Mountain Music Breakdown Podcast

Co-Host Mike Willner

Turnabout is fair play – Dave turns the mic on Mike and does an in-depth interview of his co-host. They get into Mike’s musical origin story, how he started his career as a podcast producer, the Bluegrass scene in Brooklyn NYC (the ‘Bluegrass Borough”) – and his phobia of recorder orchestras! It’s a fun and wide-ranging discussion with a lot of interesting give and take. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode: Mike Willner [https://www.instagram.com/bluegrassbklyn/] Bluegrass BKLYN podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bluegrass-bklyn/id1792237396] Liz Wolfe [https://www.facebook.com/liz.wolfe.10] Bluegrass Jams Near Me [http://www.bluegrassjamsnearme.com/] Events of Note: Wolf Jett @ Shasta Mountain Music: July 24 at McLeod Inn, CA [https://www.shastamusic.org/upcoming-events] RockyGrass Music Festival: July 24 – 26 in Lyons, CO [https://bluegrass.com/rockygrass] Music in this Episode: “Cherokee Shuffle” – Trish Plays Bass, with Becky Buller [%E2%80%9CCherokee%20Shuffle%E2%80%9D%20%E2%80%93%20Trish%20Plays%20Bass,%20with%20Becky%20Buller] “Tit Galop Pour Mamou” – The Balfa Brothers [https://open.spotify.com/track/4EfHctg16tcdBydu4CYbCr?si=359e946da4664669] Mountain Music Breakdown is a production of Shasta Mountain Music [http://www.shastamusic.org], in conjunction with Bluegrass BKLYN [http://www.bluegrassbklyn.com] © Copyright 2026 Shasta Mountain Music, a 501(c)(3) non profit. All Rights Reserved. follow @shastamountainmusic [https://www.instagram.com/shastamountainmusic/] / contact howdy@shastamusic.org [howdy@shastamusic.org] / visit shastamusic.org [http://www.shastamusic.org/]

Dan Gabel of Peghead Nation

This episode Dave and Mike go in-depth with Dan Gable, President of Peghead Nation, a platform providing quality online music instruction. Dan shares his story of working within the music industry as a journalist, his passion for acoustic roots music and ,with guitarist Scott Nygaard and Teja Gerken, creating an online pathway connecting students - from beginners to experienced musicians - with professional instruction. So, relax and enjoy the music! Mentioned in this Episode: Peghead Nation [https://www.pegheadnation.com/] Dan Gabel [https://www.instagram.com/danielgabel/] Scott Nygaard [https://www.instagram.com/scottnygaard/] Events of Note: Wolf Jett @ Shasta Mountain Music: July 24 at McLeod Inn, CA [https://www.shastamusic.org/upcoming-events] RockyGrass Music Festival: July 24 – 26 in Lyons, CO [https://bluegrass.com/rockygrass] Music in this Episode: “No Path Home” – Dan Gabel with Minus Mary [https://open.spotify.com/track/5RZAOxqSAhQf4cCl9gBWFD?si=11648a64eef94c75] “900 Miles” – Dan Gabel, with Minus Mary [https://open.spotify.com/track/0HM5GhcJK18iNQWWxjKpwp?si=ce2e2623f0ca41f9] Mountain Music Breakdown is a production of Shasta Mountain Music [http://www.shastamusic.org], in conjunction with Bluegrass BKLYN [http://www.bluegrassbklyn.com] © Copyright 2026 Shasta Mountain Music, a 501(c)(3) non profit. All Rights Reserved. follow @shastamountainmusic [https://www.instagram.com/shastamountainmusic/] / contact howdy@shastamusic.org [howdy@shastamusic.org] / visit shastamusic.org [http://www.shastamusic.org/]

Chris Jones of Wolf Jett!

