Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast

Few banjo players have impacted American music like Sonny Osborne has. The Osborne Brothers’ success includes multiple country radio hits, working with Merle Haggard, international tours, being members of the Grand Ole Opry, winning a CMA award, and induction into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. Sonny’s banjo playing is some of the most influential in bluegrass music. In part two of this interview on Walls of Time, Sonny shares his thoughts on bluegrass and banjo playing, behind-the-scenes stories about the mighty Merle Haggard, and opens up about his struggles with addiction. Let’s re-join Daniel Mullins on Sonny Osborne’s backporch during a rainy afternoon, for the second half of our conversation with Bluegrass Hall of Famer, Sonny Osborne.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com

There is no bigger living legend in bluegrass than banjo great Sonny Osborne. Along with his brother Bobby, they formed the Osborne Brothers in the 1950’s and went on to become one of the most influential artists in the field. Huge hits like "Rocky Top" helped make them a household name. Sonny retired from music in 2003, but his legacy lives on as both a member of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Orpy. Daniel Mullins sat down with Sonny on his back porch for a two-part interview during a rainy Saturday afternoon at his home outside of Nashville, TN. Sonny shares his knowledge of the music industry, his business savy and his personal musical history with fellow legends like Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin and more. Let’s head to Sonny’s back porch for this episode of Walls of Time.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com

 

Best known as the banjoist for the award-winning bluegrass group The Grascals, Kristin Scott Benson comes from a long line of musicians. A South Carolina native, she has been playing the banjo since the age thirteen. Her career has resulted in multiple International Bluegrass Music Association Banjo Player of the Year awards, critically acclaimed solo recordings and the 2018 Steve Martin Award for Excellence in Bluegrass and Banjo. Humble, grateful and super talented, Kristin credits points of her success as being a “God Thing”. On this episode of Walls of Time, host Daniel Mullins talks with Kristin outside of the world famous Station Inn in Nashville prior to a performance at the historic venue with The Grascals. Enjoy this field interview with Kristin Scott Benson, Bluegrass Banjo Trailblazer!

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com

Hunter Berry is an East Tennessee native who grew up in a hotbed of traditional music, surrounded by some of the best bluegrass artists in the country. A prodigy performer, he was offered a job by Hall of Famer Doyle Lawson when Berry was just 14 years old. He has spent most of his professional years as the fiddler for Rhonda Vincent & the Rage and has one of the most identifiable fiddle styles on the current bluegrass scene. In this episode of Walls of Time, Daniel and Hunter talk about Hunter’s early influences, how he created his style influenced by the great Benny Martin, Paul Warren and today's great fiddlers, and about life on the road with Hall of Famers, Melvin Goins and Doyle Lawson, and the Queen of Bluegrass herself. Let’s join Daniel and Hunter on the campus of East Tennessee State University, where is also a professor within their Bluegrass Music Program.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com

In part two of host Daniel Mullins’ interview with Carl Jackson, Carl talks about his work as a writer and producer. From working with Jim Rushing to producing Grammy award-winning albums like the all-star Louvin Brothers tribute, Carl relates his experiences of producing albums for some of the top artists in country and bluegrass. He gives insight into his journey and what it takes to be true to your art and yourself in the evolving music industry. Let’s re-join Daniel and Carl in Nashville, TN for part two of our interview with Carl Jackson, a true music renaissance man! 

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com

Musician, producer, songwriter, performer, Carl Jackson is an artist on many fronts. From his time as a teenager playing on the Grand Ole Opry with Jim & Jesse McReynolds to his career with Glen Campbell, and his time as an award-winning Nashville producer and songwriter, Carl Jackson is gracious about his storied career. Here is part one of a two-part interview with Walls of Time host Daniel Mullins. After a BBQ lunch in Nashville, TN, Carl tells stories about some of the biggest names in Country and Bluegrass music. An artist that does a lot of everything and does it well — Here is part one of Carl Jackson, music renaissance man on Walls of Time. 

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com

From the time he was a boy, Little Roy Lewis has loved bluegrass music and the banjo. From picking cotton to picking the 5-string, Little Roy journeyed from the rural south to the biggest stages in the world with both the first family of bluegrass bospel, The Lewis Family and with The Little Roy and Lizzy Show. Along this path, Little Roy has become known as a larger than life entertainer. His humor, pranks, on-stage antics and phenomenal musicianship have all made him one of bluegrass music’s biggest personalities. His secret -- enjoy what you do and don’t take it too seriously. Daniel caught up with Little Roy on the deck of a cruise ship earlier this year and is excited to bring listeners this conversation on Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast. 

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com

Highly respected broadcaster, Cindy Baucom sits down with Daniel Mullins this week to talk about how she got her start in radio, her work as a sought after festival MC, and her love of bluegrass music that started in her early years growing up in North Carolina. Recorded backstage at the legendary North Carolina roots music festival, MerleFest, Cindy relates her journey from music fan to hosting one of the most successful syndicated bluegrass radio shows in the world. She shares stories of her journey and talks about what it takes for great bluegrass songs to make their way to the airways. Let's sneak into a backstage dressing room at MerleFest, and join Daniel and Cindy for this episode of Walls of Time. 

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com

Here in Part 2 of Mike Bub’s conversation with host, Daniel Mullins, we hear again from this sideman extraordinaire as he talks about his time with the Del McCoury Band, his journey with the band as they broadened the bluegrass fan base and his ventures into new musical projects. Mike is known as one of the most sought after bass players in Nashville, and you will hear why Mike has become an important artist in the bluegrass, country and roots music genres based on both his skill and his easy-going attitude and intelligence. Let’s rejoin Mike and our host, Daniel Mullins, backstage in Nashville, TN. 

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com

 

From his time of growing up as a competition banjo player in the southwest, Arizona native Mike Bub has been a bluegrass staple -- from his time with the Weary Hearts to the Del McCoury Band, and even today as he is one of the most sought after bass players in Nashville. In Part 1 of this two-part conversation with Mike and host Daniel Mullins, we hear about Mike's upbringing, the culture of bluegrass competitions, playing bluegrass internationally, and much more. Let’s join Mike and Daniel backstage at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA)’s annual event in Nashville, TN. 

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.) 
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%) 
-- Hoosier Devil: hoosierdevil.com