Bluegrass BKLYN

Bluegrass BKLYN is an episodic audio program focused on the bluegrass scene in Brooklyn, NY, but also covering bluegrass events and pickers worldwide. It is hosted by Mike Willner and Liz Wolfe.

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S5E12 Banjo Legend Tony Trischka!: An incredible interview with banjo legend Tony Trischka to wrap up Season 5 of our podcast. Mike gets to talk with this towering figure in the world of bluegrass, banjo virtuoso, and wonderful huma...; 2026-04-29 23:01:00
S5M11 Jam Jersey 2026 Recap!: Liz and Mike recap Jam Jersey, diving into what it took to bring the event to life—from planning and structure to the jams themselves. They share what worked, what they learned, and offer practic...; 2026-04-27 00:59:14
Brian Drye & BKCM's Community School of Music!: Dozens of classes, hundreds of students, scores of talented musicians teaching … the Community School of Music at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music is a perfect alloy of inspiration and instruct...; 2026-04-24 16:12:36
S5E11 Barrett Smith of the Steep Canyon Rangers!: Mike gets to chat with Barrett Smith, bass player and long-time member of the Steep Canyon Rangers. He shares his thoughts and feelings on a broad range of topics, including the challenges facing m...; 2026-04-23 04:29:38
S5M10 Ken White: Executive Director, IBMA!: Liz talks with Ken White, Executive Director of IBMA, about his journey from lifelong bluegrass player to leading the organization at the center of the bluegrass world. They explore how the IBMA su...; 2026-04-20 00:00:00
S5E10 Andy Leftwich: American Fiddler!: Mike gets to chat with the iconic American Fiddler, Andy Leftwich. They cover all kinds of topics, including Andy’s incredible musical experiences, how best to learn a musical genre, some project...; 2026-04-16 00:01:00
S5M9 IBMA Foundation!: You might be as surprised as Mike was to learn about all the incredible work the IBMA Foundation does to support our favorite music. Listen in on his discussion with Cassie Wright, the Executive Di...; 2026-04-13 00:00:00
S5E9 Women in Bluegrass: Amanda Cook!: Liz talks with Amanda Cook—bandleader and President of Mountain Fever Records—about what it takes to balance life on the road with running a record label. She shares her journey from artist to ...; 2026-04-09 01:17:01
S5M8 Bluegrass - The Next Generation!: Who will be playing, recording, and teaching bluegrass music in the coming 20, 30 years? Meet Alani Sugar and Izaak Atlas Schwartz who represent the next generation of bluegrass music. Mike gets to...; 2026-04-06 15:33:41
S5E8 Festival Hilight: AFBA Bluegrass Festival!: Liz chats with the creators and attendees of the Appalachian Fiddle & Bluegrass Association (AFBA) Bluegrass Festival. They discuss how a small backyard jam turned into on unique sold-out festi...; 2026-04-02 03:05:48
S5M7 Behind the Scenes: Mountain Home Music!: Join Mike behind the scenes at Mountain Home Music at Crossroads Recording Studio. He speaks with Jon Weisberger - A&R Director, and Clay Miller - Senior Engineer, at Mountain Home. They walk t...; 2026-03-30 00:38:43
S5E7 Banjo Polymath Ned Luberecki!: Mike gets to chat with Ned Luberecki, and there’s plenty to talk about – Ned’s musical journey, his passion for radio, his teaching and touring careers … and then some. We hope you enjoy li...; 2026-03-26 16:48:04
Special Edition: Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Jam!: Have a seat in the spacious concert hall at the iconic Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and settle in for an amazing jam! Players from age 7 to 70 (literally!) join jam leaders Melody Berger and Chri...; 2026-03-25 20:00:59
Music, Mind & Spirit - Andy Reiner!: We explore the theme of Music, Mind & Spirit – to understand what we can do to optimize our improvement and growth as musicians. Mike talks with Andy Reiner, host of ‘The River of Suck’ p...; 2026-03-23 14:07:45
S5E6 Iconic Venues - Lucinda's NYC!: Liz talks with musician, songwriter, and actor Allison Kelly about the bluegrass jam she hosts on Tuesday nights at Lucinda’s on NYC’s Lower East Side. Allison shares her journey from bass play...; 2026-03-18 23:00:00
