The Travis Book Happy Hour
By Travis Book
The Travis Book Happy HourJun 07, 2022
Episode 16: Nicki Bluhm
In the spring of 2021 I was joined on the Happy Hour by my good friend Nicki Bluhm. I’d first met Nicki when her band The Gramblers was opening for the Stringdusters in Montana. Later she joined us as a sixth member for our Ladies & Gentlemen tour following the release of the album by the same name. Funny, gracious, and kind, we became good friends and when I started the show she was at the top of my list. We had a wonderful couple of days playing and talking and the resulting interview is really special.
Time Stamps:
:06 Soundbyte
:37 Introduction
1:40 Ashworth/Maher groovin intro
2:14 “I had an interesting week myself”
3:00 on agitation and anger
5:53 Hide No More
9:35 on waiting for grace
11:05 Beauty in the Ugliest Days
14:45 live advert w/ vamp by Ashworth/Maher
17:10 Interview w/ Nicki Bluhm
47:20 Nicki a cappella
51:17 It’s Ok Not To Be Ok
54:43 Still The One
58:08 To Rise You Gotta Fall
1:02:55 Outro
Episode 15: Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon)
Time stamps:
:06 sound byte
:45 introduction
1:53 Bill’s introduction
3:00 Rise Sun
5:52 unprepared monologue
6:50 about the stream not working
8:22 Top Shelf Rock Bottom
13:06 Morning Light
15:24 Get Up and Go
20:20 Hey Woody Guthrie
25:20 interview
44:24 Love Grown Cold
48:48 Maude Only Knows
53:04 Brand New Good Old Days
56:48 Let In A Little Light
60:00 Outro
Episode 14: Josh Daniel - Recorded January 2021
In January of 2021 I was joined by Josh Daniel on the Happy Hour. Josh had been streaming live every single day of the pandemic from his home in Charlotte, NC and I was honored he brought the stream to the mountains for a couple days. A man of faith, full of gratitude, and a musical master, Josh has played in bands, duos and as a solo artist. We were joined by Mike Ashworth for this musical adventure deep in the midst of the pandemic’s second wave.
00:06 Soundbite: Following the Spirit
1:37 Introduction
3:05 on Right Livelihood
7:49 Everything Is Free
13:30 a word from our sponsors
14:42 Interview
42:36 Silver Lining
49:22 Throw A Little Light My Way
55:25 Travelin’ Song
59:00 The Truth is Out There
1:03:45 Outro
Episode 13: Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass) - Recorded March 2021
In March of 2021 I invited my oldest musical cohort and one of my best friends, Anders Beck to join me on The Happy Hour. Anders and I spent the first 3 or 4 years of our careers in the front seats of my 92 Ford Explorer and have 20 years of history. I love him dearly and I’m not pulling any punches in this episode. We were joined by our Broke Mountain Bluegrass Bandmate Jon Stickley for this musical retrospective. I love Anders’ humor and insight and find him to be endlessly inspiring.
:08 Soundbite
1:00 Introduction
2:57 Rise Sun
6:34 Howard Hughes Blues
12:20 Interview
41:49 All That I Can Take
48:44 Reservoir Hill
52:00 Casual Wednesday
56:24 How Far I’d Fall
1:00:35 Stickley thinking about Andy Thorn
1:02:59 Long Lonesome Day
1:07:56 Outro
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Episode 12: Tony Rice Tribute pt. 2
This episode is the second half of my tribute to legendary guitarist and musician Tony Rice. The entire show runs in chronological order and was designed as a career retrospective so there was really no question that there would be little to no editing. Huge thanks to Jon Stickley, Lyndsay Pruett, and Shawn Lane. I could not think of a better group to honor Tony’s music and I’m grateful for their dedication to the project. We occasionally play as Still Inside; a Tribute to Tony Rice at my weekly gig at 185 King St. in Brevard and this music and this ensemble always makes me extremely happy.
Timestamps
:07 soundbite Shawn Lane on song selection
:50 introduction
1:58 on Bluegrass Album Band
2:41 interview w/ Shawn Lane
7:00 Please Search Your Heart
9:56 Jerusalem Ridge
13:42 noodling, Thompson Guitars & Can’d Aid
14:55 on songs, songwriters, Allison Krauss
16:00 Cold On the Shoulder
20:00 interview w/ Lyndsay Pruett
25:16 Port Tobacco
31:33 on Blake & Rice, Gordon Lightfoot
32:18 I’m Not Saying
35:53 Night Flyer
40:12 on the Pizza Tapes
41:07 Shady Grove
46:56 on his final recordings
49:11 noodling w/ Bill K
51:06 Manzanita
55:40 outro
Episode 11: Tony Rice Tribute pt. 1
On Christmas Day 2020 we lost the greatest flat top flat picker of all time, the incredible Tony Rice. I’ve been obsessed with Tony’s music since the first time I came across it and immediately set to work putting together a tribute to this legend. He was a huge inspiration for me and all of my contemporaries and I am so grateful to Shawn Lane, Lyndsay Pruett, and Jon Stickley for helping me produce this career retrospective. I loved Tony Rice and this is my gift to him and any would-be/should be fans of this musical luminary. The show ran nearly 2 hours and I didnt want to cut anything out so I split it into two episodes.
