The "Where's Kyle Jam"

The final track on CHHR2, the album we're featuring on our Track-By-Track with Carrie Hassler, is a tune called "Where's Carrie Jam." While I'm not sure of the exact origin of that piece, by substituting my name in the title I can definitely relate to its sentiment.

If you have been wondering as to my whereabouts, I'm here--but I'm not. I mean, I'm in the office, diligently working on programming assignments (bor-ing!), but I'm not on the air, where I belong. In fact, Marty Fitzpatrick will be in for me on Grassroots again this week, and I'll miss another request show this coming Monday.

There's not a whole lot I can say at the moment about my activities behind the scenes, except to say that I hope to be back on the air in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, Studio Specials, etc. will continue to air as usual. Actually, the work I'm doing isn't really boring--it's quite interesting--I just miss getting to interact via my shows on the channel.

Thanks for your patience.

By the way, Track-By-Track with Carrie Hassler airs again tomorrow [Wednesday] afternoon at 4 PM ET. Don't miss it!

Marty Fitzpatrick does Grassroots

Marty Fitzpatrick is pinch-hitting (great baseball metaphor, huh?--after all, the World Series is airing on XM!) for me this afternoon on Grassroots because I'm currently on assignment working on programming-related projects.

I'll likely be away for the request show on Monday as well. Look for more details on an updated programming lineup for Bluegrass Junction soon.

Thanks for your understanding.

Studio Special with Jerry Douglas

Jerry Douglas recently brought his fine band to our studio to play on the Studio Special, and that show debuted this morning.

If you heard the show, it's no doubt apparent that what the guys played wasn't middle-of-the-road bluegrass. But wow! The spirit and musicianship were definitely present. I'm truly blown away and amazed at the ability of Jerry to seemingly become one with his instrument. In fact, after the show, Jerry and I talked off the air about how the dobro has a "voice" of its own, and even augmenting a vocal number it becomes another voice alongside the one that's actually singing.

The band Jerry brought along with him was fantastic as well, and their song selection, while progressive, was great and drawn from Jerry's new album, Glide.

The next airing of this show is tomorrow [Saturday] at 11 AM ET. For other air times, follow this link: Studio Special Air Times.

Ramblers Choice Rides the Studio Special

What a week this has been--Just when you think you have everything under control, "Zoom!" It's gone.

Such has been the case with my week. Here we are on a Friday, and it didn't occur to me until I was driving in this morning and heard it on the radio that I hadn't written anything about Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice's appearance on the Studio Special.

These guys make traditional bluegrass music at its finest, and it starts with the fine vocals turned in by Junior himself. For my money, he has one of the most expressive country/bluegrass lead voices in the industry. I've been a fan of his since hearing him with Wyatt Rice & Santa Cruz several years back, and we first had him on the Studio Special when he was still in Blueridge with Alan Bibey about two years ago. Since then, of course, Blueridge has disbanded and Junior has formed this fine new unit.

The song selection is fabulous. The songs they do on the show are taken from the new CD, Blue Side of the Blue Ridge, and listen for them to perform the title track, "How Could I Explain," and "You Let the Dog Off the Chain." They're standouts, although all the songs are excellent.

Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice on the Studio Special airs again tomorrow [Saturday] morning at 11:00 ET. Other air times can be found by following this link: Studio Special Air Times.

Dailey & Vincent Repeat

FYI, we'll be rerunning the Dailey & Vincent interview I did this afternoon in just a few minutes--at 6 PM ET.

'Just so you know!

Dailey & Vincent Visit Wednesday

Wednesday afternoon, be sure to check out my afternoon show when Dailey & Vincent visit the studio. We'll get underway with that interview during the 3 PM (Eastern) hour.

I haven't seen the guys since their big night at the IBMA Awards nearly two weeks ago, so they should have plenty to talk about.

See you then!

Carrie Hassler Track-By-Track Coming Up

As you can see in the photo to the right, I really have a tough job! I mean, I have to hang out with people like the nice looking lady in this picture.

That, my friends, is Carrie Hassler, and her new album, CHHR2, is sensational. I'm looking forward to bringing to Bluegrass Junction a Track-By-Track show I recorded with her a few weeks ago this coming Tuesday at 8 AM ET. CHHR2 is a cutting-edge disc with generous amounts of tradition and innovation. Carrie, with her big Patsy Cline-esque voice, blends both with ease.

As usual when we do a TBT, we'll be playing through the entire CD in sequence. When I recorded the show, Carrie was on hand with me in the studio to lend her commentary to many of the songs and share some unique insights you won't hear anywhere else.

If you can't listen on Tuesday, we'll be rebroadcasting the show at the following times:

Thursday (10/22) at 6 PM ET
Saturday (10/25) at 4 PM ET
Wednesday (10/29) at 4 PM ET

Valerie Smith and Becky Buller Jet In

If the group in the picture looks a little tired, it's because they are. Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike visited us back in August to record a an episode of our Studio Special series. The session took place just hours after they had returned from a European tour. That show debuts (at last!) this week--Friday at 8 AM ET.

Although they may have been a bit ragged because of lack of sleep, jet lag, and "jet head" (a malady Becky Buller describes on the show), the result of their appearance in our studio was outstanding. Valerie and Becky have just released a duet CD titled Here's a Little Song, and the songs they perform are drawn from that. While not hard-core bluegrass, the numbers they did were impressive, the harmonies were fantastic, and the playing was awesome.

