My guest on the podcast this week is Brad Kolodner.
Brad is a fantastic clawhammer banjo player. As well as his solo records – 'Chimney Swifts' and the recent album of solo gourd banjo tunes 'Old Growth' – Brad also plays with the band Charm City Junction, as a duet with fiddler George Jackson and with his father, Ken, as part of Ken & Brad Kolodner.
He's also an award-winning radio broadcaster for Folk Alley and Bluegrass Country Radio, jam leader, festival organiser, community builder and ambassador for old-time and bluegrass music, as well as serving on the board of the IBMA.
We chat about Brad's route into old-time music – which took longer than you might think, given his upbringing – as well as his love of gourd banjos, the different projects he's involved with and why community and connection is so important as a musician.
Check out bradkolodner.com for more info.
The tracks played in the show are:
- Chimney Swifts – Brad Kolodner (Chimney Swifts)
- Shakin' Down The Acorns – Ken & Brad Kolodner (Stony Run)
- Red Prarie Dawn – Brad Kolodner (Old Growth)
- Grigsby's Hornpipe – George Jackson & Brad Kolodner (Shady Lane)
Check out Brad's website or Bandcamp page to buy his releases
===
Thanks to Bryan Sutton for his wonderful theme tune to Bluegrass Jam Along (and to Justin Moses for playing the fiddle!)
Bluegrass Jam Along is proud to be sponsored by Collings Guitars and Mandolins
– Sign up to get updates on new episodes
– Free fiddle tune chord sheets
– Here's a list of all the Bluegrass Jam Along interviews
– Follow Bluegrass Jam Along for regular updates:
– Review us on Apple Podcasts