Road To Blue Ox

Latest Episodes:

Mike Devol - Greensky Bluegrass Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

*Re-publication of this episode from June, just before the 2025 Blue Ox Music Festival*

The final episode before gates open at this year’s Blue Ox Music Festival! Nate and Justin connect with Mike from Greensky to discuss what they’ve been up to and look ahead to celebrating a milestone in their career as a flagship of jamgrass scene. Also mentioned are some updates and information to be aware of for this year. We listened to a song from Two Runner, who will be joining us on Thursday at the festival. See you in The Pines very soon!

Featured Music:

“The Waiting Days” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Sirena Exotica” - Nate Sipe

“Late Dinner” - Two Runner

“Stress Dreams” - Greensky Bluegrass

“Needle & Thread” - Pert Near Sandstone

More Information:

Greenskybluegrass.com

BlueOxMusicFestival.com

TwoRunnerMusic.com

PertNearSandstone.com

NateSipe.Bandcamp.com

https://cashortrade.org/blue-ox-music-festival-tickets

**Permission WAS obtained for all music used in this episode. Talking to YOU Spotify!

Warren Haynes - Road To Blue Ox May 28, 2025

Show notes

Justin and Nate had a great conversation with Warren Haynes! We discussed his past collaborations that led him to where he is today, dove into his new album and learned about the incredible band he will have along at Blue Ox. There are a few timely announcements about the festival and we also listened to a song by The Wildmans, who are performing on Saturday on the Saloon Stage.

Featured Music:“The Waiting Days” - Pert Near Sandstone“You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” - The Wildmans“Go Down Swinging” - Warren Haynes“Real, Real Love” - Warren Haynes

More Information:WarrenHaynes.netTheWildmans.netPertNearSandstone.comBlueOxMusicFestival.com

**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.

Leah Song of Rising Appalachia - Road To Blue Ox May 09, 2025

Show notes

We’re back with a new episode in anticipation of this year's Blue Ox! Justin and Nate chatted with Leah Song of the sister-led group, Rising Appalachia. We discussed their journey around the country, developing their signature rendering of folk music and keeping rooted with a family that continues to inspire their music, pace of life and sense of place in the world. We listened to a couple of their songs and one from The Cody Sisters, who will be performing on stage and also conducting the guitar and mandolin workshops at this year’s festival. Other new and recurring features are discussed, helping to serve as an introductory audioguide and to get excited about this quickly approaching weekend. See you soon at the Blue Ox Music Festival on June 26-28th in Eau Claire, WI!

Featured Music:

“The Waiting Days” - Pert Near Sandstone

“All The Quiet People” - The Cody Sisters

“All Fence and No Doors” - Rising Appalachia

“Resiliant” - Rising Appalachia

More Information:

RisingAppalachia.com

CodySistersMusic.com

BlueOxMusicFestival.com

PertNearSandstone.com

**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.

Molly Tuttle - Road To Blue Ox Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

This is the last episode of the season just days before the 10th anniversary of The Blue Ox Festival! Welcoming her back to Blue Ox for her 3rd-ish time, Nate & Justin were thrilled to have a conversation with Molly Tuttle about the development of her music and the formation of Golden Highway. It was a great chat preceded by some event updates. Thanks for listening and very soon we’ll see you in The Pines!

Featured Music:

“The Waiting Days” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Summer Skies (background)” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Side Saddle” - Molly Tuttle

“Down Home Dispensary” Molly Tuttle

“The First Time I Fell In Love” - Molly Tuttle

“Stay All Night” - Pert Near Sandstone

More Information:

MollyTuttleMusic.com

BlueOxMusicFestival.com

PertNearSandstone.com

https://cashortrade.org/blue-ox-music-festival-tickets

We are interested to know what you would like to hear on future episodes and any helpful feedback. Send a message to: RoadToBlueOx@gmail.com.

**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.

Art Stevenson - Road To Blue Ox May 20, 2024

Show notes

Anyone familiar with Wisconsin bluegrass knows of our guest, Art Stevenson. He has been keeping traditional bluegrass going in the region for 30 years with his band, High Water. Nate and Justin had a great chat with him about his musical development, his show on WORT community radio, and his own involvement with festival organizing. We are excited to hear them perform on Saturday, June 29th on Blue Ox’s Saloon Stage.

Featured Music:

“The Waiting Days” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Sawmill Town” - Art Stevenson and High Water

“Handsome Molly” - Art Stevenson and High Water

“California Cottonfields” - Art Stevenson and High Water

More Information:

HighwaterMusic.com

WORTfm.org

BlueOxMusicFestival.com

PertNearSandstone.com

We are interested to know what you would like to hear on future episodes and any helpful feedback. Send a message to: RoadToBlueOx@gmail.com.

