What's The Reason For This Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 59 - Steve Szymanski - From Telluride to Lyons: How Planet Bluegrass Built a Legacy Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

In this special RockyGrass episode, we sit down with Steve Szymanski, co-founder of Planet Bluegrass, the visionary behind Telluride Bluegrass, Folks Fest, and RockyGrass. Steve shares how a chance encounter in the late ’80s led him into the bluegrass world and eventually to shaping the thriving festival culture we know today.

We dive into:

🌱 The Origin Story – How a struggling festival and a meeting on the streets of Boulder sparked the creation of Planet Bluegrass.
🏔️ Building RockyGrass – From dusty fairgrounds and zoning battles to establishing Lyons, CO as a year-round home for music.
🎶 Balancing Tradition & Evolution – The delicate art of honoring bluegrass purists while embracing adventurous sounds and adjacent genres.
👥 Community & Family – Why these festivals are more than music—they’re spaces where friendships, collaborations, and lifelong memories are made.
🎸 Legends & Innovation – Stories of artists like Tim O’Brien, Peter Rowan, and new-generation bands carrying the torch forward.

Steve also reflects on the importance of volunteers, fans, and keeping the culture alive for future generations. From “tarp runs” to family jams, this episode captures the heart of what makes Planet Bluegrass a cornerstone of the Americana music scene.

Whether you’re a festival veteran or a first-time listener, this conversation is a reminder of why these gatherings are sacred spaces for artists and fans alike.

Episode 58 - Eric Abramson - The Secret Life of Stagehands Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Live from RockyGrass in Lyons, Colorado 🌲🎶, we’re taking you behind the curtain of the festival magic! Instead of spotlighting just the bands, this episode dives deep into the unsung heroes—the stagehands, volunteers, and the tight-knit crew that makes the music flow seamlessly.

Our guest, Eric Abramson 👷‍♂️🎛️, shares stories from his dual life as a firefighter 🚒 and stagehand ninja 🥷, weaving together tales of precision, chaos, and community. From swapping basses on the fly 🎸, to wrangling stage plots 📋, to creating that family-first vibe at both Telluride and RockyGrass—Eric gives us the inside scoop.

We wander through decades of bluegrass history 📜, shenanigans at Camp Outing 🍻🥓, and how bands like Leftover Salmon and Jerry Garcia’s projects shaped the scene 🎵. Eric reminds us that festivals aren’t just about the music—they’re about the people, the culture, and the feedback loop 🔄 between artists, crews, and fans.

✨ From late-night campground jams 🔥🎻 to tarp-run madness 🏃‍♂️🪑, to sustainability efforts 🌎💧, this episode celebrates the spirit of community that keeps bluegrass thriving after 50+ years.

👂 Tune in for stories of resilience, tradition, and heart—and don’t forget: next time you see a volunteer or crew member in black, thank them! 🙏

Episode 57 - Seth Mulder & Midnight Run - North Dakota Nights to Nashville Lights Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

This week on What’s the Reason for This? we’re riverside at RockyGrass in Lyons, CO with mandolin ripper Seth Mulder of Midnight Run! 🌲🎶

From growing up in North Dakota (not exactly a bluegrass hotbed 🤠) to leading a house band in Gatlinburg, Seth’s story is all about chasing sound, building community, and finding his voice on stage. He shares:

✨ The moment Del McCoury shook his hand as a teen — and how it changed everything. 🎻 Starting on violin, switching to fiddle, and discovering the mandolin by accident. 🔥 How playing 5 hours a day, 6 days a week in Tennessee forged his chops. 🎩 The chemistry and evolution of Midnight Run’s current lineup. 💿 Dropping their new record Coming on Strong on Rebel Records — produced by legends Ken Irwin & Dudley Connell. 🚐 Life on the road, staying sane in the grind, and why supporting local music matters more than ever.

It’s tradition meets edge — a band sharp in suits but wild on stage. 🎩🎸 This convo is packed with laughs, inspiration, and reminders that one small moment (or one hand-shake with a legend 🙌) can set a whole life in motion.

