The Travis Book Happy Hour – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Drummers don’t always get a lot of love or attention. But, mention the name Jeff Sipe to nearly any musician and their eyes light up. Also known as Apartment Q258, he was a founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit with Colonel Bruce Hampton (which also counted Otiel Burbridge of Dead & Co and Jimmy Herring of Widespread Panic among its members). I first heard him via early Leftover Salmon bootlegs and he’s toured with Tedeschi Trucks Band, Trey Anastasio, and Warren Haynes. Regarded as one of the best drummers alive, he’s also just a normal guy who lives down the street from me and who says “yes” pretty much any time I ask him to join me on a gig. Words really don’t do him justice; he’s just so wonderful and kind and supportive; I can hardly believe my good fortune getting to make music with him.

This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on April 4th of 2023.

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:06 – Soundbyte

0:42 – Intro

2:15 – Intro by Bill K.

3:26 – “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy”

10:37 – “A Little Too Much”

16:00 – “I Am A Pilgrim”

22:30 – “Once I Knew You”

29:17 – Interview

46:10 – “Summertime”

48:30 – “Minor Blues”

55:34 – “Back Home”

1:01:50 – Outro

As much a mystic as a musician, Phoebe Hunt makes music that speaks to the yearning we all have to connect with something larger than ourselves. A deep commitment to making music with meaning is her compass and she’s an example of what it means to be in loving relationship with music. We need more musicians like Phoebe Hunt in this world.

This episode was recorded live at 185 King Street in Brevard, NC on April 23rd, 2024

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Timestamps:

0:08 soundbyte

0:22 introduction

1:22 Bill K’s introduction

2:03 Rise Sun

6:06 on Lint Head Girl

7:15 Lint Head Girl

10:40 Take Me Home

14:25 ad break 1 

14:30 interview 1

28:22 Galloping 

31:20 on Pink and Blue

34:51 Pink and Blue

31:01 insert

38:16 “I couldn’t”

38:57 ad break 2

39:02 interview 2

53:20 Nothing Else Matters

56:30 Good Blood 

1:00:20 outroduction

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

Full disclosure; I’ve played music and stood closer to Andy Falco onstage more than anyone over the last 15 years, maybe ever. As the guitarist for our band The Infamous Stringdusters, he continues to redefine acoustic guitar, blending bluegrass, blues, funk, and rock & roll in a style that defines the sound of the Dusters. His guitar is the most important part of the band. In 2021 he released a solo record, Will of the Way, and in 2023 we released the first volume of our tribute to Jerry Garcia on Americana Vibes. Kind, humorous, focused, and grateful, Andy Falco is a living legend and an absolute treasure. 

This episode was recorded live at The Grey Eagle on August 25th, 2021. Huge thanks to Andy Falco, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Timestamps

0:06 - Soundbyte

0:40 - Introduction

1:56 - “The Thrill Is Gone” / Bill Introduction

3:14 - “Rise Sun”

6:41 - “All the Same”

13:16 - Interview 

35:36 - “Holy Rover”

40:24 - “Wings Upon Your Feet”

44:18 - Interview  

53:10 - “Birdsong”

1:03:32 - “Stones Unturned”

1:08:19 - Outro

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

I’ve shared the stage with Jim Lauderdale many times over the years and have always enjoyed his approach and attitude. Funny, self-effacing, eager to entertain, Jim’s a gem and the most prolific songwriter and recording artist I know. I was honored that he agreed to join me for the happy hour and I couldn’t wait to edit this show and release it. 

This episode was recorded live at The Grey Eagle on November 30th, 2022. Huge thanks to Jim Lauderdale, Mike Ashworth, Matt Smith, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Timestamps:

00:06 - Soundbyte

00:33 - Introduction

02:11 - “Rise Sun”

05:54 - Introducing Jim Lauderdale

07:33 - Interview 1

23:08 - “Patchwork River”

28:02 - “Planet of Love”

32:58 - Introducing “Friends Again”

35:28 - “Friends Again”

38:05 - Interview 2

51:20 - “The King of Broken Hearts”

54:30 - Introducing “The Opportunity to Help Somebody Through It”

56:35 - “The Opportunity to Help Somebody Through It”

