Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast

Mark Rader was the lead vocalist and guitarist of The Traditional Grass, one of the foremost bluegrass bands on the festival circuit in the 80's and 90's. In this episode of Walls of Time, Mark shares great tales from the road, tells us what Kathy Bates film inspired one of the band's biggest hits, and discusses the band's decision to get off the road in 1995. He also lets us know what bands in today's bluegrass scene really fire him up!

Let's return to Mark's dining room table for Part Two of our conversation with Daniel's "Uncle" Mark Rader.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Greene County Public Library: https://greenelibrary.info/
-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)

The Traditional Grass was one of the premiere bluegrass bands of the '80s and 90s. Originating in the Miami Valley, they developed a strong reputation and a national following, releasing four albums for Rebel Records before disbanding in 1995. Daniel sits down to chat with the band's guitarist and lead vocalist, Mark Rader, who formed The Traditional Grass alongside Daniel's papaw and dad: Paul "Moon Mullins and Joe Mullins.

Gathered around his dining room table, Mark shares stories about growing up in Middletown and coming of age in southwestern Ohio during such an exciting time for the region's bluegrass scene. He recounts how The Traditional Grass was founded in 1983 and breaks down the excitement behind writing one of their signature songs, "The Blues Are Still The Blues." Mark is a great storyteller and is a lover of roots music. We get him to break down some his favorites artists, from Larry Sparks to Lonnie Mack!

Enjoy Part 1 of our conversation with Mark Rader.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Greene County Public Library: https://greenelibrary.info/
-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)

Larry Sparks is truly one of one. We return to the Sparks home in eastern Indiana for the second half of our conversation with the "Youngest of the Old Timers".

We chat with Larry about some of his biggest songs and albums, and we learn about why he turned down some opportunities in the late-80's. He also opens up about his faith and the love of his life, Pam Sparks.

Enjoy Part 2 of our conversation with Larry Sparks.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Greene County Public Library: https://greenelibrary.info/
-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)

There is no one like Larry Sparks. A member of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, he is a large part of the "Industrial Strength Bluegrass" story. As we dive into the history of southwestern Ohio bluegrass, we visited with Larry Sparks at his home in eastern Indiana.

Larry Sparks talks growing up in the Miami Valley and vividly recalls the first time he sang in church as youngster. We learn about his time with The Stanley Brothers, about him being asked to join Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, and what made him strike out on his own to form Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers. (He also bemoans the retirement of his flip phone.)

Enjoy Part 1 of our conversation with Larry Sparks.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Greene County Public Library: https://greenelibrary.info/
-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)

In this second episode of our "Industrial Strength Bluegrass" season of Walls of Time, we pick back up with Fred Bartenstein at his home in Yellow Springs, OH. Fred was about to share "the quintessential Carlton Haney story" (trust us, you have to hear it!).

Fred also discusses working in New York City with the Greenbriar Boys and the time he spent in the Big Apple with Joe & Lily Isaacs. He also shares fascinating stories about his publications on Joe Wilson and Uncle Josh Graves. Fred's "bluegrass spotlights" analysis of the genre will change the way you view our musical genre, and of course, we chat more about "Industrial Strength Bluegrass."

Enjoy Part 2 of our conversation with Fred Bartenstein, who truly is a "bluegrass guru.".

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Greene County Public Library: https://greenelibrary.info/
-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)

In this inaugural episode of our "Industrial Strength Bluegrass" season of Walls of Time, we sit down with Fred Bartenstein at his home in Yellow Springs, OH. Fred is one of the editors of the book Industrial Strength Bluegrass: Southwestern Ohio's Musical Legacy for University of Illinois Press, so he had to be our first guest this season. We start off our conversation, by learning what exactly is "industrial strength bluegrass", where did the title originate, and why does it refer to bluegrass music connected to the Dayton/Cincinnati region.

Fred truly is a "bluegrass guru." His multi-faceted career in this music began as a teenager. For six decades, he has worn many hats, including guitar player, radio broadcaster, newspaper editor, scholar, festival emcee, author, educator, and more. His work in bluegrass began in a big way as a young man, becoming the right hand man for Carlton Haney, known as the "P.T. Barnum of Bluegrass Music", and he tells us all about it! (Yes -- I ask about Pythagoras.) Enjoy Part 1 of our conversation with Fred Bartenstein.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Greene County Public Library: https://greenelibrary.info/
-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)

Season 4 is almost here! Catch this exclusive sneak peek of our first "themed" season of Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast. We will be diving deep into the stories of "industrial strength bluegrass", learning more about southwestern Ohio's impact on bluegrass history.

