Videos Archive - Page 2 of 37 - The Bluegrass Situation

MerleFest Late Night Jam: “Close By,” Sam Bush with Tony Trischka

For over thirty years, MerleFest’s Late Night Jam has been the after-hours festival gathering space for some of the best pickers in the world mingling alongside new generations of talent. This annual tradition was initially led by festival founder Doc Watson, his family, and his peers. In 2025, the Late Night Jam hosting torch was passed to the equally legendary Sam Bush, who held court alongside Peter Rowan, Casey Driessen, Jerry Douglas, and countless other musical friends. Over the years, BGS has had the pleasure of partnering with MerleFest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina to present the Late Night Jam on the Saturday night of the festival. As in 2025, we’ll be back this year in 2026 to enjoy the fun with Ketch Secor and Old Crow Medicine Show stepping in as hosts. Tickets for the Late Night Jam are still available.

In the run up to this year’s festival, set for April 23 through 26, BGS is partnering with MerleFest and our videographer friends at I Know We Should to share exclusive video clips from 2025’s Late Night Jam. Our first clip features the evening’s host Sam Bush alongside Tony Trischka, Michael Daves, Casey Driessen, Maddie Denton, and Jared Engel performing a Bill Monroe classic, “Close By.” Denton and Driessen’s twin fiddle kick-off is mournful and lonesome, before Daves jumps in to render lead vocals for the bluegrass jam favorite. Playing off the cuff, it’s fascinating to watch these expert bluegrassers communicate and arrange the song in real time, all familiar with the contours of the number, but performing it together for the very first time. Each take turns giving gritty, exciting solos punctuated by the tasty twin fiddles.

The video highlights exactly what’s so magical about the Late Night Jam: You never know exactly who you’ll get to catch performing in one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime configurations and lineups on the jam stage.

Over the next few weeks we’ll share additional exciting performances from 2025’s Late Night Jam. Stay tuned for more and make your plans now to experience it live, in person, at the 2026 Late Night Jam at MerleFest, hosted by Ketch Secor & Old Crow Medicine Show. Buy your tickets here – and get more information on the Late Night Jam here.

Video Credits: I Know We Should, Brad Wagner and Juan Soria.

AEA Sessions: Olivia Barton

(Editor’s Note: BGS has partnered with AEA Ribbon Mics and AmericanaFest to share special live sessions shot at Welcome to 1979 in Nashville, Tennessee during AmericanaFest 2025. Over the last few weeks, we’ve enjoyed select performances from AEA Ribbon Mics’ sessions in Nashville premiered right here on BGS. We’ll conclude the series next week with one final session.)

Artist: Olivia Barton
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Songs: “Our House,” “Matter to You,” “Kissing In Public,” “Pink”

In Their Words: “I was introduced to Olivia Barton online a few years ago when my teenaged daughter said she saw an AEA mic in Corook’s video for the song ‘If I Were a Fish.’ A few months later, we saw Olivia open for Lizzie McAlpine at the Wiltern in Los Angeles. As the opening act for a sold out show, she was engaging and won the crowd over effortlessly. After her set, she was very affable and took the time to chat and take some photos with us. When I saw Olivia on the list of official artists for AmericanaFest 2025, I jumped at the chance to work with her and reached out to her management.

“Olivia’s songs are down to earth and warm, just like she is in person. Her lyrical, confessional style of writing draws you into your storytelling. She has an ease with performance, a fluidity like a conversation with a close friend. No wonder she’s co-writing with artists like Madi Diaz; similar to Diaz, Olivia’s songs invite you in and hang for a while.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits: Audio recorded and mixed by Brandon Bell.
Video directed and edited by Michael Perlmutter, assisted by Patrick Dwyer.
Hosted by Julie Tan.

To purchase AEA Ribbon Mics or other gear, contact your local dealer. More information is available at AEARibbonMics.com.

AEA Sessions: Mindy Smith

(Editor’s Note: BGS has partnered with AEA Ribbon Mics and AmericanaFest to share special live sessions shot at Welcome to 1979 in Nashville, Tennessee during AmericanaFest 2025. Over the next few weeks, enjoy select performances from AEA Ribbon Mics’ sessions in Nashville premiered right here on BGS.)

Artist: Mindy Smith
Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
Songs: “Quiet Town,” “If I Didn’t Know Any Better,” “Come To Jesus”

In Their Words: “My first introduction to Mindy Smith was when she was featured on the Dolly Parton tribute album, Just Because I’m a Woman, about 20-years ago. On an album that featured artists like Emmylou Harris, Sinead O’Connor, Shania Twain, and Dolly herself, Mindy was an up-and-comer, but more than held her own on the renowned and legendary tune. Getting to meet and chat with Mindy was was like catching up with an old friend. She’s warm, earnest, and down to earth. We shot her session right after Olivia Barton (whose session releases next week), so Olivia was still in the room while we were changing our setup. Getting to be a fly on the wall listening to the two of them chat about their creative processes, upcoming projects, and the advice Mindy was giving Olivia was like sitting through a singer-songwriter masterclass.

