Valerie Smith is a well-known Grassicana artist who blends bluegrass, country, and Americana music seamlessly. She has received multiple awards for her passionate and soulful performances. NPR radio host Dave Higgs aptly described her as "sassy, sultry, siren-like, sweet, smooth, soothing, and smoldering - sometimes just in one song!"

Valerie's music journey began when she recorded her first album, "Patchwork Heart," with Alan O'Bryant, a Grammy award-winning composer, producer, instrumentalist, and recording artist of the Nashville Bluegrass Band. The album's release included a song called Red Clay Halo, written by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, which reached the top charts for Bluegrass Unlimited Radio Survey, Country Music, and Americana reporting, remaining on the list for five years. It was voted by the bluegrass community to be one of the top 60 songs of the decade. Valerie Smith owns Bell Buckle Records, Publishing, and Media and has produced many successful albums, including Julie Gold's Grammy-winning song "From a Distance." She has also produced a new musical called "Maggie's Journal," which will be out and included in some performances in 2024.

Valerie is working with Donna Ulisse on a new release called "Songbird Road," which will be released on Bell Buckle Records in late spring 2024. Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike have dominated the bluegrass music scene for over two decades with their electrifying performances and critically acclaimed recordings. The band's lineup includes Wally Hughes on dobro and fiddle, Lisa Kay Howard Hughes on mandolin, Joe Zauner on banjo and guitar, Stephen Hu on upright bass, and Valerie Smith on guitar and lead vocals. They are a powerhouse of talent and passion, combining traditional and contemporary styles to create a unique sound that embodies bluegrass music.

Valerie's latest album, "Renaissance," has charted on several roots, bluegrass, gospel, and country charts, showcasing her creative musical prowess with songs that touch on themes of hope, sorrow, love, and renewal.

Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike's music transcends boundaries and brings people together, creating an unforgettable experience. With numerous tour dates lined up for 2024, they continue to spread happiness and fun in the world of bluegrass music.

Born and raised in the foothills of southwest Virginia, Olivia Jo is an up-and-coming bluegrass artist and versatile singer-songwriter that got her start in music as a child, cutting her teeth on traditional bluegrass, country and acoustic music. Her passionate, powerful vocals coincide with her honest, heartfelt delivery on stage, creating an enjoyable experience for both traditionalists and new listeners alike. With her soulful voice and a heart full of love for music, Olivia Jo is dedicated to carving out her own space in the bluegrass scene, drawing from a rich tapestry of musical influences and life experiences to authentically express herself as an artist and songwriter. 

Olivia grew up in the small town of Stuart, Virginia, an area nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and rich in bluegrass tradition, where she got her start in bluegrass at a very young age.  She began singing basically when she could talk and learning guitar from her dad at age six. The first song he taught her to sing and play was Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky", which opened the door to the music that would shape her entire life. A few years later, she started playing local venues and festivals in her surrounding areas at the age of nine where she began to establish a name for herself. She recorded two bluegrass albums by the time she was 12 years old with which she enjoyed moderate success and gained exposure in radio and television. At 13, she was one of the featured female artists for a PBS television documentary called, “Women in the Arts." By 16, she had made her way to Nashville and transitioned into the country music scene. She recorded and released a country album titled, “Something Real Good,” featuring songs she wrote herself and a few co-writes with other songwriters. She later followed that album with a few of her original country singles. Since then, she has focused on honing her vocal ability and songwriting craft, recorded and shared the stage with numerous musicians, groups and artists in country music and other genres, as well as co-written with prominent songwriters such as Larry Cordle, John Pennell, and Tim Stafford to name a few.

