Valerie Smith is a well-known Grassicana artist who blends bluegrass, country, and Americana music seamlessly. She has received multiple awards for her passionate and soulful performances. NPR radio host Dave Higgs aptly described her as "sassy, sultry, siren-like, sweet, smooth, soothing, and smoldering - sometimes just in one song!"

Valerie's music journey began when she recorded her first album, "Patchwork Heart," with Alan O'Bryant, a Grammy award-winning composer, producer, instrumentalist, and recording artist of the Nashville Bluegrass Band. The album's release included a song called Red Clay Halo, written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, which reached the top charts for Bluegrass Unlimited Radio Survey, Country Music, and Americana reporting, remaining on the list for five years. It was voted by the bluegrass community to be one of the top 60 songs of the decade. Valerie Smith owns Bell Buckle Records, Publishing, and Media and has produced many successful albums, including Julie Gold's Grammy-winning song "From a Distance." She has also produced a new musical called "Maggie's Journal," which will be out and included in some performances in 2024.

Valerie is working with Donna Ulisse on a new release called "Songbird Road," which will be released on Bell Buckle Records in late spring 2024. Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike have dominated the bluegrass music scene for over two decades with their electrifying performances and critically acclaimed recordings. The band's lineup includes Wally Hughes on dobro and fiddle, Lisa Kay Howard Hughes on mandolin, Joe Zauner on banjo and guitar, Stephen Hu on upright bass, and Valerie Smith on guitar and lead vocals. They are a powerhouse of talent and passion, combining traditional and contemporary styles to create a unique sound that embodies bluegrass music.

Valerie's latest album, "Renaissance," has charted on several roots, bluegrass, gospel, and country charts, showcasing her creative musical prowess with songs that touch on themes of hope, sorrow, love, and renewal.

Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike's music transcends boundaries and brings people together, creating an unforgettable experience. With numerous tour dates lined up for 2024, they continue to spread happiness and fun in the world of bluegrass music.

Born and raised in the foothills of southwest Virginia, Olivia Jo is an up-and-coming bluegrass artist and versatile singer-songwriter that got her start in music as a child, cutting her teeth on traditional bluegrass, country and acoustic music. Her passionate, powerful vocals coincide with her honest, heartfelt delivery on stage, creating an enjoyable experience for both traditionalists and new listeners alike. With her soulful voice and a heart full of love for music, Olivia Jo is dedicated to carving out her own space in the bluegrass scene, drawing from a rich tapestry of musical influences and life experiences to authentically express herself as an artist and songwriter.

Olivia grew up in the small town of Stuart, Virginia, an area nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and rich in bluegrass tradition, where she got her start in bluegrass at a very young age. She began singing basically when she could talk and learning guitar from her dad at age six. The first song he taught her to sing and play was Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky", which opened the door to the music that would shape her entire life. A few years later, she started playing local venues and festivals in her surrounding areas at the age of nine where she began to establish a name for herself. She recorded two bluegrass albums by the time she was 12 years old with which she enjoyed moderate success and gained exposure in radio and television. At 13, she was one of the featured female artists for a PBS television documentary called, “Women in the Arts." By 16, she had made her way to Nashville and transitioned into the country music scene. She recorded and released a country album titled, “Something Real Good,” featuring songs she wrote herself and a few co-writes with other songwriters. She later followed that album with a few of her original country singles. Since then, she has focused on honing her vocal ability and songwriting craft, recorded and shared the stage with numerous musicians, groups and artists in country music and other genres, as well as co-written with prominent songwriters such as Larry Cordle, John Pennell, and Tim Stafford to name a few.

Josh Williams is a highly skilled and accomplished musician, born in Murray, Kentucky on November 20, 1980. Raised in Benton, Kentucky, he displayed a remarkable talent for music at a young age, and his passion for it only grew stronger as he got older. After completing his high school education in 1999, he was fully supported by his family to follow his dreams of becoming a professional musician. Without wasting any time, he began playing professionally in Branson, Missouri, just three days after graduation.

Over the years, Josh has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest musicians of his generation. He has shared the stage with many renowned artists, including Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Special Consensus, and Tony Rice. Josh has released a total of five solo albums, all of which have been critically acclaimed. He has also recorded four records with Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, including the Grammy award-winning album 'All the Rage - In Concert Volume 1', which was released in 2018.

