Bluegrass Jam Along

Bluegrass Jam Along

Author: Matt Hutchinson Language: English Episodes: 100
Hosted by Matt Hutchinson, Bluegrass Jam Along is an IBMA Award-winning conversation that feels like pulling up a chair in the middle of a lively, expert picking session. It’s built for anyone with an ear for the intricate stories and sounds of bluegrass and old-time music, going far beyond just the recordings. Each episode brings thoughtful interviews with the people who shape the scene, from legendary performers like Alison Krauss and David Grisman to the skilled instrument makers and writers whose work forms the foundation. You’ll hear from voices such as Sierra Hull, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, and Sarah Jarosz, discussing craft, history, and the personal journeys behind the music. Alongside these deep conversations, the podcast weaves in updates on new releases and notable news, keeping you connected to the evolving string band world. The result is a rich, weekly listen that offers both education and genuine camaraderie, mirroring the collaborative heart of a jam itself. Tune in to this podcast for an authentic and engaging exploration of the music, hosted by someone deeply embedded in its community.
Episodes
Renée Fleming and Béla Fleck - The Fiddle and the Drum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:02
My guests on the podcast this week have an astonishing 24 Grammy awards between them and they represent two musical world I love - the first is bluegrass and string band music and the second is opera. Renée Fleming and B…
The Tim O'Brien Songbook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:17
My guest this week is Tim O'Brien and he joins me to chat about 'The Tim O'Brien Songbook', a handpicked selection of 40 of his songs, complete with notation, chords, Nashville number charts and thoughts from Tim on sing…
Sierra Hull - The Movements [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:39
My guest this week is Sierra Hull and we're chatting about her instrumental project The Movements. We talk about how the piece came about, as the result of a FreshGrass Concerto commission, how she approached writing the…
John Reischman on The Salish Sea and Playing in The Tony Rice Unit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:31
My guest this week is John Reischman and we're talking about his fantastic record The Salish Sea, recorded with his band The Jaybirds. We chat about the band's long history together and the journey behind this record, in…
Andy Leftwich - Aced [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:22
My guest on the podcast this week is fiddle player Andy Leftwich and we're chatting about his new album Aced. Andy talks about his love for instrumental music, including how hearing Mark O'Connor's The New Nashville Cats…
Bluegrass Briefing - May 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:20
Welcome to this month’s Bluegrass Briefing, a monthly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass. Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode. Podcast news Recent interview ep…
Sore Fingers 2026 Special [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:33
In early April I got the chance to go and hang out at SoreFingers, the UK bluegrass and old time camp, for a night. I'd recently interviewed John Wirtz about Sore Fingers' 30 year history for the podcast (link below) and…
Tony Trischka - Earl Jam 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:56
Tony Trischka returns to Bluegrass Jam Along to talk about his new record Earl Jam 2, the follow up to the first volume of a fascinating project that began when Tony was sent a thumb drive of recordings of Earl Scruggs a…
Michael Daves - Celebrating Jim & Jesse with Jacob Jolliff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:42
My guest this week is Michael Daves and we're chatting about the superb new record he has out with Jacob Jolliff, We Like Jim & Jesse! The record, released on Michael's own label Wild Geranium Records, celebrates the mus…
Bryan Sutton - From Roots to Branches [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:34
My guest on this episode is Bryan Sutton. We're talking about Bryan's new project From Roots to Branches, the follow up to his 2006 album Not Too Far From the Tree, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The ne…