“We chose to shoot the session in a smaller room at Welcome to 1979 Studio mostly for the change of scenery and the colorful walls and decorations. But because of the size of the room, it limited how many cameras and mics we could set up. At first, we were concerned that we weren’t getting enough angles for the video edit, but once we started mic check, it was apparent that often less is more. The power of her performance and songs came across with every single note. Mindy wasn’t performing for the cameras. She was a songwriter sharing songs with friends. Plus, her orange hat added another dimension to the video visually. What a precious way to watch and listen to a performance, and what an honor to be a part of this recording.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits: Audio recorded and mixed by Brandon Bell.
Video directed and edited by Michael Perlmutter, assisted by Patrick Dwyer.
Hosted by Julie Tan.

To purchase AEA Ribbon Mics or other gear, contact your local dealer. More information is available at AEARibbonMics.com.

AEA Sessions: Donovan Woods

(Editor’s Note: BGS has partnered with AEA Ribbon Mics and AmericanaFest to share special live sessions shot at Welcome to 1979 in Nashville, Tennessee during AmericanaFest 2025. Over the next few weeks, enjoy select performances from AEA Ribbon Mics’ sessions in Nashville premiered right here on BGS.)

Artist: Donovan Woods
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Songs: “Our Friend Bobby,” “Grew Apart,” “I Talk About You,” “Back for the Funeral”

In Their Words: “Donovan Woods is our video director Michael’s favorite artist. So much so that Michael and I actually gave each other Donovan’s merch for Christmas a few years ago. I still have a Donovan Woods air freshener hanging in the bathroom at home. As soon as his name was added to AmericanaFest’s lineup last fall, we were determined to book Donovan for a session. When we found out that he wouldn’t be flying into Nashville in time for our scheduled sessions at Welcome to 1979, we reached out to our friends at Ocean Way, who were kind enough to let us shoot there.

“Just being in Ocean Way Nashville Studios, with its fabled history and all the A-list artists that have come through, was a transcendental experience. But listening to Donovan play as we were sound checking, it was clear that we were a part of something exquisite. Every note just sounds and feels like it resonates in your body when you’re in that space. It was as if the room was alive and contributing its own personality to the session. The mics were picking up everything from a muted floor creak to a whispered breath in that hallowed space. There is a little bit of squeaking that comes in and out, if you listen carefully in the first song, that we couldn’t figure out. Turns out it was the sound of Donovan’s guitar strap rubbing up and down on the side of his guitar. That was how active and present every sound in the room was.

“Donovan is who we all hope our heroes would be. Completely down-to-earth, personable, and loves his craft. He hung out and chatted with us before and after his session. He put us on the guest list for his performance at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and we chatted some there as well. I am so excited to share our perfect day and dream private concert with you all. This session features his new single, ‘I Talk About You,’ on his soon-to-be-released EP, out February 27, 2026.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits: Audio recorded by Wolf Robinson & Tate Sablatura.
Mixed by Brandon Bell.
Video directed and edited by Michael Perlmutter, assisted by Patrick Dwyer.
Hosted by Julie Tan.

To purchase AEA Ribbon Mics or other gear, contact your local dealer. More information is available at AEARibbonMics.com.

AEA Sessions: Viv & Riley

(Editor’s Note: BGS has partnered with AEA Ribbon Mics and AmericanaFest to share special live sessions shot at Welcome to 1979 in Nashville, Tennessee during AmericanaFest 2025. Over the next few weeks, enjoy select performances from AEA Ribbon Mics’ sessions in Nashville premiered right here on BGS.)

Artist: Viv & Riley
Hometown: Durham, North Carolina
Songs: “Sourwood,” “Radio Prayers,” “Still Waters,” “Continuums”

In Their Words: “When Viv & Riley showed up, they were just so warm and personable, it was like hanging out with old friends. People who don’t play music often don’t realize how singing harmonies isn’t just singing along with someone and that great harmonies complement and augment each other. Viv & Riley clearly have spent a lot of time singing and harmonizing with each other; they keep elevating each other with each phrase they sing. They make it look, sound, and feel so natural and their ease and fluency with multiple instruments is enviable.

