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

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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

Bluegrass Jam Along
Podcast Episodes
Steve Nall (Nully) from Collings guitars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:23
My guest this week is Steve Nall, better known as Nully, head of production at Collings guitars.I didn't realise till we sat down to chat that it was exactly five years to the day since Bill Collings passed. We talked ab…
Fiddler's Dram (D 75 bpm) - You Play Rhythm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:06
This week we're jamming along to Fiddler's Dram 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 through in…
Fiddler's Dram (D 75 bpm) - You Play Lead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:55
This week we're jamming along to Fiddler's Dram 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 through in the…
Fiddler's Dram (D 75 bpm) - Jam Along [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:01
This week we're jamming along to Fiddler's Dram 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 four times…
Fiddler's Dram (D 75 bpm) - Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:27
This week we're jamming along to the classic tune Fiddler's Dram. 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…
Emma John (Wayfaring Stranger book) Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:21
My guest this week is Emma John, author of the wonderful book 'Wayfaring Stranger - A Musical Journey in the American South'.We chat about what made a British journalist and cricket fan want to travel to North Carolina a…
Happy Traum (Homespun Tapes) Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:06
My guest on Bluegrass Jam Along this week is Happy Traum. Happy founded Homespun with his wife, Jane, in 1967. In the 55 years that followed, Homespun has helped hundreds of thousands of people learn to play music and ha…