Episode Notes ** Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  ​ My guest this week is Darren Nicholson. Darren and I last chatted way back in 2021 when he was still playing with Balsam Range. Darren has now been performing with his own band, the Darren Nicholson Band, and has a brand new album coming out on May 1st.  Head over to Darren’s page to find his tour info, social media and most importantly his shop! Songs featured in this episode: All songs featured in this episode are from Darren’s new album “Lonesome Trails and Tall Tales” available May 1st, except for: “Blue Virginia Blues” by Larry Sparks  “Little Maggie” by Ricky Skaggs  Video Links:  Bluegrass Roots Ferdinand video As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer

Episode Notes **Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  My guest this week is Eddie Barbash. Hailed by Jon Batiste as "one of the world’s most important saxophonists," Eddie Barbash was a founding member of the house band for the Late Show With Stephen Colbert and currently tours the world with Cory Wong and the Wongnotes. His unmistakable sound is featured on the Oscar and Grammy-winning soundtrack of Soul. He has performed at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Madison Square Garden to the Village Vanguard and has headlined both the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, and the Umbria Jazz Festival. Barbash's versatile sound has led him to collaborate with musicians in many styles. At 18 he joined the sextet of legendary jazz drummer Chico Hamilton and the quintet of emerging jazz star Jon Batiste. In his 20's he fell in love with American traditional music and began touring with bluegrass phenom Sierra Hull. He's a frequent guest with funk band Vulfpeck and indie rocker Sam Evian. In 2016 he performed a duet on national TV with Yo-Yo Ma and in 2024 he performed the world premier of "Songs Of Nature," a concerto for saxophone and choir by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Paul Moravec. Eddie has a new album out called “Larkspur” where he plays fiddle and old time tunes solo on saxophone. And it is awesome! For more about Eddie, including his store, his tour dates, and social links, head HERE! Link for Irish Sessions called Foinn Seisiun Irish Sessions.  ​  Songs featured in this episode: All songs featured in this episode are from Eddie’s new album “Larkspur” As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Tone Traveller**

Episode Notes **Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  It’s always great when I get to chat with this week’s guest, Andy Leftwich. Andy is a master musician and very kind about sharing his tips on what makes him such an incredible player. We also talk about his brand new album available, “Aced”, available every April 17th! Head over to Andy’s website HERE to find out more about where Andy will be next, for his socials and more! Songs featured in this episode: All songs featured in this episode are from Andy’s new album “Aced” available everywhere April 17th! Pre Save HERE! As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Tone Traveller

Episode Notes **Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  My guest this week is Grant Flick. Grant is a master in all things tuned to fifths! He’s got a brand new album out called “The Great Door” that is available everywhere and is a great showcase of songwriting and improvisation.  If you’d like to keep up with Grant and see where he’s playing, find his socials or contact him, head over to his website HERE! Songs featured in this episode: All songs featured on this episode are from Grant’s album “The Great Door” except for “Lucy’s Polska” which is available on his album “Tomorrow Worries About Itself” As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Tone Traveller**

Episode Notes Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  My guest this week is the one and only Jacob Jolliff. Jacob has two brand new releases, one available now (Jolliff plays Jones) and another coming out on March 31st (We Love Jim and Jesse w/ Michael Daves). Both are incredible and both completely different.  To keep up with Jake, head to his website here for tour dates, shop and links to socials.  Songs featured in this episode: All songs featured in the episode are from Jacob’s “Jolliff plays Jones” release available HERE! As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer

Episode Notes **Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  My guest this week on the podcast is John Jorgenson. John Jorgenson born July 6, 1956 in Madison, Wisconsin, is perhaps best known for his guitar work with bands such as the Desert Rose Band and The Hellecasters. Jorgenson is also proficient in the mandolin, mandocello, Dobro, pedal steel, piano, upright bass, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone. John Jorgenson, known for his blistering guitar and mandolin licks and mastery of a broad musical palette, has earned a reputation as a world-class musician, as evidenced by his collaborations with Earl Scruggs, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan and many others. To find John’s tour dates, recordings, and social media, head over to his website HERE! Songs featured in this episode: “I will Shelter You” by J2B2(J2B2) “I Wish You Knew” by Jim and Jesse w/ John Jorgenson (Youtube) Orange Blossom Special by The Hellecasters (Return of the Hellecasters) “Wait a Minute” by J2B2 (J2B2” As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Tone Traveller**

