Jerry Douglas

Jerry Douglas

Author: Tom Power June 10, 2020 Duration: 1:28:04

For the final episode of season one of Toy Heart, we have host Tom Power’s 2019 sit down with legendary artist, musician, and sideman Jerry Douglas at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual business conference in Raleigh, NC.

Douglas talks all about hearing “Uncle Josh” Graves for the first time with Flatt & Scruggs and, in the early days, using a toothbrush to turn his own guitar into something like a Dobro. He tells stories of his father’s band, the The West Virginia Travellers, and being discovered by the Country Gentlemen. He shares about his lifelong friendship with Ricky Skaggs — and his connections with Tony Rice, J.D. Crowe, Alison Krauss, Ray Charles, to O Brother, and more. Jerry Douglas will go down as one of the finest American musicians of his generation, but for this episode we focus on his true love — his life in bluegrass.


There’s a story behind every song, and behind that story is a person who lived it. Toy Heart with Tom Power digs into those personal histories, focusing on the very roots of bluegrass music itself. Host Tom Power, known from CBC Radio, approaches these conversations with a genuine curiosity that goes beyond the typical interview. Each episode features an intimate talk with a foundational artist-voices like Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Alice Gerrard, Jesse McReynolds, and Jerry Douglas, among others. They don’t just recount career highlights; they trace their own origins, sharing the specific moments, influences, and challenges that shaped them within this distinct musical world. Produced in partnership with BGS (The Bluegrass Situation), this podcast is built for anyone who wants to understand not just how bluegrass sounds, but how it feels to those who created its legacy. The tone is conversational and revealing, often feeling like you’re overhearing a deep talk between old friends. New episodes arrive every other week, ready to be found wherever you listen.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 22

Toy Heart with Tom Power (A Podcast About Bluegrass)
Podcast Episodes
Alison Krauss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:13
We could hardly think of a better guest with whom we’d conclude our second season of Toy Heart than 27-time Grammy Award winner, Alison Krauss. Arguably the most prominent bluegrass musician in the genre’s nearly one hun…
Jody Stecher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:30
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Tim O'Brien [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:07
Our latest guest on Toy Heart is bluegrasser, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter Tim O’Brien. His conversation with host Tom Power begins by remembering the music of his childhood, growing up in Wheeling, West Virgini…
Laurie Lewis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:16
In the latest episode of Toy Heart, we explore the roots and evolution of bluegrass in the modern era by examining the story of legendary bluegrasser, singer-songwriter, and recording artist, Laurie Lewis. From her tales…
Mike Compton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:51
Bluegrass fans know Mike Compton from his long and eclectic resumé, including decades of touring and recording traditional Monroe-style mandolin with greats like John Hartford, Doc Watson, Peter Rowan, Ralph Stanley, Ali…
Larry Sparks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:59
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Sam Bush [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:21
“Newgrass” luminary Sam Bush joins host Tom Power for the highly anticipated first episode of Toy Heart Season 2. Bush - the celebrated mandolinist and co-founder of Newgrass Revival and the Telluride House Band - opens…
Seaon 2 of Toy Heart is Just Around the Corner... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:53
The most in-depth podcast about bluegrass is coming back for its second season, from CBC radio host Tom Power ("q") and BGS (The Bluegrass Situation). This time around, Power sits down with Alison Krauss, Larry Sparks, M…
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Duration: 44:01
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