Bluegrass Briefing - January 2026

Bluegrass Briefing - January 2026

Author: Matt Hutchinson January 7, 2026 Duration: 13:06

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.


Pod news



News and announcements - church street news 




Releases (The Grass is New)




Scroll on Buddy



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
Old Home Place (G 85 bpm) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:24
I've got something new for you on the podcast this week. I know a lot of you, alongside working on fiddle tunes, are also working on breaks for vocal songs. So I'm adding some songs to the podcast too, starting with Old…
Old Home Place (A 85 bpm) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:24
I've got something new for you on the podcast this week. I know a lot of you, alongside working on fiddle tunes, are also working on breaks for vocal songs. So I'm adding some songs to the podcast too, starting with Old…
Old Home Place (Bb 85 bpm) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:24
I've got something new for you on the podcast this week. I know a lot of you, alongside working on fiddle tunes, are also working on breaks for vocal songs. So I'm adding some songs to the podcast too, starting with Old…
Old Home Place (B 85 bpm) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:24
I've got something new for you on the podcast this week. I know a lot of you, alongside working on fiddle tunes, are also working on breaks for vocal songs. So I'm adding some songs to the podcast too, starting with Old…
Old Joe Clark (A 85 bpm) - You Play Rhythm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:17
This week we're jamming along to Old Joe Clark 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…
Old Joe Clark (A 85 bpm) - You Play Lead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:16
This week we're jamming along to Old Joe Clark 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…
Old Joe Clark (A 85 bpm) - Jam Along [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:16
This week we're jamming along to Old Joe Clark 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 t…
Old Joe Clark (A 85 bpm) - Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:43
This week we're jamming along to the classic tune Old Joe Clark. 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…
Bob Minner Interview (Norman Blake tribute record) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:00
My guest this week is Bob Minner. Bob has been the acoustic guitarist for country icon Tim McGraw for almost 30 years now, and he's also a fantastic bluegrass picker.His latest project, 'From Sulphur Springs To Rising Fa…
First Birthday Special - Whiskey Before Breakfast Jam in D [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:56
Hi everyone.Today marks a year from me uploading the very first episode of Bluegrass Jam Along, so I thought I'd celebrate with something a little different!Today we're jamming along to the very first tune I added to the…