History and heritage naturally go hand in hand, and the desire to preserve the former is generally maintained by preserving the latter. Singer, songwriter and musician Marty Falle knows that all too well. His connection to the traditional music of Appalachia was spawned from spending much of his time after graduating from college living in Kentucky, the place where bluegrass was born. Now living on a farm in Eastern Kentucky, he’s thoroughly absorbed the music, culture and influences of that storied region, and in the process, made them his own.
Falle’s producer, Grammy winner Jonathan Yudkin, sums it up succinctly. “Marty seeks stories, history, legends, and paths in creativity… His fresh sound comes from the fact that he is not trying to emulate bluegrass bands of the past or present. Instead, he is creating his songs out of his love of music, unfettered by the influence of other artists. That’s what I enjoy the most about working with him. His songs are always unpredictable and surprising…”
That, then, is the essence of an artist who’s not only impacted by history and heritage, but one who effectively moves those foundations forward as well. He’s an Appalachian original and a dedicated contributor to Americana music in general.

What can I say about Paul Harris... he's a talented family man grindin' it out, day after day, working hard to make us all laugh! He's very musically talented and comedically rivaled by none! Enjoy getting to know Paul Harris!

Rick sits down with Tim Raybon. Tim chats about his #1 song, his life, and his future in music!

Rick Dollar sits down with Cory Walker about his new project, " School Project!" 

Rick sits down with Chris Davis, formerly from the Grascals, now with Joe Mullins and The Radio Ramblers. Chris will be talking about his new record on RBR Entertainment!

RBR recording artist, Tommy Buller chats with Rick about his new project,

 and plays three of his favorite songs!

Marija Droze discusses working on her new record, "Marija With a J" and her wonderful work on The RBR Family Christmas Record!

Gena spills the beans about what it feels like to be a part of the Grammy-nominated, Opry playin', Most talented Female Supergroup in Bluegrass history!

Robert hale of Wildfire sat down with Rick and discusses the band, future plans and the musical magic that is Wildfire!

Rick Dollar sits down with Banjo player extraordinaire, Mike Sumner! Mike shares stories behind the music of his new RBR Project!

GRAMMY nominated fiddler and vocalist Laura Orshaw has toured throughout North America and Europe with Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass, Alan Bibey & Grasstowne, and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. With her first solo recording receiving significant attention and airplay, Orshaw’s highly anticipated sophomore album with Dark Shadow Recording is expected to be release in early 2026.  In 2020 Laura won in two categories at the prestigious International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards Show, and in 2019, the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) named Laura the Fiddle Performer of the Year, making her the first woman to win the award.  Laura has performed with Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, John Scofield, Mike Compton, Sarah Jarosz, Tony Trischka, Becky Buller, and Darol Anger among others. Her music has been featured on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, and in Bluegrass Today, No Depression, Sing Out!, and Dirty Linen. According to Bluegrass Unlimited, “Laura Orshaw has firmly established herself as a significant emerging artist in the arena of traditional American music... [she is] an extremely talented musician with unlimited potential.” Laura is also a highly sought-after instructor who has taught numerous camps, workshops and kids' academies, and started teaching weekly lessons to adults when she was just 12 years old.

Tommy Mayer of Fireside Collective is held captive by Rick this week to chat about the new record, "Across The Divide!" Enjoy!

Rick sits down with John Bryan, lead vocalist of The Grascals! Rick and John talk about the newest record, "All Night Long" and the addition of Chris Davis to the line-up!

Rick sits down with Ralph 2 and chats about his new RBR hit "Back To Virginia" and his many irons in the fire that makes up one of the most influential families in Bluegrass Music!

Rick dollar sat down with RBR Artist Don Rigsby to chat about music and "The Real" Don Rigsby!

Rick sits down with artist Zach Top and chats about his songs, his life and his future.

Rick sits down with Kentucky-born musician Cole Chaney as he talks about his debut album "Mercy".

Rick sits down with Rick Lange and Becky Buller to chat about Rick Lang's new record and his new tune, "They Sawed Up A Storm!"

Rick Dollar sits down with one of his heroes, Sammy Shelor from Lonesome River Band! Don't miss this one!

