Bluegrass BKLYN

Mike Willner
  • 5.0 (13)
  • MUSIC HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. S4M8 Tammy Rogers King!

    1D AGO

    S4M8 Tammy Rogers King!

    Join Liz and get to know Tammy Rogers King, the dynamic fiddle player of The SteelDrivers. You’ll hear twin interviews; one conducted by Della Mae band leader and fiddler Kimber Ludiker and the other by Liz. They delve into every aspect of Tammy’s career - starting in a family band, formation of The SteelDrivers, songwriting, life on the road, being a woman in bluegrass … and winning a Grammy. Enjoy! d Mentions in this Episode: Tammy Rogers King The SteelDrivers “Outrun” on Sun Records Kimber Ludiker Della Mae The Ashokan Center / @ashokancenter   Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance): “Outrun” – The SteelDrivers “When the Last Teardrop Falls” – The SteelDrivers Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Listen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet Radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

    48 min
  2. S4M7 Let's Talk Music Education!

    DEC 22

    S4M7 Let's Talk Music Education!

    Mike is joined by three experienced music educators – Austin Scelzo, Matt Curley, and Liz Wolfe  -in a panel discussion covering all aspects of teaching and learning music. We get some surprising takes on the value of music theory, music education in public schools … and, why Mike took up the bassoon in junior high school! Listen in on this fun, informal and informative discussion. Enjoy!   Mentions in this Episode: Austin Scelzo / @austinscelzo Matt Curley / @matthew_curley The Wernick Method Summer Music Camps or Kids and Teems Grants and Scholarships for Kids and Traditional Musicians Bluegrass Jams Near Me Events of Note: Jam-uary Weekend, The Ashokan Center – January 16-18 Austin’s Fiddle Heaven – Pamona Beach FL March 13 - 15 Creative Strings Academy Retreat – Asheville NC June – July 2026   Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance): “Second Fiddle Blues” – Austin Scelzo with Vickie Vaughn   “Where Do We Go From Here” – Austin Scelzo, On the Trail Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Listen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet Radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

    39 min
  3. S4E7 Michael Daves!

    DEC 18

    S4E7 Michael Daves!

    Mike gets to talk with Altlanta-born / Brooklyn’s own Michael Daves. The noted Bluegrass master vocalist, guitar virtuoso, and educator catches us up on all his latest doings – everything from recording EPs, to leading his Artistworks bluegrass vocal school … to Wild Geraniums! Also, Liz shares her wisdom on the role of singing in jams – and why you can sing just fine even if you don’t think so. Enjoy!   Mentions in this Episode: Michael Daves @michael.daves Wild Geranium Records / @wildgeraniumrecords “Early Morning Sun” Alex Hargreaves / @alexhargreaves.music Eric Alvar / @erikalvar Jacob Jolliff / @jacob.jolliff Bluegrass Jams Near Me Jalopy Theatre / @jalopybrooklyn Artistworks School of Bluegrass Vocals Events of Note: Flatfoot Flatbush, December 21st New Year’s Winter Camp at the Ashokan Center, December 29th – January 1st 2026 Andy’s Ramble at Jalopy Theater, January 18th 2026 Della Mae at Jalopy Theater, January 28th 2026   Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance): “I’ve Endured” – Michael Daves from ‘Early Morning Sun’ “Can’t Get There From Here” – Michael Daves from the upcoming release ‘Fables’ Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Listen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet Radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

    36 min
  4. S4M6 Fiddle Hell Recap!

    DEC 15

    S4M6 Fiddle Hell Recap!

    Join Mike on his four-day journey to Hell … Fiddle Hell. This unique musical experience offers dozens and dozens of workshops with top-tier artists, non-stop jamming, a dozen music genres. Meet the organizers, teachers, vendors, music, and players who make this event so special. Enjoy! Mentions in this Episode: David Reiner Fiddle Hell with information on Fiddle Hell On-Line Bruce Molsky Darol Anger Bruce & Darol’s Great Big Fiddle Hang, North Adams MA – June 14th – 16th 2026 Cat Slaboda Linden Frederick and his violins Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Listen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet Radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

    50 min
  5. S4E6 NYC Bluegrass History!

    DEC 11

    S4E6 NYC Bluegrass History!

    Mike and Liz get to hear two first-hand accounts of the birth of the bluegrass movement in New York, and how it grew and evolved over the years. Bluegrass singer and guitarist Gene Yellin was right there when our favorite music took root in iconic Washington Square Park. Fiddler Alan Kaufman tells us his journey through that historic time … only this time with knishes! Enjoy this fascinating piece of our musical history, told by those who lived it.    Mentions in this Episode: Gene Yellin / gyellin1@rcn.com Hudson Vally Bluegrass Association Alan Kaufman / alanfiddler@gmail.com “Yodeling” with Jimmy Fallon and Brad Pitt Events of Note: Flatfoot Flatbush, December 21st New Year’s Winter Camp at the Ashokan Center, December 29th – January 1st 2026 Andy’s Ramble at Jalopy Theater, January 18th 2026 Della Mae at Jalopy Theater, January 28th 2026   Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance): “Gone Home” – The Sentimentals: Gene Yellin, Phyllis Elkind, Trip Henderson “Busted” Gene Yellin & Andy Statman “I Heard the Bluebirds Sing” – Gene Yellin and Phylis Elkind Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Listen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet Radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

    41 min
  6. S4M5 Le Vent du Nord!

