Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast

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: 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: 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: lawnchairusa.com/wallsoftime (Use code WALLSOFTIME to save 10%.)-- Best Self Co: bestself.co (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 15%)

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.)

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%)

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%)

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%)

As one of the most awarded fiddle players in bluegrass music today, Michael Cleveland’s career is still unfolding. Born visually impaired, Michael has had a unique journey as an artist. In this two-part episode, Daniel sits down with Michael in Raleigh, NC, backstage during rehearsal for the 2019 IBMA Awards Show, as Michael shares his story of becoming an accomplished master of bluegrass fiddling. Michael talks about his influences, his philosophy of music, and his intense study of the instrument and music, that molded him into the fiddling tour de force he is today. Enjoy this first part of Daniel's interview with National Fiddler Hall of Fame member, Michael Cleveland! 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%)

Skip Cherryholmes now plays in the powerhouse North Carolina-based outfit, Sideline which also has a family connection for him. In Part 2 of Skip’s conversation with Daniel Mullins, hear the continuation of Skip’s journey with his family band, Cherryholmes, the conclusion of that band, the struggle to survive outside of music, and his inevitable return to playing music full-time alongside his father-in-law, the celebrated banjo player, Steve Dilling. Enjoy Part 2 of this interview with accomplished artist, Skip Cherryholmes! 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%) -- Hey Everybody!: Listen here.

Kitsy Kuykendall is one of bluegrass music's most beloved personalities. Her late husband, Pete Kuykendall founded Bluegrass Unlimited magazine, fondly referred to as "The Rolling Stone of Bluegrass." Kitsy and Pete dedicated their lives to promoting, supporting, and spreading the music of bluegrass throughout the world. For over 50 years, Bluegrass Unlimited has been the premier print resource for this music community, and Kitsy’s energy, personality, and knowledge have been factors in its success and longevity. Daniel sat down with Kitsy at the 2019 IBMA World of Bluegrass business conference, where Kitsy is referred to as "The Queen." They talked about the origins of the magazine, its current state, its lasting impact, and the legacy of her late husband, Pete Kuykendall. Enjoy this episode of Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast with the always engaging, Kisty Kuykendall. 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 Johnson Mountain Boys, to Longview, and The Seldom Scene, Dudley Connell is one of the most identifiable and beloved voices in Bluegrass. Today, on the third episode of Walls of Time Season 2, Daniel Mullins sits down with this charismatic performer in an old camper parked backstage at the SamJam Bluegrass Festival in Piketon, OH. They talk about Dudley’s journey from first getting hooked on the traditional bluegrass sound, to how he helped develop and change the music through the years by bringing it to new listeners and making ­new songs classics of the genre. Dudley also talks about his important role in preserving historic roots music recordings in our nation’s capitol. Sit back and enjoy Episode 3 of the second season of 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%)

Doyle Lawson. A legendary figure in Bluegrass and a Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame member. Today, on the first episode of Season 2 of the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast, Daniel Mullins sits down on Doyle Lawson's bus before a Quicksilver reunion performance in Lexington, Kentucky, to hear an illustrated timeline of Doyle's rich career, including stories of his earnest beginnings in East Tennessee, through his time with Jimmy Martin, The Country Gentlemen, JD Crowe and his own band Quicksilver. Get ready for this epic kickoff to Season 2 of Walls of Time with bluegrass legend, Doyle Lawson. 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%)

Allen Mills is the founder of the seminal bluegrass band, The Lost and Found. As a bandleader, songwriter and bass player for this important group, Allen has had a powerful and positive impact on friends and fans both through his music and his fun-loving personality. In this interview, recorded in front of a live audience at the International Bluegrass Music Association's annual conference in Raleigh, NC in 2019, host Daniel Mullins sits down with this living legend to talk about his musical history and legacy. The day before, Allen was honored by the IBMA with a Distinguished Achievement Award for his lifetime of work within the bluegrass music industry, and this episode spotlights why he was so deserving of this honor. Hear more about the journey of Allen Mills in this heartfelt exchange on this special bonus 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%)