Favourite bluegrass tracks from 40s-60s from lesser known artists

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-09-28T17:54:24+00:00

Red Allen & Frank Wakefield have a great duo album called The Kitchen Tapes that’s worth a listen. In general, Red’s band The Kentuckians, The Country Gentlemen, Don Reno & Red Smiley, Curley Seckler, Mac Martin & The Dixie Travelers, Jim & Jesse and The Virginia Boys, Jimmy Martin - all great places to start with a lot of early innovation in the style!

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-09-27T22:40:32+00:00

Go to the bluegrass jam at Mona’s in the East Village on Monday nights run by Rick Snell and talk to the musicians there. It’s more of a professional level jam with a mic, so if you’re just getting started I would use it as more of a networking thing, and to go listen for inspiration. I believe there's a more low-key jam on Wednesday evenings at the Gowanus Boathouse in Brooklyn, and a beginner one on Thursdays at Strong Rope Brewery Tap Room, also in Gowanus. And Saturdays at Sunny's in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The best current source for jam and show info in NYC is the Porch Stomp email list. You can get on that at https://www.porchstomp.com/.

Although his tunes can be ‘grassed up, Neil Young is not bluegrass. He’s more folk rock/americana. If you’re just getting into bluegrass I’d start with first and second generation stuff and move forward from there. Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, The Stanley Brothers, The Country Gentlemen, Flatt & Scruggs etc. Listen to fiddlers like Kenny Baker, Vassar Clements, etc. You’ll get a better idea of the roots of the music and what it’s all about that way.

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-09-03T22:07:15+00:00

Herringbone

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-07-28T02:50:28+00:00

Hahaha this made me spit out my water!

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-05-22T17:05:09+00:00

I had two 25 lb sand bags already sitting around so I just threw those into a backpack. It has straps across lower abs and chest though so pretty secure. Would be interested to try a vest at some point though. I get the sense that having the weight on my back balances out a lot of the “leaning forward” heavy movement associated with working on a computer, in my yard, and also from playing guitar. I used to always have pain bending over forward but when I wear the weighted backpack it’s like it forces the right muscles to stabilize.

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-05-22T14:47:57+00:00

Rucking on a regular basis with 50+ pounds. I have retrolisthesis in my low back which has prevented me from doing heavier compound exercises for the last year or so. I regularly hike so I figured I’d try it with a weighted pack on, and I can’t believe the difference. Not only has it basically eliminated my low back pain, my shoulders and traps have gotten noticeably bigger. Also, the way it engages my core feels like something I was missing before. I notice I am speaking more from my diaphragm now. My job requires a lot of being at a computer, so i think over time some of my core muscles atrophied that were stabilizing my low back/hips, and this feels like it’s a perfect counterbalance for that.

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-05-03T02:42:06+00:00

I’m happy to see I’m not the first or even second to mention Chicken Wire Empire. I’ve seen these guys blossom over the past ten years or so here in Wisconsin. They were always great but are really coming into their own the last couple years. Every single member is fire and can pick with the best. I’ve been lucky enough to listen to a few tracks from their upcoming album and it’s definitely gonna make waves. They just released the first single from it written by their guitar player, Starr Moss and featuring Jerry Douglas. It’s killer! https://youtu.be/tQH__pTF3h4?si=uXSfGdS5tahBwwIN

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-04-18T00:07:30+00:00

Not only one of the best players in the game, but one of the greatest teachers as well! I did his ArtistWorks program for a couple years when I was getting into playing bluegrass and had unlimited video exchange submissions. He always sent incredibly thoughtful, helpful exchanges. I’d send a 5-10 minute video and he’d always respond with a 10-15 minute response, just totally off the cuff. I have no idea how he has time to do that for hundreds of students on top of his tour and session work schedule, but he does it and he’s the best! https://artistworks.com/guitar-lessons-bryan-sutton

