What's The Reason For This Podcast

What's The Reason For This Podcast
  • 4.9 (14)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

🎙️ What’s the Reason for This? is the unfiltered, unexpected, and sometimes unhinged podcast where music meets mayhem. Hosted by Kodi and Shay, two jamgrass junkies with a knack for storytelling, this show dives into the heart of the bluegrass and jam band scene—with a few nitrous-fueled detours along the way. 🤠🎻 From parking lot legends and VIP miracles to deeply personal redemption arcs, each episode brings you wild tales, offbeat interviews, and honest conversations that explore the why behind the chaos. It’s about the music, the misadventures, and the magic that ties it all together.

  1. 2d ago

    WTRFT S2E43 - High Country Hustle

    🎧 This week on What's the Reason for This?, Kodi sits down with High Country Hustle for a conversation about building one of Colorado's fastest-rising bluegrass bands, surviving life on the road, making records the right way, and why community will always matter more than algorithms. 🪕🏔️✨ Coming straight out of Durango, High Country Hustle has spent nearly a decade carving out their own sound. What started as a group of college friends jamming together has grown into a nationally touring band with three albums, a brand-new record, and more momentum than ever before. This one starts with the beginning... 🎶 How three friends from Fort Lewis College accidentally started a band that never stopped growing 🚐 David Delaney's journey from Connecticut to Colorado and how a road trip changed everything 💍 Why weddings, private events, and local gigs are still some of the most important ways independent bands survive 📧 The surprising reason mailing lists are still more valuable than social media for musicians today But then the conversation shifts to making records... 🎙️ The story behind recording New Old Roads with producer Scooter Smith 🎛️ Why having a producer with a "light touch" helped the band make their album instead of someone else's 🎻 David almost throwing away one of the album's best fiddle solos before the rest of the band stopped him 📝 Whiteboards, Google Sheets, endless revisions, and what really goes into making an independent bluegrass record Then things get into the songwriting process... 🏕️ How two unplugged writing retreats helped shape the entire album 🎵 Why every member brings songs to the table before the band collectively finishes them 🎻 The evolution of "Madeline the Quaker," a tune written over a decade ago that finally found its perfect home 💡 How collaboration continues to shape the High Country Hustle sound without losing each songwriter's identity And then the conversation gets hilarious... 😂 The running joke about Berklee College of Music and David's classical background 🎓 Classical violin, upright bass, jam bands, and bluegrass somehow all colliding into one band 🎻 Learning over 70 songs after joining the group and earning his place almost overnight 🌭 Why David somehow became the band's "golden goose"... and a hot dog. The crew also dives into... 🪕 Growing up around Telluride Bluegrass Festival and how those early experiences shaped their love for music 🎸 Why Durango has quietly become one of Colorado's strongest music communities 🎟️ How buying tickets early helps independent bands more than most fans realize 👕 Why merch isn't just merchandise... it's fuel for the next album and the next tour 🌎 Expanding into new states, finding new audiences, and what comes next after releasing New Old Roads Of course, no What's the Reason for This? episode would be complete without plenty of laughs along the way. Between confetti cannons, Capri Suns mixed with LaCroix, arm wrestling challenges, Berklee jokes, and an ongoing campaign to convince everyone to join the mailing list, this episode perfectly captures why hanging out with musicians is just as entertaining as hearing them play. At its core, this episode is about building something that lasts. It's about trusting your friends, learning from every record, embracing every opportunity, and remembering that behind every independent band are countless hours of work that most fans never get to see. Most importantly, it's a reminder that bluegrass has always been about community first. 🎧 Tap in now wherever you listen to podcasts. #HighCountryHustle #Bluegrass #ColoradoBluegrass #Durango #NewOldRoads #IndependentMusic #LiveMusic #JamGrass #BluegrassPodcast

    WTRFT S2E43 - High Country Hustle

  2. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    WTRFT Session - High Country Hustle

