Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly 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.Releases (The Grass is New)Alison Krauss vinyl reissue from Craft Recordings The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlistOther bitsSign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlistFull list of interviewsCollings GuitarsHappy picking.Matt Support the show===Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!) Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins- Sign up to get updates on new episodes - Free fiddle tune chord sheets- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates: Instagram Facebook - Review us on Apple Podcasts
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Bitesize - Caitlin Canty on Songwriting and Slow Processing
This week's Bitesize episode comes from one of my favourite interviews, the conversation I had with Caitlin Canty about her record Quiet Flame.The album was produced by Chris Eldridge (of Punch Brothers and Mighty Poplar) and features a fantastic band, including Paul Kowert, Brittany Haas, Sarah Jarosz, Noam Pikelny and Andrew Marlin.In this excerpt Caitlin talks about the delay between experiencing something and writing about it and how she needs to see patterns emerge before she starts to write. We also talk about a couple of the tracks on Quiet Flame and what they mean to her.This was such a fun conversation and one I've gone back and listened to more than once in the couple of years since it was recorded.If you want to hear the full interview, you'll find links on bluegrassjamalong.comFor more info on Caitlin and to buy the album, visit caitlincanty.comThere are some great videos, featuring the band from the album, on Caitlin’s YouTube channel (you should watch them, they’re fantastic).For updates, follow Caitlin on Facebook and InstagramHappy picking!Matt Support the show===Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!) Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins- Sign up to get updates on new episodes - Free fiddle tune chord sheets- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates: Instagram Facebook - Review us on Apple Podcasts
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9:00
Bluegrass Briefing July 24th 2025 - IBMA Music Awards nominations special
Hi,This week's briefing is slightly different - I'm running you through some of the nominees for this year's IBMA Music Awards.I'd love to hear what you think - who you think will win, who you think should win, who's missing from the lists and any other thoughts.Come and join the conversation via Instagram, Facebook or Threads and let me know!Matt Support the show===Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!) Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins- Sign up to get updates on new episodes - Free fiddle tune chord sheets- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates: Instagram Facebook - Review us on Apple Podcasts
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12:13
Sara Watkins - Connection and Collaboration on I'm With Her's 'Wild and Clear and Blue'
My guest this week is Sara Watkins, with a deep dive into I'm With Her's latest record, 'Wild and Clear and Blue', which has already become one of my favourite records of recent years.We talk about the album’s first writing sessions in 2021, just as the world was starting to reconnect post-pandemic and how that theme of connection eventually grew to run through the whole record. We also talk about collaboration and how essential that is to I’m With Her; the joy of cover versions and getting to know someone through music; how that shared love provided the seed for the album’s title track and why playing these songs with Aoife and Sarah at this point feels so special.I also ask Sara about her own journey as a songwriter, stepping out of the shadows of her bandmates in Nickel Creek and we discuss the idea that albums are like puppies (you’ll just need to listen!)This was one of my absolute favourite interviews to record. I hope you enjoy it.For more info on I’m With Her, including tour dates and to buy I’m With Her vinyl, CDs and merch, visit imwithherband.comFor regular updates follow Sara on Instagram and FacebookHappy picking,Matt Support the show===Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!) Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins- Sign up to get updates on new episodes - Free fiddle tune chord sheets- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates: Instagram Facebook - Review us on Apple Podcasts
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Bluegrass Briefing July 14th 2025
Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly 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.News and Announcements (Church Street News)Gillian Welch & David Rawlings Tiny Desk ConcertIBMA Nominee Announcement detailsReleases (The Grass is New) The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlistScroll on BuddyIBMA Grammy’s Zoom webinar infoIn My EarsMartin Simpson & Thomm Jutz interviewOther bitsSign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlistFull list of interviewsCollings GuitarsHappy picking.Matt Support the show===Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!) Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins- Sign up to get updates on new episodes - Free fiddle tune chord sheets- Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews- Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates: Instagram Facebook - Review us on Apple Podcasts
The IBMA Award winning podcast for anyone and everyone who loves bluegrass. Free fiddle tune backing tracks and interviews with amazing people from the world of bluegrass. For every tune we give you four brand new tracks: - Backup 4 times through (you play the tune or improvise breaks)- Tune 4 times through (you play backup)- ‘Jam Along’ (4 complete run throughs, alternating backup and tune)- Full performanceFor more info and chord charts, visit https://bluegrassjamalong.com. Hope you find these tracks useful (and thanks for listening!) - Matt
Ireland