Talk radio has become a real competitor to music programming in many broadcast markets, with topics of discussion covering politics, sports, religion and local issues. With the advent of podcasting, the possibilities for this sort of “narrowcasting” have simply exploded.
Bluegrass Talk Radio is a new service just launched which hopes to serve up just this sort of programming for bluegrass music fans. The format is one of interviews and conversations with bluegrass artists, promoters and producers, and the shows are made available as podcasts for download at your convenience.
The shows are hosted by Dave Russell, publisher of the print magazine, Tri State Bluegrass Journal. He described the show’s appeal this way:
“People love to hear the stories, the tales of the music that they can relate to. It’s a music genre that is made of stories, of people and Bluegrass Talk Radio is a wonderful way to enjoy the music further, as well as preserving our oral traditions for futures to come. We are bluegrass people as well, and ask the questions that bluegrass people want to hear. We dig deeper and ask the good questions about the music.”
It appears that two shows have been released as podcasts to date, including interviews with Jim Mills, Ernie Thacker, Becky Brandenberger (Prime Cuts Of Bluegrass), luthier Nick Lloyd and vintage instrument collector Dave Beddingfield. Scheduled guests for upcoming shows include Dan Hayes, executive director of the IBMA, mandolinist Sam Bush, Ray Deaton from IIIrd Tyme Out and Angie Sumpter, publisher of the online banjo journal for middle-aged banjo beginners, Silver Strings.