    🎶🔥 This week in the dungeon, High Country Hustle brings the heart of Durango to the basement with a session full of timeless bluegrass, fresh originals, and the kind of musicianship that makes you want to pull up a chair and stay awhile. 🪕🏔️✨ Fresh off the release of their new album New Old Roads, the band delivers a three-song set that perfectly blends traditional roots with modern Colorado bluegrass. From classic covers to brand-new originals, every tune feels right at home in the dungeon. The session opens with: 🎹 "Long Valley Road" — a beautiful take on the Bruce Hornsby classic that showcases the band's rich harmonies and tasteful picking while putting their own bluegrass spin on a beloved song. It's the perfect way to kick off a session that feels both familiar and fresh. Next up: 🎻 "Madeline the Quaker" — an instrumental written by fiddler David Delaney, this tune has been years in the making and highlights the band's incredible chemistry. Driven by soaring fiddle melodies, tight rhythms, and lightning-fast picking, it's a reminder that sometimes bluegrass doesn't need words to tell a story. And to close things out: 🌧️ "Stand Strong in the Rain" — an original by Andy Gowen from the band's new album New Old Roads. Filled with themes of perseverance, resilience, and finding strength through life's storms, the song builds from quiet reflection into an uplifting anthem that leaves the room hanging on every note. 🌦️❤️ Between songs, the band shares stories from life on the road, jokes about surviving the dungeon's signature confetti cannon, and reflects on the joy of making music together, proving that sometimes the best moments happen between the songs just as much as during them. At its core, this session is everything we love about Colorado bluegrass — incredible musicianship, authentic songwriting, and a group of friends simply having a blast making music together. 🎧 Watch the full dungeon session now on YouTube and wherever you follow What's the Reason for This? #WhatsTheReasonForThis #HighCountryHustle #DungeonSessions #Bluegrass #ColoradoMusic #Durango #NewOldRoads #LiveMusic #BluegrassSession #RootsMusic

    WTRFT Session - High Country Hustle

  3. 2d ago

    WTRFT S2E42 - Chicken Wire Empire

    🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi welcomes Wisconsin's own Chicken Wire Empire into the dungeon for a conversation packed with Midwest bluegrass, European tours, Grateful Dead jams, and why some of the best bands in the country are coming from places people never expect. 🪕🧀🔥 When people think of bluegrass, they usually think of Kentucky, Tennessee, or Colorado... but Chicken Wire Empire is here to remind everyone that Wisconsin has been quietly building one of the strongest bluegrass communities in the country for decades. 🌲🎶 This one starts with the Midwest roots... 🧀 How Wisconsin's bluegrass scene grew through festivals, logging camps, and generations of musicians 🏕️ Why growing up in a smaller scene creates lifelong friendships and stronger musical communities 🎻 Finding each other through local bars, festivals, jam sessions, and a whole lot of Midwest persistence 🤝 The unique bond that comes from being a bluegrass musician in the Midwest But what makes Chicken Wire Empire so unique is the way every member brings a completely different musical background... 🎸 Traditional bluegrass, classical violin, classic country, electric blues, and jam bands all colliding into one sound 🎼 How classical training helped create richer arrangements and layered instrumentation 🌌 Drawing inspiration from David Grisman while still sounding unmistakably like Chicken Wire Empire 🔥 Why the band embraces both traditional bluegrass festivals and jamgrass crowds without trying to fit neatly into either world Then the conversation turns to one of the coolest projects they've ever tackled... 🎶 Reimagining songs from The Big Wu and Chris Castino as bluegrass tunes during the pandemic 🎤 Working alongside Midwest legends including Adam Gruhl and Ryan Young of Trampled by Turtles 💿 Why honoring great songwriting matters more than simply covering songs 🤘 The creative challenge of making someone else's music truly your own And somehow... things only get bigger from there. ✈️ Landing two European tours after initially thinking the first offer was a scam 🇩🇪 Playing festivals throughout Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands 🪕 Discovering passionate bluegrass communities halfway across the world 🌍 Why music has a way of bringing people together no matter what language they speak The crew also gets into... 🎥 The story behind their documentary All It Takes 💰 How independent bands actually pay for albums, touring, and recording 👕 Why buying merch still makes the biggest difference for independent artists 🎵 Recording a brand-new collection of traditional-inspired songs set to release this fall At its core, this episode is about authenticity. It's about building a band because you love making music, trusting that your own voice will eventually find its audience, and proving that great bluegrass can come from anywhere... even America's Dairyland. 🧀🪕✨ 🎧 Tap in now wherever you listen to podcasts. This one's funny, insightful, full of incredible stories, and a reminder that some of the best music is still being built one festival, one friendship, and one late-night jam at a time. #WhatsTheReasonForThis #ChickenWireEmpire #Bluegrass #JamGrass #Wisconsin #MidwestMusic #TheBigWu #ChrisCastino #LiveMusic #IndependentMusic #FestivalCulture

