Archives: Videos

MerleFest Late Night Jam: “House of the Rising Sun,” Peter Rowan

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. Next in the series is a video that perfectly captures the jam session vibe of the evening. Bush, the host for the Late Night Jam, calls out to his friend, the legendary Peter Rowan, off stage: “Oh, Peter?” “Hello Sam, how are you this evening?” Rowan responds, in a cartoonish British accent. “Is it tea time yet?” He continues, to chuckles from the audience. “It’s totally tea time, Pete,” Bush responds with a mandolin chop and a laugh. The audience eats it up, happy to be on board for what’s clearly a typical, relaxed hang between lifelong friends, collaborators, and pickers.

Of course, Peter Rowan was on stage to play, so he introduces his version of a song Doc Watson used to perform frequently, “House of the Rising Sun.” With a broad, plodding, and pocketed groove he begins the familiar lyric. Rowan’s delivery, as always, is haunting and time-collapsing. Accompanied by Bush, Sam Bush Band banjo player Wes Corbett and drummer Chris Brown, Rowan gives an exciting acoustic guitar solo pressing forward against the lazy groove. Joining them on stage are perhaps the most VIP of the VIPs at MerleFest, “The Vets,” Jack Lawrence (guitar, center),  Joe Smothers (guitar, right), and T Michael Coleman (far right), all alumni of Doc Watson’s various bands and lineups over the years.

As the on-the-fly arrangement continues, solos are swapped and Rowan delivers an absolute classic like only he can. A perfect way to wrap up a Saturday at MerleFest, at the Late Night Jam.

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.

MerleFest Late Night Jam: “Toy Heart,” East Nash Grass

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 second clip in the series features Nashville’s favorite bluegrass-band-in-residence East Nash Grass joining the evening’s host Sam Bush on stage for an absolute timeless bluegrass banger, “Toy Heart.” Originated by Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys, East Nash Grass do the song justice with a kick-off by mandolinist Harry Clark punctuated by the beloved, crispy chop of Bush. James Kee sings lead, while banjoist Cory Walker offers two solos spanning traditional and off-the-wall picking styles. And ENG fiddler Maddie Denton makes her second appearance in a Late Night Jam clip – watch her perform twin fiddle with Casey Driessen, Tony Trischka, and Bush on “Close By” here. You’re always going have plenty of excellent, straight ahead bluegrass to enjoy at MerleFest and the Late Night Jam.

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: Palmyra

(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. Our video today concludes the series – see all of the videos we’ve shared previously here.)

Artist: Palmyra
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Songs: “Palm Readers,” “Arizona,” “Shape I’m In”

In Their Words: “I was introduced to Palmyra via my friend publicist Rob Evanoff. So I watched a few YouTube videos, thought they were pretty good, and we booked them. I collected some basic background info so we’d have something to talk about, but otherwise knew little about them. Because we were shooting six to eight artists back to back each day, we normally only had one hour to set up, soundcheck, and video each artist. After we finished this session, I really wished that I had time to sit and have an extended chat with this band over a long meal. Their songs, while they sound catchy and upbeat, are so multi-layered and introspective. Some of the conversation that we had off-camera gave a glimpse of their history and brought so much meaning and nuance to their songs. By the time they played ‘Shape I’m In,’ even as the song sounded upbeat, when Sasha started singing the third verse about their identity, my eyes were welling up.

“This band is proof of the power of music. Hopefully, it’s bands like Palmyra that will drive us to continue supporting live music (human-created music) and artists with different perspectives. Just the way that Manoa can got more than a dozen types of sounds out of his upright bass was mastery in motion. Teddy brings a different voice and perspective, and together, they are just mesmerizing. Catch them live if you can. There’s a reason this band is on Oh Boy Records. Folk/Americana music is about speaking truth and building community. Palmyra is at the forefront of carrying on that legacy.” – 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.

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.