**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.

Lindsay Lou - Road To Blue Ox Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Lindsay Lou joins us from her home in Nashville, TN for an in-depth conversation about her new album, Queen of Time. She will be performing at Blue ox on Thursday 6/27. We listen to a song from the band contest winner, Emmy Woods and the Red Pine Ramblers. Nate and Justin also discuss a couple new festival features. Thanks for listening.

Featured Music:

“The Waiting Days” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Million Miles Per Hour” - Emmy Woods and the Red Pine Ramblers

“Queen of Time” - Lindsay Lou

“Nothing Else Matters” - Lindsay Lou

“Love Calls” - Lindsay Lou

More Information:

LindsayLouMusic.com

Patreon.com/LindsayLou

EmmyWoods.com

BlueOxMusicFestival.com

PertNearSandstone.com

We are interested to know what you would like to hear on future episodes and any helpful feedback. Send a message to: RoadToBlueOx@gmail.com.

**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.

Vince Herman - Road To Blue Ox Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

We are kicking off this season properly by interviewing Mr Festival himself, Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon and the High Hawks. He shows us the true resilience required to be a touring musician that remains as occupied as he is. Nate and Justin get the dish on how for 35 years he has helped maintain progressive bluegrass with his influential bands. With Vince we are all in good hands. A few festival news highlights and announcements are also discussed as we look forward to celebrating the 10th year of the Blue Ox Music Festival this June 27-29 in Eau Claire, WI. Thanks for listening! Featured Music: “The Waiting Days” - Pert Near Sandstone. “Verde River” - Kassi Valazza. “Waterbound” - The Tan and Sober Gentlemen. “Somewhere South” - The High Hawks. “Flying” - Vince Herman. More Information: Tanandsober.com Vinceherman.com BlueOxMusicFestival.com PertNearSandstone.com We are interested to know what you would like to hear on future episodes and any helpful feedback. Send a message to: RoadToBlueOx@Gmail.com. **Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.

Potluck String Band & Festival Guide - Road To Blue Ox Jun 17, 2023

Show notes

This is the last episode before the Blue Ox Music Festival gates open on Thursday June 22nd! As usual, we’ve treated this as a festival guide and include some helpful advice prior to arriving. Also, Justin meets up with Jimbo from the Potluck String Band. They chat about how Potluck navigated the bluegrass festival circuit as attendees to form what became their ensemble, leading them to build a home at Blue Ox as the stewards of the campground picking circle. Thanks for listening and see you very soon!

Featured Music:

“Stay All Night” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Happy Hollow” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Washington’s March” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Late Night Pick” - The Potluck String band

“Annie Oakley” - The Potluck String band

More Information:

Potluckstringband.com

BlueOxMusicFestival.com

PertNearSandstone.com

Know Before You Go:

https://www.blueoxmusicfestival.com/2023/06/arrival-information-2023?

Cash-Or-Trade Ticket Exchange:

https://cashortrade.org/blue-ox-music-festival-tickets

We are interested to know what you would like to hear on future episodes and any helpful feedback. Send a message to: RoadToBlueOx@gmail.com.

**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.

Big Richard - Road To Blue Ox Jun 09, 2023

Show notes

Bonnie, Joy and Eve from Big Richard called us from a campground in California while on the tour that leads them to the Blue Ox Festival mainstage. We talk with them about how the band was formed, their quick rise in the bluegrass scene, and the irony of their name. It was great to get to know them prior to their performance in a couple weeks! Nate and Justin also give some important tips and reminders to consider before heading out to the festival. Thanks for listening!

Featured Music:

“Stay All Night” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Side Canyon (Live)” - Big Richard

“Down in the Willow Garden (Live)” - Big Richard

“Walls of Time” - Big Richard

More Information:

BigRichardBand.com

BlueOxMusicFestival.com

PertNearSandstone.com

Cash-Or-Trade Ticket Exchange:

https://cashortrade.org/blue-ox-music-festival-tickets

We are interested to know what you would like to hear on future episodes and any helpful feedback. Send a message to: RoadToBlueOx@gmail.com.

**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.

Mike Gordon - Road To Blue Ox Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

Mike Gordon talks to Pert Near Sandstone’s Justin and Nate about the inspiration and process of recording his new album, “Flying Games,” and the band he’s bringing to the Blue Ox Mainstage. We cover a lot of ground with him that includes musical brain states, harnessing the muse, and the Integratron. We also listen to a couple of his new songs and share some pre-festival announcements. Thanks for listening!

Featured Music:

“Stay All Night” - Pert Near Sandstone

“Tilting” - Mike Gordon

“Undone” - Mike Gordon

More Information:

mike-gordon.com

BlueOxMusicFestival.com

PertNearSandstone.com

We are interested to know what you would like to hear on future episodes and any helpful feedback. Send a message to: RoadToBlueOx@gmail.com.

**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.