    WTRFT S2E42 - Chicken Wire Empire

  4. Jun 30

    WTRFT S2E41 - Duane Betts - Isle of Hope

    🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi sits down with guitarist, songwriter, and rock & roll torchbearer Duane Betts for a conversation about legacy, finding your own voice, overcoming addiction, and the deeply personal journey behind his new album, Isle of Hope. 🎸🔥 Fresh off the release of Isle of Hope, Duane opens up about growing up surrounded by one of the most iconic musical legacies in rock history while carving out an identity that's entirely his own. From learning drums as a kid to stepping on stage with the Allman Brothers as a teenager, this conversation explores what it means to embrace your past without being defined by it. 🌄🎶 This one starts at the very beginning... 🥁 Why Duane started as a drummer before ever picking up a guitar 🎸 How learning rhythm first shaped the way he approaches guitar playing today 🌟 The unforgettable story of accidentally trying to avoid his first Allman Brothers sit-in... by "forgetting" his guitar 🎶 What it felt like stepping into the spotlight at just fifteen years old Then the conversation shifts into finding his own identity... 🔥 Growing up with one of rock's most legendary last names—and learning not to live in anyone else's shadow 🎼 Writing songs long before becoming a frontman 🎤 Why launching his solo career finally allowed him to tell his own story 🚐 Building a career through countless bands before stepping fully into the driver's seat From there, they dive deep into the making of Isle of Hope... 🎙️ Working alongside legendary producer Dave Cobb and completely reimagining songs in the studio 🎸 Why some of the album's biggest moments came from trusting someone else's instincts 🎼 The cinematic decision to open the record with the haunting "Heartache" 🎵 How songs evolved from rough ideas into something even greater than Duane originally imagined But then... the conversation becomes something much more personal. 💭 Processing grief after losing his father while creating one of the most emotional records of his career ❤️ How Isle of Hope ultimately became an album centered around hope, healing, and moving forward ⚡ Opening up about his battle with addiction and the moment he finally chose a different path 🙏 Why giving himself a second chance changed everything The episode also explores life beyond the studio... 🎸 Touring with Dawes, the Allman Betts Family Revival, and friends across the country 🏔️ Why Jackson Hole unexpectedly became home 🎥 Creating stunning visual artwork and music videos to match the emotion of the album 🎼 Balancing the responsibility of preserving legendary family guitars while continuing to build his own legacy Then the conversation comes full circle... ✨ Reflecting on a career built through persistence instead of shortcuts 🎶 Why every record is simply another chapter in a lifelong musical journey 🤝 Staying connected with fans and remembering that music has always been about building community At its heart, this episode is about hope—finding your own identity, overcoming the darkest seasons of life, and realizing that your greatest legacy isn't the one you're born into... it's the one you choose to create. ❤️🎸 🎧 Tap in now wherever you listen to podcasts. This one's inspiring, honest, deeply personal, and offers a rare glimpse into the life of an artist who's honoring one of music's greatest legacies while fearlessly building one of his own. #WhatsTheReasonForThis #DuaneBetts #IsleOfHope

