and a new album from Starlett & Big John Talley feature in this show. There’s also some music from Rodney Dillard, Laurie Lewis, Jordan Tice. And, for the first time ever, I’m playing my banjo ‘live in the studio, with an original tune. I hope you enjoy it.

This week I have some of my earliest favourites including Flatt & Scruggs at Carnegie Hall, and Pete Pike, along with some fine picking and singing from Russell Moore & Third Tyme Out, Here Today, and Larry Sparks. There’s some great instrumental work from Joe Greene & Co, and Scott Vestal & Co.

This week we have some ‘old-time’ music from the New Lost City Ramblers, some instrumentals from the Stanley Brothers, Chad Manning and Bill Keith, and some great songs from Alison Krauss, Sally Jones, Walden Dahl, Boone Creek, NZ’s Pipi Pickers and American Drive. A lot to enjoy, right here on FreeFM.

A wide range of bluegrass is featured in this week’s show, from the Earls of Leicester, Irene Kelley, Ricky Skaggs and Joe Mullins. We’ve also got the Foggy Hogtown Boys, Blue Highway, Dan Tyminski, and a special feature of Matt & George & Their Pleasant Valley Boys doing some authentic old-style bluegrass.

Cyclone Gabrielle is currently attacking the North Island of New Zealand, with lots of areas affected by the intense winds and rain. Being confined to the cabin means lots of time for listening to bluegrass, and there’s a great line-up here on Back Porch Bluegrass. High Fidelity, Thomas Porter, Alison Krauss & Union Station, the Lonely Heartstring Band, the Kentucky Bluebelles, as well as touring band Sassafras, whose concerts are regrettably being affected by the storms.

My good friend Barry (Baz) Paterson is in the studio with me. He’s a great singer and guitarist, and has loved bluegrass music for as long as I have. I’m playing some of his selections, together with some of our regular performers, including Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Sonoran Dogs, Special Consensus, Ramona Church, the Country Gentlemen, and Lester Flatt & Mac Wiseman. We’ve also got a track from Baz’s first band, Dunedin-based Bluegrass Expedition.

We kick-off with an old-timer from the HCBB, then straightaway we’re into Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie, Hot Rize, Flatt & Scruggs, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and Bluegrass Parkway from Australia. A couple of gems from Merle Haggard’s recordings of Jimmie Rodgers’ songs, rounded out with the Country Gentlemen, Flatt Lonesome and Curly Seckler. And what could be better than a fiddle-and-banjo tune from Bill Evans & Fletcher Bright to take us out?

This week we’re hearing some ‘classic’ bluegrass from the Bluegrass Album Band, White House and the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band; some hot ‘newer’ bluegrass from Billy Strings, Jim Lauderdale and the Boxcars, and all about a visit to New Zealand by the North Carolina band Sassafrass – their tour dates, and some of their music.

Some of my old vinyl LP’s get a bit of an airing this week, with the likes of Lester Flatt & the Nashville Grass, the Marshall Family, Collins & Blackwell & the Dixie Bluegrass Boys, and ‘Bashful’ Brother Oswald. From the CD shelves comes Chris Henry & the Hardcore Grass, Kathy Kallick, the Waller Brothers, Australian band ‘Old South’, and the Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. There’s some fine banjo playing from Beth Stevens & Edge, and a 16-year-old Carl Jackson – just a broad spectrum of bluegrass music.

Lots of variety in this week’s show, from the Bluegrass Album Band, Laurie Lewis, the Osborne Brothers, some ‘live’ music from Lou Reid & Carolina; Kathy Barwick & Pete Siegfried, Jerry Douglass, the Lonesome River Band, Mark Houser & Bluegrass Drive, Dale Ann Bradley, and even some Hamilton County Bluegrass Band too. Chris Jones & the Night Drivers – there’s a lot of different ways to play bluegrass music!

This week, I’ve dug deeper into my shelves to find some of the artists whose music I enjoy, but don’t seem to get ‘picked’ so often. So the line-up for this show includes Vince Gill, Richard Bennett, the Davidson Brothers from Australia, Patty Loveless, Doc Watson, the Spinney Brothers from Nova Scotia, Bill Evans, JD Crowe, Irene Kelley and a host of great musicians accompanying them.

I so much enjoyed playing some of my ‘favourites’ last week that I continued again this week, in the last show for 2022! This episodes’ favourites include the Bluegrass Album Band, Seldom Scene, Bill Emerson, Rhonda Vincent, John Hartford, Jean-Luc Leroux, Blue Highway, the Dillards, Doyle Lawson, the HCBB, Jim Mills & Paul Brewster – what’s not to like?