Casey Driessen is simply one of the most inventive fiddlers on planet earth. I first saw him perform in his trademark red shoes with Tim O’Brien, and have had the honor of performing with him in Woody Platt’s backing ensemble The Bluegrass Gentlemen. Casey is friendly and open minded but I get the sense he doesn’t suffer fools and I was admittedly a little intimidated going into this session. I knew that I’d be stretched musically and I really was. He and River, however, cultivated a musical situation where presence and attention were all that was needed and we shared an unforgettable night of music that reminded me what Tuesday’s at 185 King St are all about. This episode was recorded live at 185 King St in Brevard, NC on December 3rd, 2024 This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com Timestamps 0:06 soundbyte 0:47 introduction 2:00 Bill K introduction 4:00 Casey solo 10:38 Roscoe’s Gone 15:57 ad break 1 16:00 interview 44:06 insert 44:22 All The Same 51:21 ad break 2 51:26 Waterbound 57:55 Garfield’s Blackberry 1:05:32 outro

Chris Eldridge and I met when I stepped off of an elevator with my bass at the International Bluegrass Music Association's convention in 2004. The Infamous Stringdusters were forming in Nashville at the time and they needed a bass player for the jam that night and, it turned out, for the band in general. We spent the first two years of that band traveling and making music together and Chris is still one of my favorite musicians and humans. A member of the Punch Brothers and Mighty Poplar, he’s also made a couple great records with guitarist Julian Lage and plays in a duo with his wife Kristen Andreassen. Our conversation started when he arrived at my house and didn’t end until he pulled out of the driveway the next day, but we’ve captured some of the best parts here for the podcast. This episode was recorded live at 185 King St in Brevard, NC on November 12, 2024. This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com Timestamps: 0:06 soundbyte 0:43 introduction 1:58 introduction by Bill K. 3:12 Little Sadie 7:43 “darkest song to happiest song” 9:00 Living in the Mississippi Valley 11:43 Poor Boys Delight 16:09 ad break 1 16:11 Muddy Water 19:38 Rygar 23:20 insert 23:36 interview 53:44 ad break 2 53:56 Angeles 57:37 My First Will 1:01:39 on Uncle Earl 1:02:57 Through the Bottom of the Glass 1:06:33

I had heard of Caitlin Krisco but I’d never really heard her until she took over the stage at the Floydfest Buffalo Jam a few years ago. I’d finished up my part of the show and had headed out into the crowd to unwind and watch the proceedings. Every time Caitlin stepped up to the mic the ensemble struggled to match her soul and intensity. It wasn’t even fair, really. She owned that show that night and she owned the interview and music during the Happy Hour. It was Caitlin’s show, Aaron and Tommy and I were just along for the ride. This episode was recorded live at 185 King St in Brevard, NC on August 13th, 2024 This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com Timestamps 0:06 soundbyte 0:42 introduction 2:06 introduction by Bill K. 3:05 Blue Heron 6:50 Burn One Down 10:00 “am I supposed to be talking…” 11:11 I Never Loved A Man 15:06 ad break 1 15:09 Too Far Gone 18:59 All The Same 24:15 Hole In My Heart 28:46 insert 29:00 interview 47:12 ad break 2 47:15 Blue Monday 51:39 Haunted By You 57:35 Battle Cry 1:01:11 outroduction

Nashville in the mid-2000’s was full of aspiring bluegrass musicians from my generation. People were starting bands, landing gigs as side-men, and living in large, cheap houses on the East side of town. Almost nightly we’d gather at picking parties that sometimes more closely resembled what you’d see at a fraternity. One of the people I met and played with during these heady years was Luke Bulla. I was in awe of his professionalism and his palmares and struck by his calm demeanor. It had been almost 15 years since we’d last played together and I was delighted when he reached out about joining me for the Happy Hour. This episode was recorded live at 185 King St in Brevard, NC on May 5th, 2024 This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com Timestamps: 0:06 soundbyte 0:37 introduction 1:52 introduction by Bill Kubilius 3:13 The Partner That No One Knows 6:00 on the family band 8:36 Remember Well 12:51 ad break 1 12:53 on Lyle Lovett & Guy Clark 14:14 Anyhow I Love You 19:10 A Little Too Much 25:25 Going Away With A Friend 29:52 insert 30:06 interview 1 40:57 ad break 2 41:19 Wheel Hoss w/ Casey Driessen 48:36 interview 2 53:59 outroduction

Dangermuffin’s Dan Lotti writes songs and sings them in a way that make me feel like everything is going to be just fine. Originally from Folly Beach, much of the band now makes their home in Asheville but their music retains the laid-back beach vibe of it’s roots on the Carolina coast. Positive, inquisitive, conscious and grateful, Dan Lotti is the kinda guy you wish would call you up to have a pint or take a walk in the woods. He’d probably make an amazing neighbor too. He’s been at the top of my list since I launched this whole Happy Hour thing and it was great to finally get to spend the afternoon with this incredible human. This episode was recorded live at 185 King St in Brevard, NC on September 10th, 2024 This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com Timestamps: 0:06 soundbyte 0:54 introduction 2:08 introduction by Bill K. 3:07 Waves 9:10 We Push Mountains 14:21 ad break 1 14:23 “thanks for bringing most of the band” 15:43 Western Skies 18:48 Cicada 25:13 interview 42:13 insert 42:27 Sarsaparilla 46:11 ad break 2 46:28 on I Will Never Forget 47:17 I Will Never Forget 52:25 Big Suit 57:32 outroduction