1:02:22 - “That Kind of Life (That Kind of Day)”

1:06:10 - Outro

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

When the opportunity to host Beppe Gambetta on the Happy Hour came up, I jumped on it. Beppe’s a legend and has a totally unique flatpicking voice. An ambassador for flatpicking around the world and for Italian music in the States, he’s also incredibly charming. Beppe’s a disciple of Doc Watson and this being the year Doc would have turned 100, we chose to present the music of Doc for this particular episode. I rank this among the best interviews I’ve ever conducted (due to Beppe) and after the show we all went to a friend's house and he cooked us broccoli pasta, and we had a classic Italian midnight dinner party. Funny, kind, disarming, grateful, and driven; my musical world is much richer for the friendship I’ve forged with Beppe and his wife Frederica. 

This episode was recorded live on March 14, 2023. Huge thanks to Beppe Gambetta, Mike Guggino, Bennett Sullivan, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Timestamps:

00:06 - Soundbyte

01:08 - Introduction

02:30 - Live introduction

05:30 - “Worried Now” > “Texas Gales” > “Beaumont Rag”

12:07 - Accordion joke 

12:26 - “Deep River Blues”

17:05 - “Slow Creek”

22:19 - Happiness monologue

26:45 - “Talk About Suffering”

29:20 - Interview with Beppe Gambetta

51:52 - “I am a Pilgrim”

54:24 - “Tennessee Stud”

59:27 - “St. James Hospital”

1:05:44  - “Way Downtown’

1:11:42 - Outro

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

I started preparing for this episode when I was on a summer trip with my kids in Colorado which mostly involves listening to music. I’ll never forget driving toward Mt. Princeton with tears streaming down my face and I’ll never drive up that road to the hot springs again without thinking of Alexa and her music. Her quiet demeanor hides an absolute monster of a songwriter. Vivid imagery, unique yet familiar, the way she relays the feelings around relationships is unlike anyone I’ve ever heard, on par with the brilliant Robert Ellis. We had a great time on the show, the music was so beautiful and moving, I had to include as much of it as I could. 

This episode was recorded live on August 24 of 2022. Huge thanks to Alexa Rose, Julian Pinelli, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you’re enjoying the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find us on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Timestamps

0:07 - Soundbyte

0:49 - Introduction

2:08 - Bill’s introduction

2:40 - Travis’ welcome

3:35 - “Rise Sun”

6:24 - Monologue

10:12 - “Back Home”

15:10 - Interview 1

20:41 - “Clearwater Park”

26:22 - “Big Sky”

31:16 - “Haywood”

35:21 - Interview 2

50:22 - “1999”

54:25 - “Pale Golden Flowers”

1:00:33 - “Medicine for Living”

1:06:07 - “Human”

1:10:31 - “Outro”

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

When The Stringdusters were in Nashville around 2006 or 2007, our dobro player lived next door to Jon Weisberger in Madison, right on the Cumberland River. There were two houses on the property; Andy lived in one, Jon lived in the other. I was sleeping in Andy’s guest room and there were regular picking parties at The Compound, as we now refer to it. A few years ago I suggested Jon move to Brevard, he looked into it, and I’m happy to say I’m now neighbors with my favorite co-writing partner. Jon’s written with just about everybody in bluegrass, but recently his most notable songs have been with Billy Strings. In fact, Jon helped write “California Sober,” a song Billy recently recorded with Willie Nelson. A music historian, writer, bassist, and king of the charcoal grill, I was thrilled to get to know more about one of the most liked people in bluegrass. 

This episode is an edited distillation of the full length Happy Hour which aired live in February of 2021. Huge thanks to Jon Weisberger, Tommy Maher, Thompson Guitars, Americana Vibes, and The Bluegrass Situation. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find The Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram (@thetravisbookhappyhour) and Facebook and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com.

