David Benedict: Spreading Mandolin Joy

David Benedict: Spreading Mandolin Joy

Author: Bluegrass stars March 11, 2026 Duration: 1:04:17
Send us Fan Mail David Benedict is Grammy-nominated mandolinist. After 3 years with Missy Raines, he joined Mile Twelve, who were 2017 IBMA Momentum Award winners. David was also 2018 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year, and a 2019 Grammy nominee. He might be even more well known for his You Tube channel, featuring his weekly series Mandolin Mondays, as well as his in-depth mandolin lessons. He talked at length about his musical story, the mandolin with all its quirks, favorite artists,...

Tucked away in Hamden, Connecticut, the Got 'Grass? podcast is where the heart of bluegrass beats. Host Chris Wuerth, from the GuitartownCT concert series, pulls up a chair with legends and rising stars of the genre for conversations that go far beyond the stage. While the music is the foundation, these discussions weave through personal history, the cultural commentary embedded in the songs, and the often hilarious, always candid stories from life on the road. You'll hear about the influences that shaped a sound, the historical moments that defined a career, and the quiet reflections that happen when the instruments are finally back in their cases. This isn't just a series of interviews; it's an intimate gathering where the voices behind the strings share their journeys with eloquence and a deep sense of connection. Each episode of this podcast feels like a backstage pass to the real stories, offering listeners a genuine understanding of the people who create the music. The tone is warm, engaging, and often surprisingly funny, mirroring the community it represents. For anyone curious about the souls behind the solos, Got 'Grass? provides a rich, listening experience that celebrates bluegrass in all its authentic, human complexity.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 83

Got 'Grass?
Podcast Episodes
Austin Scelzo: CT's Bluegrass Whirlwind! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:49
Send us Fan Mail Connnecticut's Austin Scelzo is a fiddle player, teacher, singer, songwriter, band member, jam leader, Pete Wernick Jam Camp insructor, and an all-around positive force in bluegrass. If you're interested…
Larry Cordle: Murder On Music Row: The Song is King [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:11
Send us Fan Mail Larry Cordle is one of the legendary songwriters and singers in bluegrass and country music. He's best known for writing #1 hits "Highway 40 Blues" for Ricky Skaggs, "Murder on Music Row" for George Stra…
Darol Anger: Visionary Violin Virtuoso [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:23
Send us Fan Mail Fiddler, composer, producer and educator, Darol Anger is at home in many musical genres, some of which he helped to invent. He drove the evolution of the contemporary string band through The David Grisma…
Ben Garnett: Guitar Taste and Innovation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:02
Send us Fan Mail Ben Garnett, guitarist, composer and teacher, is having a big impact on acoustic music. His new album, Kite’s Keep, features Darol Anger, Brittany Haas, Ethan Jodziewicz, Paul Kowert , and Chris Eldridge…
Wyatt Ellis: Blazing Mandolin, Following The Tradition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:28
Send us Fan Mail Wyatt Ellis is quickly emerging as a bluegrass star. At sixteen, he's a talented mandolinist, singer and songwriter. Winner of IBMA's 2024 Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year, he's two time IBMA nominee…
Becky Buller: IBMA Award Wins as Fiddler, Singer and Songwriter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:15
Send us Fan Mail Becky Buller is one of bluegrass' leading fiddle players, singers and songwriters. She has won 10 IBMA awards, including 2016 Fiddle Player and Female Bluegrass Singer of the Year, the first person ever…
Shawn Camp: Lead Voice of The Earls of Leicester [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:07
Send us Fan Mail Shawn Camp is one of America's leading songwriters, and for the last 12 years has been playing the role of Lester Flatt, as the guitarist and lead singer for The Earls of Leicester. His new album, songs…
C. J. Lewandowski: The Po' Ramblin' Boys, Leading Through Tradition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:31
Send us Fan Mail C.J. Lewandowski sings and plays mandolin for hard driving bluegrass band The Po' Ramblin' Boys. They've won IBMA awards and a 2019 Grammy nomination. Over the years, CJ became best friends with his ment…
David Grisman: "Dawg Music" legend still going strong at 80! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:07
Send us Fan Mail This was a big thrill for me!! David "Dawg" Grisman just celebrated his 80th birthday, with a musical party in Seattle, with Sam Bush, Billy Strings, Ronnie McCoury, Sam Grisman, Danny Barnes, Alex Hargr…
Kyle Tuttle: Mandolin Exciter With Molly Tuttle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:25
Send us Fan Mail Banjo master Kyle Tuttle just finished up three years with Molly Tuttle (no relation) and Golden Highway, during which time they played 250 shows, won two Grammys, and many IBMA awards. He previously pla…