👉 Follow Midnight Run Bluegrass on socials, grab the record, and catch them on tour. Support the homies — because great music doesn’t move unless we do! 💙

Episode 56 - Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road - No Rehearsals, No Problem How Cane Mill Road Blew Our Minds Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Live from Lyons, CO, we planted ourselves in the heart of RockyGrass to chat with the absolute barn-burners of Cane Mill Road—and folks, these boys didn’t just blow the roof off… they power-washed it, repainted it Hi-Viz yellow, slapped a dome-swap hat on it, and then crowd-surfed it into the next county. 🧢⚡

We dive headfirst into the glorious chaos, covering everything from viral Wook Fame (yep, Costco run-ins and airport “chair guy” sightings included) to their Halloween plan of dressing as Béla Fleck & the New Grass Revival—full Japan tour regalia and all. 🎃🎶 Along the way, they share:

Liam’s wholesome Doc Watson–inspired start in Deep Gap, NC 🎸
Why East Tennessee State might secretly be the Hogwarts of Bluegrass 🪄🪕
How not rehearsing (but living together) can make you tighter than a fresh banjo head 🥁
Easter eggs in their live sets, from Ozzy riffs to Allman Brothers jams 🤘🍑
The importance of listening—both musically and when your bandmate signals “time to shred” with a lick 🎯
And the ongoing mystery of their missing guitarist, possibly lost in a Google Drive folder 📂🔍

We get into their recording process—part studio wizardry, part “jam it till it sticks”—and why the next album is shaping up to sound as unhinged (in the best way) as their live shows. Spoiler: there’s still one last banjo part to record, but 40 days on the road might just delay that… thanks to side quests, camping chaos, and occasional Boy Scout flashbacks. ⛺🔥

Whether you’re a diehard jamgrass junkie, a casual festival hopper, or just here for the Bears–Packers trash talk 🏈💥, this one will have you grinning like a mandolin player with perfect fret buzz.

🚐 Tour’s just starting. Energy’s high. Socks are questionable. 📀 New album coming… as soon as they stop making the crowd lose its collective mind.

Episode 55 - Slay & Stinson - Pickin' with Purpose: How They Found Their Sound Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of What’s the Reason for This?, we’re backstage at RockyGrass with Slay & Stinson—one of the three finalists in this year’s definitely-not-amateur Amateur Band Contest! 🎻🔥 These Colorado-based bluegrass rockers aren’t strangers to the stage, and host Kodi dives deep into their journey from Telluride pick-up band to RockyGrass contenders. THIS INTERVIEW WAS COMPLETED BEFORE THEY WON THE 2025 BAND CONTEST!!!!

🎶 Highlights include:

🪕 How a one-off Telluride band evolved into a powerhouse group with 13+ original tracks on all major platforms
🏔️ What it’s really like competing in Colorado’s biggest band contests and the differences between Telluride and RockyGrass
🎻 How weekly residencies in Denver (190+ shows!) shaped their sound and gave them the edge on stage
🧠 Bass player love 💪 – Why Chubb’s addition to the group completely transformed their vibe
💡 How Carson (the newest member) brings fresh, non-traditional bluegrass influence to the band
💰 The real cost of chasing the bluegrass dream—and why they’d pay to play it all over again

From stage fright to telepathic transitions, the band opens up about the energy, pressure, and community that defines Planet Bluegrass culture. You’ll hear why original music matters, how weekly shows make magic, and why Colorado might be the greatest place in the world to grow a bluegrass band.

💿 Catch their album “Product of Colorado” on Spotify, iTunes, and more. 📍 See them live every Wednesday at Seven Grand in Denver. 🌱 Follow their journey to festival greatness—because next year, they are the ones opening RockyGrass!

🎧 Tune in, cheer them on, and remember: even the “amateur” stage is filled with pros. #SupportLocalMusic #RockyGrass2025 #SlayAndStinson #BluegrassLives

Episode 54 - Off The Rails - From Gospel to Grateful Dead: Bluegrass with a Twist Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

Strap in, folks—we’re going Off the Rails in the best way possible 🚂💥! Recorded backstage at the legendary RockyGrass Festival in Lyons, CO 🎶⛰️, this episode is a wild ride with the 2024 Amateur Band Contest Champions, Off the Rails 🏆🔥.

From alien-level banjo skills 🛸🪕 (yep, Frank has the visa to prove it 🇨🇦➡️🇺🇸), to porta-potty QR code pranks 🚽🤳, dubstep remixes 🎧⚡, and teaching kids Appalachian music 🎒🎻, this isn’t your average bluegrass interview.

🎧 Episode Highlights:

🤪 Backstage Shenanigans: Wizards 🧙‍♂️, lizards 🦎, and flamingo hats 🦩—just another day at RockyGrass
🥇 Winning the Contest: One mic 🎙️, three-song sets 🎵, and full-on choreography 💃🕺
🎶 Genre-Bending Goodness: A Chattahoochee ➡️ Shakedown Street ➡️ Trad medley? Yup. Mind = Blown 🤯
👦 Inspiring the Next Gen: One kid watched them rehearse, then watched them win—goosebumps moment 🥹💫
📚 Giving Back: JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) is preserving tradition while lighting up young hearts 🧡🎻
🔥 Recording News: Collabs with Vince & Silas Herman 🎤👨‍👦, live EPs coming soon 🎛️, and maybe a banjo version of Iron Man?! 🦾
🤡 Festival Pranks: From porta-john websites to redneck dubstep, it’s full chaos (and full love) ❤️😂

🎟️ See 'Em Live: Off the Rails is on a Colorado run—Evergreen, Boulder, Golden, Denver, and more! 🗺️📅 📲 Follow @officialofftherails to keep up with their shows, music, and madness 💥

Whether you’re a die-hard bluegrass fan 🎼, a wandering festie 🌞🕺, or just here for the porta-john gossip 🚻😂—this episode is guaranteed to leave you inspired, laughing, and craving live music 🎤💫

👇 Hit play and get ready to go Off the Rails! 🚂💨

Episode 53 - Bronwyn Keith-Hynes - Fiddling WIth The Future Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, we’re joined backstage at 🎻 RockyGrass by the sensational fiddle phenom Bronwyn Keith-Hynes—just hours before she takes the stage for the final 🎤 show with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway. 😢 But don’t cry yet—this is just the end of one chapter 📖 and the start of a thrilling solo adventure 🌟.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

🎶 Golden Goodbye: Bronwyn reflects on 3.5 years of nonstop touring 🚌, deep friendships, and what it means to say goodbye to a band that’s become family ❤️‍🩹
✨ Solo Spark: How weekly shows at Dee’s in Nashville lit the 🔥 for her to step into the spotlight and explore her own voice 🎤🎻
🧠 Creative Shift: From sidestage fiddler to full-on bandleader 🎙️—Bronwyn talks about lyric-writing at midnight 🌙, managing a rotating band, and finding her sound 🧩
💕 Life & Love: Touring and jamming with her husband Jason Carter 💑🎻 (when they’re not running in opposite directions!)
🪕 From Suzuki to Stage: The childhood buskers 🎶 that inspired her, classical training 🎼, and how Celtic fiddling gave her groove 💃
🌲 Festival Feels: Why RockyGrass is one of the most magical places to perform ✨—and how the next generation of pickers is already catching the spark 🔥🎶

Whether you're a diehard bluegrass fan 💙, a creative soul ✍️, or just vibing with the festival life 🎪—this one’s for you.

📍 Catch Bronwyn on tour this fall 📱 Follow @BronwynKeithHynes 🌐 bronwynkeithhynes.com

🎧 Listen or Watch now wherever you get your podcasts! 🔊💥

Episode 52 - East Nash Grass - The Creek Freak Diaries With Cory & Harry Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

In this jam-packed episode, we’re coming to you live from backstage at RockyGrass with two of the most dynamic forces in modern bluegrass—Harry and Cory of East Nash Grass. From fanboy moments to mandolin heroes, this candid convo dives deep into the heart of the music, the madness of touring, and the magic of festivals like RockyGrass.

🎶 Episode Highlights:

🪕 Banjo Beginnings & Mandolin Magic: Hear how Cory and Harry each found their musical footing—from childhood jams to Chuck Hicks and Ricky Skaggs.
🎤 Festival Favorites: The boys recall their epic sit-ins with Sierra Hull, Billy Strings, and Béla Fleck—and the nerves that come with sharing stages with bluegrass legends.
🧠 Imposter Syndrome & Humility: What it's like to meet your heroes... and then become someone else's.
🎧 New Music Vibes: The creative process behind their upcoming album (dropping August 22!) and their side project with Christian Ward.
🐟 Creek Freak Chronicles: Cory’s new hobby of smallmouth bass fishing and Harry’s culinary adventures on tour—including redfish in New Orleans and a bold anti-brunch stance.
🍖 Rick’s Custom Meats & Country Boy Cubans: Yes, we’re serious—and yes, we’re hungry now.
🎵 What’s in the Van Playlist?: From Robert Earl Keen and Mac DeMarco to hard bop jazz and red dirt roots, find out what fuels East Nash Grass on the road.
🌺 Bluegrass from Hawaii? Spam musubi, slack key, and musical bridges from island to mainland.

Get ready for laughs, deep dives, and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes this band a rising staple in the modern bluegrass scene. As always, expect wild stories, musical nerd-outs, and a few spicy food takes.

🎧 New album out August 22 📲 Follow them @eastnashgrass 💸 Venmo ‘em if you’re feelin’ generous 😎

Episode 51 - Mighty Holler - How Many Jams Does It Take To Start A Band? Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

Kodi and Shay welcome Boulder-based bluegrass powerhouse Mighty Holler into the Dungeon for an episode packed with laughs, stories, and serious music insight. The band opens up about their origin story, how Colorado’s thriving jam community brought them together, and the journey that led to their debut single Fresh Tracks in the Snow.

From clawhammer banjo and mandolin chops to songwriting at 3 a.m. and running a women’s jam that’s empowering new musicians, Mighty Holler shares how passion, practice, and community have shaped their sound. The conversation dives into building band chemistry as couples, overcoming the early jitters of playing in public, and the mentors and musical icons who helped inspire their path.

Plus: RockyGrass stories, instrument nerdery (bassists finally get their due 👏), and a ton of real talk about the hustle, heart, and humor it takes to build a band from the ground up.

✨ Episode Highlights:

🌲 The Colorado jam scene that sparked Mighty Holler’s creation (and why women’s jams matter)
🎼 Learning clawhammer banjo during lockdown & blending old-time with bluegrass
🎤 Writing vulnerable lyrics and building a strong band dynamic
🎻 Tips for breaking into jam circles and building confidence as a musician
🎶 Playing 100 gigs in 2025 and what’s next for Mighty Holler

👉 Follow Mighty Holler: mightyholler.com | Instagram & Facebook @Mighty_Holler 👉 Stream their debut single Fresh Tracks in the Snow on all platforms.

Episode 50 - Spencer Hatcher - When She Calls Me Cowboy Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

🚨 It’s release day, y’all! Spencer Hatcher just dropped his brand-new single “When She Calls Me Cowboy” 🐎🤠🎸🔥—and he’s hanging out in the studio with us to spill all the behind-the-scenes tea. We talk about the song, the emotion behind it, and the cinematic music video 🎥 dropping soon. This one hits hard—whether you're the cowboy... or the one who let him ride away.

But the new single is just the tip of the cowboy hat. 🤠

From Christmas caroling with Grandma 🎄👵🏻 to torching banjo solos with The Hatcher Boys 🎻🔥, Spencer shares how his journey took him from small-town Shenandoah Valley to viral stardom—where one TikTok cover of “Folsom Prison Blues” 🚔💥 launched a whole new career.

We get into the hustle, the heartbreaks, the hilarious dirt bike videos 🐶🏍️, and why Spencer is unapologetically himself—on stage, on camera, and on social media.

✨ Episode Highlights:

🐴 New Music Drop! — The story and soul behind “When She Calls Me Cowboy” and what it means to Spencer
🎶 From Basement Jams to Big Stages — Learning harmony by ear, playing with Dad, and loving every second of it
📲 The Viral Moment — How a 24-follower TikTok account exploded to 10K overnight after one Johnny Cash cover
🍕 First Country Show Ever — No setlist, no plan... just pizza, panic, and pure passion
🧡 Fan First Philosophy — No autotune. No egos. Just handshakes, real talk, and real talent

Whether you’ve been following Spencer for years or you’re just hopping on the Hatcher train 🚂—this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and the kind of heart you don’t find in auto-tuned pop country.

🎧 Press play, stream “When She Calls Me Cowboy,” and get to know the guy behind the six-string, the skits, and the cowboy charm. 🤠❤️🎙️

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