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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: 18/3/2025 10:00 p.m.
Seldom Scene, Traveling McCourys, Doc Watson, Merle Haggard, Rhonda Vincent, lots of variety in this week’s bluegrass performers. There’s also tracks from the Lonesome River Band, the Petersens, and some fine fiddle playing from Ralph Blizzard. The HCBB get to round out the show with a nod to St Patrick’s Day, with the Keith MacMillan composed tune, Hikuai Hornpipe. Sound Irish to you?
Published: 04/3/2025 10:00 p.m.
I went to see the Bob Dylan movie “A Complete Unknown" the other day, and it reminded me of how many great songs Bob Dylan wrote, that were covered by bluegrass bands. I’ve included a few on this show, from bands such as the Dillards, Marion Arts, Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, the Country Gentlemen, and Tony Rice / Rice Brothers. Of course, I’ve added in some great music NOT written by BD, from performers such as the Petersens, Doyle Lawson, Jim Gaudet, Claire Lynch, and the Mainland Hoedowners. Have a listen!
Published: 25/2/2025 10:00 p.m.
Today I have the pleasure of interviewing two members of the Petersen Family, who are presently touring the North Island of NZ. Ellen (banjo player) and Matt (guitar player) kindly consented to be interviewed in my home studio, and we talked about lots of different things! I’ve also played a couple of tracks from one of their many albums. The rest of the show features an eclectic range of bluegrass, from Seldom Scene to Buzz Busby, Rhonda Vincent to the Shady Valley Boys, Ramona Church, and some hot dobro from Leroy Mack.
Published: 18/2/2025 10:00 p.m.
I’m playing tracks from some of my collection of ‘compilation’ albums today, because that gives me an opportunity to feature artists who we might not otherwise hear on the show. Although reasonably extensive, my LP and CD collection has large ‘gaps’ in it, and these albums help fill those gaps.
Published: 11/2/2025 10:00 p.m.
The opening tune is my first self-composed instrumental, from 1969, played on my RB100 banjo, with it’s rosewood fingerboard, hence the title of ‘Rosewood Ramble’. We then hear from Mark Newton, master song-writer Larry Cordle, the dynamic young band Flatt Lonesome, and the Osborne Brothers reprising some of their formative years’ music. Mark Johnson & Emory Lester pick a couple of tunes, Pam Crowe sings with the HCBB, and Don Stover plays some hard-driving bluegrass. Join me!