I especially enjoyed "Your Goodnight is My Goodbye" and "The River." Also, don't miss "Four Wet Pigs." It's a unique and quirky song which almost became the title song of the new album (actually, "Here's a little song" is a line from "Four Wet Pigs," so I guess that makes it the title song...sort of).

We're excited about this show! Don't miss it.

The Studio Special is a series of live, in-studio performances by some of bluegrass music's hottest bands. For more information about the regular air times, follow this link: Studio Special Air Times.

Studio Special Poll

One of our important features on Bluegrass Junction is the Studio Special, that show where the artists appear in our studio to play live and share their thoughts on their lives and careers. Since we started this feature in early 2006, we have done nearly 70 shows and, from your feedback, you seem to have enjoyed them.

I'm constantly looking at our programming to determine if it's meeting your needs, and now I need your help. As you know, every week a different Studio Special airs multiple times (the full schedule is here: Studio Special Air Times). The idea behind that is to give everyone a chance to hear the show regardless of which time zone they live in, or what type of schedule they keep. However, I sometimes wonder if we're airing them at the right time, airing them too much, or if we need to add more broadcasts.

If you will, please take a moment to vote in our poll on this subject. You'll see it on the right. You'll be helping me make Bluegrass Junction more user-friendly for you, and I'd appreciate it.

Once More with Michael

It's an incredible show, and you don't want to miss our Studio Special with Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper.

It airs once more, tomorrow [Thursday] afternoon at 3:00 ET.




Helpful links:

Michael's website
Studio Special Air Times

A Word of Thanks

I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for the congratulations and good wishes in connection with the IBMA Awards last week. I'm truly honored by the recognition, but I'm even more honored to get to have you as a listener family.

I've been keeping a low profile on-air this week, but I'll resume my normal schedule with Grassroots this Friday afternoon at 3 PM ET. See you then!

IBMA Winners Announced

What a night! ...And what a wonderful awards show! Congratulations to all the winners in tonight's International Bluegrass Music Awards.

For a complete list of winners, follow this link.

Studio Special with Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

There's no time to catch our breath after the IBMA Awards, because we jump right in on Friday morning with a fresh Studio Special featuring the 2008 IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper. It debuts at 8 AM ET.

What a band!! These guys are some of the best musicians around. And for this show, I use the term "guys" judiciously, because Kristin Scott-Benson sat in on banjo and did her usual superb job. Kristin, by the way, took the Banjo Player of the Year award in tonight's IBMA Awards.

If, as I do, you love traditional bluegrass, there is none finer than that being made by this band. Be sure and join us for a great show.

The Studio Special is a series of live, in-studio performances by some of bluegrass music's hottest bands. For more information about the regular air times, follow this link: Studio Special Air Times.

A Big Day At The Junction

Thursday promises to be a HUGE day for Bluegrass Junction.

The day's Studio Special wraps up our week-long salute to IBMA nominees with the band nominated for more awards than any other--Dailey & Vincent. Their stunning show airs at 3 PM ET.

During the 4 PM ET hour, we visit with the Steep Canyon Rangers, in town for the Awards Show (they're performing on it, in fact). I always look forward to having them in studio.

Starting around 5 PM ET (or so), I'm planning a special preview to the Awards Show. I'll be playing songs by the nominees in many of the major categories, and will include some interview clips and other neat stuff.

THEN...tomorrow night...it's the "big show": The 19th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, which we'll broadcast live from the Ryman Auditorium. Our live coverage begins at 9 PM ET (with a rebroadcast planned for Friday morning at 10:00 ET).

If you love bluegrass, tomorrow is your day. I hope you'll plan to be with us through it all.

IBMA: One Big Shake & Howdy

One of the joys of the IBMA's World of Bluegrass Business Conference each year is getting to renew acquaintances with old friends and catch up.

For instance, when I first arrived at the Nashville Convention Center on Monday, among the the first folks I saw were the guys in this photo (Larry Cordle, Sonny Osborne, and Carl Jackson). Although I had seen Larry and Carl within the past few months, it was great to see Sonny. It's been over a year.

This has been a fun week...and it's only Wednesday.

IBMA Poll Results

Here are the official results of our IBMA Awards Poll:

Entertainer of the Year: Dailey & Vincent
Vocal Group of the Year: Dailey & Vincent
Instrumental Group of the Year: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Male Vocalist of the Year: Jamie Dailey
Female Vocalist of the Year: Rhonda Vincent
Album of the Year: Dailey & Vincent by Dailey & Vincent
Song of the Year: "By the Mark" by Dailey & Vincent
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year: "By The Mark" by Dailey & Vincent
Instrumental Album of the Year: Sound of the Slide Guitar by Andy Hall
Recorded Event of the Year: Salt of the Earth by Ricky Skaggs & The Whites
Emerging Artist of the Year: Dailey & Vincent
Banjo Player of the Year: J. D. Crowe
Bass Player of the Year: Darrin Vincent
Fiddle Player of the Year: Michael Cleveland
Dobro Player of the Year: Rob Ickes
Guitar Player of the Year: Tony Rice
Mandolin Player of the Year: Doyle Lawson

Once More with Ricky Skaggs

Don't miss the final broadcast of our Track-By-Track with Ricky Skaggs this afternoon at 4 PM ET. Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass is one incredible CD, and I know you won't be disappointed with the music. You'll enjoy Ricky's comments, too.

This guy is one of bluegrass music's great treasures. Thanks, Ricky, for joining us for this special show!

Poll Results Announced Today

The results of our informal poll of Bluegrass Junction listeners on the IBMA Awards will be announced at 5:30 PM ET today.

Tune in, and then get set to compare notes when we broadcast the IBMA Awards tomorrow night.