In this bonus episode we're celebrating Tony Rice's best loved albums....as voted for by you!

I put out a poll over my social channels as well as some popular Facebook groups and subreddits and collated all the responses.

The rules were simple - just pick one album each for these 3 categories:

1. Tony Rice/Tony Rice Unit album

2. Album where Tony’s named as one of the artists (e.g. Blake & Rice/ Skaggs & Rice/Tone Poems)

3. Any album Tony plays on but isn’t named as an artist (e.g. DGQ, Bluegrass Album Band, JD’s 0044….or anything else)

I had over 400 votes in total. In this short episode I reveal what won in each category, what the most popular album was overall and also what pickers like Chris Thile and Trey Hensley chose as their favourites!

You'll find links to previous podcast episodes celebrating Tony Rice on bluegrassjamalong.com

My guest this week is Thomm Jutz.

We're talking about Thomm's fascinating new project Ring-a-Bellin', an 18 track album and, for those wanting to dive even deeper into the process behind this new release, a beautiful, hardback Ring-A-Bellin’ companion book, which includes the stories and inspiration behind each song.

Thomm talks about the idea behind the record; his unique approach to music, creativity, and life; how imagery, psychology, and tradition inform his work and the importance of process, authenticity, and staying true to your artistic journey.

In this episode

Thomm explains:

• The concept behind his album, and the companion book of artwork and essays
• The influence of analytical psychology, alchemy, and symbolism on his songwriting
• His love of of organic, live recording techniques versus layered, processed music
• His thoughts on the role of tradition in American and Irish folk music, and the importance of maintaining a connection to old instruments and styles
• Why he sees song creation as an alchemical journey from chaos to clarity
• His views on technology, AI, and their impact on the authenticity of music
• How time and place influence his songwriting
• The parallels between craft, process, and the deeper spiritual aspects of musical creation

About Thomm

Thomm Jutz is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter, producer, guitarist, and media composer and veteran of the American Roots Music scene, with over 25 years' of experience in the industry. His latest project, Ring-a-Bellin' combines an 18-song album with a beautifully illustrated companion book, providing a multi-dimensional experience that captures the essence of his artistic process and journey.

Recent work includes Nothing But Green Willow: The Songs of Mary Sands and Jane Gentry (2023, with Martin Simpson), a transatlantic exploration of the women who contributed to Cecil Sharp’s folk song collection, featuring Sierra Hull, Odessa Settles, Angeline Morrison, and Tim O’Brien.

Resources & Links

Thomm's Website

Instagram

Facebook

Thomm Jutz and Martin Simpson discuss Nothing But Green Willow on Bluegrass Jam Along

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My guest this week is Alex Graf and we're talking all things Manzanita.

Alex made the shift from a more jazz based background to flatpicking a few years ago and Tony Rice's Manzanita became one of the absolute cornerstone records for him on that journey. We talk about why it became so important, what Alex learned from Tony's playing on the record and why he still finds something new in it every time he listens.

You'll hear about:

• How Tony's jazz influences shaped his approach to guitar
• The importance of musical conversation between band members on Manzanita
• The myths and legends that surround Tony's albums
• How Tony Rice's approach to chord voicings was inspired by jazz piano legend Bill Evans
• How reinterpreting melody, rather than just blowing through the changes, keeps music fresh

and much more.

To find out more about Alex, including his great teaching resource Alex's Acoustic Club, head to alexgrafmusic.com

For news, updates and great free content on improving your playing, check out Alex's Instagram and YouTube

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Welcome to this month’s Bluegrass Briefing, a monthly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.

Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.

Podcast news

• Brad Kolodner interview
• Bill Nowlin interview

Releases (The Grass is New)

• Del McCoury Band with Peter Rowan & David Grisman
• Michael Daves & Jacob Jolliff
• Tony Trischka Earl Jam 2
• Blue Highway - Live at ETSU! A 30-Year Retrospective (preorder)
• Jesse Apppelman

Other bits

• Thomm Jutz/Martin Simpson interview
• Full list of interviews
• Collings Guitars

Happy picking.

