Free FM
Produced By: Free FM
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Host Paul Trenwith is a founder member of the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, playing banjo and occasionally singing harmony parts. From the mid-70's to the mid-90's, Paul and his fiddle-playing wife Colleen played as mostly gospel music, bluegrass-style, with a group of friends, and often featuring songs that Paul had written. He has become something of a musical 'jack-of-all-trades', playing banjo, dobro, pedal steel and rhythm guitar. He also plays double bass in the Hamilton-based Irish band. Paul has always been an enthusiastic advocate for and promoter of bluegrass music, and the show includes tracks from the classic bands, the traditional stylists and contemporary groups as well as some 'roots' bluegrass and new-grass. NZ and Australian bluegrass gets an airing, and every show includes some of his personal favourites.
Published: 14/7/2025 3:37 p.m.
Time for some hard-driving bluegrass, with maybe a couple of ‘softies’ thrown in. Tracks from the Bluegrass Album Band, American Drive, the David Grier Band, High Fidelity, the Kody Norris Show, Balsam Range and others – some top picking and singing here.
Published: 08/7/2025 10:00 p.m.
The Free FM studios are being renovated, so I’ve chosen this show from five years ago to be played in lieu of recording a ‘new’ show in a building site! I have my good friend, band-mate and luthier Keith MacMillan in the studio with me. We talk about how to set up your guitar or mandolin to get the best from it, and we get to pick a couple of tunes as well. Also featured in the show is some fine picking and singing from Joe Mullins, Curly Seckler, Sawmill Road, Alison Krauss, JD Crowe, and the Dreadful Snakes, and there’s some recorded music from the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band featuring both Keith and me.
Published: 01/7/2025 10:00 p.m.
This week, I have re-visited some of my first influences for banjo playing, from Earl Scruggs, Bill Keith, Don Parmley, Doug Dillard, Mike Seeger, Walt Hensley, and Ralph Stanley, and of course the music that the bands they were part of were playing. I’ve also featured the brand-new album from the Kody Norris Show, The Kathy Kallick Band, and that gentleman of bluegrass, Bill Clifton.
Published: 24/6/2025 10:00 p.m.
A broad spectrum of bluegrass in this week’s show, and there’ll be something for all musical tastes, I’m sure. The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band kick-off (well, they would if it was a rugby match), then we’ve got Chris Jones and the Night riders, Tony rice & David Grisman, Missy Raines & Alleghany, and the East Tennessee State University band to follow. JD Crowe, Joe K Walsh and even the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band get to play a song. Lots to enjoy.
Published: 17/6/2025 10:00 p.m.
Mid-winter here in NZ, but this show has nothing to do with the season. All year round, it’s great to listen to bluegrass music, and there’s plenty of it here. The Lost Pines from Texas, the Earls of Leicester, Chad Manning, Claire Lynch, and the Osborne Bros get us started, then there’s Longview, Mike Auldridge, and the Bluegrass Album Band. I’ve also featured a new single from NZ band You Me Everybody, which has only recently been released.