This special bonus episode Maggie O’ Connor Events Director for IBMA International Bluegrass Music Association and I talk about the entire week of World of Bluegrass start to finish. This was initially going to be a joint podcast with Randy Steele of Eat the Brick and T Shaw’s but Randy had a family emergency so I subbed. The original episode was recorded Monday October 12th 2026 and covers the IBMA from October 20th through the 24th.
Guest: Maggie O’ Connor (Events Director IBMA)

Links mentioned in this episode:
www.IBMA.org www.tshawsprogressivebluegrass.com www.eatthebrick.com

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This is a bonus episode where I discuss the 31 bands playing at the 2026 IBMA Bluegrass Ramble. I have watched 30 of the 31 bands participating in the Ramble on YouTube for somewhere between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Here I am going to share my impression or perspective of what I heard and saw. For some odd reason the only band I didn’t listen to in advance is Ralph Stanley II and The Clinch Mountain Boys. This wasn’t intentional it just worked out that way.
For a fully interactive IBMA Ramble schedule where you can select the bands you want to see and put together your own custom Ramble plan, make certain to visit my new website www.tshawsprogressivebluegrass.com. There you can also add custom events such as dinner with friends, or pop-up shows that are announced last minute. Email it to yourself or download it and add it to your phone’s calendar for a smooth Ramble experience without missing your next favorite band.
Guest: Trevor Shaw (T Shaw's Progressive Bluegrass)

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Full recap of season four, with some clips from each episode! Season five is right around the corner make sure to tune in!

I ask Cory some questions he’s never been asked and some that he’s likely been asked dozens of times. We talk about Thanksgiving dinner, playing with Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, Sierra Hull, and Cuban sandwiches.
Uncle John gets an honorable mention, John Hartford’s banjo tuning, and more.
Guest: Cory Walker (East Nash Grass)

"Not a Drop of Rain" East Nash Grass from Firstgrass at Telluride Bluegrass Festival https://youtu.be/71Rvp5b6xn8?si=-SVzpsE8U0mKHqLO "Salty Dog" East Nash Grass w Jarrod Walker and Christian Ward https://youtu.be/YT_p91amTa0?si=sF4BAYZSUDgvkcFn "Kentucky Mandolin" East Nash Grass w Jarrod Walker https://youtu.be/6LuJo3CwJ1U?si=tyylDrp7aIuydAak

Ricks Custom Meats https://rickscustommeats.com/

Cover photo by Hannah Laney

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week John and I discuss Telluride, getting to Telluride, The Telluride Bluegrass Festival 2026, and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest

Links mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/jtYEoJhEUZI?si=CNVTfGogatqqD_Qs "Nashville Drinking Song" Randy Steele and The High Cold Wind Telluride Band Contest Round 1 https://youtu.be/VpHjwJxPP2g?si=nylQHUcDygR-2-2K "Spoon River Breakdown" Randy Steele and The High Cold Wind Telluride Band Contest Round 1 https://youtu.be/HiOOd8cDBNU?si=KxjJK1GbOa5wndq- The Litch Brothers Telluride Band Contest Round 1 Guest: John Boulware (Randy Steele and The High Cold Wind)

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week my neighbors of Telluride Jeremy Tabor of Denver, Joe Harrison and Ben Salaman of Seattle join me and we attempt to parlay the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Experience.
Guests: Jeremy Tabor (neighbors); Joe Harrison (neighbors); Ben Salaman (neighbors)

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

My Conversation With Industry Professional Anj Way of Omni Arts Group where we get into artist management, festival management, and everything else in the bluegrass business. Guest: Anj Way (Omni Arts Group)

Omni Arts Group

Why We’re Different We don’t just manage artists — we build partnerships. Omni Arts Group works collaboratively with artists, agents, and other management teams to align our visions and values, creating a unified path for growth. By supporting one another, we strengthen the entire creative ecosystem — helping everyone move forward, together.

Omni Arts Group helps amplify artists’ voices and elevate their brands in today’s evolving music landscape. We fuse creativity, strategy, and community to help artists reach their full potential—on stage, online, and beyond.

COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION We partner with artists, agents, and managers to align values and build collective success.

ARTISTS FIRST We center every decision on the artist’s vision, goals, and creative growth.

AUTHENTICITY MATTERS

Sustainable careers are built on genuine connections, honest storytelling, and staying true to your art.

STRATEGETY + CREATIVITY Creative vision meets actionable strategy to reach the right audience and achieve measurable growth.

LONG TERM GROWTH

Our focus is on building lasting careers and resilient, thriving creative communities.

Debutants “Roll Me Like A Ball” https://youtu.be/PzgRk0NcPcQ?si=nAcxLieLItOTexqt “Cherokee Shuffle” Randy Steele and The High Cold Wind w Ettore Buzzini https://youtu.be/IYrCXD1l7ww?si=zm2nlD1-nhHXEieG “Blackjack” Randy Steele and The High Cold Wind w Ettore Buzzini https://youtu.be/JQBkLDZqtpI?si=-gDoFSWkZit_hJI9 Rainbow Connection Kyle Tuttle https://youtu.be/tlliOXTDArE?si=mxgZAqd3DkdpeD0Z Yonder Moutain Stringband Bonnaroo 2004 https://youtu.be/eX_Y-rMzFxc?si=DQ1wGoK7QYD-tQnY

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Jared Pool mandolin extraordinaire currently plays with the Central Virginia Bluegrass Destroyers and for 10 of the last 11 years with Larry Keel, get ready this one is fun!

Links mentioned in this episode: https://youtu.be/HCm6lMNEODI?si=5VuXK61wq7ytXQg2 Bluegrass Destroyers

https://youtu.be/i-Atm7kJmIw?si=8HKYIwUVPw3Qo-Wu Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog/Joy to the World Halloween Show Tuttle, Pool & Greuel

https://youtu.be/sa0Xknu8iLY?si=ikBY3MhHjMpLZDzR Lonesome On’ry and Mean Halloween show Tuttle, Pool & Greuel

https://youtu.be/kxDdRQOelfI?si=mDTjJdoWH0JtiGGX My Gal/Franklin’s Tower Tuttle, Pool & Greuel

https://youtu.be/VBM2k9FFX0Y?si=aZ680w1fE5li3kBu “Fireball” Larry Keel Aiken Experience

https://youtu.be/MnxXA1bQ0vc?si=U7F1CJ-CVxMFKAuI “Culpeper Woodchuck” Aiken Super Group Guest: Jared Pool (East Virginia Bluegrass Destroyers)

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm