Episode 7- Brandon Lee Adams & His New Adventures

Episode 10- Rylie Bourne & The Company I Keep

Born and raised in central Illinois, singer-songwriter Rylie Bourne grew up surrounded by music. Some of her earliest memories include tagging along with her dad, a guitar and mandolin player, to countless weekend bluegrass festivals, jams and rehearsals. Rylie absorbed the harmonies and rhythms from the sidelines, quietly building the foundation for what she now credits as the source of her vocal tone and melodic intuition.  Though music was in her blood (her Grandmother and Great Grandfather also played), she initially resisted performing. “I wanted to do my own thing and I was very shy” she recalls. “But eventually I realized that it was something I couldn’t ignore anymore.” By 17, she was taking piano and guitar lessons, and by her early 20s, she was writing songs of her own—  shaping a voice that felt uniquely hers.A pivotal moment came during one of many family trips to Nashville, where she had the chance to attend the Grand Ole Opry and meet Vince Gill for breakfast. The two spoke about a few of her biggest influences — Ashley Monroe and Alison Krauss —and Gill’s advice was simple but firm: “You just have to be here. And don’t give up.” That conversation helped seal her decision to move to Nashville.Soon after moving to town in 2017, she co-founded the country/southern rock duo LoneHollow with guitarist Damon Atkins. Known for their gritty riffs, tight harmonies, and moody sound, the two built a name for themselves performing everywhere from dive bars to major festivals. It was during this time that Rylie really honed her skills onstage and as a songwriter. For the last two years, she’s been working to build her catalog while also penning songs for others - like her friends and all-female bluegrass group, Sister Sadie. Her latest solo work pulls even deeper into her roots. It's rooted in tradition, but not bound by it—blending country, Americana and storytelling with a voice that always brings it home. Whether she’s leaning into nostalgia, humor, heartbreak, or growth, her music offers something familiar yet refreshingly honest. Rylie’s authenticity is exactly what sets her apart. She doesn’t pretend or chase trends for the sake of fitting in. Instead, she leans into what’s real—and in doing so, invites others to do the same.

Episode 9- Molly Clair Corman & Keeping Tradition Alive

Molly Clair Corman is the 18 year old daughter of Gene and Anna Corman. Molly Clair was raised a farm girl in the Missouri Ozark Mountains. Her deep roots in that Ozark music has helped make her a rising star in bluegrass, country, and gospel music. Molly has been playing the Mandolin and singing lead vocals with her band, Molly Clair & Co., in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee since she began her music career almost three years ago.         Molly Clair recently recorded her first album in early 2024 with it dropping in late 2024 at the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival. Her album includes the following top country and bluegrass artists:  Grammy Award winning Clay Hess, a former band member for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder; Tim Crouch, renowned multi-instrumentalist who has performed and recorded with bluegrass and country music royalty; Grand Ole Opry member and the “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent; and Vocalist and former Bass player for the bluegrass band Sister Sadie, Maddie Dalton.         In addition, Molly currently serves as junior Vice-President for TBS( Tomorrow's Bluegrass Stars). In October, 2024 Molly was inducted into the Hall of Honor of the George D. Hay Society for her contribution and achievements in the music industry at the George D. Hay Society at the Historical Star Theater in Willow Springs, Missouri.       Within the last year, Molly Clair is expanding her work in the music industry as she has started writing with numerous established writers in Nashville and the music industry.   Powered by the Radio Dog Podcast Network

Episode 8-Jamie "Grascal" Johnson & his journey on the road with Dolly Parton

On this episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, I sit down with Jamie "Grascal" Johnson of The Grascals for a conversation filled with bluegrass memories, music history, and stories from a remarkable career.As a 3-time Grammy nominee, 2-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year winner, and performer with more than 200 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry stage, Jamie has spent decades helping shape the sound of modern bluegrass music. Throughout his career, he's shared the stage and studio with some of the biggest names in country and bluegrass, including Dolly Parton, George Jones, Brad Paisley, and many more.We talk about his journey into music, life on the road, his connections to the bluegrass community, and even discover a few ties to my own family's bluegrass roots. Of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask about one of my all-time favorite people, Dolly Parton!Whether you're a longtime fan of The Grascals or simply love hearing the stories behind the music, this episode is packed with laughter, memories, and a deep appreciation for the traditions that continue to inspire us all.🎧 Tune in for a conversation about roots, rhythm, and the music that raised us.

Episode 7- Brandon Lee Adams & His New Adventures

On this episode of The Bluegrass Blonde Podcast, I sit down with Brandon Lee Adams—Emmy Award-winning television host of Life of a Musician, singer, songwriter, and passionate advocate for the music community.Brandon shares his journey through the music industry, from performing and songwriting to telling the stories of artists across the country through his award-winning television show. We talk about the realities of life as a musician, the lessons learned along the way, and the importance of preserving the stories behind the music.Whether you're a musician, music fan, or simply someone who appreciates a good story, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and a genuine love for the craft.Tune in as we explore the life, career, and passion of a man who has dedicated his career to celebrating the people and stories behind the music.

Episode 6- Donna Hughes & My Poor Old Heart

Donna is an award-winning songwriter whose music has been recorded by some of the biggest names in bluegrass. During our conversation, we discovered we have quite a bit in common—from being North Carolina natives to working as Real Estate Agents and licensed contractors! We also dive into the story behind one of her most well-known songs, "Poor Old Heart," and how it found its way onto the iconic Lonely Runs Both Ways album by Alison Krauss and Union Station. You won't want to miss the stories, the songwriting insights, and the journey behind the music.