Bluegrass BKLYN

Mike Willner
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Music History
  • Updated Biweekly

Check out the vibrant bluegrass music scene here in Brooklyn, NYC - and beyond. Join your hosts Mike Willner and Liz Wolfe to meet the musicians and teachers, explore the venues and events, and share the stories and community in the Bluegrass Borough .... and beyond. We’ll talk classic bluegrass, bluegrass-adjacent music, vendors, instruments, jam camps, current events, gear ... you know, all the good stuff! So give a listen, we’ll have a fine old time.

  1. 2d ago

    S6E9 Master Mandolinist David Benedict!

    Mike chats with David Benedict – mandolin master and well-known YouTube and Patreon personality. David delves into his musical roots, his somewhat DIY musical education, the impact of the pandemic on his career, his somewhat DIY band, and his somewhat DIY album. We learn about his band, the Foreign Landers as well as his upcoming concerts and tours. Plus – Mike tests you mandolin ear with a “Name That Mandolinist” quiz. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode David Benedict David’s YouTube channel The Foreign Landers Josh Clark, Sound Engineer Upcoming Events of Note: Augusta Heritage Bluegrass Week – August 3rd – August 7th @ Elkins WV Ashokan Center Bluegrass Week – August 10th- August 14th @ Olivebridge NY Earl Scruggs Music Festival – September 4th – September 6th @ Mill Spring NC Music in this Episode: “When the Morning Comes” – The Foreign Landers “In Such a Short Time” – East Nash Grass “Charleston Ramble” – Andy Statman “Rabbit in the Log” – Chris Thile & Michael Daves “Into the True Country” – David Benedict “Made to Wonder” – The Foreign Landers Click HERE to schedule time to “Tell Your Grey Fox Story”! Podcast-in-Residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2026 Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones We exclusively play Robinson Fiddles Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA © Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved Contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / Visit bluegrassblyn.com / Follow @bluegrassbklyn

    S6E9 Master Mandolinist David Benedict!

  2. 5d ago

    S6M8 2025 Telluride Band Contest Winner Rachel Sumner!

    Liz sits down with singer / songwriter Rachel Sumner to reflect on the journey that shaped Rachel’s music and career - from volunteering at Telluride to winning its prestigious Band Contest. They discuss the courage it takes to write songs that tackle meaningful subjects, band chemistry, creative inspiration, and how they made their mark on one of bluegrass's biggest stages. Then Liz reflects on her own experience attending Telluride for the first time. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Rachel Sumner Telluride Bluegrass Festival Upcoming Events of Note: Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival – July 15th to July 19th @ Oak Hill NYC Augusta Heritage Bluegrass Week – August 3rd to 7th @ Elkins WV Bluegrass Week – August 10th – 14th @ The Ashokan Center Music in this Episode: Music is from Rachel’s album “Traveling Light” “When I Was a Cowboy” “Yodelay” Click HERE to schedule time to “Tell Your Grey Fox Story”! Podcast-in-Residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2026 Our Sponsors: We’re powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Mike exclusively plays Robinson Fiddles © Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA Contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / Visit bluegrassblyn.com / Follow @bluegrassbklyn

    S6M8 2025 Telluride Band Contest Winner Rachel Sumner!

  3. Jul 9

    S6E8 Women in Bluegrass: Jen Larson!

    Liz talks with bluegrass vocalist, songwriter, historian, and educator Jen Larson about her remarkable journey from New York City jam sessions to preserving bluegrass history. They discuss Jen's work on the first full biography of Hazel Dickens, her years performing in New York, the importance of welcoming jam communities, and her passion for education, archives, and ensuring bluegrass history is preserved for future generations. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode  Jen Larson Projects  Augusta Heritage Center – Bluegrass Week – Auguest 3rd – 7th in Elikins WV  Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum Upcoming Events of Note: Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival – July 15th to July 19th @ Oak Hill NYC Music in this Episode: “Rock Island Line” – Jen Larson “Burning House of Love” – Jen Larson Click HERE to schedule time to “Tell Your Grey Fox Story”! Podcast-in-Residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2026 Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones We exclusively play Robinson Fiddles Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA © Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved Contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / Visit bluegrassblyn.com / Follow @bluegrassbklyn

    S6E8 Women in Bluegrass: Jen Larson!

  4. Jul 6

    S6M7 Grey Fox Artist Highlight: Kaia Kater

    Liz talks with Kaia Kater about growing up in the Grey Fox community, discovering clawhammer banjo, collaborating with Trey Wellington, and building an internationally recognized music career. Then her mom, Tamara, shares the family tradition that began with a search for a nearby bluegrass festival and grew into more than twenty years of Grey Fox memories. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Kaia Kater Upcoming Events of Note: Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival – July 15th to July 19th @ Oak Hill NYC Augusta Heritage Bluegrass Week – August 3rd to 7th @ Elkins WV Bluegrass Week – August 10th – 14th @ The Ashokan Center Music in this Episode: Music in this episode is Kaia on her ‘Strange Medicine’ album: ‘Fédon’, with Taj Mahal ‘Tigers’ Click HERE to schedule time to “Tell Your Grey Fox Story”! Podcast-in-Residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2026 Our Sponsors: We learn and grow on Peghead Nation online music learning platform We’re powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Mike exclusively plays Robinson Fiddles © Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA Contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / Visit bluegrassblyn.com / Follow @bluegrassbklyn