“Their music is nuanced and yet totally accessible – folky singer-songwriter songs that can easily be arranged to be pop classics. If you’re not convinced, play the video in its entirety in the background. But don’t be surprised if you go back to play it again and again. Their lyrics and hooks are infectious and pull you in then stick with you.

“Viv & Riley are duo that you wish were your neighbors so that you can hang out on the porch listening to them play regularly.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits: Audio recorded and mixed by Brandon Bell.
Video directed by Michael Perlmutter, assisted by Patrick Dwyer.
Hosted by Julie Tan.

To purchase AEA Ribbon Mics or other gear, contact your local dealer. More information is available at AEARibbonMics.com.

AEA Sessions: Emily Hines

(Editor’s Note: BGS has partnered with AEA Ribbon Mics and AmericanaFest to share special live sessions shot at Welcome to 1979 in Nashville, Tennessee during AmericanaFest 2025. Over the next few weeks, enjoy select performances from AEA Ribbon Mics’ sessions in Nashville premiered right here on BGS.)

Artist: Emily Hines
Hometown: Southwestern Ohio
Songs: “My Own Way,” “UFO,” “All Of Our Friends,” “Callin Ya”

In Their Words: “Emily Hines and Henry Park were so laid back and easy going when they arrived that when they started strumming a few open chords, it just felt like hanging out with some old friends. The songs themselves were like a warm hug. Every tune is melodic and woven to draw you in. Each song seems simple in its structure, but really melodically captivates the listener.

“Henry’s accompaniment is thoughtful and multidimensional. The fact that they recorded their upcoming album on an old school Tascam 4-track tells you that they’re all about the music and the songs. Truth be told, their music definitely holds its own without any bells and whistles.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits: Audio recorded and mixed by Brandon Bell.
Video directed by Michael Perlmutter, assisted by Patrick Dwyer.
Hosted by Julie Tan.

To purchase AEA Ribbon Mics or other gear, contact your local dealer. More information is available at AEARibbonMics.com.

AEA Sessions: Natalie Del Carmen

(Editor’s Note: BGS has partnered with AEA Ribbon Mics and AmericanaFest to share special live sessions shot at Welcome to 1979 in Nashville, Tennessee during AmericanaFest 2025. Over the next few weeks, enjoy select performances from AEA Ribbon Mics’ sessions in Nashville premiered right here on BGS.)

Artist: Natalie Del Carmen
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Songs: “El Cortez,” “Tailored to the Masses, “Good Morning from Magnolia,” “Plans Upon Plans”

In Their Words: “By happenstance, I had the honor of meeting and sitting down to a group dinner with Natalie Del Carmen in LA a few months before this session and we hit it off immediately with our shared Southern California roots and fervor for singer-songwriters, country, and Americana music. When Natalie talks about the inspirations behind her songs, it’s a bit mind blowing that many of them actually have big-city origins. Whether it’s a song inspired by a major thoroughfare in the megalopolis of Los Angeles, or a road trip to Sin City, Natalie is able to distill the storytelling down to its essence. Regardless if it’s rooted in a smell, feeling, or vibe, Del Carmen invites you into her personal and down-home narrative woven through captivating melodies.

“This session was shot in the hallway nook of Nashville studio, Welcome to 1979, because our director, Michael, thought that the intimate space fit the intimacy of her music. And Brandon, our audio guru, chose one solo mic (a single AEA 440 Active Big Ribbon Microphone) to capture her performance and the room.

“I hope when you blast it, it will transport you to that magical hallway in Nashville that afternoon. If you’re ever at Welcome to 1979, you, too, will have to try that slide! Just hold on to your hat.” – Julie Tan, AEA Ribbon Mics

Video Credits: Audio recorded and mixed by Brandon Bell.
Video directed by Michael Perlmutter, assisted by Patrick Dwyer.
Hosted by Julie Tan.

To purchase AEA Ribbon Mics or other gear, contact your local dealer. More information is available at AEARibbonMics.com.

Ol’ Hoss Sessions: Billy Strings, “John Henry”

In 2023, BGS was invited to Bryan Sutton’s Blue Ridge Guitar Camp in Brevard, North Carolina. Sutton is one of the most prominent proselytizers for Doc Watson in the 21st century, so it’s no surprise his annual camp just up the mountains from Watson’s hometown of Deep Gap is usually dripping with Doc’s music.

That year, one of Doc’s most famous guitars, “Ol’ Hoss” – a 1968 G-50 Gallagher Guitar that Watson played in the late ’60s and early ’70s and on many recordings – was also “in attendance” at Blue Ridge Guitar Camp. The instrument was one of the first of a few Gallaghers that Doc owned. BGS made the trip to Brevard to capture special video performances and interviews with many of the event’s instructors and pickers, each of whom played Doc tunes and shared stories and memories while picking Ol’ Hoss. It was a magical week in the mountains.

