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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, and lots of ideas about new acoustic music.

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Fiddler Brittany Haas is "a musical force of nature" says Chris Eldridge. From The Republic of Strings at age 13, through Crooked Still, The Dave Rawlings Machine, Hawktail, and now The Punch Brothers, she is a huge talent, that covers many genres, with brilliance and boundless happy energy.

She discusses her classical upbringing, her mentors Darol Anger and Bruce Molsky, her attachment to her 5-string fiddle that is shedding its varnish, the challenges of learning the Punch Brothers' repertoire for their big 2026 tour, and even her least favorite key to play in! (C#major). A gem of a person and interview!

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This is a fascinating look into the realities of travelling and performing with Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys, back in the mid-60's.

Gene Lowinger, who played fiddle with Monroe, is well known for his exciting live performances of Monroe's classic "Uncle Pen". He was on the bus with Monroe and Peter Rowan when they wrote "Walls of Time", and then fought over whose song it was!

Gene has unique stories of Monroe, who respected his fiddle playing and stood up for him as he faced anti-Jewish prejudice from some "good ol' boys".

Bill demanded a lot, and loved to challenge his band by changing song keys, and calling out tunes that they had never played before!

Great stuff here!!

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Josh Williams is one of the premier bluegrass musicians of our time. 3-time IBMA Guitar Player of the Year, a virtuoso on banjo, fiddle and mandolin, he also has one of the best voices in bluegrass/country music.

This conversation was heartfelt and emotional at times. It started with Josh talking about his family, and missing his dad Tony. Then it naturally turned to the other Tony in his life, the legendary Tony Rice, with whom Josh played for 5 years, and shared a friendship for twenty.

Josh is eloquent and thoughtful. He shared lots of Tony Rice stories and fond memories, some funny, some painful. Josh remained in awe of Tony until the end, and you can feel the love and sadness in this conversation. He still misses him. As we all do.

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David Peterson is called the caretaker of traditionl buegrass and country music for a reason. He's an independent recording artist who cherishes the early music traditions. His powerful voice has a mountain quality, that is full of Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin and Hank Williams' blues. He needs no microphone.

A Boston native, he moved to Nashville 30 years ago, and has become an iconic and well loved performer, both solo and with his band 1946.

Dave always marched to his own drum. His more famous peers, like Stuart Duncan, Vince Gill, David Grisman and Sam Bush, love to record live with him, gathered around a single mic. His albums are joyful and powerful and full of gospel. He's a unique voice in this fast-paced music world.

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Russell Moore, 6-time IBMA Bluegrass Singer of the Year, is now the guitarist and singer with Alison Krauss and Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas. He's has an expressive, emotional and eloquent take on the music we love, bluegrass.

From 1986-1991 Russell was lead singer for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. He left to form IIIrd Tyme Out, the band he has now led for 34 years. In late 2024 he became a member of AKUS, taking over Dan Tyminski's spot as singer/guitarist. This spring, Russell and the band embark on a huge six month tour of the U.S.

In this this fascinating conversation, Russell talks about his bluegrass roots, how he got invited into AKUS, how he had to change his singing style to blend with Alison's, and the thrills and challenges of rehearsing, touring and performing in huge arenas with one of America's most famous bands.

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When Kristin joined The Grascals in 2008, she was the first woman to hold the banjo spot in a number one, festival headlining, male bluegrass band. She has since won IBMA Banjo Player of the Year seven times, and was awarded the Steve Martin Banjo Prize in 2018.

Married to mandolinist Wayne Benson, she continues, through her teaching, performing, recording, and advocacy, to be an eloquent and positive voice for bluegrass, and especially women in bluegrass. I loved talking with Kristin!!

Sorry, for some reason the last 2 minutes of the interview weren't recorded...

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Mark Hembree played bass for Bill Monroe, from 1979-1984. Mark joined the band as a long-haired 22 year old, and got a haircut very quickly!

His recent book, "On The Bus with Bill Monroe" is a fascinating description of life as a Bluegrass Boy. Kenny Baker, Burch Robbins, Wayne Lewis and Blake Williams were bandmates during those years. His stories of Bill and Charlie Monroe, Kenny Baker, Peter Rowan, the infamous bus "Bluegrass Breakdown," learning to play with Bill's rhythm, and just getting used to the long drives and meager pay at the time, are priceless.

You'll love this conversation, he's funny, fascinating and knows things that no one else remembers!