Bluegrass Briefing - April 2026

Bluegrass Briefing - April 2026

Author: Matt Hutchinson April 1, 2026 Duration: 12:56

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




Releases (The Grass is New)




Other bits



Happy picking.

Matt



Support the show

===

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

- Sign up to get updates on new episodes

- Free fiddle tune chord sheets

- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews

- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:

- Review us on Apple Podcasts


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

Bluegrass Jam Along
Podcast Episodes
Bluegrass Briefing - May 29th 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:01
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly 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.Pod newsSign up for email alertsChur…
Food for Thought - What You Should Be Scared of as a Musician [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:22
Hi.I've got a Food For Thought episode for you this week. It's been a while since we did one of these, but something that happened last weekend that made me think - so I thought I'd share it.Have a listen and see what my…
Old Spinning Wheel (D 85 bpm) - You Play Rhythm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:35
This week we're jamming along to The Old Spinning Wheel 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 times th…
Old Spinning Wheel (D 85 bpm) - You Play Lead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:41
This week we're jamming along to The Old Spinning Wheel 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 throug…
Old Spinning Wheel (D 85 bpm) - Jam Along [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:45
This week we're jamming along to The Old Spinning Wheel and I've got three brand new backing track episodes for you. This is the jam along track where I play backup, followed by the melody then we keep swapping. It's fou…
Old Spinning Wheel (D 85 bpm) - Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:46
This week we're jamming along to the classic tune The Old Spinning Wheel. 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 ne…
Bluegrass Briefing - May 22nd 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:30
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly 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.Pod newsSign up for email alertsChur…
Wyatt Rice extended interview - Church Street Blues 40th anniversary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:44
This interview is an extended version of the one that appeared in the first part of the Tony Rice Church Street Blues 40th anniversary celebration.I talked to Wyatt for almost an hour and we covered some areas that weren…
Bluegrass Briefing - May 15th 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:59
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly 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.Pod newsBluegrass Jam Along YouTube…