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