Drummers don’t always get a lot of love or attention. But, mention the name Jeff Sipe to nearly any musician and their eyes light up. Also known as Apartment Q258, he was a founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit with Colonel Bruce Hampton (which also counted Otiel Burbridge of Dead & Co and Jimmy Herring of Widespread Panic among its members). I first heard him via early Leftover Salmon bootlegs and he’s toured with Tedeschi Trucks Band, Trey Anastasio, and Warren Haynes. Regarded as one of the best drummers alive, he’s also just a normal guy who lives down the street from me and who says “yes” pretty much any time I ask him to join me on a gig. Words really don’t do him justice; he’s just so wonderful and kind and supportive; I can hardly believe my good fortune getting to make music with him.This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on April 4th of 2023.This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpodsTimestamps:0:06 – Soundbyte0:42 – Intro2:15 – Intro by Bill K.3:26 – “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy”10:37 – “A Little Too Much”16:00 – “I Am A Pilgrim”22:30 – “Once I Knew You”29:17 – Interview46:10 – “Summertime”48:30 – “Minor Blues”55:34 – “Back Home”1:01:50 – Outro

As much a mystic as a musician, Phoebe Hunt makes music that speaks to the yearning we all have to connect with something larger than ourselves. A deep commitment to making music with meaning is her compass and she’s an example of what it means to be in loving relationship with music. We need more musicians like Phoebe Hunt in this world.This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on April 23rd, 2024This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpodsTimestamps:0:08 soundbyte0:22 introduction1:22 Bill K’s introduction2:03 Rise Sun6:06 on Lint Head Girl7:15 Lint Head Girl10:40 Take Me Home14:25 ad break 1 14:30 interview 128:22 Galloping 31:20 on Pink and Blue34:51 Pink and Blue31:01 insert38:16 “I couldn’t”38:57 ad break 239:02 interview 253:20 Nothing Else Matters56:30 Good Blood 1:00:20 outroduction

Wyatt Ellis can’t even drive a car but he’s making waves in the bluegrass community. A prolific tune-writer and a dedicated student of the mandolin, he’s growing and learning at a rate you only find in the under 20 set. I was surprised to find that he’s also humble, articulate, and a total professional. It’s not hard to envision him reaching the highest echelons of acoustic and bluegrass music and doing it very soon. I was grateful to my friend Jon Stickley for the introduction to this bluegrass wunderkind. This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on June 11th, 2024 This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods Timestamps: 0:06 soundbyte 0:36 introduction 1:46 show introduction by Bill K 3:07 Blue Smoke 7:04 on Blue Smoke and Get Lost 8:16 Get Lost 13:17 When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again 16:48 ad break 1 16:58 Blue Night 20:00 interview 1 28:09 Watson Blues 31:07 insert 31:38 Rabbit In A Log 34:30 interview 2 40:00 Whites Creek 44:40 “how old are you?” and JAM 46:10 ad break 2 46:17 Cold On The Shoulder 49:17 Long Lonesome Day 54:10 Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms 58:29 outroduction

Trey Hensley is simply the most ferocious acoustic guitar player I’ve ever encountered. His attack and control of the guitar is unrivaled and left me in awe. He is, however, also just about as kind and as humble as an East Tennessee man can be. I had a great time playing music with and getting to know more about this musical titan and I’m really happy to make this podcast available. This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on October 24th of 2023. This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods Timestamps: 0:06 soundbyte 0:21 introduction 1:25 show introduction by Bill K. 2:14 Can’t Outrun the Blues 6:00 Can’t Judge A Book 9:38 ad break 1 9:48 Brown Eyed Women 13:40 story about Brown Eyed Women 15:20 Backstreets Off Broadway 18:15 interview w/ Trey 33:46 insert 48:15 ad break 2 48:40 Hold Whatcha Got 51:30 Mama Tried 53:50 outroduction

I met Andy Thorn during the winter of 2002/2003 when he was visiting Durango, CO on a ski trip. We played and traveled over two summers as members of The Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band, which broke up, or went on an 18 year hiatus, after the summer of 2005. Andy and I remain and always will be great friends and sharing the stage with Andy and Jon was an honor. This episode captures three old friends rehashing old memories and jokes and making new ones. I know you’ll enjoy. This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on October 24th of 2023. This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods 0:07 Soundbyte 0:20 Introduction 1:32 "Carolina Song" 2:50 We have legal marijuana 4:35 "Blazing New Frontiers" 9:19 "All That I Can Take" 15:50 Interview 35:25 "Aesop Mountain" 38:29 "What Child Is This" 41:02 On fox hunts 42:42 "Red Fox Run" 49:20 "Long Lonesome Day" 53:36 Did you skip my interview? 54:30 "Long Winding Road"