Stay ConnectedThe Travis Book Happy Hour is hosted by Travis Book of the GRAMMY Award-winning band, The Infamous Stringdusters. The show’s focus is musical collaboration and conversation around matters of being. The podcast is the best of the interview and music from the live show recorded in Brevard, NC, and is brought to you by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation.
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Copyright: © Travis Book
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
I know Jeremy Garrett about as well as anyone else, excepting his wife Connie, of course. We’ve traveled together for 17 years as founding members of The Infamous Stringdusters and spent about a decade sharing a room when we traveled. We affectionately referred to each other as our “road wives.” Beyond being a great songwriter, brilliant fiddle player, and vocalist of the highest order, he has a cutting wit and a steadfast dedication to his art and his craft. I’m grateful to call him a friend and look forward to many more years creating music and traveling with this bluegrass titan.
This podcast is an edited distillation of the full-length happy hour which aired live on April 27th of 2021. Huge thanks to Jeremy Garrett & Jon Stickley. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find The Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram and Facebook at The Travis Book Happy Hour and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com
Timestamps
:05 - Soundbyte
:43 - Introduction
1:52 - Live introduction by Bill
2:54 - “Rise Sun”
5:32 - “That’s Someone’s Mother”
8:10 - “Home From The Forest”
12:52 - Introducing Jeremy Garrett
13:50 - Interview 1
19:10 - “I’m Not The Enemy”
23:43 - “I Am Who I Am”
27:15 - Interview 2
45:42 - “Wishing Well”
53:10 - “Windy in Nashville”
56:24 - “A Hard Life Makes a Good Song”
1:00:52 - Outroduction
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
Graham Sharp has had the kind of career any banjo player dreams of. He started the Steep Canyon Rangers in college with a group of friends, immediately discovered he had a knack for songwriting, and the rest is history in the making. 23 years, 9 albums, and a Grammy Award later, the Steep Canyon Rangers, behind the strength of Graham's songwriting, have established themselves as one of the best bluegrass and Americana bands of their era. I was grateful for the chance to talk with this insightful artist, play some really beautiful music, and reminisce about our shared history. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Happy Hour.
This podcast is an edited distillation of the full-length happy hour which aired live on June 8th of 2022. Huge thanks to Graham Sharp and Julian Pinelli. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find The Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram and Facebook at The Travis Book Happy Hour and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com
Timestamps
0:05 - Soundbyte
0:34 - Introduction
1:43 - Live introduction
2:56 - On the Carolina Guitar Celebration & Tony Rice
4:26 - “Home From the Forest”
8:46 - Introducing Graham Sharp
10:00 - Interview 1
25:54 - “Can’t Get Home”
30:06 - Interview 2
43:50 - “Coming Back To Life”
49:28 - Fiddle music!
54:35 - “Generation Blues”
58:17 - Outroduction
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
Cris Jacobs is an enigma. The question is always “why is this guy not more famous?” Searing guitar, incredible heart-felt songwriting, genre defying vocals, and an incredibly positive vibe and outlook; there’s really none better than Cris Jacobs. I asked him to come to Western North Carolina to do a couple shows and it just-so-happened we shared the stage the weekend prior at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, so I was lucky to get to spend a lot of time with Cris over the course of a week. I really enjoyed the music and the interview and I’m looking forward to more music with him in the future.
This podcast is an edited distillation of the full-length happy hour which aired live on June 22nd of 2022. Huge thanks to Cris Jacobs and Devin Neel. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find The Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram and Facebook at The Travis Book Happy Hour and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com
Timestamps
0:08 - Soundbyte
1:01 - Introduction
2:46 - Welcome from Travis
3:44 - Monologue: gun predicament
5:19 - “Rise Sun”
8:11 - On Devin Neel
8:41 - On Telluride Bluegrass Festival
11:40 - “I’m Not Alone”
17:07 - Interview w/ Cris Jacobs
28:00 - “Delivery Man”
34:44 - “Talkin’ NRA Blues”
43:20 - “Under the Big Top”
47:47 - Interview w/ Cris Jacobs
59:24 - “Mama Was a Redbone”
1:05:10 - “The Devil Or Jesse James”
1:13:17 - Reprise
1:14:27 - Outroduction
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
I’d been searching for the right guests for the happy hour when a couple Instagram posts caught my eye. Two former guests had posted video of Cristina Vane playing the Station Inn in Nashville. I was struck by her distinct presence, slide blues style, and unique voice. Once I dug in I was also intrigued by her history and the path that had brought her to Americana music. I was relieved when she accepted my invite and it took us no time at all to fall into an easy rapport. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.
This podcast is an edited distillation of the full-length happy hour which aired live on July 28th of 2021. Huge thanks to Cristina Vane and Mike Ashworth. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find The Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram and Facebook at The Travis Book Happy Hour and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.
Timestamps:
0:05 - Soundbyte
1:15 - Introduction
2:32 - Bill’s introduction
3:50 - "Gentle on My Mind"
7:10 - Mike & Travis rap about John Hartford
8:00 - Monologue
10:03 - "I Will Lead You Home"
13:05 - Interview w/ Cristina Vane
29:34 - "Prayer for the Blind"
32:00 - "Heaven Bound Station"
34:06 - Interview w/ Cristina Vane
49:51 - "Rise Sun"
52:50 - "Talk About Suffering"
55:00 - "Make Myself Me Again"
58:20 - Outro
The Travis Book Happy Hour Podcast is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation. The show is part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com
Tim O’Brien has always been one of my biggest influences. I love his voice, his playing, and his writing. His album Red On Blonde was his tribute to Bob Dylan and it scored him a Grammy nomination. As a member of the legendary bluegrass band Hot Rize, he spent the 80’s traveling and playing, honing his craft. His record Fiddler's Green is one of my favorites. I was humbled when he agreed to join me for the happy hour and the show was a career highlight for me. I hope you enjoy it and if you do, please subscribe and leave a review.