Now, for the very first time, we’re making select songs from these tapings available in a new series, the Ol’ Hoss Sessions. Three sessions pulled from the shoot celebrate our Doc in December series. The first featured Bryan Sutton – watch here. The second found Ol’ Hoss handed off to singer-songwriter Courtney Hartman – watch here. The third is one of the most special from the series, as we were in the room with cameras rolling when bluegrass phenom Billy Strings first held and played Doc’s guitar.

“It’s so cool to play this thing,” Strings gushes before playing his song. “It really tripped me out earlier. I’ve been playing it for an hour now, I think I’ve finally come down. But I about had a panic attack when I first checked it out. Shed a few tears, and felt like Doc was in the room.”

That hour of communing with Ol’ Hoss included many tunes and songs, and a phone call to his mom and dad to share the excitement that he was holding Doc’s Gallagher Guitar. Strings shared many stories, memories, and inspirations of and from Doc Watson as he got to know the instrument and took it through its paces warming up. That time culminated in this performance, Strings tearing through “John Henry” in the mountains of Brevard, North Carolina, paying tribute to perhaps his all-time hero. There are moments of Strings-style shredding, but you can tell he’s playing more reserved and intentionally, aiming to pull as many of Watson’s own licks and turns of phrase out of the instrument as possible.

It was a decidedly special, cosmic feeling being in the room with Billy Strings playing Doc Watson’s Ol’ Hoss for the first time and we’re incredibly proud to bring you a glimpse into the taping.

Stay tuned as we have plenty more tape from the Ol’ Hoss Sessions in the archives and we’ll be continuing to share clips, sessions, and tidbits from our time at the Blue Ridge Guitar Camp right here on BGS and on our YouTube channel in the future.

Video Credits: I Know We Should, Brad Wagner and Juan Soria.

Ol’ Hoss Sessions: Courtney Hartman, “The Cuckoo”

Now, for the very first time, we’re making select songs from these tapings available in a new series, the Ol’ Hoss Sessions. Three sessions pulled from the shoot will celebrate our Doc in December series. The first was published last week and features Bryan Sutton – watch here. The second, available today on BGS and our YouTube channel, finds guitarist, singer-songwriter, and community builder Courtney Hartman cradling Ol’ Hoss and finding that same magic – and so much life – within the instrument.

“To know that Doc held this guitar… it means a lot,” she says after being handed his Gallagher Guitar for the first time. “I think instruments are living,” she continues, “which means he’s still kinda living in it, also.”

Hartman certainly finds plenty of those ineffable Doc Watson touches alive within the instrument. Despite the fact that she’s translating Watson’s frailing banjo playing to the guitar, you can easily hear the cross-instrumental influence as she capos the six-string to make it as “chime-y sounding” as possible, emulating his clawhammer picking. “The Cuckoo” is known by a few different spellings/stylizations across Watson’s recorded catalog and it’s one of his most well-known numbers. Hartman offers the melody and lyric with tenderness, reverence, and intention, as she does in all of her artistic endeavors.

Whether teaching and performing at Blue Ridge Guitar Camp or bringing together her creative community to craft her brand new album, With You, in her work Hartman often reminds us that these sorts of transportive moments are what this music is really all about.

Stay tuned as we share more Ol’ Hoss Sessions right here on BGS and on our YouTube channel throughout the month.

Read our recent Cover Story interview with Courtney Hartman on her brand new album, With You, here.

Video Credits: I Know We Should, Brad Wagner and Juan Soria.

Ol’ Hoss Sessions: Bryan Sutton, “Whistling Rufus”

“This is Doc Watson’s Gallagher Guitar,” Sutton explains to start the video, “the first one he every owned, it’s called ‘Ol’ Hoss.’ This guitar really showcases for me, when I hold it, the evenness in Doc’s sound. You could hear every note that he played. Any guitar I play, I’m looking for what the guitar can do. And I already kinda know with this one. It’s kinda neat to feel that, in my own hands.”

No matter who picked up Ol’ Hoss that week, they agreed: it was surreal and very special to hold Doc’s guitar. A once in a lifetime feeling. Sutton continues, picking “Whistling Rufus,” a traditional fiddle tune in the bluegrass and old-time canons that was a common selection by Watson and many other guitarists and musicians in roots music. This simple solo rendition played on Ol’ Hoss translates the magic of the instrument and Doc Watson’s influence across time.

Stay tuned as we share more Ol’ Hoss Sessions right here on BGS and on our YouTube channel throughout the month.

Video Credits: I Know We Should, Brad Wagner and Juan Soria.