This special season of Walls of Time is brought to you by the Greene County Public Libraries of Greene County, OH. Learn more at greenelibrary.info

In Part Two of our conversation with Ken Irwin & Marian Leighton Levy, we continue diving in to the fifty-plus year history of Rounder Records, which they helped found alongside Bill Nowlin. They tell us why J.D. Crowe & The New South's 1975 release (Rounder 0044) was so pivotal for the aspiring label (and so unlikely as well). Ken also takes us to the exact moment he first heard the voice of Alison Krauss of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, and we learn more about her rise as one of the most celebrated vocalists in American roots music history. Ken & Marian also share some of their pick hits from the Rounder catalog, and we put Ken's knowledge of the label's stock numbers to the test. Enjoy the second half of our in-depth conversation with this pair of Rounders (and Bluegrass Music Hall of Famers), Ken Irwin & Marian Leighton Levy!

Be sure to check out the new book on the history of Rounder Records, written by David Menconi, 'Oh, Didn't They Ramble.' Click here to learn more!

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)
-- LawnChair USA: http://www.lawnchairusa.com/wallsoftime (Use code WALLSOFTIME to save 10%.)
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%)

The story of Rounder Records is one of the most unlikely success stories in American roots music. Two of the historic record label's three founders, Ken Irwin & Marian Leighton Levy join us to tell the tale in this extensive, in-depth, two-part interview. We learn how this set of outlaw romantics journeyed from the counter-culture to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, and learn many lessons along the way, like the importance of "knowing that you don't know" and how to travel across the entire country on only eleven cents! Enjoy the first part of our conversation with this legendary pair of Rounders.

Be sure to check out the new book on the history of Rounder Records, written by David Menconi, 'Oh, Didn't They Ramble.' Click here to learn more!

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)
-- LawnChair USA: http://www.lawnchairusa.com/wallsoftime (Use code WALLSOFTIME to save 10%.)
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%)

Jeremy & Corrina Stephens are truly old souls. They both seek a deeper understanding of their shared passions: traditional music and their faith. Both are uber-talented multi-instrumentalists with an immense knowledge of the music of early roots music pioneers such as Reno & Smiley, Jim & Jesse, The Chuck Wagon Gang, Charlie Monroe, Fred Rose, and more, which is evident in the style of bluegrass they create with their band, High Fidelity. It was a treat to sit down for a visit at the Coffee Hub in Xenia, OH with this wonderful folks, as we chatted about everything from Corrina's love of punk rock to Jeremy's analysis of canned tuna! Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)
-- LawnChair USA: http://www.lawnchairusa.com/wallsoftime (Use code WALLSOFTIME to save 10%.)
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%)

Tammy Rogers King is a founder of the Grammy award-winning band, The Steeldrivers. Known for her fiddling, singing, and songwriting, her musical journey includes touring with Patty Loveless, working as a Nashville songwriter, and making music with Dusty Miller in the late 80's/early 90's. In this interview, she sits down backstage on a Saturday night at SamJam Bluegrass Festival in Piketon, OH, and Tammy dives deep into the "why" of carving her own path, how the right song can make an impact when you least expect it, and why she chose a life "fiddlin' around" with music (or did the fiddle choose her?).

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)
-- LawnChair USA: http://www.lawnchairusa.com/wallsoftime (Use code WALLSOFTIME to save 10%.)
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%)

Dubbed "The Sweethearts of Bluegrass", Darin & Brooke Aldridge are a strong couple -- both in music and in marriage. Growing up in the same region of North Carolina, they met through mutual friends and bonded over a mutual interest in bluegrass. Recorded in a hotel room in the fall of 2021 in Wilkesboro, NC, Darin and Brooke discuss how their love blossomed, Darin's early days with Charlie Waller & The Country Gentlemen, the allure of the Grand Ole Opry, and the importance of making music with a message.

This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:

-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)
-- LawnChair USA: http://www.lawnchairusa.com/wallsoftime (Use code WALLSOFTIME to save 10%.)
-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%)

Jamie Dailey is a ball of energy, both on stage and off. After making some legendary music with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, he formed the award-winning Dailey & Vincent with Darrin Vincent. For over fifteen years, they have found immense success in bluegrass and beyond. Dailey & Vincent host their own television show and were made members of the Grand Ole Opry in 2017.

In August of 2020, Daniel joined Jamie at his kitchen table in Nashville, for an insightful conversation (filled with laughs and tears) about the power of music, bringing Lester Roadhog Moran out of retirement, the importance of setting goals, and what it means to be a part of the Opry family.