Few bands have made as lasting an impact on bluegrass music as The Grascals. From the very beginning, their blend of modern traditional bluegrass, gospel, and country influences, matched with world-class musicianship and an unshakable love for the genre, has earned them a spot among the most respected and enduring groups in acoustic music. Formed in 2004 in Nashville, Tennessee, The Grascals are a band built on friendship, shared roots, and a common vision to create bluegrass music that honors tradition while forging its own identity. Their breakout moment came fast—within months of forming, they were hand-picked by Dolly Parton to serve as her opening act and backing band on tour. That early endorsement set the tone for the band’s trajectory: respected by legends, loved by fans, and celebrated by the industry. Their debut album, The Grascals announced their arrival with authority. It won IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year and Album of the Year and included a duet with Dolly Parton on “Viva Las Vegas” that showcased their versatility and crossover appeal. From there, the accolades kept coming with two IBMA Entertainers of the Year awards, three GRAMMY nominations, a Dove Award nomination and a host of other awards and recognition. Now with thirteen albums, performances all over the world and for two United States Presidents, The Grascals can truthfully say they have the best of both worlds — the steadiness of a veteran group that knows who they are and where they’re going, and the excitement and energy of an ensemble that knows it still has something to prove. The band’s collaborative spirit is another hallmark of their career. In addition to Dolly Parton, The Grascals have recorded and toured with artists including Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., George Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys, Patty Loveless, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Joe Nichols, Steve Wariner, The Jordanaires, Tom T. Hall, and more. Their respect for their musical heroes and peers has allowed them to build bridges between bluegrass and other genres, expanding their reach without compromising their sound. The Grascals are known for their ability to balance traditional drive with contemporary flair along with their authenticity, humility, and showmanship, The Grascals are a fan favorite on the festival circuit and are regular performers on the Grand Ole Opry with over 200 guest appearances. Their live shows combine technical excellence with emotional storytelling and a dose of humor, making every performance memorable. Now more than two decades into their career, The Grascals remain at the top of their game—honoring the past, embracing the present, and helping shape the future of bluegrass music. With a renewed spirit and zeal to continue to create and blaze new music trails, be on the lookout for much more to come from The Grascals.

Rick Dollar catches Ashby Frank between shows long enough to get a few words. Great guy, great music, and a great new record!

Rick dollar has the distinct pleasure of having Tim O'Brien and Jan Fabricius live in the studio for this fun-filled podcast episode!

Rick Dollar sits down with the frontman from Unspoken Tradition, Audie McGinnis. New things are cooking for the Bluegrass Band from Ashville North Carolina!

Carl Jackson discusses his career with Jim and Jesse McReynolds, Glen Campbell, and his production of Orthophonic Joy, a Various Artists compilation, with a spoken word describing the 1927 Bristol Sessions that leads into today's artists' versions of several of those songs. Orthophonic Joy benefits the Birthplace of Country Museum in Bristol, Virginia. By the way, Carl and I were a few years younger at the time and I was very nervous. Much respect and love to my friend, and fellow Yankee Fan, Carl Jackson. 

Carl Jackson's Website: http://www.carljackson.net/

Orthophonic Joy Website: https://www.facebook.com/orthophonicjoy

Station West Website: http://http://www.stationwest.com/

Rick sits down with Justin and Nate from Pert Near Sandstone to discuss 3 songs from their latest project and the Blue Ox Festival!

Rick sits down with Little Roy and his sidekick Lizzie Long for a great time!

Carley sits down to discuss her 3 favorite songs from her new record "Goin' Home Comin' On"

World-famous photographer Jeff Fasano joins Rick to discuss his new book that includes some of the most iconic figures in Americana and Roots music! Americana Portrait Sessions includes artists Judy Collins and Stephen Stills, John Oates, David Crosby, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Marty Stuart, The Avett Brothers, Vince Gill, Molly Tuttle, Kris Kristofferson, Del McCoury, and more! Jeff also shares some great backstories about Rock Legend Gene Simmons among others.

Rick Dollar has a chat with Bluegrass Legend Doyle Lawson at his home church in Bristol Tennessee. Doyle gives us a panoramic look at what it means to be a star in Bluegrass!

“I started singing before I could talk,” says Roberts. “Singing was just something I always did.” As a child of Music City, Jaelee Roberts was raised on bluegrass. She spent her formative years alternating between watching her dad make music on stage and watching her mom make music happen behind-the-scenes.

