Front Porch Bluegrass

KPBX 91.1 fm, Sunday, 1pm-2pm

Bluegrass is continuing to evolve and grow. There is a whole new generation of bands and artists that are building on the traditions of the past and the skill-levels and creativity of the present to push bluegrass in new directions. Bands like the Infamous Stringdusters, Crooked Still, King Wilkie and
Chris Thile & the Punch Brothers are combining bluegrass instrumental virtuosity with new ideas that aren't afraid to break down genre barriers to form something new.

I love the classic sounds of the first and second generations of bluegrass. There is something timeless and deep in the voice of Ralph Stanley or the mandolin of Bill Monroe or the harmonies of the Country Gentlemen. I believe it's important to keep these sounds and songs alive and put them alongside the newer sounds of the 3rd and 4th generations of bluegrass. Bluegrass has a lot of similarities to jazz, so I try to approach the show similarly to Brian Flick's Friday afternoon jazz show.

Like jazz, bluegrass is heavily based on the blues, and has a driving rhythm with a heavy backbeat. The instrumentalists are an important part of the culture in appreciating bluegrass, and have devoted followings just like the jazz masters. Many of these players (Bill Monroe, David Grisman, J.D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson) have bands that have become sort of like "schools" for younger bluegrass musicians just like the bands of Miles Davis, Art Blakey, etc.

The top pickers of the newer generation usually got their start in one of the bands of the previous generation. And finally, their is a huge cannon of "standards" that offer endless possibilities for re-interpretation. Bluegrass is a classic American art form and a rich part of our heritage that has informed numerous styles. Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Jerry Garcia and others grew up revering the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, and their styles have been informed by his.

I love this history and all the connections with other artists and styles, and view this as an important educational component to my show. One hour is usually too short of a time for me to present everything I want to do each week, but it's also one of my favorite hours of my week.

About the Host

Kevin Brown, a local software engineer and bluegrass enthusiast, was Program Director at Whitworth College's KWRS in the early ‘80s. He is involved with the Inland Northwest Bluegrass Association, having served in the past as one of
their vice presidents. Kevin also plays mandolin and guitar for
Big Red Barn.

E-mail Kevin with questions, comments or banjo jokes at:
bluegrass@kpbx.org