Lonesome Banjo Chronicles

In this episode, I catch up with Kyle Travers, one of the twin brothers that leads the Asheville based band Travers Brothership.  

This is a band you're almost guaranteed to love from the moment you hear the first song. A funky, soulful, southern inspired groove that uses horn lines and 4-part harmonies with ease and playfulness. 

We talk about how their dad inspired them to dive headfirst into music and how removing the ego is th...

In this episode we talk with Senator Jeff Jackson of NC Senate District 37. Jeff talks about the realities of being a Democratic Senator in a state government that's beholden to far right interests, and how he's fighting for an independent commission to redraw district lines to better reflect the bipartisan realities of the state.   

Jeff talks about how a master's degree in philosophy and his experience as a state prosecutor make ...

In this episode we talk to Lee Crumpton, the owner of Home Grown Music Network. Lee has been one of the most influential people in the southeastern music scene for the last 20 years. He talks about chasing down his passion for music by becoming a DJ at an early age--both the party and radio kind--and how that led him to forming a record label and working with some of the best bands in the nation. 

We also talk about what it takes ...

In this episode we talk to Sam Calhoun about being one of five full time, year-around employees of FloydFest.

From being a stage actor in NYC, putting on hippy music festivals in Boone, NC, and trying to single-handedly change the mission of a small town newspaper, Sam's experience within the American arts and culture scene is both unique and expansive.

He talks about what happens behind the scenes at the festival, what it costs to...

In this week's episode we talk with Nick McDaniels, singer and guitarist from the Burlington, NC band Big Something

Nick talks about what it takes to balance the growth of a band as well as running their festival, The Big What?.

He describes how the festival got started and what it's like behind the scenes. He also talks about what's the most important lessons he's learned, and why he thinks The Big What? experience is unique for b...

In this episode I talk with Nikki Talley, a singer/songwriter that has spent the last four years living in a van with her husband Jason Sharp.

Most musicians say they live in a van or bus, but Nikki and Jason gave up a good job and their house to become full time musical vagabonds--a dream many have, but few would ever attempt.  

We talk about their decision to go to the Telluride Songwriting Contest and why placing second might ha...

In the 7th episode of the Lonesome Banjo Chronicles podcast I talk with Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw, the fiddler for the up-and-coming band Hank, Pattie, and The Current

We talk about her passion for both learning and teaching music, how the Suzuki violin method works, what she's learned by traveling to Ireland, and of course about her new band gearing up for a busy summer of festivals.

As you'll hear, this was a fun conversation. Pattie...

In this episode I talk with Jonathan Scales, an amazingly talented steel pans player and all around great guy, about building his career and realizing his dreams. 

We also talk about the state of jazz music in America and Europe and how Victor Wooten inspired him to write musical novels instead of short stories.  

We are debuting two unreleased songs during this episode, as well as a funky bass-driven tune from his last album Mixta...

In this episode I talk with Chris Prutting, the owner of the Front Porch Festival about his experience of putting on a music festival for 8 years.

We talk about how the festival got started, why he's been successful, and what kind of management style he uses to create a sense of family and community. Chris offers advice for people wanting to start their own festival and talks about why some of the big festivals have been failing la...