Happy Traum (Homespun Tapes) Interview

Happy Traum (Homespun Tapes) Interview

Author: Matt Hutchinson June 10, 2022 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 has worked with some of the all-time bluegrass greats, including Tony Rice, Norman Blake, Bill Monroe, John Hartford, Sam Bush and many, many more.

Happy share the story of how Homespun was born, as well as memories of working with some of those iconic musicians, many of whom became friends along the way.

Happy also gave listeners to Bluegrass Jam Along an exclusive discount for anything from the (huge!) Homespun catalogue. Just enter the code JAMALONG at checkout and you'll get 20% off. You've got till July 8th 2022 to take advantage so hurry!

Here are some of my favourites, in case you need some ideas!

The Tony Rice Guitar Method

Norman Blake's Guitar Techniques

The Sam Bush Mandolin Method


Stuff we chat about in the episode

Homespun's website

Happy's website

Happy's signature guitar from Santa Cruz

Richard Thompson's Frets and Refrains camp

Adam Traum's website


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
Alex Graf - Tony Rice's Manzanita Changed My Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:08
My guest this week is Alex Graf and we're talking all things Manzanita.Alex made the shift from a more jazz based background to flatpicking a few years ago and Tony Rice's Manzanita became one of the absolute cornerstone…
Bluegrass Briefing - April 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 newsBrad Kolodner intervie…
Brad Kolodner on Community, Connection and Clawhammer Banjo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:45
My guest on the podcast this week is Brad Kolodner.Brad is a fantastic clawhammer banjo player. As well as his solo records - 'Chimney Swifts' and the recent album of solo gourd banjo tunes 'Old Growth' - Brad also plays…
Celebrating 30 Years of Sore Fingers Music Camps with John Wirtz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:01
My guest this week is John Wirtz.John, along with his partner Moira, runs Sore Fingers, a UK bluegrass and old time music camp that celebrates it's 30th anniversary this year.John joins me to chat about how the camp star…
Bluegrass Briefing - March 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:45
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.Ted Olson interviewDoc Watson 100t…
Celebrating the Legacy of Rich-R-Tone/Folk Star with Ted Olson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:49
My guest this week is Ted Olson, professor of Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State University.Ted joins me to celebrate the Rich-R-Tone record label and it's offshoot Folk Star. Rich-R-Tone was founded in 1946 by…
Bluegrass Briefing - February 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:43
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.News and announcements - church st…
Dave Sinko on How 'The David Grisman Quintet' Changed His Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:13
My guest this week is sound engineer Dave Sinko, who returns to chat about The David Grisman Quintet.We've talked about that record a lot on the podcast, but this is less about the story behind the album and more about h…