    WTRFT S2E41 - Duane Betts - Isle of Hope

  5. Jun 23

    WTRFT S2E40 - Randy Steele - High Cold Wind

    🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi sits down in the dungeon with Randy Steele of High Cold Windfor one of the most honest, emotional, and inspiring conversations we've had yet. 🪕🔥❤️ Fresh off an unforgettable week at the 52nd Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Randy shares the story behind his journey from firefighter and EMT to award-winning songwriter, bluegrass frontman, and one of the most compelling voices in the genre today. This one starts at the beginning... 🎸 Growing up in Tennessee surrounded by music and watching his uncle join the legendary Aquarium Rescue Unit 🎶 Meeting heroes like Warren Haynes and learning firsthand what dedication to music really looks like 🎷 Playing jam bands as a teenager before eventually studying jazz and finding his own creative voice ✍️ Why songwriting became the thread that connected every chapter of his life But Randy's story takes a turn that few musicians can relate to... 🚒 Leaving music behind to build a career as a firefighter and EMT 💔 The emotional toll of witnessing trauma and carrying those experiences home 🧠 Struggling with PTSD, grief, and learning how to ask for help ❤️ How therapy, healing, and sobriety completely changed both his life and his songwriting The conversation dives deep into the songs that have become the foundation of High Cold Wind... 🎵 Writing from real experiences instead of fictional stories 📝 The evolution of his songwriting process and finding the courage to be vulnerable 🥃 The story behind his powerful new single, "Cheers to Rob" ✨ Why some songs take years before you're finally ready to share them with the world And then comes the Telluride chapter... 🏔️ Years of trying to make the trip happen before finally getting the opportunity 👕 Launching a t-shirt fundraiser that sold out almost immediately and helped make the dream a reality 🎤 Competing in the Telluride Band Contest with High Cold Wind 🥈 Earning second place on one of bluegrass music's most prestigious stages But somehow the weekend gets even crazier... 🎻 A surprise invitation from longtime friend Todd Parks 🌄 Stepping onto the Telluride main stage to sit in with Sam Bush 🤯 Battling nerves, monitor issues, and a sea of thousands of fans 🎶 Experiencing one of those full-circle moments that only music can create The episode also explores... 🍻 Festival culture and the power of community 🤝 Why supporting independent artists matters more than ever 🎵 The connection between creativity, healing, and vulnerability 🔥 What happens when you finally stop waiting for permission and start chasing the thing you've always wanted to do At its core, this episode is about second chances, personal growth, and having the courage to reinvent yourself no matter where you are in life. 🎧 Tap in now wherever you listen to podcasts. This one's funny, heartfelt, deeply human, and a reminder that sometimes the longest road ends up taking you exactly where you're supposed to be. 🪕❤️🏔️ #WhatsTheReasonForThis #RandySteele #HighColdWind #Bluegrass #TellurideBluegrass