Josh's remarkable talent and dedication to his craft have been recognized on numerous occasions. He has won the SPBGMA Guitar Player of the Year award an incredible 17 consecutive years, a testament to his unwavering commitment and hard work. He has also been named the IBMA Guitar Player of the Year for three consecutive years, from 2008 to 2010. In 2010, The Josh Williams Band was honored with the IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year award, marking a significant milestone in Josh's illustrious career in the world of bluegrass music. With his exceptional musicianship, Josh Williams has cemented his place as one of the most talented and respected musicians in the industry today.

Mike Anglin was born on December 15, 1969, in Richmond, KY, into a family of musicians. He received his first bass guitar at the young age of 8 and with dedication and hard work, he honed his skills and became an in-demand bass player. At the age of 15, he accepted his first touring position, marking the beginning of a successful musical career that has spanned almost four decades.
Mike's multi-award-winning career speaks for itself. He received his first award at the age of 25, with David Parmley, Scott Vestal & Continental Divide, for IBMA-1995 Emerging Artist of the Year. He has played with some of the most prominent acts in the bluegrass and country genres, such as Bill Monroe, Tony Rice, and the Del McCoury Band.
Mike is known for his dynamic bass playing skills, near-perfect timing, and intense feel. He purchased his preferred instrument, a Hayes custom electric bass, in the mid-90s, which he affectionately named "Big Ugly." He is also an accomplished upright bass player and uses both instruments for studio and session work. His baritone and bass harmony vocals are frequently seen on stage and in the studio.
Mike's career has taken him across the globe, where he has shared the stage with various artists such as Dave Evans, David Parmley, Continental Divide, Ronnie Bowman, 3 Fox Drive, Melonie Cannon, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, The Lonesome River Band, Alex Miller, Southern Legacy, among others.
Mike has an impressive discography, with nearly 50 albums to his credit. It includes collaborations with various talented musicians, singers, and songwriters in the industry, such as Larry Cordle, Lonesome River Band, David Parmley, Continental Divide, Ronnie Bowman, Rob Ickes, Scott Vestal, Jeff Autry, Wayne Benson, Rickie Simpkins, Sammy Shelor, Audie Blaylock, Lou Reid, Russell Moore, Mike Hartgrove, Carl Jackson, Mark Newton, and many others.
Mike currently resides in Berea, Kentucky, with his wife, Teresa. He is also the co-owner of Trackin' Shack Recording Studio in Mount Vernon, KY. He is currently touring with Larry Cordle and Sout

History and heritage naturally go hand in hand, and the desire to preserve the former is generally maintained by preserving the latter. Singer, songwriter and musician Marty Falle knows that all too well. His connection to the traditional music of Appalachia was spawned from spending much of his time after graduating from college living in Kentucky, the place where bluegrass was born. Now living on a farm in Eastern Kentucky, he’s thoroughly absorbed the music, culture and influences of that storied region, and in the process, made them his own.
Falle’s producer, Grammy winner Jonathan Yudkin, sums it up succinctly. “Marty seeks stories, history, legends, and paths in creativity… His fresh sound comes from the fact that he is not trying to emulate bluegrass bands of the past or present. Instead, he is creating his songs out of his love of music, unfettered by the influence of other artists. That’s what I enjoy the most about working with him. His songs are always unpredictable and surprising…”
That, then, is the essence of an artist who’s not only impacted by history and heritage, but one who effectively moves those foundations forward as well. He’s an Appalachian original and a dedicated contributor to Americana music in general.

