The ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band: My Conversation with Program Director & Professor Dan Boner (S2.Ep26)

The ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band: My Conversation with Program Director & Professor Dan Boner (S2.Ep26)

Author: Nate Riggs January 24, 2025 Duration: 26:26

In Episode 26 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I sit down with Professor Dan Boner, who leads the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies Program. Dan also teaches in the program and directs the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band.

Our conversation covers a lot of ground including the band's formation and evolution, their new EP, a new record in the works for 2025 and their upcoming appearance at WinterWonderGrass.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

🎙️Key Moments in the Conversation 🎙️

05:08 Diverse Music Faculty Expertise at ETSU

07:16 Bluegrass Program Shifts to Appalachian Studies

11:50 "Community's Role in Bluegrass"

16:03 ETSU Commencement Features the Pride Band

18:29 Students learn 43 tunes in a week to step In last minute at a festival

20:24 How to get Good: Play Music Constantly

25:01 Festival Events and Discounts Announced

🎻 About ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies 🎻

Website: https://www.etsu.edu/bluegrass/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etsubluegrass

Bluegrass U Podcast: https://bluegrass-u.podbean.com/

⛰️ Bluegrass in the Blue Ridge Festival ⛰️

Website: https://bluegrassintheblueridge.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluegrassintheBlueRidge

🏔️About Professor Dan 🏔️

Website: https://professordansmusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/etsuprofessordan

🎟️ Win Festival Tickets -- Sign up for The Neighborhood Newsletter 🎟️

Website: https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/


🔎 Find NeighborN8 🔎

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neighborn8fests/

Request coverage: https://musicfestivalspodcast.com/contact


------------------------

🙏 Production Credits 🙏

Title sequence music bed is piano improvisation from Holly Bowling from Dark Star Jubilee 2024 (Recorded 05/25/2024).

Holly's Website: https://www.hollybowling.com/

Stream the full festival set on Nugs: https://bit.ly/holly-bowling-set-DSJ24


Music Festivals Podcast is a Production of NRMedia Group, LLC

https://www.nrmedia.biz/


Nate Riggs hosts Music Festivals Podcast, a weekly conversation for anyone who feels most at home in a field with a lineup and a schedule. This isn't just about dates and headliners, though. Instead, each episode feels like a backstage pass, built on genuine conversations with the people who make these events happen-from organizers and artists to the dedicated crews. You'll hear stories that never make it to the official recap videos and get practical advice that turns a good trip into an unforgettable one. The aim is to give you a richer understanding of the culture and logistics behind the scenes, whether you're a seasoned veteran mapping out your summer or someone curious about attending your first event. By focusing on these insider interviews and deep dives, the podcast helps you discover hidden gems and approach your next festival with a new perspective. Tune in for a regular dose of that community feeling and the detailed planning talk that fuels the journey between festivals.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 69

Music Festivals Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Beginners Guide to Hammock Camping — #HangCon 2026 Festival Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:11
In episode 68 of Music Festivals Podcast, we're recapping #HangCon 2026 — the Worlds biggest Hammock Camping convention, that takes place each year at the Florida Sand Music Ranch. SUBSCRIBE 📺 @musicfestivalspodcast Like…
Mountain Grass Unit's Mandolin Player is Obsessed with Coffee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:45
In episode 67 of Music Festivals Podcast, I sit down with Drury Anderson — mandolin picker and lead vocalist of Mountain Grass Unit — for a conversation that goes far beyond the stage and into the roasted and caffeinated…
The Festival That Sparked Our First Media Residency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:21
In episode 64 of Music Festivals Podcast, you'll get the scoop on the show's first official media residency at a festival venue! We'll also get into some details on next summer's MFP festival tour. Plus I recap the 2025…
How We Plan the Perfect Festival RV Road Trip 👉 Harvest Hosts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
In this episode, I share my firsthand experience traveling as a full-time RV festival roadie, including a deep dive into how the AMAZING Harvest Hosts app has already transformed my travels. This episode was shot on the…
Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival 2026 — Festival Preview & Line Up [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
In this episode, I’m back after a couple weeks away with a big life update and an inside look at Whippersnap 2026! I’m recording all the way from my new home base at Berkshire Lake Campground in Ohio and sharing some per…
Nausheen Punjani of Eventeny on Music Festival Management Software [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:19
In this episode of the Music Festivals Podcast, I sit down with Nausheen Punjani, the COO and Co-Founder of Eventeny, a thriving music festival management software company, to talk about how technology is changing the ga…