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%)
-- LawnChair USA: http://www.lawnchairusa.com/wallsoftime (Use code WALLSOFTIME to save 10%.)

We are posting this episode on what would have been J.D. Crowe's 85th birthday. He was a dear friend of the podcast, and was our special guest on our first two episodes. J.D. Crowe passed away on December 24th, 2021. His friend and former lead guitarist, Tony Rice passed away 364 days earlier on December 25th, 2020.

In the days following Tony's passing, Daniel Mullins interviewed J.D. Crowe about his late friend, Tony Rice, for Daniel's daily radio program on Real Roots Radio. We are grateful to Real Roots Radio for allowing us to feature this special interview on the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast, in honor of J.D. Crowe's 85th birthday. This is the last interview that Daniel Mullins ever conducted with his friend, J.D. Crowe.

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%)
-- Real Roots Radio: realrootsradio.com (Listen online or download the FREE app.)

Bill Emerson was a banjo giant, whose work with Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys, The Country Gentlemen, Emerson & Waldron, and more, resulted in his 2019 induction into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. His impeccable playing, innovative spirit, and pleasant demeanor, made this southern gentleman a beloved figure in bluegrass music.

This interview was recorded the day after his Hall of Fame induction in Raleigh, NC. Due to some technical difficulties with Mr. Emerson's microphone, the audio quality of this interview is subpar, but the content that this legend has to share is priceless. Bill Emerson passed away August 21, 2021, making this interview special, but bittersweet.

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%)

A member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, Del McCoury has one of the most distinctive voices in all of roots music. With The Del McCoury Band, he has led one of the most successful bluegrass bands of all time, bringing the high lonesome sound to new places and new heights. Del sits down with Daniel Mullins at the Dayton Art Institute to talk about his legendary career. From his humble beginnings growing up on a farm, to his many years working in the timber business, Del’s story is one of unexpected twists and turns, both personally and professionally. He talks with Daniel about making music with some of the genre’s founders, like Bill Monroe and Don Reno, and how The Del McCoury Band’s ability to embrace variety has helped in creating a diverse fanbase and has also led to some unique collaborations, like with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Let’s say “DEL YEAH!” as we head to Dayton, OH to sit backstage with the Grammy award-winning Del McCoury, for the Season Two finale of the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast.

(A big shout out to our buddy, Key Chang. Without him, this episode would not have been possible. Thanks, Key!)

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%)

From the Ozark hills to the Grand Ole Opry, CJ Lewandowski and his band The Po Ramblin Boys are a bluegrass success story who have taken their traditional sound to new audiences. Daniel Mullins sits down with CJ in Nashville at the 2020 SPBGMA convention in Nashville to talk about CJ’s introduction to music, his fascination with the mandolin and first generation of bluegrass artists, and about his path to a successful career in the genre. Hear why bluegrass is more than just music to mandolin player and singer, CJ Lewandowski, in 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%)

Russell Moore is IBMA’s most-awarded Male Vocalist and leader of the award-winning band, IIIrd Tyme Out. Here in Part 2 of his interview with Daniel Mullins, Russell recounts his journey from sideman to band leader, and the journey in-between. He talks about his favorite moments in music, as well as the songs that made his career, and band, stand out among others in the genre. Listen to Russell talk about where his passion for music still comes from, even after thirty years as a bandleader in this second episode of his spotlight interview, recorded in Columbus, OH with Daniel Mullins 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%)

As the most awarded male vocalist in bluegrass, Russell Moore has earned a pedigree as a lead singer and guitarist from the biggest artists in the industry. Still at the top of his game, Russell continues to record and perform with his award-winning band, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out. Here in Part 1 of a two-part interview with host Daniel Mullins, recorded in Columbus, OH at Musicians Against Childhood Cancer, Russell recounts his journey from Texas to North Carolina, and all the miles between and since. In this episode, Russell talks about how it all started as a teenage musician and how he transitioned to a full-time performer with the legendary Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, in Part 1 with Russell Moore on the 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%)

A renaissance woman of bluegrass, Andrea Roberts has led the life of a musician with the trailblazing, all-female group, Petticoat Junction, as well as one of manager, promoter, and talent agent for some of bluegrass music's most well-known artists. She is the wife of mandolin player, Danny Roberts of The Grascals, and mother to up-and-coming artist, Jaelee Roberts. She has been a mentor to countess young artists and tastemakers in the field including our own, Daniel Mullin,s who she sits down with Andrea in Lexington, KY at Bluegrass in the Bluegrass to talk about her journey on this episode of 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%)