By her teenage years, Roberts was pursuing her goals with single-minded focus. She switched to homeschooling to give herself the time and flexibility to play music professionally, joining Rebekah Long’s touring band at just 16 years old as a mandolinist and supporting vocalist. A year later, she released her debut single “All My Tears,” to critical acclaim, earning effusive praise from 2023 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Patty Loveless, who said of Roberts, “She brings a vocal performance [...] that touches the core of what fires me up about music.”

Jaelee Roberts couldn’t be stopped. She signed a recording contract with Mountain Home Records, beginning work on her debut full-length album. Not long after, she was invited to audition for reigning IBMA “Entertainer of the Year” and recent GRAMMY Award-nominated band, Sister Sadie. Her first show just so happened to be the Opry’s “75 Years of Bluegrass” concert, commemorating the famous December 8, 1945 show where the “Big Bang” lineup of Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys introduced the world to the unique and compelling sound that would come to be called “bluegrass.” It was a dream come true. She was invited to join the band full-time and has been playing guitar and singing lead vocals for them for nearly three years. This role has earned her international recognition. In 2021, she was awarded Vocalist of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Momentum Awards, a presentation dedicated specifically to recognizing and rewarding the talents of emerging artists and up-and-coming industry professionals Although the global COVID-19 pandemic slowed some things.

By 2022, she had released her debut full-length album Something You Didn’t Count On which became an immediate commercial and critical success. The album debuted in the Top Ten on the Billboard Bluegrass Album chart and peaked at #2 on the Bluegrass Unlimited album chart. Multiple singles from the album—including “Think Again”, “You Can't Stop Me From Staying”, “Sad Songs”, and “The Best of Me”—appeared on the Bluegrass Unlimited singles chart, and “Still Waters” and “I Owe Him Everything” have made appearances on multiple gospel music charts. The album and the musicianship behind it earned Roberts a nomination for IBMA New Artist of the Year in 2022. Not even six months later, she was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2023 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) awards show, and Something You Didn’t Count On took home the title of Album of the Year. And she’s only just getting started. “It’s been a lifelong dream and I’ll never stop chasing it,” says Roberts. “I’ll keep chasing it until I can’t chase it anymore.”

Jaelee Roberts is an internationally recognized vocal performer, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, and songwriter. She has performed with Ashley McBryde and alongside Ricky Skaggs on the Grand Ole Opry with bluegrass supergroup, Sister Sadie, as well as recording with Vince Gill. She has played such historic and hallowed halls as the Station Inn, The Bluebird Cafe, and the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse. She has received numerous awards and nominations, including a 2023 nomination for IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year. She has also been recognized as a member of bluegrass’ preeminent all-female band, Sister Sadie, with a 2021 win for IBMA Vocal Group of the Year and 2023 IBMA nominations for Vocal Group of the Year and Song of the Year (“Diane”). 

Rick chats with Billy Blue Records artist Kristy Cox about her new album Shades of Blue available everywhere!

Rick sits down with master vocalist Greg Blake from Special Consensus!

14-time Grammy Award Winner Dan Tyminski joins Rick Dollar for this fun-filled episode and talks about his new projects, past projects and upcoming tour dates!

Killer Beaz, world famous comedian, actor and prt-time swimsuit model, sat down with Rick Dollar to announce his involvement with the syndicated radio show, Net Radio Dogs Road Show. Host Rick Dollar finds out a lot about the life and career of this famous comedian!

Rick sits down with Bluegrass and Country Artist Caleb Bailey. 

Buddy Melton from the Bluegrass Supergroup Balsam Range and Melton and Miller chats with Rick Dollar about the Pandemic, change in the music industry, IBMA and the future of Balsam Range!

Edgar Loudermilk Talks of Music, Life and his new project coming out soon!

Brian Oberlin chats about the great new album from Full Cord Bluegrass, Hindsight!

Rick chats with Katie and Jase from Lindley Creek.

