Bitesize - Happy 80th Birthday Bluegrass!

Bitesize - Happy 80th Birthday Bluegrass!

Author: Matt Hutchinson December 7, 2025 Duration: 5:41
Bluegrass Jam Along
MusicArtsInterviewsPerforming

This week's Bitesize episode celebrates one of the most important dates in bluegrass music - December 8th. 

The main reason this date is so important is that it marks the first time Earl Scruggs joined Bill Monroe at The Opry, on December 8th 1945, leading many people to describe it as 'the birth of bluegrass'. That makes 2025 the 80th anniversary of bluegrass!

Fast forward to December 8th 1962 and we have another Flatt and Scruggs milestone - their performance at New York's Carnegie Hall, which was released the year after as Flatt and Scruggs Live at Carnegie Hall, a record that went on to become a firm favourite of bluegrass fans the world over.

To celebrate that record, I'll be joined by Trey Hensley in the next episode of the podcast...which is also Bluegrass Jam Along's 500th episode! 

If you missed the Earl Scruggs 100th birthday episodes I put together last year, you'll find them here:

Jerry Douglas celebrates Earl Scruggs' 100th Birthday

Earl Scruggs 100th Birthday Tribute:

Part 1 - Tony Trischka, Kristin Scott Benson and Alan Munde

Part 2 - Jerry Douglas, Alison Brown and Tim O'Brien

Jim Mills on Earl Scruggs and pre-War Gibson banjos

Support the show

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Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)


Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins

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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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 516

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Bluegrass Jam Along
Podcast Episodes
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This week we're jamming along to Soldier's Joy. This is a performance track, rather than a backing track. It's me playing both tune and backup so you've got a reference to listen to if you're new to the tune, or just wan…
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This week we're jamming along to Big Sciota. This is a performance track, rather than a backing track. It's me playing both tune and backup so you've got a reference to listen to if you're new to the tune, or just want t…
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This week we're jamming along to the classic tune Big Sciota and I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. This is the you play rhythm track where I play the melody so you can work on backup. It's four tim…
Big Sciota (G 75 bpm) - You Play Lead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:58
This week we're jamming along to the classic tune Big Sciota and I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. This is the you play lead track where I play backup so you can work on the tune. It's four times t…
Big Sciota (G 75 bpm) - Jam Along [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week we're jamming along to the classic tune Big Sciota and I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. This is the jam along track where I play backup, then the tune and we swap over. It's four times t…
Whiskey Before Breakfast (D 85 bpm) - Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:45
This week we're jamming along to Whiskey Before Breakfast. This is a performance track, rather than a backing track. It's me playing both tune and backup so you've got a reference to listen to if you're new to the tune,…
Whiskey Before Breakfast (D 85 bpm) - You Play Rhythm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:23
This week we're jamming along to the classic tune Whiskey Before Breakfast and I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. In this episode I play the tune so you can work on rhythm. It's four times through i…
Whiskey Before Breakfast (D 85 bpm) - You Play Lead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:22
This week we're jamming along to the classic tune Whiskey Before Breakfast and I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. In this episode I play backup so you can work on the tune. It's four times through i…
Whiskey Before Breakfast (D 85 bpm) - Jam Along [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:15
This week we're jamming along to the classic tune Whiskey Before Breakfast and I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. This episode is what I call the 'jam along' episode. Here's how it works. I play bac…
Cherokee Shuffle (A 85 bpm) - Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:06
This week we're jamming along to Cherokee Shuffle. This is a performance track, rather than a backing track. It's me playing both tune and backup so you've got a reference to listen to if you're new to the tune, or just…

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