Welcome to this week’s Bluegrass Briefing, a weekly series of episodes taking a look at what’s going on in the world of bluegrass.

Here are the links to stuff mentioned in this episode.

News and Announcements (Church Street News)

• North Carolina Guitar Celebration

Releases (The Grass is New)

• Darol Anger & Mike Marshall with the WDR Big Band
• Spotify
• CD

• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist

Scroll on Buddy

• Dawg at 80 - Hartford’s Reel (with Sam Bush, Billy Strings and more)

Other bits

• Sign up for emails https://bluegrassjamalong.com/contact/
• The Grass is (mostly) New 2025 playlist
• Full list of interviews
• Collings Guitars

Happy picking.

Matt

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My guest this week is Sierra Hull.

Sierra has been a guest on the podcast twice before and both times we chatted about an ongoing project she's been working on since her last record 25 Trips. That project eventually became her new album, the wonderful A Tiptoe High Wire, which we talk about in this episode.

Recorded over four sets of sessions over a two year period, the album features Sierra's current touring band, as well as including guest appearances from Béla Fleck, Tim O’Brien, Ronnie Bowman, Lindsay Lou, Aoife O’Donovan and Sierra's husband Justin Moses.

We talk about the process of writing the songs, some of which were written with these specific musicians in mind; the themes and inspiration behind the tracks; Sierra's desire to write more optimistic and hopeful songs; her decision to put the record out independently and how the album, co-produced by Sierra's friend Shani Gandhi, feels like one piece, despite being split over several different sessions.

It's a fantastic record and, as always, it was a real treat getting to chat with Sierra.

For info on where you can buy A Tiptoe High Wire and a full list of Sierra's upcoming tour dates, check out sierrahull.com

Happy picking,

Matt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest this week is a legend of American string band music.

When David Grisman raised his middle finger to MCA Records, after being dropped for failing to meet arbitrary sales targets, he couldn't have known it would spark a 35-year musical revolution. As one of America's foremost, and best loved, mandolin virtuosos turns 80 this year, he offers a fascinating glimpse into the birth, evolution, and future of Acoustic Disc, the independent label he founded in 1990 that became a vital archive of American string band traditions, as well as home to over three decades of his own music.

Grisman's journey from frustrated artist to label founder came at a pivotal moment in music history, as CDs were eclipsing vinyl and the digital revolution loomed on the horizon. He built his own studio, using gear he bought from the iconic 1750 Arch Studios, and Acoustic Disc was born. The label's early success—including Grammy nominations for its first two releases—established a blueprint combining Grisman's new compositions, collaborations with luminaries like Jerry Garcia and Tony Rice, and carefully chosen historical recordings.

The switch from physical media to digital distribution liberated both Grisman's creative vision and business model.

"It's just too beautiful a concept to make one product and sell an infinite number without manufacturing anything," he explains.

This shift allows him to release an album every month, including expanded versions of classic recordings with Tony Rice, Jerry Garcia, and others. These "deluxe editions" offer fascinating insights into the creative process behind influential albums like Tone Poems, capturing not just the music but the conversations between master musicians at work.

Whether you're a huge Grisman fan, dedicated bluegrass lover or just a fan of acoustic music at its best, Acoustic Disc's extraordinary catalog offers a gateway into America's rich string band traditions.

Find out more at acousticdisc.com and, while you're there, sign up for their weekly newsletter to receive a free "Treat of the Week".

For updates, follow David on Instagram and Facebook

Happy picking.

Matt

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.