Rick Dollar chats with Arthur Hancock IV (The Wooks) and Chris Shouse (The 23 String Band) about their new project, Wolfpen Branch. Other members include Aaron Bibelhauser of Relic, Katie Penn of Newtown and Roddy Puckett, also from The Wooks. All together, Wolfpen Branch is a high energy, Kentucky-made Bluegrass quintet that is a force to be reckoned with!

Referred to by Billboard Magazine as “One of Music Row’s greatest veteran tunesmiths,” Jerry Salley has had an exceptionally successful, multi award-winning songwriting career.  Nominated in 2019 for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Salley is the 2018 & 2019 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Songwriter of the Year and was named the 2003 SESAC Country Music Songwriter of the Year.  An Ohio native, his home state honored his long, illustrious career in 2024 by inducting him into the Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame.  Salley has had over 560 different songs recorded and his songs have sold in excess of 19 million records worldwide.  Writing and singing in Nashville since 1982, he has written multiple hits in country, bluegrass, and gospel music and may well be the most successful songwriter to have earned equal recognition from all three genres of music. Jerry was a 2020 GRAMMY nominated producer in the Gospel Roots category for producing the multi-artist project, Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout, on Billy Blue Records.  He also produced the popular Dolly Parton single, a new version of the old Gospel Hymn, “In The Sweet By And By”, released as part of the Country Faith Bluegrass project in 2021, which received two 2022 IBMA Awards (Gospel Recording of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year), and the 2022 Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Song of the Year.  He currently has a popular song, “It Takes A Woman”, on the new Chris Stapleton album Higher.

Jerry’s country music successes began in the late 1980s when the group Wild Rose recorded “Breakin’ New Ground”.  Since then, countless country music stars have recorded his songs, including Reba McEntire (“I’m Gonna Take That Mountain”,  “Close To Crazy”), John Anderson (“I Fell In The Water”), Wade Hayes (“How Do You Sleep At Night”) , Chris Stapleton (“Outlaw State Of Mind” on the Grammy award winning quadruple-platinum album Traveller), Toby Keith, Sara Evans, Patty Loveless, Joe Nichols, Darryl Worley, Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy, Mark Chesnutt and many, many more.  Internationally, he has penned no less than nine #1 Country hits in Australia.

As part of a trio with friends Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson, Jerry recorded the song “You’re Running Wild” on the Louvin Brothers Tribute on Universal South Records. Entitled Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’ – Songs of the Louvin Brothers, the album features numerous country music stars singing songs made famous by the legendary duo. The project won the 2003 GRAMMY for Country Album of the Year.

In the bluegrass genre, Jerry was named the 2018 and 2019 IBMA Songwriter of the Year and has had hundreds of songs, including numerous chart-toppers, recorded.  He was thrilled to have co-written three songs on The SteelDrivers GRAMMY award winning album, The Muscle Shoals Recordings (“A Long Way Down”, “The River Runs Red”, “6 Feet Away”), and a song on the Del McCoury Band GRAMMY winning album The Streets of Baltimore (“The Butler Brothers”).  Other bluegrass groups who have recorded Jerry’s songs include The Osborne Brothers, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Rhonda Vincent, Lonesome River Band, Balsam Range, Seldom Scene, Flatt Lonesome, IIIrd Tyme Out, Larry Stevenson, Donna Ulisse, Dave Adkins and many others.  Salley is a multiple IBMA Song of the Year nominee, and his song “All Dressed Up”, recorded by Joe Mullin and The Radio Ramblers, won the IBMA Gospel Recorded Song Of The Year award in 2016.  Jerry is an eight-time IBMA Award winner, which includes receiving the 2006 IBMA Album of the Year award for his contribution (as an artist) to the Celebration Of Life album. 

Rick sits down with one of the best songwriters in Nashville today! Milan has adapted to Nashville life well in the last 22 years. Especially where to get a great Taco!

BARRY ABERNATHY SITS DOWN WITH RICK AND TALKS ABOUT MUSIC,HUNTING AND FISHING, HIS CAREER,SHOOTING RICK AND HIS NEW PROJECT.

Ray Cardwell sits down with Rick Dollar and talks about his life and love of performing.