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 music 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, too. 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/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:06 – Soundbyte

0:42 – Intro

2:15 – 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 – Interview

46:10 – “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, 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:

0:08 soundbyte

0:22 introduction

1:22 Bill K’s introduction

2:03 Rise Sun

6:06 on Lint Head Girl

7:15 Lint Head Girl

10:40 Take Me Home

14:25 ad break 1

14:30 interview 1

28:22 Galloping

31:20 on Pink and Blue

34:51 Pink and Blue

31:01 insert

38:16 “I couldn’t”

38:57 ad break 2

39:02 interview 2

53:20 Nothing Else Matters

56:30 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, North Carolina on November 14th, 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