Episode Notes **Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  My guest this week is Courtlyn Bills from the band Magoo.  Magoo is a progressive bluegrass quartet based in Denver, CO, redefining the boundaries of traditional bluegrass with a fresh, contemporary approach. Known for their electrifying live performances, the band creates a unique experience that blends extended improvisations, intricate original arrangements, and tight three-part harmonies. Their foot-stomping grooves and energetic stage presence leave audiences both inspired and enthralled. To find out where you can catch one of their high energy shows, or to follow along on social media, head to their website HERE! Songs featured in this episode: All songs featured during the episode are available to listen to HERE! As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Tone Traveller**

Episode Notes **Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  My guest this week on the podcast is Adam Klosowiak from KLOS Guitars. They have just launched their pre order for the follow up to their wildly successful A style, the F style. Lots of players have been asking for one, and now here they are!  You can pre order yours HERE.  Here’s a little background on KLOS: “We proudly build KLŌS guitars here in the Utah Rocky Mountains where the grandeur of the mountains inspire adventure and creativity, motivating us to produce the highest quality instruments.  KLOS Guitars designs and builds its instruments with several key principles in mind. Our goal is to build great quality instruments at a great price for the end user.  We use a simplistic approach by making the guitar playing and traveling experience carefree, and low maintenance. We use a minimalistic approach by focusing on the fundamentals that make a great guitar, and eliminating all the unnecessary parts and manufacturing procedures that don’t bring much value. Some of our parts and materials come from outside of the USA from partners who are experts in their field. We have partners located in the USA, Canada, China, Korea, Vietnam, and Brazil. Our production facility in the USA does all of the final building process starting with assembling the carbon fiber bodies to the carbon fiber soundboard and ending with stringing and final quality inspection. Some of our accessories are wholly made outside of the USA, such as our gig bags being made in Vietnam. Our builders and inspectors are guitarists and we are proud of the hand crafting that we put into each instrument.” Songs featured in this episode: “Carolina Sun” Live by Daniel Patrick & New Ghost Town As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Tone Traveller

Episode Notes **Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  My guest this week on the podcast is Jesse Appelman. Jesse Appelman grew up playing mandolin, spending his whole life picking bluegrass, Brazilian choro, new acoustic, and beyond. He has toured and appeared with folks like the Sam Grisman Project, Mark Schatz, Laurie Lewis & Kathy Kallick, Keith Little, Scott Nygaard, and more. A native of Palo Alto, California who resides in Oakland, the 43-year-old father recently decided to “take the plunge” and commit to music as his full time job.  Jesse has a brand new album out today called “Where We Go” and it's a beautiful  Album! To pick up a copy or to find out more about Jesse, head to his website HERE! Songs featured in this episode: All songs featured in this episode are available on Jesse’s new album, available to purchase HERE! As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Tone Traveller**

Episode Notes **Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  My Guest this week on the podcast is BB Bowness. BB is an incredible banjo player who has played with some incredible mandolin players and has also just released her first solo album called  “Goodtime Revival available here!  Born in the small town of Marton, New Zealand, Catherine "BB" Bowness spent her early years working and living in her family's Fish-and-Chip shop. Although an unlikely origin for a bluegrass banjo player, New Zealand would offer BB her first introduction to the instrument, sparking a lifelong love and fascination. A world away from the heart of bluegrass, BB spent much of her childhood teaching herself the instrument, and through dedication and tenacity became New Zealand School of Music's first banjo student. Inspired by her New Zealand predecessors, The Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, BB was always drawn to the five-piece full band, and after heading to America in 2012 she co-founded her current group, Mile Twelve.  Currently, BB lives in Cambridge, MA. Mile Twelve has won numerous IBMA awards, including 2020 New Artists of the Year and 2017 Momentum Band of the Year. BB won the 2015 Freshgrass Banjo contest and was a winner of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize in 2020. To keep up with BB and to follow her on her socials head over to her website HERE! Songs featured in this episode: All songs featured on this episode are available on BB’s new album “Goodtime Revival available here!  As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor’s that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Tone Traveller**