:06 soundbite: Stickley on Tony’s tuning
1:16 introduction
3:50 on Tony Rice, the show
5:36 Don’t Give Your Heart to a Rambler
9:06 on J.D. Crowe and The New South, David Grisman Quintet
11:00 Swing 51
14:54 on Dawg music, Manzanita and Acoustics
16:20 Old Train
19:00 on Tony’s split musical personalities
20:47 Soul of Man
24:18 Old Gray Coat
30:20 noodling and advertisements
31:57 Neon Tetra
40:22 on Tony’s singing
41:16 Model Church
45:35 on Church St. Blues
45:55 interview w/ Jon Stickley
48:43 Orphan Annie
51:41 outro
Episode 10: Kyle Tuttle (Recorded January 2021)
In January of 2021 I invited banjo player Kyle Tuttle to join me on The Happy Hour. Kyle is one of my favorite people; an absolute delight and he’s partly responsible for the Happy Hour’s genesis. His banjo playing is singular and his sense of humor sharp. Kyle’s definitely worth hearing from. He’s currently touring with Molly Tuttle and Golden Road and he has a new record that I had the honor of playing on, due to be released in the fall of 2022.
Timestamps
:06 soundbite: how he rolls
:51 introduction
3:05 monologue
6:02 I Will Lead You Home
8:50 welcome Lyndsay Pruett
9:37 If I Had A Hammer
12:27 on how Kyle helped start the Happy Hour
15:07 interview w/ Kyle Tuttle
33:40 Ship Of Fools
39:00 on Earl Scruggs (Kyle)
40:00 Home Sweet Home
41:21 I Wonder
45:22 on Not Quite Spring (Kyle)
46:55 Not Quite Spring
50:26 Goodle Days
54:28 Birdie Strut
1:00:29 Outtro
Episode 9: Sierra Hull (Recorded May 5, 2021)
Sierra Hull is a legend in the making. A superb and accomplished musician, she’s shared the stage with everyone from Bela Fleck to Allison Krauss to Corey Wong. I was already a fan, and appreciated her music, but I was unprepared for how completely she’d blow me away with her insight and humility. Not only an absolute shredder on the mandolin, she’s an accomplished songwriter and distinctive singer with no pretense. Down to earth with a sharp sense of humor, Sierra made for an absolutely ideal guest for the Happy Hour.
Timestamps:
:05 Soundbite
1:15 Intro
3:15 Rise Sun
5:50 Monologue
9:00 Gentle On My Mind
13:50 Sierra Introduction
14:30 Interview 1
33:50 Queen of Hearts
40:00 Weighted Mind
44:00 Middle of the Woods
47:38 Interview 2
1:05:21 Sierra & Justin Mandolin Duet
1:08:40 Outro
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Episode 8: Barrett Smith and Mike Guggino (Steep Canyon Rangers) - Recorded Oct 14, 2020
Mike and Barrett, like most musicians, are much more than their roles in Steep Canyon Rangers. Barrett’s also an accomplished fingerstyle guitar player and he and Mike have performed traditional Italian music as a duo for nearly a decade. It was only recently that Barrett joined the Steeps as their full-time bass player, but these two have a long friendship and history. Mike lives down the street from me and I was itching to hear some italian music and pick these guys brains so I invited them out for The Happy Hour and was not disappointed. Barrett delivered some inspired performances and we had some great conversation. Hope you enjoy!
Featuring Barrett Smith (@barrettnow1320) and Mike Guggino (@mikeguggino)
Brought to you by Americana Vibes (@americana.vibes)
1:39 Interview
19:30 Italian Duo
34:56 I Am A Pilgrim
41:00 The Harbor and The Sea
46:20 Wake Me Up
50:30 Sisters & Brothers
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Episode 7: Benny Galloway - Recorded Nov 11, 2020
Benny “Burle” Galloway was the first person to hand me an upright bass. Burle was the first person to help me write a song (some call that a co-write). Burle taught me about space, melody, songwriting, listening, tone, reefer, and erasers when I was discovering bluegrass and related acoustic music in Durango, CO. My only solo album, Alice, was a tribute to the man and his guitar. We still play and write, probably always will. It was really fun to have him on the show. He was on his best behavior; wily as ever, charming, funny, and still the best damn songwriter ever. We had Tommy Maher join us because he’s the right guy for the job.
