Music Festivals Podcast

10 Episodes
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By: Nate Riggs

Music Festivals Podcast is a weekly podcast available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, iHeart Radio and in your email inbox that helps avid festival-goers and live music enthusiasts stay in the know on the music festival scene with comprehensive guides, insider interviews and behind-the-scenes stories so that they can discover new festivals and plan to have truly transcendent festival experiences. Each episode dives into the latest music festival lineups, dates, and ticket options, ensuring you're well-prepared before you go. From festival camping tips and the best festival venues to the latest in festival fashion, we've got you covered. Plus, for those...

The New Mastersounds: Behind 26 Years of FUNK with Eddie Roberts
#29
Last Friday at 9:00 AM

In Episode 29 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I talk with Eddie Roberts about his long and amazing musical career, from his beginnings in Jazz to the formation of his funk band The New Mastersounds. In 2024, they celebrated their 25th anniversary as a touring band.

Eddie is a Welsh-born guitarist, music producer and entrepreneur, and The New Mastersounds are one of this year's headliners for the upcoming Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival that will happen at the Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville, FL from February 19th - 20th, 2025.

In the conversation, you'll get the history of...


What YOU Can Expect at Sunshine Get Down Music Festival 2025 (Ep.28)
#28
02/06/2025

In Episode 28 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I have Turner More, Festival Promoter for the Sunshine Music Festivals and owner of Obsessions, back for a preview of the upcoming Sunshine Get Down music festival that is set to take place April 10th-12th 2025 at the Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville, FL.

Turner gives us the complete low down on this early Spring fest in Florida that is shaping up to be a banger, with headliners Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Fracso and the U.N. and Big Something plus many more regional and local bands. There...


Keller Williams on Music, Looping and his Upcoming Set at Whippersnap 2025
#27
01/31/2025

In Episode 27 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I talk with Keller Williams about his long and amazing musical career, and what has allowed him to produce 35 records in just over 30 years! ๐Ÿ˜ฎ He's shares that he'll be adding a few more projects to that list over the course of 2025.

We cover a ton of his current projects and tour stops, as well as how he started looping in the first place. You'll want to hear about the cool new iPhone app that Keller has used to create tracks like Two Lips/Tulips as well as other EDM-inspired songs he...


The ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band: My Conversation with Program Director & Professor Dan Boner (S2.Ep26)
#26
01/24/2025

In Episode 26 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I sit down with Professor Dan Boner, who leads the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies Program. Dan also teaches in the program and directs the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band.

Our conversation covers a lot of ground including the band's formation and evolution, their new EP, a new record in the works for 2025 and their upcoming appearance at WinterWonderGrass.

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๐ŸŽ™๏ธKey Moments in the Conversation ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

05:08 Diverse Music Faculty Expertise at ETSU

07:16 Bluegrass Program Shifts to Appalachian Studies

11:50 "C...


WinterWonderGrass 2025 Band Preview with Deanie Richardson from Sister Sadie (S2.Ep25)
#25
01/17/2025

In Episode 25 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I sit down with bluegrass fiddle player Deanie Richardson from the Nashville-based Grammy Nominated bluegrass band, Sister Sadie.

This stellar ensemble has gained national recognition as the IBMA Vocal Group of the Year three consecutive years (2019, 2020, 2021), also taking home the title of IBMA Entertainer of the Year in 2020, making them the first all-female bluegrass band to win this award in its 30-year history.

Deanie was Nominated for the Academy of Country Music Awards Top Fiddle Player of the Year in 2010, has appeared on shows like Letterman, Leno, Conan...


2025 WinterWonderGrass Festival Preview - The Fretliners with Guest, Dan Andree (S2.Ep24)
#24
01/10/2025

In Episode 24 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I sit down with bluegrass fiddle player Dan Andree from The Fretliners to preview their upcoming performance at the 2025 WinterWonderGrass Festival in Steamboat Springs, CO, happening February 27โ€“March 2.

The Fretliners, winners of the 2023 Telluride Bluegrass and RockyGrass band competitions, bring a fresh take on traditional bluegrass with their infectious energy and modern themes. Dan shares insights about the bandโ€™s journey, their unique sound, and what fans can expect at their WinterWonderGrass set.

Key Moments in the Conversation ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

03:15 The origins of The Fretliners and their 2023 competition wins.07:42 Balancing...


Whippersnap Music and Arts Festival: Insider Preview with Producer Shane LaVigne (S2.Ep23)
#23
01/03/2025

In Ep.23 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I talk with festival producer Shane LaVigne about the upcoming Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival that will be held at the at the Florida Sand Music Ranch Feb 19-22, 2025.

This early 2025 season festival is shaping up to be a killer event with headliners including Keller Williams, The New Mastersounds, and the Polyrythmics. Dozens of other regional and local bands will be jamming across two stages and to some of the best light shows you'll find at an intimate music festival setting.

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Key Moments in the Conversation ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

03:29 Local Florida fa...


Katia Racine from Pixie & the Partygrass Boys: New Album, WinterWonderGrass and a New Band Member
#22
12/27/2024

In Ep.22 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I talk with Katia "Pixie" Racine from Utah-based Bluegrass band Pixie & the Partygrass Boys. We get into the details behind the band's new self-titled album, their upcoming performances at WinterWonderGrass 2025 and on their RiverWonderGrass rafting trip. Katia also shares more about their newest band member and some changes to the mix coming in 2025. You'll also find out why they are so keen on chickens.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Links Mentioned During the Episode ๐Ÿ‘ˆ

More About Pixie and the Partygrass Boys

https://www.pixieandthepartygrassboys.com/https://www.instagram.com/partygrassmusichttps://ffm.bio/partyg...


Trey Hensley on Balancing Family, Touring & Bluegrass Guitar Mastery (S2 Ep21)
#21
12/20/2024

In Ep.21 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I talk with Grammy Nominated singer, songwriter and bluegrass guitarist, Trey Hensley. Trey was also 2023's IBMA Guitar Player of the Year and up for even more accolades this year. During the conversation, we get into how Trey balances the demands of being a professional touring musician with family and life as an active and engaged parent. We cover a lot of ground in this chat -- from Treyโ€™s amazing guitar collection, to recent collaborations to his upcoming projects and tour dates in 2025 -- this interview is full of stuff you sh...


Talking with Mountain Grass Unit: Band History, Upcoming Performances and a few Surprises (S2.Ep20)
#20
12/13/2024

In Ep.20 of the Music Festivals Podcast, I talk with the fellas from Mountain Grass Unit, one of the hottest new bands on the national bluegrass scene. Talking with Drury Anderson, Luke Black, Sam Wilson and Josiah Nelson was a real treat -- since seeing them live at Renewal 2024, MTU has made their way to my every day play lists. We get into some how the band came together, how they met Billy Strings and Jarod Walker, recap a few performances from 2024 and their upcoming dates in 2025. You'll even find a pretty cool golden Easter Egg buried in this...