Lizzy Long - Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, resonator banjo, vocals

Having roots in the heart of the south, Elizabeth Long, or Lizzy as her friends and fans know her was born on a farm in Lincolnton, Georgia. She began her music accomplishment at an early age. While starting out on the piano, Lizzy soon took up the fiddle, guitar, autoharp, bass, banjo, and mandolin, and has become an accomplished musician, alternating between these instruments as part of her entertainment repertoire. She has played with great acts such as Mac Wiseman, Jim and Jesse, The Lewis Family, and Earl Scruggs. Continuing her quest for success, Lizzy has paired up with Little Roy Lewis from the legendary Lewis Family. Her extraordinary voice shimmers with strains of America’s musical roots. Lizzy has won “Bluegrass Song of the Year” for a several songs called “Mountain Top”, a duet with Ty Herndon called “When We Fly”, and "He Washed My Soul". Most recently at the 2015 GMA Dove awards she was awarded Best Bluegrass Song of the Year for a Duet with Rhonda Vincent called "God is There". She is one of the youngest fiddlers to be inducted into “America’s Old Time Fiddler’s Country Hall of Fame” in LeMars, IA. Her latest solo Album "Blueberry Pie" has ranked as high as #2 on Billboard's Bluegrass Charts. Little Roy summed it up the best, "pull a plank off the wall and she'll play it!"

Little Roy is awfully hard to overlook. He makes sure that no one in the audience gets bored at any time. Little Roy has won awards as Entertainer as well as for his banjo playing. Little Roy learned to play banjo when he was only six years old and won a local talent contest for his playing when he was eight. Little Roy's favorite banjo players are Don Reno and Earl Scruggs. USA Today called Little Roy 'a banjo master, truly a picker's picker'. Little Roy can also be found playing the guitar and autoharp. In fact, the song 'Good Time Get-Together' was written to highlight his instrumental skills. Little Roy is multi-talented - he sings, plays many instruments, tells stories, and acts. When you see this Duo, you are sure to notice Little Roy, and he'll make you smile. He has been inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, SPGBMA Hall of Greats, IBMA Hall of Honor, and the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Hopeless Holler Trading Company is the prime location for all bluegrass merchandise! This episode features Jamie "Grascal" Johnson of "The Grascals" along with Nathan and Lisa Truitt!Hopeless Holler Trading Company is a lifestyle and goods brand committed to quality craftsmanship, sustainable sourcing, and storytelling. Blending modern design with timeless tradition, we create products that reflect the resilience, creativity, and culture of the mountain communities that inspire us.

On this episode, Rick cracks on three of our most entertaining interviews from on the road! First, Rick and the guys visit Grammy winning artist Ricky Skaggs from the Barter Theater in Abingdon Virginia. After some sleep, they trek down to Bristol Virginia to interview Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle and jerry Salley at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum! Lastly Nashville, here we come to make an appearance on the Huckabee Show and visit with Governor Huckabee!

Florida's Americana ensemble Remedy Tree has achieved notable success, securing second place at the prestigious SPBGMA National Band Championship. They've sold out most of their summer tour and have hit ticket sales milestones. Following their signing with Mountain Fever Records in 2024, the band has performed internationally, showcasing their talents at Ireland's Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, and they're headed to England later this year as well. Remedy Tree has shared the stage with legendary artists such as Peter Rowan, The Steeldrivers, Ricky Skaggs, Town Mountain, Rhonda Vincent, and Della Mae. As a selected 2023 IBMA Ramble Showcase band, they have demonstrated their prowess within the industry. Midway through 2025, with a new album and larger shows on the horizon, Remedy Tree is experiencing a breakout year.

Remedy Tree, founded by Gabriel and Abigail Acevedo in 2015, had a strong indie-folk sound in its inception. As time progressed, Remedy Tree added a banjo player and was subsequently thrust into a bluegrass trajectory. Gabriel Acevedo was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and was raised in rural Umatilla, Florida. His Puerto Rican heritage and upbringing provide an outsider’s approach to the genre. Abigail was raised in folk and old-time music circles and traveled with her family band throughout her teen years. The addition of Isaac Taylor and Nathan Beaumont, along with their deep roots in bluegrass tradition, elevates and bonds the music closer, further blossoming the Remedy Tree sound. An original music band at heart, Remedy Tree combines the love for bluegrass, an Appalachian old-time spirit, and the folk melodies that started it all, creating a truly unique Americana experience that provides a fresh perspective into where bluegrass is headed in the future.

"The future for this band will not look like anything you've seen to date because they are cutting their own path to success" .

Orlando Weekly said "They are a string band that manage sweet, strolling folk songs and greased-lightning bluegrass burners with equal aplomb.