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!

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.

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

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.

A Series Within the Series

As you know, our Studio Special series is the program where we feature a different artist each week performing live in our studio.

This week, in anticipation of the IBMA Awards coming up on October 2 (which we're broadcasting live on Bluegrass Junction), instead of presenting the same show all week as we usually do, we'll be featuring a different band in each Studio Special show which has 1) Appeared on the program during 2008 and 2) Been nominated for an award this year.

Our first show features Blue Highway, who are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. It airs tomorrow morning at 8 AM ET.

The full week's schedule goes like this:

Friday, 8 AM ET: Blue Highway
Saturday, 11 AM ET: The Steeldrivers
Sunday, 6 PM ET: Paul Williams & The Victory Trio
Monday, 8 PM ET: The Grascals
Tuesday, Midnight ET: The Infamous Stringdusters
Thursday, 3 PM ET: Dailey & Vincent

These are all terrific shows, so be sure and tune in and celebrate IBMA week right along with us!

On Track With Pine Mountain Railroad

Our current Studio Special, which features Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad, airs again tonight at Midnight ET, and on Thursday at 3 PM ET.

This was a fun show to do. While not quite as "wide open" as the Grascals (and who could be?), the camaraderie, joking, and laughter all around is indicative of the youth and vigor in this group.

And they are a young group. While Pine Mountain Railroad has been around for nearly a decade, Cody Shuler, the band's leader, is only in his early 20s, having joined the band at age 19 about five years ago. While some of the other players are older, I would attribute the vitality and energy of the group to Cody's youthful leadership.

Chalk up the music, however, to fine musicians. While their latest gospel CD, Preachin', Prayin', and Singin' is just out, not all the tunes they do on the show are taken from it. One of the treats for me was when they did "Cindy Mae," which currently is a hit for the Crowe Brothers but was written by Cody. If you're like me, you'll enjoy the "writer's version" of this fine song.

It's a great show, so be sure and tune in!

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.

Once More With Paul Williams

Our Studio Special with Paul Williams and the Victory Trio, the 61st in the series, airs again tomorrow [Thursday] afternoon at 3:00 ET.

The reaction to this show has been strong. Of course, you tell me you enjoy the Studio Specials and I get positive comments about all of them, but the consensus on this one seems to be that it's really a favorite. In fact, I got a call from Paul himself earlier this week, and he tells me he has been inundated with congratulatory phone calls and CD orders ever since the show first hit the air Friday morning.

All this is for good reason, I think: As I wrote in my earlier post, Paul and his band turned in an exceptional performance and did it in a relaxed, natural way. So, if you haven't heard the show, don't miss tomorrow's broadcast.

For more information on broadcast and rebroadcast times for all Studio Special shows, follow this link: Studio Special Air Times.

Studio Special with Paul Williams & The Victory Trio

Sometimes when life is really busy, it's great to settle back and reflect on the more important things. There are many ways to do that, of course, but one of the best is to listen to relaxing and inspiring music such as that played by Paul Williams and the Victory Trio.

Here's your chance to do just that. Friday morning at 8:00 ET, our Studio Special with Paul debuts on Bluegrass Junction.

This is some seriously good bluegrass gospel! Paul and his fine group came by our studio a few days ago to record this show, and I was amazed at the ease and confidence with which they played and sang. The harmonies were wonderful and the playing was top-notch. The tunes they played came from Paul's new album, What a Journey.

I was fascinated by Paul's reminiscences of his years in the business. As you may not be aware, Paul has a 60+-year history in the music, having been a major player in groups like The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers and Jimmy Martin's Sunny Mountain Boys. He's a first-generation pioneer with a lot to say about how this music came to be.

It's a really special show...be sure and catch it. If you can't hear the debut broadcast Friday, catch one of the rebroadcasts. The full schedule is listed here.

The Studio Special Presents the Grascals

It's back to new shows this week as we present a never aired program featuring the Grascals. It premieres Friday morning at 8:00 ET.

I emphasize "never aired" because you may be tempted to think this is a re-run. There are a couple of reasons you might arrive at this conclusion: 1) This is the Grascals' third appearance on Studio Special--which means they've done the show more than any other band, and 2) By rights, this show should have aired before now.

Let me explain. We originally recorded this show back in March. Our original plan was for it to air shortly thereafter, but the day we recorded the show we began talking about the new CD and the guys generously gave us permission to air the World Premiere of the new CD on XM which, as you may remember, took place on July 1. At the time, it seemed better to hold off on broadcasting the Studio Special until after the World Premiere ran.

All this makes for an interesting show. First of all, since March, Jimmy Mattingly has left the Grascals (replaced by Jeremy Abshire) and, since Jimmy plays on this show, this is one of his last public appearances with the group. Secondly, at the time this show was done, I hadn't heard most of the songs they did, which would be included on the new CD. You'll hear me comment on the fact that most of the songs are new to me and we talk about the upcoming release of the new album.

With all that said, this is a superb show. I hope you'll tune in for some fine music from the reigning IBMA Entertainers of the Year.

For a complete listing of Studio Special broadcast times, check out this post: Studio Special Air Times.

Capping Off A Special Month

This has been a very special month for me as we've dedicated our Studio Special time to the "Best of 2008 (So Far!)."

This morning we rolled out our final "best of" show for now, which features Bradley Walker, the reigning IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year. I know I say this about all of them, but this is really a special show. I first heard this fine band at an IBMA showcase last fall--they had just started working together as a unit--and was completely blown away. The relatively small room in the Nashville Convention Center that evening was jam-packed with people and there was no sound system, but you could have heard a pin drop when these folks began playing. And when Bradley's rich voice was first heard, you could almost feel the excitement in the room.