    WTRFT S2E40 - Randy Steele - High Cold Wind

  6. Jun 3

    WTRFT S2E39 - Front Porch

    🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi flies solo in the dungeon with Front Porch, the Northwest Arkansas bluegrass outfit that's quietly building one of the most unique sounds in the scene today. 🪕🔥🌲 What starts as a conversation about bluegrass quickly turns into a deep dive into community, creativity, festivals, and why music matters now more than ever. These guys may call Arkansas home, but their influences come from everywhere... 🎻 Growing up in family bands and learning bluegrass from an early age 🎶 French Creole music, old-time traditions, jazz studies, punk rock, metal, and jamgrass all colliding into one sound 🏡 How a handful of local jams, festivals, and friendships eventually became Front Porch 🌄 Why Northwest Arkansas has quietly become a thriving music community of its own Then the conversation turns to the festival circuit and the power of community... 🏕️ The impact of Harvest Fest, Hillberry, Winfield, Wakarusa, and campground culture 🎸 The legendary late-night jam that helped convince the band they had something special 🍻 Meeting bandmates through festival pickin' circles instead of auditions ⚡ Chasing those magical musical moments that only happen when everyone is locked in together But this episode goes way beyond the band's origin story. 🎵 Why arts and music education seem to be disappearing for younger generations 📱 Social media, attention spans, and the challenge of keeping creativity alive 🎤 The importance of musicians having a voice beyond simply "shutting up and singing" 🤝 How music continues to create community during increasingly disconnected times The crew also gets into the realities of life as an independent touring band... 🚐 Why regional touring often makes more sense than massive national runs ⛽ The financial realities of life on the road in 2025 🎪 How festivals remain one of the best ways for young bands to build a following 🏔️ Why Colorado audiences continue to be some of the most supportive anywhere in the country And for aspiring musicians, there's some great insight along the way... 🎻 Learning through jams instead of lessons 🔥 Why it's okay to suck when you're starting out 🎶 The etiquette of bluegrass circles and late-night pickin' sessions 🤘 How the best musicians never stop being students of the craft At its core, this episode is about community — the festivals, friendships, jam circles, and shared experiences that keep independent music alive long after the headliners leave the stage. 🎧 Tap in now wherever you listen to podcasts. This one's funny, thoughtful, full of festival stories, and a reminder that some of the best bands in the scene aren't built in boardrooms or algorithms... they're built in campgrounds, parking lots, and late-night jams around people who simply love making music together. 🪕🔥✨ #WhatsTheReasonForThis #FrontPorch #Bluegrass #JamGrass #Hillberry #Winfield #FestivalCulture #LiveMusic #IndependentMusic #ColoradoMusic

    WTRFT S2E39 - Front Porch

  7. Jun 3 ·  Bonus

    WTRFT Session - Front Porch

    🎶🔥 This week in the dungeon, Front Porch brings their Northwest Arkansas sound to Colorado for a session packed with heartfelt songwriting, rich harmonies, and the kind of road-worn authenticity that feels right at home in a late-night basement jam. 🪕✨ Fresh off a long drive through Kansas (and a highly recommended stop at Nafi's Pub 🍻), the band settles into the dungeon for a three-song session that showcases both their musical chemistry and their knack for writing songs that hit you right in the chest. The session opens with: 🌤️ “Times Like These” — This Foo Fighters cover is a powerful anthem about resilience, growth, and learning how to keep moving forward when life knocks you down. With soaring harmonies and an uplifting message, it's the perfect introduction to the band's heartfelt approach to songwriting. 🎶❤️ Next comes: 🛣️ “Roadside” — a standout track from their debut album Shallow Grave, exploring self-doubt, burnout, and the struggle of pretending everything is okay while searching for direction. Anchored by emotional vocals and introspective lyrics, this one feels like staring out a van window somewhere between towns wondering what's next. 🌙🚐 Then the band shifts into: 🚤 “Lifeboat” — a beautifully written song about holding onto hope, chasing connection, and finding your way through uncertainty. Built around sweeping melodies and reflective storytelling, it captures the emotional depth that makes Front Porch's music so relatable. 🌊✨ And to close things out: 🎸 “House Party” — a moving tune about perseverance, friendship, and trusting that things eventually work themselves out. Equal parts hopeful and honest, it leaves the session on a note of resilience and optimism. 🔥🌅 Along the way, there's plenty of dungeon chaos, confetti cannon confusion, band introductions, and the easygoing camaraderie that makes these sessions feel more like a living room jam than a performance. 😂🎉 At its core, this session is about finding light through uncertainty — leaning on music, friendship, and the road ahead even when you don't quite know where it's leading. 🎧 Full dungeon session streaming now on YouTube and wherever you follow What's the Reason for This? #WhatsTheReasonForThis #FrontPorch #DungeonSessions #Bluegrass #Americana #LiveMusic #NorthwestArkansas #Roadside #Lifeboat #GoodVibesOnly