    S6M7 Grey Fox Artist Highlight: Kaia Kater

  5. Jul 1

    S6E7 Grey Fox Headliner: Ben Morrison of The Brothers Comatose

    Mike takes a deep dive with Ben Morrison of The Brothers Comatose! They chat about everything from the band’s musical influences, the ‘California’ sound, their latest album “Golden Grass” … and the perils of IPA! Listen to tunes hand selected by Ben and Mike, and hear Ben’s take on them! Plus, another heart-warming Grey Fox Story. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Ben Morrison The Brothers Comatose “Golden Grass” 2025 release album Ear Trumpet Labs “Edwina” microphones AJ Lee & Blue Summit Rocks Off Concert Cruise Upcoming Events of Note: Augusta Heritage Cajun Creole & Classic Country Week – July 6th to 10th @ Elkins WV Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival – July 15th to July 19th @ Oak Hill NYC Bluegrass Week – August 10th – 14th @ The Ashokan Center Music in this Episode: All music in this episode is by The Brothers Comatose: “Blue Mountain” “Tops of the Trees” “Golden Grass” “Harvest Moon” – with AJ Lee & Blue Summit “The IPA Song” – with Ronnie McCoury “Hills of San Francisco” Click HERE to schedule time to “Tell Your Grey Fox Story”! Podcast-in-Residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2026 Our Sponsors: We’re powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Mike exclusively plays Robinson Fiddles © Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA Contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / Visit bluegrassblyn.com / Follow @bluegrassbklyn

    S6E7 Grey Fox Headliner: Ben Morrison of The Brothers Comatose

  6. Jun 29

    S6M6 Grey Fox Headliner: Dom Flemons!

    Liz chats with Don Flemons, The American Songster, and Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist. Dom is a connoisseur and curator of Black music of 19th and early 20th century America. He takes us on a journey through the songs, stories, and drama of that period. Liz and Dom delve deep … pull up a chair and join the conversation. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Dom Flemons The American Banjo Museum WUNC NPR Radio Upcoming Events of Note: Augusta Heritage Cajun Creole & Classic Country Week – July 6th to 10th @ Elkins WV Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival – July 15th to July 19th @ Oak Hill NYC Bluegrass Week – August 10th – 14th @ The Ashokan Center Music in this Episode: “’Til The Seas Run Dry’ – Don Flemons Click HERE to schedule time to “Tell Your Grey Fox Story”! Podcast-in-Residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2026 Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones We exclusively play Robinson Fiddles Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA © Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved Contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / Visit bluegrassblyn.com / Follow @bluegrassbklyn

    S6M6 Grey Fox Headliner: Dom Flemons!

  7. Jun 25

    S6E6 Grey Fox Headliner: Darrell Scott!

    Mike goes deep with the legendary Darrell Scott, award-winning song writer and front man of the Darrell Scott String Band. They explore the Zen of song writing, the challenges of performing, the joy of finding your inner musical voice – even the geeky details of mic’ing the band! Darrell and his band, now including dobro wizard Rob Ickes, are headlining at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in July. Plus, Liz and Mike give the highlights of their recent festival hangs. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Darrell Scott The Darrell Scott String Band, featuring Rob Ickes Rob Ickes Station Inn, Nashville TN “Old Cane Back Rocker” Telluride Bluegrass Festival Porch Stomp Folk Festival Upcoming Events of Note: Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival – July 15th to July 19th @ Oak Hill NYC Music in this Episode: “Long Time Gone” – Darrell Scott with Tim O’Brien  “Fried Taters” – Darrell Scott String Band with Shalom Aberle Click HERE to schedule time to “Tell Your Grey Fox Story”! Podcast-in-Residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2026 Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones We exclusively play Robinson Fiddles Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA © Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved Contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / Visit bluegrassblyn.com / Follow @bluegrassbklyn

    S6E6 Grey Fox Headliner: Darrell Scott!

  8. Jun 22

    S6M5 Grey Fox Artist Hilight: Wilson Savoy of the Pine Leaf Boys!

    Mike gets to talk with Grammy award-winning Cajun musician Wilson Savoy, front man of the Pine Leaf Boys. They get into all kinds of topics like an intro to Cajun music, the Savoy family’s musical history, the musical vision of Pine Leaf Boys, being a musical ambassador – and Wilson tells us his wonderful Grey Fox Story. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode Wilson Savoy The Pine Leaf Boys Marc Savoy The Courtney Granger Memorial Award Louisiana Folk Roots (Balfa Week) Upcoming Events of Note: Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival – July 15th to July 19th @ Oak Hill NYC Music in this Episode: “Pine Leaf Boy Two-Step” – Wilson Savoy & The Pine Leaf Boys “Tante Aline” – Amédé Ardoin “T’ai Petite et T’ai Meon” – The Balfa Brothers “Zydeco Gris-Gris” – Michael Doucet & Beausoleil “Cajun From Church Point” – Wilson Savoy & The Pine Boys Click HERE to schedule time to “Tell Your Grey Fox Story”! Podcast-in-Residence at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2026 Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones We exclusively play Robinson Fiddles Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA © Copyright 2026 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved Contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com / Visit bluegrassblyn.com / Follow @bluegrassbklyn

    S6M5 Grey Fox Artist Hilight: Wilson Savoy of the Pine Leaf Boys!
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Check out the vibrant bluegrass music scene here in Brooklyn, NYC - and beyond. Join your hosts Mike Willner and Liz Wolfe to meet the musicians and teachers, explore the venues and events, and share the stories and community in the Bluegrass Borough .... and beyond. We’ll talk classic bluegrass, bluegrass-adjacent music, vendors, instruments, jam camps, current events, gear ... you know, all the good stuff! So give a listen, we’ll have a fine old time.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Willner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    106
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Bluegrass BKLYN

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