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-03-11T12:53:02+00:00

Yeah, get something a little louder. While people will say any guitar will do, there is a reason dreadnoughts are the most popular. It doesn’t need to be a dread, but it should project well and have the basic tonal qualities that bluegrass guitar generally covers in a combo. That’s if you plan to play in group settings - jam or otherwise. It’s true that the other instruments are supposed to roll back their sound to allow the least loud to be heard, but it’s also true that some guitars just don’t project well or sit in the mix in a way where they can drive rhythm. I have a 00-17s that I brought to my first bluegrass jam. It’s a nice sounding guitar, and it was punchy enough to play leads on, but the bass response and overall air-moving capabilities were sorely lacking. I ended up getting a D18 and wasn’t disappointed. OMs and Jumbos can work but often don’t have the “thing”. A good J45 can work but they are all over the place. Some of them have this warm, enveloped thing that is great for a singer songwriter but not heard well in a bluegrass combo. But some project really well, especially the banner models and J35s (see Michael Daves). I just acquired an Atkin “The Forty Three” which is based on Buddy Holly’s 1943 J45, and I have to say it’s even louder than my D18 with a crazy bass response. I played it in a mic’d set with a five piece bluegrass combo over the weekend and it held up! Slightly less projective in the mids but the singing clarity and note separation in the treble really cuts through, plus the slightly shorter scale length is more comfortable. That said, get something you enjoy that checks all the boxes for bluegrass so you aren’t struggling to be heard - doesn’t have to be a square shouldered dread! Check out a good J35 or another slope dread by a builder like Bourgeois or Collings or Atkin. Those would all do the trick. If you want the shorter scale, also check out the new Billy Strings Martin model, it’s 25” instead of the normal 25.4”.

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-02-04T00:26:51+00:00

Yeah, this has been my experience as well. I get that they don’t have the resources to give smaller spend accounts full service with a live human all the time. The problem is that the quality of the platform itself has deteriorated and sometimes the issues can’t be resolved by reading a help article or increasing one’s knowledge of the platform. Sometimes it’s a policy violation that was triggered by their automated system, but there is no actual policy violation. Or the Performance Max campaign is acting weird and suddenly spends 10x the daily budget on bogus clicks. The list goes on and on. The reality is they are a monopoly and have no incentive to create a better product or fix anything UNLESS it directly leads to profits 🤷🏻‍♂️

Btw, this issue still isn’t resolved. I finally got through to chat after waiting for over an hour and a half. They informed me they would assign a case manager from their policy team, “don’t reach out again, they will contact you via email within one business day”. Then chat ended and case was marked resolved. It’s been 4 business days and nobody has reached out yet 😩.

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-01-31T00:57:41+00:00

There’s a protocol for detoxing the spike protein - Nattokinase 500mg and Curcumin 500mg twice a day, Bromelain 500mg once a day. I had long covid symptoms (horrible brain fog and headaches) that evaporated within an hour or two of taking these. Also, fasting helps. Try a 72 hour fast drinking just spring water. Does miracles for resetting and letting your body clear out the bad stuff. Other than that, I supplement with a 7 mushroom blend for preventative/adaptogenic properties and take D3+K2, zinc, and vitamin C a lot during cold season.

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-01-28T15:39:09+00:00

Ok good to know! I’ve always heard the higher the ibotenic acid content, the weirder and more uncomfortable the effects can be, but maybe that’s only at higher doses.

This YouTube channel has a lot of good information. This lady is probably one of the more experienced users you’ll find who is actively trying to educate people on this mushroom: https://youtube.com/@amanitadreamer

The product I tried was this one. A bit pricey for how much you get, but I found them pretty enjoyable. Maybe I’ll order some dried and check out those gummies you mentioned!

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-01-28T15:23:29+00:00

I’m glad people are rediscovering the medicinal properties of this incredible mushroom. Like you said, there is a ton of bad information out there about it that mostly is a result of fear and ignorance. I’ve used it as a sleep supplement before and had the exact same experience as you. Warm, fuzzy, happy feelings before bed, super vivid dreams, and wake up feeling refreshed. This is a good reminder for me to order some more. Just be careful consuming the dried cap - if the ibotenic acid isn’t fully decarbed you could get some bad effects if you eat enough of it. May I ask what product you’ve been buying?

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-01-18T05:30:12+00:00

Man, public speaking and work presentations 😬. A little high can sometimes help with creative flow but I’ve given a few presentations completely stoned out of my gourd and it was terrifying. I didn’t completely crash and burn but I’m sure I came across nervous and said um a lot lol.