    DEC 8

    S4M5 Le Vent du Nord!

    Mike sits down with Olivier Demers, fiddler  - or violineur - of Le Vent du Nord and learns about the Quebecois style of roots music. Hear about the history of musical migration, fiddle tuning, touring with life balance … and foot tapping! Enjoy this fun and fascinating episode – and maybe add a new genre of music to your play list. Mentions in this Episode: Le Vent du Nord / @leventdunordquebec ‘Voisinages’ album on Spotify La Bottine Souriante Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance): “Bienvenue” – Le Vent du Nord “Salut Réjéan” – Le Vent du Nord “Fleur Radieuse” – Le Vent du Nord  “Du Nord au Sud’ – Le Vent du Nord Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Listen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet Radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

    25 min
  7. S4E5 Home Grown, Locally Known: Nate Sabat!

    DEC 4

    S4E5 Home Grown, Locally Known: Nate Sabat!

    Liz sits down with bassist, vocalist, composer, and educator Nate Sabat, whose work spans bluegrass, folk, songwriting, and innovative solo bass performance. Nate shares the story behind his album Bass Fiddler—a bold project featuring only upright bass and voice. They touch on his roots in New York, his musical education at Berklee; his collaborations, and the joy of community-based jamming and national touring. Plus – we get to meet Landon, Sam, and Tom of the Brooklyn-based trio Down North Bluegrass. They are all excited about their forthcoming EP, and now we are too! Enjoy.   Mentions in this Episode: Nate Sabat / @natesabat Bass Fiddler Tray Wellington / @traywellington The Foreign Landers / @theforeignlanders The Young People’s Chorus of NYC Bruce Molsky / @bruce_molsky Down North Bluegrass / @downnorthbluegrass David Chernack / @dchernack Erik Alvar / @erikalvar Conveyor Studios in Brooklyn Prospect Bar and Grill Saturn Road Jalopy Theater Events of Note: Nate Sabat with Eliza Edens - The Owl Music Parlor, December 14th Flatfoot Flatbush – Starts at Flatbush and Carlton, December 21st Jam Jersey – March 20th – 22nd 2026 Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance): “Orphan Annie” – Nate Sabat on ‘Bass Fiddler’ “Year of the Ox” - Nate Sabat on ‘Bass Fiddler’ “I Wish I Was a Mole in the Ground” – Down North Bluegrass Powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Listen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet Radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

    38 min
  8. S4M4 Greg Kotis!

    DEC 1

    S4M4 Greg Kotis!

    Liz sits down with Greg Kotis - playwright behind Urinetown - discuss his unexpected journey into bluegrass and how it became a defining creative force. From picking up a banjo during the pandemic to weaving old-time tunes into original theatrical work, he shares how bluegrass reshaped his artistic life and inspired productions like The End of All Flesh and the fully improvised musical The Wayfaring Strangers. It’s a conversation about creativity, community, and the surprising places a single instrument can lead—and how a chance jam session forged a whole new chapter in his work. Enjoy! Mentions in this Episode: Urinetown End of All Flesh Wayfaring Strangers Music in this Episode (in order of Appearance): "The Beseechments" AYUN HALLIDAY as Ma GREG KOTIS as Pa SAMMY PIGNALOSA as Boy MAITHILI GINDE as Girl MELODY ALLEGRA BERGER - Music Direction, Bluegrass Music Arrangements, Fiddle, Vocals STEPHEN ANTHONY ELKINS - Guitar, Vocals MARTY ISENBERG - Bass, Vocals "My Love" SAMMY PIGNALOSA as Boy MAITHILI GINDE as Girl MELODY ALLEGRA BERGER - Music Direction, Bluegrass Music Arrangements, Fiddle STEPHEN ANTHONY ELKINS – Guitar MARTY ISENBERG - Bass Music from The End of All Flesh was recorded on July 25th at The Creamery Studio, NYC Edited and Mixed by Quinn McCarthy and Jonathan Awad   We are powered by Ear Trumpet Labs microphones Listen to Bluegrass BKLYN on The Sonic Planet radio Saturday @ 9AM Eastern Bluegrass BKLYN is a Professional Member of the IBMA contact mike@bluegrassbklyn.com follow @bluegrassbklyn / Bluegrass BKLYN group © Copyright 2025 Bluegrass BKLYN LLC, all rights reserved

    18 min
See All (54)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 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
    2K
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Bluegrass BKLYN

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