This man is a talent.

Don't miss this wonderful show, and get set for an all-new show next week featuring the Grascals. More on that later.

The Studio Special is Bluegrass Junction's showcase for bluegrass music's top talent. Each week, a different band plays live in XM's Nashville studio and tells about their lives and careers. The complete broadcast schedule can be found by following this link: Studio Special Air Times.

Studio Special with Carolina Road

Our August "Best Of" series of Studio Special rebroadcasts continues as we replay another program from March of this year. This week, we're featuring Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road, and the next broadcast of that one is Saturday morning at 11:00 ET.

We took the photo you see here at the session, and we had a great time as usual with these folks. The atmosphere is always so "easy" when Lorraine and crew are around. They clearly enjoy each others' company and playing bluegrass.

A standout performance for me on the show was when Josh Goforth led the group in a wonderful version of "Just a Little Talk with Jesus." Josh not only sang the lead vocal on that one, but his finger-picked guitar on that performance was truly outstanding. Josh, as you know, normally plays fiddle in Carolina Road, so it was a treat to hear him play something so radically different. The rest of the band contributed some fine harmony on that song, which was included (with the same arrangement) on Why Don't You Give Jesus a Try, the gospel album Carolina Road has released since this show was originally broadcast.

Also listen for the in-studio version of "A Stop in South Port Towne" featuring Jerry Butler on the lead vocal.

The full schedule of Studio Special rebroadcasts is listed here. Don't miss this outstanding show.

Through the Window of Our Studio

Blue Highway returns to our Studio Special series Friday morning at 8:00 ET as we continue our "Best of" series during the month of August.

All this month, we're re-running some of the memorable shows we've broadcast so far during this year, and the one featuring Blue Highway was a real highlight for me. This was the 49th show in the series, and it was originally broadcast back in March.

Needless to say, this is incredible music from one of the top established bands in bluegrass. On the show they perform several songs from their current album, Through the Window of a Train which, in addition from being one of finest discs they've ever done, received quite a notice Thursday in the International Bluegrass Music Awards Nominations. It received an IBMA nomination for Album of the Year, and the title song is up for Song of the Year. The band is nominated for Vocal Group and Instrumental Group of the Year, and Tim Stafford and Rob Ickes are nominated in the Instrumental categories (Guitar and Dobro Player of the Year, respectively).

You'll enjoy this show. If you can't catch it Friday morning, check out our list of rebroadcast times.

The Return of Balsam Range

Our August run of the best of the Studio Special series continues this week with a show which was originally broadcast in April featuring Balsam Range. It returns Friday morning at 8:00 ET.

One of the "up-and-coming" bands in the music, these guys combine fine harmony and fabulous playing to produce music that's fresh and engaging. Their current album, Marching Home, was produced by Jerry Salley, who did a masterful job of pulling together all the talents of the group into a terrific debut CD.

As good as the album is, however, their performance on the Studio Special was very impressive, too. Listen especially for the in-studio version of "Blue Mountain," which finds lead singer Buddy Melton delivering an emotion-packed vocal which I think rivals the quality of that found on the record. That song, by the way, has become highly requested by our listeners on Request Monday in recent weeks.

By the way, our Studio Special with Dailey & Vincent airs one more time this afternoon at 3:00 ET. And, for a complete listing of all Studio Special times, as well as our August schedule, follow this link.

Don't Miss Dailey & Vincent

Our Studio Special with Dailey & Vincent airs one more time: Thursday afternoon at 3 PM ET.

I mention this because this is one of the truly great shows in the series, in my opinion. They're all wonderful, of course, but occasionally one stands out above the rest. I covered some of the reasons I think this in my earlier post.

This will be the last time we air this show for some time, so don't miss this opportunity to hear it again.

August Studio Specials

As I mentioned in my earlier post about Dailey & Vincent, the August shows in the Studio Special series will consist of some of the best programs we've aired this year. Here's the schedule for the next few weeks:

Friday, August 1: Dailey & Vincent
Friday, August 8: Balsam Range
Friday, August 15: Blue Highway
Friday, August 22: Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road
Friday, August 29: Bradley Walker

Each show debuts at 8:00 AM Eastern on Fridays, with rebroadcasts at the following times:

Saturday 11 AM ET
Sunday 6 PM ET
Monday 8 PM ET
Tuesday Midnight ET (12:00 AM ET Wednesday)
Thursday 3 PM ET

One Incredible Studio Special

During much of the month of August, we'll be presenting encores of some of our best Studio Specials from this year. It's appropriate, then, that we begin the month with Dailey & Vincent, who kicked off the new season back in March. The show airs at 8 AM ET Friday, followed by the usual run of encore broadcasts (complete schedule here).

Here's another chance for you to get to experience some of the finest music we've ever presented in the series. Jamie and Darrin came into our studio with their fine band, and from the very first note, it was readily apparent that they had come to play. Every song flowed effortlessly from one to the next, and the band worked like a well-oiled machine. They were also a lot of fun to interview and made some interesting comments and observations about their music, as well as bluegrass in general.

If you're familiar at all with Dailey & Vincent, I don't need to tell you what a great job these guys have done in selecting just the right songs. Each one they have recorded and performed since their group formed, in my opinion, fits their voices perfectly and is a showcase for their unique talents. On this edition of the Studio Special, they performed nine songs and did an incredible job with each.

What struck me most about this show, though, was the same thing that most folks cite when asked why Dailey & Vincent are so special: the harmony. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about the blend that these guys have that is very special. I can't think of another modern-day duo with the same "something special" that Dailey & Vincent have. Their getting together is truly a perfect match.

In any event, don't miss this show. If you're not greatly impressed, I'll be very surprised.