Matt

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My guest this week is Bill Nowlin, co-founder of Rounder Records.

Bill joins me to talk about Rounder's extraordinary 50 year legacy as one of the most important, influential and best loved independent labels in American roots music.

We chat about how Rounder started, after Bill was randomly assigned Ken Irwin as his college roommate, and how, along with Marian Leighton Levy, they grew Rounder from a small enterprise releasing a couple of records a year into a successful label, responsible for the career of one of the most awarded artists in the history of the Grammys.

Bill shares how they discovered Alison Krauss, via a demo tape she wasn't even the lead vocalist on, and subsequently signed her when she was just a teenager. We talk about how Alison's success, along with that of other artists like George Thorogood, helped Rounder establish themselves and how Rounder managed to position themselves at the forefront of industry developments, including releasing the first ever bluegrass CD.

We also chat about some of the iconic records Rounder put out over the years, from artists like JD Crowe, Norman Blake, Tony Rice, Tony Trischka and Alison Krauss, and how the founders eventually decided to sell Rounder. That led to a new label, Down the Road Records which, in a lovely full circle moment, put out Alison Krauss and Union Station's return to bluegrass 'Arcadia' in 2025.

This was a fascinating conversation about a fascinating legacy.

If you want to hear more about Rounder's history, I can highly recommend Bill's book Vinyl Ventures: My Fifty Years at Rounder Records and David Menconi's Oh, Didn't They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music

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My guest on the podcast this week is Brad Kolodner.

Brad is a fantastic clawhammer banjo player. As well as his solo records - 'Chimney Swifts' and the recent album of solo gourd banjo tunes 'Old Growth' - Brad also plays with the band Charm City Junction, as a duet with fiddler George Jackson and with his father, Ken, as part of Ken & Brad Kolodner.

He's also an award-winning radio broadcaster for Folk Alley and Bluegrass Country Radio, jam leader, festival organiser, community builder and ambassador for old-time and bluegrass music, as well as serving on the board of the IBMA.

We chat about Brad's route into old-time music - which took longer than you might think, given his upbringing - as well as his love of gourd banjos, the different projects he's involved with and why community and connection is so important as a musician.

Check out bradkolodner.com for more info.

The tracks played in the show are:

• Chimney Swifts - Brad Kolodner (Chimney Swifts)
• Shakin' Down The Acorns - Ken & Brad Kolodner (Stony Run)
• Red Prarie Dawn - Brad Kolodner (Old Growth)
• Grigsby's Hornpipe - George Jackson & Brad Kolodner (Shady Lane)

Check out Brad's website or Bandcamp page to buy his releases

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My guest this week is John Wirtz.

John, along with his partner Moira, runs Sore Fingers, a UK bluegrass and old time music camp that celebrates it's 30th anniversary this year.

John joins me to chat about how the camp started up and how it's grown over the years to play a major role in the UK and European bluegrass scenes. We talk about some of the extraordinary tutors who have travelled across the Atlantic to teach at Sore Fingers over the years and how they've helped thousands of people develop their musical skills, whilst helping to shape a community in the process.

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the first event and this year's courses feature some wonderful tutors, including Tony Trischka, Michael Daves, Jacob Jolliff, Mike Compton, Stephen Mougin and Becky Buller.

For more info, visit the Sore Fingers site at www.sorefingers.co.uk

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Welcome to this month’s Bluegrass Briefing, a monthly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.

Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.

• Ted Olson interview
• Doc Watson 100th Birthday Celebration - part 1 - part 2

News and announcements - church street news

• Punch Brothers tour dates

Scroll on Buddy

• Atkin Guitars pallet guitar
• Jude Rogers - The Sound of Being Human
• Brittany Haas w/ Paul Kowert & Mike Gaisbacher - Impromptu Sessions

Other bits

• Full list of interviews
• Collings Guitars

Happy picking.

Matt

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