Huge thanks to Tim O'Brien, Jan Fabricius, Tommy Maher, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook at The Travis Book Happy Hour and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.
Timestamps
0:06 - Soundbyte
1:00 - Introduction
2:55 - "Rise Sun"
5:38 - Monologue
8:58 - "I’m Not Alone"
15:00 - Interview 1
31:42 - "Workin’ On A Building"
35:25 - "Untold Stories"
38:40 - "More Love"
44:07 - "Brother Wind"
48:38 - Interview 2
1:06:26 - "When You Pray Move Your Feet"
1:11:11 - "I’m Nervous"
1:14:30 - "I’m Not Afraid of Dying"
1:19:32 - Outro
In the spring of 2021 I was joined on the Happy Hour by my good friend Nicki Bluhm. I’d first met Nicki when her band The Gramblers was opening for the Stringdusters in Montana. Later she joined us as a sixth member for our Ladies & Gentlemen tour following the release of the album by the same name. Funny, gracious, and kind, we became good friends and when I started the show she was at the top of my list. We had a wonderful couple of days playing and talking and the resulting interview is really special.
Time Stamps:
:06 Soundbyte
:37 Introduction
1:40 Ashworth/Maher groovin intro
2:14 “I had an interesting week myself”
3:00 on agitation and anger
5:53 Hide No More
9:35 on waiting for grace
11:05 Beauty in the Ugliest Days
14:45 live advert w/ vamp by Ashworth/Maher
17:10 Interview w/ Nicki Bluhm
47:20 Nicki a cappella
51:17 It’s Ok Not To Be Ok
54:43 Still The One
58:08 To Rise You Gotta Fall
1:02:55 Outro
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In the summer of 2021 I was joined on the Happy Hour by the legend Vince Herman. His band Leftover Salmon was one of the first bands I obsessed over, burning bootlegs from my friends library and following them all over Colorado. Vince was always the life of the party, and still is; the night before we taped this episode we stayed up late in my mom’s kitchen drinking mescal and playing music. One of my biggest influences and favorite people, I was honored he agreed to join Lyndsay Pruett and I for the show. Time stamps: :06 sound byte :45 introduction 1:53 Bill’s introduction 3:00 Rise Sun 5:52 unprepared monologue 6:50 about the stream not working 8:22 Top Shelf Rock Bottom 13:06 Morning Light 15:24 Get Up and Go 20:20 Hey Woody Guthrie 25:20 interview 44:24 Love Grown Cold 48:48 Maude Only Knows 53:04 Brand New Good Old Days 56:48 Let In A Little Light 60:00 Outro --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/travis-book/support
In January of 2021 I was joined by Josh Daniel on the Happy Hour. Josh had been streaming live every single day of the pandemic from his home in Charlotte, NC and I was honored he brought the stream to the mountains for a couple days. A man of faith, full of gratitude, and a musical master, Josh has played in bands, duos and as a solo artist. We were joined by Mike Ashworth for this musical adventure deep in the midst of the pandemic’s second wave.
00:06 Soundbite: Following the Spirit
1:37 Introduction
3:05 on Right Livelihood
7:49 Everything Is Free
13:30 a word from our sponsors
14:42 Interview
42:36 Silver Lining
49:22 Throw A Little Light My Way
55:25 Travelin’ Song
59:00 The Truth is Out There
1:03:45 Outro
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/travis-book/support
In March of 2021 I invited my oldest musical cohort and one of my best friends, Anders Beck to join me on The Happy Hour. Anders and I spent the first 3 or 4 years of our careers in the front seats of my 92 Ford Explorer and have 20 years of history. I love him dearly and I’m not pulling any punches in this episode. We were joined by our Broke Mountain Bluegrass Bandmate Jon Stickley for this musical retrospective. I love Anders’ humor and insight and find him to be endlessly inspiring.
0:08 - Soundbite
1:00 - Introduction
2:57 - "Rise Sun"
6:34 - "Howard Hughes Blues"
12:20 - Interview
41:49 - "All That I Can Take"
48:44 - "Reservoir Hill"
52:00 - "Casual Wednesday"
56:24 - "How Far I’d Fall"
1:00:35 - Stickley thinking about Andy Thorn
1:02:59 - "Long Lonesome Day"
1:07:56 - Outro
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This episode is the second half of my tribute to legendary guitarist and musician Tony Rice. The entire show runs in chronological order and was designed as a career retrospective so there was really no question that there would be little to no editing. Huge thanks to Jon Stickley, Lyndsay Pruett, and Shawn Lane. I could not think of a better group to honor Tony’s music and I’m grateful for their dedication to the project. We occasionally play as Still Inside; a Tribute to Tony Rice at my weekly gig at 185 King St. in Brevard and this music and this ensemble always makes me extremely happy.
Timestamps
:07 soundbite Shawn Lane on song selection
:50 introduction
1:58 on Bluegrass Album Band
2:41 interview w/ Shawn Lane
7:00 Please Search Your Heart
9:56 Jerusalem Ridge
13:42 noodling, Thompson Guitars & Can’d Aid
14:55 on songs, songwriters, Allison Krauss
16:00 Cold On the Shoulder
20:00 interview w/ Lyndsay Pruett
25:16 Port Tobacco
31:33 on Blake & Rice, Gordon Lightfoot
32:18 I’m Not Saying
35:53 Night Flyer
40:12 on the Pizza Tapes
41:07 Shady Grove
46:56 on his final recordings
49:11 noodling w/ Bill K
51:06 Manzanita
55:40 outro
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/travis-book/support
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