S5M6 Music We Also Love: Balfa Week!: In this episode we explore the music we *also* love … Cajun and Creole music. Join the conversation with Mike and Joe Vidrine, Program Director of the Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week...; 2026-03-16 13:53:28
S5E5 Dancing Fiddler Hillary Klug!: Mike and Hillary explore the unusual and interesting origin story of The Dancing Fiddler … and thank goodness for overpriced Nashville parking garages! She presents an very personal and revealing...; 2026-03-11 23:00:00
S5M4 Bluegrass Podcasting!: Liz leads a panel discussion with Kieth Billik - host of Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast, and Mike Willner – co-host of Bluegrass BKLYN. Everyone gets involved, covering the fun and challenges of cre...; 2026-03-09 00:11:24
S5E4 Bassist Nelson Williams!: Liz sits with bassist and teacher Nelson Williams to discusses his musical path from French horn and classical bass in Baton Rouge to roots, jazz, and bluegrass influences, his work with Chris Jone...; 2026-03-05 00:00:00
US Navy Banjo Player Chief Stiltner!: <p style="font-weight: 400;">Liz sits down with Chief Musician Haley Stiltner, banjo player for the U.S. Navy Band’s country and bluegrass ensemble, Country Current. Chief Stiltner shares her jou...; 2026-03-02 00:08:10
S5E3 Master Songwriter Mike Mitchell!: We have an engaging and very personal conversation with songwriter, recording artist, fiddle player, and band leader Mike Mitchell. We were inspired by his frank and open sharing of his musical jou...; 2026-02-26 05:01:21
S5M2 Music we Also Love: Shane Hayes: Meet the accordion-playing front man for the famous Irish band ‘Socks in the Frying Pan’ – Shane Hayes. We cover so many fascinating topics with Shane … the band’s quirky origin story, Ir...; 2026-02-23 02:12:35
S5E2 Bluegrass Artists You Should Know: Ira Gitlin!: Liz talks with musician, teacher, and bluegrass historian Ira Gitlin about his musical journey. Ira shares about performing with the Johnson Mountain Boys, his work documenting bluegrass history, a...; 2026-02-19 00:01:00
S5M1 Iconic Venues: Cowgirl Seahorse: Tucked away in the South Street Seaport is one of New York’s iconic music venues - Cowgirl Seahorse Restaurant. Meet Gail Courtney and Steve Smith, who have worked for years to build up a music s...; 2026-02-16 00:20:25
S5E1 Bluegrass Legend Alice Gerrard!: Liz gets to speak with bluegrass pioneer Alice Gerrard for a wide-ranging conversation on music, legacy, and a lifetime in community. Alice reflects on her partnership with Hazel Dickens, her effor...; 2026-02-12 01:00:00
S4M12 Women in Bluegrass: Laura Orshaw!: Iin this final episode in Season 5, Liz speaks with Laura Orshaw, vocalist, fiddle player and Artist In Residence at the Joe Val Festival presented by The Boston Bluegrass Union. They discuss Laura...; 2026-01-26 03:59:54
S4E12 Jim Pankey!: The Man … The Banjo … The YouTube Sensation! Mike gets to chat with Jim Pankey, an award-winning, cross genre banjo master and skilled educator. Listen in on the origin story of the now-famous ...; 2026-01-22 02:24:14
S4M11 Rick Dollar!: Mike and Rick chop it up and talk about everything from podcasting to bluegrass musicians to museums to pickin' on the porch to ... NASCAR racing! Rick is the multifaceted host of 'The Rick Dollar ...; 2026-01-19 04:58:27
S4E11 Women in Bluegrass: Celia Woodsmith!: Finally! Liz completes her Della Mae interview set with this fascinating conversation with Celia Woodsmith. Be prepared for a frank and personal discussion about her musical journey, joining Della ...; 2026-01-15 03:06:32
S4M10 Bruce Molsky!: Liz talks with Grammy-nominated master fiddler and Old-Time music legend Bruce Molsky. Listen in to get his take on personal interpretations of musical traditions from around the globe. Though best...; 2026-01-12 01:00:00
S4E10 Carl Ray Williams!: Something special in this episode – Mike gets to talk with Carl Ray Williams, a talented singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Listen in as Carl tells of his long and winding road to success as a re...; 2026-01-08 04:49:37
S4M9 Women in Bluegrass - Avril Smith!: Liz has an in-depth discussion with Avril Smith – lead guitar player in Della Mae – and they cover a lot of fascinating ground. Learn about Avril’s musical journey, her joining Della Mae, as ...; 2026-01-05 02:35:06

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