Timestamps

0:09 - Soundbyte 

0:52 - Introduction

2:18 - Bill’s live introduction

2:47 - “Wasted on the Way”

5:30 - Interview

41:19 - “Pearl of Carolina”

45:00 - “Windy In Nashville”

49:24 - “Blowin’ On A Lonesome Breeze”

53:05 - Outro

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation, as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

I know Jeremy Garrett about as well as anyone else, excepting his wife Connie, of course. We’ve traveled together for 17 years as founding members of The Infamous Stringdusters and spent about a decade sharing a room when we traveled. We affectionately referred to each other as our “road wives.” Beyond being a great songwriter, brilliant fiddle player, and vocalist of the highest order, he has a cutting wit and a steadfast dedication to his art and his craft. I’m grateful to call him a friend and look forward to many more years creating music and traveling with this bluegrass titan. 

This podcast is an edited distillation of the full-length happy hour which aired live on April 27th of 2021. Huge thanks to Jeremy Garrett & Jon Stickley. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find The Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram and Facebook at The Travis Book Happy Hour and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com

Timestamps

:05 - Soundbyte

:43 - Introduction

1:52 - Live introduction by Bill

2:54 - “Rise Sun”

5:32 - “That’s Someone’s Mother”

8:10 - “Home From The Forest”

12:52 - Introducing Jeremy Garrett

13:50 - Interview 1

19:10 - “I’m Not The Enemy” 

23:43 - “I Am Who I Am”

27:15 - Interview 2

45:42 - “Wishing Well”

53:10 - “Windy in Nashville”

56:24 - “A Hard Life Makes a Good Song”

1:00:52 - Outroduction

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation, as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

Graham Sharp has had the kind of career any banjo player dreams of. He started the Steep Canyon Rangers in college with a group of friends, immediately discovered he had a knack for songwriting, and the rest is history in the making. 23 years, 9 albums, and a Grammy Award later, the Steep Canyon Rangers, behind the strength of Graham's songwriting, have established themselves as one of the best bluegrass and Americana bands of their era. I was grateful for the chance to talk with this insightful artist, play some really beautiful music, and reminisce about our shared history. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Happy Hour.

This podcast is an edited distillation of the full-length happy hour which aired live on June 8th of 2022. Huge thanks to Graham Sharp and Julian Pinelli. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find The Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram and Facebook at The Travis Book Happy Hour and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com

Timestamps

0:05 - Soundbyte

0:34 - Introduction

1:43 - Live introduction

2:56 - On the Carolina Guitar Celebration & Tony Rice

4:26 - “Home From the Forest”

8:46 - Introducing Graham Sharp

10:00 - Interview 1

25:54 - “Can’t Get Home”

30:06 - Interview 2

43:50 - “Coming Back To Life”

49:28 - Fiddle music!

54:35 - “Generation Blues”

58:17 - Outroduction

This episode is brought to you by Thompson Guitars and is presented by Americana Vibes and The Bluegrass Situation, as part of the BGS Podcast Network. You can dive into all things roots music anytime at thebluegrasssituation.com 

Cris Jacobs is an enigma. The question is always “why is this guy not more famous?” Searing guitar, incredible heart-felt songwriting, genre defying vocals, and an incredibly positive vibe and outlook; there’s really none better than Cris Jacobs. I asked him to come to Western North Carolina to do a couple shows and it just-so-happened we shared the stage the weekend prior at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, so I was lucky to get to spend a lot of time with Cris over the course of a week. I really enjoyed the music and the interview and I’m looking forward to more music with him in the future. 

This podcast is an edited distillation of the full-length happy hour which aired live on June 22nd of 2022. Huge thanks to Cris Jacobs and Devin Neel. If you enjoy the podcast please subscribe and leave a positive review. You can find The Travis Book Happy Hour on Instagram and Facebook at The Travis Book Happy Hour and online at thetravisbookhappyhour.com

Timestamps

0:08 - Soundbyte

1:01 - Introduction

2:46 - Welcome from Travis

3:44 - Monologue: gun predicament

5:19 - “Rise Sun”

8:11 - On Devin Neel

8:41 - On Telluride Bluegrass Festival

11:40 - “I’m Not Alone”

17:07 - Interview w/ Cris Jacobs

28:00 - “Delivery Man”

34:44 - “Talkin’ NRA Blues”

43:20 - “Under the Big Top”

47:47 - Interview w/ Cris Jacobs

59:24 - “Mama Was a Redbone”

1:05:10 - “The Devil Or Jesse James”

1:13:17 - Reprise

1:14:27 - Outroduction