Dave and Mike are excited to start Season 2 of Mountain Music Breakdown with an in-depth interview of Chris Jones, front man of  Wolf Jett. He shares fascinating insights into the band's evolution from a Southern country acoustic string-band to a versatile festival powerhouse. They touch on the impacts of the pandemic and California fires, the healing energy in music, the diverse influences on Chris’ music, and more. Welcome back to the conversation - relax and enjoy the music! Mentioned in this Episode: Wolf Jett [https://www.wolfjett.com/] AJ Lee [https://www.bluesummitmusic.com/] Shasta Mountain Music [http://www.shastamusic.org/] Wolf Jett songs recommended by Chris: “One Sweet Day” [https://open.spotify.com/track/2SwIWk7VoryHcLRrZhBUJh?si=a17a23a03cea4301] “Nothin’ But Trouble” [https://open.spotify.com/track/3DSv9LL9ywj4E5Lx2xpJvO?si=38e857c14c9d4a1f] “Mean Ol’ River” [https://open.spotify.com/track/7nfxyG3WfmrbARetxVsn4b?si=c7af2056f4a64f54] Events of Note: Wolf Jett @ Shasta Mountain Music: July 24 at McLeod Inn, CA [https://www.shastamusic.org/upcoming-events] RockyGrass Music Festival: July 24 – 26 in Lyons, CO [https://bluegrass.com/rockygrass] Music in this Episode: “Straight Back Home to You” [https://open.spotify.com/track/1ViNpGEAHmqLBm4yAtSsRb?si=4e12ddaf6d6b46fc] “Letting Go” with Jason Crosby [https://open.spotify.com/track/7M7C44uqQueJVeqxPnKjB0?si=cd95b3e034244999] Mountain Music Breakdown is a production of Shasta Mountain Music [http://www.shastamusic.org], in conjunction with Bluegrass BKLYN [http://www.bluegrassbklyn.com] © Copyright 2026 Shasta Mountain Music, a 501(c)(3) non profit. All Rights Reserved. follow @shastamountainmusic [https://www.instagram.com/shastamountainmusic/] / contact howdy@shastamusic.org [howdy@shastamusic.org] / visit shastamusic.org [http://www.shastamusic.org/]

Bluegrass Legend: Laurie Lewis - Part 2

In this second episode Mike and Dave continue their fascinating discussion with bluegrass legend Laurie Lewis. During our interview we talk more about Laurie's friendships within the industry and her work with multiple musicians, including Linda Ronstadt and Kenny Baker. We also learn more about her life away from the stage. Enjoy! Mentioned in this Episode: Laurie Lewis [https://laurielewis.com/] Wintergrass Festival [https://wintergrass.com/] "O California" - Laurie Lewis and The Right Hands [https://open.spotify.com/album/6BhUzUqKISzFg5ugXlT79P?si=dxmYJl7gS0-XyRL36UNdyg] Glen Canyon [https://canyonconservancy.org/] Laurie Lewis and Katie Kallick - McLeod Inn on Saturday August 15th [https://www.shastamusic.org/upcoming-events/laurie-lewis-kathy-kallick] Music in this Episode: "Look Down That Lonesome Road" - Laurie Lewis and The RIght Hands [https://open.spotify.com/track/4XsHaH4L7rNxhucW0Yciyw?si=ee4e15b9764645a8] "Trees" - Laurie Lewis [https://open.spotify.com/track/3dJNzjzKALqLFzSoR8NlhF?si=8cc8e06fa6644b7a] "Wheel of Life" - Laurie Lewis and The Right Hands [https://open.spotify.com/track/6CeWPsqByglVw9g77vX8Vn?si=fa6a80656b374b4f] Mountain Music Breakdown is produced by Shasta Mountain Music [http://www.shastamusic.org], in conjunction with Bluegrass BKLYN [http://www.bluegrassbklyn.com] © Copyright 2026 Shasta Mountain Music, a 501(c)(3) non profit. All Rights Reserved.

Bluegrass Legend: Laurie Lewis

Sitting down with the legendary Laurie Lewis has been an honor for Mike and Dave. A renowned singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Laurie has for nearly four decades, gathered fans and honors. Pull up a seat and join the conversation! "Laurie has shown how a woman can blend into any part of the classic bluegrass singing trio, and she showed us how a great voice could move fluidly between bluegrass and other types of music.  She has shown how a Californian can appeal to traditional bluegrass audiences, as well as winning acclaim in the worlds of Americana and folk music." Mentioned in this Episode: Laurie Lewis [https://laurielewis.com/] Berkely Community Theater [https://theaters.berkeleyschools.net/] “Musical Holdouts” documentary [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qzLuwFfHw] Sweets Mill Music Festival history [https://www.facebook.com/p/Road-to-Sweets-Mill-100064126263340/] Events of Note: Never Come Down – McCloud River Inn, Saturday April 18th [https://www.shastamusic.org/upcoming-events/never-come-down] Sierra Grass – Ahwahnee, California, April 30th to May 2nd [https://www.sierragrass.com/] Music in this Episode: “Your Eyes” – Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands [https://open.spotify.com/track/0xEhnFEwPGqZlT32LBQdxE?si=03199a9cffdb4130] “Who Will Watch the Home Place?”– Laurie Lewis on ‘True Stories’ [https://open.spotify.com/track/3606nq0gub04tpyB7nf3Zh?si=20aeaad655b541e3] Mountain Music Breakdown is a production of Shasta Mountain Music [http://www.shastamusic.org], in conjunction with Bluegrass BKLYN [http://www.bluegrassbklyn.com] © Copyright 2026 Shasta Mountain Music, a 501(c)(3) non profit. All Rights Reserved.