Featuring Benny "Burle" Galloway (@burle_galloway)
Brought to you by Americana Vibes (@americana.vibes)
2:35 It’ll Be Alright
5:18 Ain’t Been Myself In Years
9:30 Interview with Benny Galloway
34:06 Ghost in the Guitar
41:00 Why Cry
46:30 Long Lonesome Day
50:06 Poor Boys Delight
55:45 Gimme Some Wings
1:02:07 Sing Me Back Home
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Episode 6: Mimi Naja (Fruition) - Recorded Sep 2, 2020
Mimi Naja will inevitably be etched in annals of american music. Her style is unique but familiar, with no pretense, pragmatic to the core. I knew her first as a wide-eyed mando wunderkind ranging the grounds of Planet Bluegrass. In Fruition she’s grown into a telecaster-wielding rocker with no fear. She delivered a killer upright bassline on King of the Road, and a ripping mandolin break on Things in Life, but the highlights of this session are the songs she wrote and the brutal honesty of her interview. Mimi is the truth and I’m so grateful we could share the stage with Lyndsay Pruett on this awesome session.
Featuring Mimi Naja (@miminaja)
Brought to you by Americana Vibes (@americana.vibes)
2:55 Travelin Teardrop Blues
8:00 Interview with Mimi Naja
26:00 Have Love Will Travel
29:43 Beside You
35:04 Northern Town
39:20 Things in Life
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Episode 5: Travis Book - Recorded Oct 28, 2020
Faced with a last-minute guest cancellation, I decided the show must go on so I enlisted regular collaborator and Happy Hour House Band member Tommy Maher to join me on dobro and take over interviewing duties, essentially turning the microphone on myself! I played some of my favorite songs and Tommy asked me some of the same questions I ask my guests. Tommy really rose to the occasion at the last minute. Hope you dig.
Brought to you by Americana Vibes (@americana.vibes)
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Episode 4: Jesse Iaquinto & Tommy Maher (Fireside Collective) - Recorded Aug 19, 2020
Jesse and Tommy both became fast friends when I worked with their band, Fireside Collective, on their debut album Circles. When I started putting together these “funny little bands” for The Happy Hour and my weekly show at 185 King St. in Brevard, NC, I knew the three of us would make an easy combo. I also knew that both Jesse and Tommy were deep thinkers, engaged with the world and their place in it. We had a great time and enlightened conversation. I hope you enjoy the podcast.
Featuring Jesse Iaquinto (@jesse_fireside) and Tommy Maher (@tommymahermusic)
Brought to you by Americana Vibes (@americana.vibes)
2:20 Back Home
6:40 Interview
30:50 Cabin Song
34:17 Back to Caroline
37:32 High Time
43:28 Bring it on Home
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Episode 3: Matt Rieger & Andy Dunnigan (The Lil Smokies) - Recorded Oct 21, 2020
Rev Rieger and Dunnigan came out to the house for three days in October of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. They flew from Montana, slept in my kids beds, shared the house with my mother and I. It wasn’t ideal conditions, but they didn’t bat an eye; they just wanted to make music. And that’s what we did. It’s no secret that I love dobro, and a trio of guitar/dobro/upright bass with three singers is just about my favorite combo to play in. We also riffed on some really interesting ideas and, as always, got into matters of being. Thanks for listening, hope you enjoy!
Featuring Matt Rieger (@matthewriegermusic) and Andy Dunnigan (@dobrohobo)
Brought to you by Americana Vibes (@americana.vibes)
1:19 I’m not Alone
6:20 My Old Friend
9:40 Interview
35:04
38:54
42:30 One More Chance
47:25 California
52:53 Back Home
101:20 The City
105:53 Time to Move On
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Episode 2: Jon Stickley - Recorded July 14, 2020
I first met Jon Stickley in 2004 in North Carolina, two days before we were set to record with Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon), Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass), and Robin Davis. The band was Broke Mountain and the rest is still unfolding, but needless to say that was a seminal point in all of our lives and careers. Jon is one of my best friends and favorite musicians and one of the reasons I moved to Western North Carolina. Playing with him is always a joy and that was the topic of conversation on The Happy Hour that evening in July of 2020.
Featuring Jon Stickley (@jonstickleytrio)
Brought to you by Americana Vibes (@americana.vibes)
2:53 Rise Sun
5:28 Intro for Stickley
6:40 Jon Interview
17:42 Won’t You Come and Sing for Me
19:32 Mildrelphia
27:15 Blackburn Brothers
32:28 Comin’ Down 35:45 Far I’d Fall
39:44 Places I’ve Been
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Episode 1: Lindsay Lou - Recorded Aug 5, 2020
I absolutely fell in love with Lindsay Lou the first time I saw her perform. I know of a thousand other people that would say the same. She writes, performs, and sings from a deep place, rooted and steady. Her music makes me feel connected to life and the earth and truth. Can you tell I’m a fan? I was thrilled she agreed to join me for The Happy Hour in August of 2020. She agreed to play some of my favorite songs of hers and we had a great conversation about the state of things and our states of being. I hope you enjoy!
Featuring Lindsay Lou (@lindsayloumusic)
Brought to you by Americana Vibes (@americana.vibes)
2:20 Planets
8:40 Beauty in the Ugliest Days
13:55 Introduction of Lindsay Lou
14:40 Lindsay Interview
24:20 Reconstruction
28:52 River Jordan
33:10 The Voice
37:00 Go There Alone
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