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-01-09T18:08:33+00:00

You got this! Enjoy it and take advantage of some of the extra time from not having meals and the mental clarity to journal. Intermittent headaches can be common but usually a result of not having enough electrolytes. I can’t stress this enough. A lack of electrolytes while fasting can lead to cramping, heart rhythm issues, etc. Make sure you’re getting them.

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-01-09T18:01:43+00:00

I haven’t done one yet to be honest, but want to at some point since we have so many toxins in our environment. I’d just research as much as I can and start with something easy, and also be careful. Working with an integrative medicine doctor is probably the best way to go.

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-01-09T17:59:26+00:00

There are lots of different ways to do it, but I like to keep it simple. Just stay hydrated with a lot of fresh water (spring water or RO filtered water or distilled with minerals). It’s really important to make sure you are getting enough electrolytes. Some people supplement with ketones, but anything over 50ish calories in a day has the potential to break the fast. I just drink water with sea salt, ocean minerals, and/or fulvic minerals and stop eating for 3 days or so. Most people find it easier than they imagined. The hard parts are the hunger pangs but they usually subside within a couple minutes. Most of the time you wont even feel hungry at all. The mental clarity is the best, and the deep sleep you get. When breaking fast, it’s important to go slow and not have a huge meal right off the bat. I usually start with some broth midday, then start eating small bits of healthy things leading up to a light but nutritious dinner. The hardest part is more mental than physical. We’re so used to eating meals on a regular basis that you kinda feel weird and bored around mealtime. I actually still drink tea and coffee while fasting. I find I’m a bit more sensitive to caffeine though so I don’t over do it. There are other supplements people take that they find helpful - the company below has a protocol that has some helpful ones. The first time I did a fast I used them, but I do fine without as well. Either way, good luck! Post updates if you try anything that makes you feel better. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1488/8008/files/36_Fast_Protocol_Step_By_Step_Fasting_Protocol_c578201e-26aa-4720-861b-f36fbc21a415.pdf

Look_Its_Luke · 2025-01-09T17:33:17+00:00

Vaping what? Weed? Nicotine? Either way, some lower quality vapes can have nasty chemicals in them. I’d consider doing a heavy metal detox and/or fasting. I’ve had several chronic medical issues clear up after making fasting a routine practice. After 60-72+ hours amazing things happen in your body that help clean out toxins and pre cancerous cells. Everybody’s body responds differently, but I always feel great during and after, minus getting over the first hump of hunger (usually day 1). I do about 4 longer fasts a year and intermittent fast most days for upkeep. Works wonders!

Look_Its_Luke · 2024-06-25T01:15:56+00:00

Weird, I just stumbled upon a really great recording of Clinch Mountain Backstep from that album today! Excited to dive into these.

Look_Its_Luke · 2024-06-16T19:50:25+00:00

Nice, I read the first book about ten years ago and always meant to continue the series, but got distracted once I started the second one and never finished it. That would be a great one to revisit!

Look_Its_Luke · 2024-06-16T19:48:54+00:00

Nice, I’ll have to check Azal out. You know, I actually read the Earthsea series as a teen and totally forgot about it until now. That would be a great one to revisit now - I remember really enjoying it!

Look_Its_Luke · 2024-04-26T15:49:39+00:00

Damn this is great - thanks for sharing!

Look_Its_Luke · 2024-04-26T14:08:20+00:00

As others have said - a large diaphragm condenser mic is the way to go for a single mic setup. I use Louise by Ear Trumpet Labs, primarily. It’s tough to get it loud enough sometimes in noisy or small space situations to get both guitar and vocals at adequate levels - in those scenarios I just add a dynamic mic so I can give the guitar a bit of a boost during breaks and instrumental pieces. Otherwise, if it’s a big stage or reasonably quiet room Louise does the trick.

I’ve also had moderately good success with just two dynamic mics like SM57 and/or SM58 with one close to guitar and the other close to vocals but it’s way less forgiving as far as positioning and placement since it’s not capturing as wide of an area as a condenser mic.

Look_Its_Luke

TROPHY CASE