    WTRFT Session - Front Porch

  8. May 28

    WTRFT S2E28 - Broken Compass Bluegrass

    🎧 This week on What’s the Reason for This?, Kodi and Shay welcome Broken Compass Bluegrass into the dungeonfor a conversation packed with jamgrass philosophy, festival culture, improvisation, and the next generation of bluegrass absolutely ripping the torch forward. 🪕🔥🌲 Hailing from Grass Valley, California, Broken Compass Bluegrass might be one of the hottest young bands in the scene right now — but what makes this episode special is hearing why they sound the way they do. From Deadhead parents and Doc Watson records to jazz phases, campground jam sessions, and growing up inside California bluegrass festivals… this band was practically built in the scene itself. 🎶✨ This one starts at the roots… 🏕️ Growing up at California bluegrass festivals like Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival and Live Oak 🎻 Kids on Bluegrass programs that helped shape the next generation of pickers 🔥 Being inspired by musicians like Molly Tuttle, AJ Lee, Nickel Creek, Tony Rice, and Doc Watson 🌌 How Deadhead parents, Phish tapes, and Yonder Mountain String Band created the perfect jamgrass foundation But what makes Broken Compass stand out is how many influences they pull from outside traditional bluegrass… 🎷 Django’s deep dive into jazz legends like Coltrane and Jaco Pastorius 🎸 Sam bringing funk bass influences into the band’s improvisation 🎶 Mei Lynn’s singer-songwriter inspirations like Iris DeMent and Kacey Musgraves ⚡ How improvisation, experimentation, and “failing forward” became central to the band’s live shows And then the conversation shifts into the reality of being a young touring band in 2025… 💸 The challenge of touring independently while trying to stay true to your sound 📲 The pressure of social media and building a following in the modern music industry 🚐 How festivals and live recordings have become one of the biggest ways bands grow organically 🎟️ Why younger fans are struggling to access live music and what the scene can do better The crew also dives into: 🎶 Recording live albums and uploading nearly every show to Nugs 🔥 Why jam fans love mistakes, risks, and unrehearsed moments 🪕 Curating eclectic covers from Fleetwood Mac to jamgrass classics 😂 Django accidentally revealing his middle school metal band past And honestly… one of the coolest parts of this episode is hearing how intentional this band is about building community instead of just chasing hype. 🏔️ Their breakout momentum after WinterWonderGrass 🎪 Playing intimate festivals like MeadowGrass and GoldenGrass 🤝 Staying independent while protecting their identity and creative freedom 🌲 Building a Colorado fanbase that’s quickly becoming one of their strongest audiences anywhere in the country PLUS — Colorado fans have multiple chances to catch them live during this run: 🍻 New Terrain Brewing (GoldenGrass kickoff) — Thursday, May 29 🏔️ Gold Hill Inn — Sunday, May 31 🎶 Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox — Wednesday, June 4 with All She Wrote At its core, this episode is about the next generation of bluegrass figuring it out in real time — balancing tradition with experimentation, independence with growth, and staying authentic while navigating an industry that looks completely different than it did even ten years ago. ✨ 🎧 Tap in now wherever you listen to podcasts. This one’s hilarious, thoughtful, and a reminder that the future of bluegrass is in very good hands. 🪕🔥🌌 #WhatsTheReasonForThis #BrokenCompassBluegrass #JamGrass #Bluegrass #ColoradoMusic #WinterWonderGrass #LiveMusic #Nugs #Improvisation #FestivalCulture

    WTRFT S2E28 - Broken Compass Bluegrass
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4.9
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

🎙️ What’s the Reason for This? is the unfiltered, unexpected, and sometimes unhinged podcast where music meets mayhem. Hosted by Kodi and Shay, two jamgrass junkies with a knack for storytelling, this show dives into the heart of the bluegrass and jam band scene—with a few nitrous-fueled detours along the way. 🤠🎻 From parking lot legends and VIP miracles to deeply personal redemption arcs, each episode brings you wild tales, offbeat interviews, and honest conversations that explore the why behind the chaos. It’s about the music, the misadventures, and the magic that ties it all together.

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