Host Paul Trenwith is a founding member of the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band in NZ, playing banjo and occasionally singing harmony parts. Paul has always been an enthusiastic advocate for and promoter of bluegrass music, and the show includes tracks from classic bands, traditional stylists, and contemporary groups as well as some ‘roots’ bluegrass and newgrass. The show originally airs on FREE-FM in New Zealand and we rebroadcast it every Sunday at 6pm.
Back Porch Bluegrass Show - 22-07-2025
Bill Clifton, the Gibson Brothers, the Sonoran Dogs, the Dillards - some top-notch bluegrass here, with a lot of songs that are comparatively unknown - check them out. Bill Emerson, Nu-Blu, Australia's Old South Bluegrass Band, Joe Mullins, and Curtis ...
Jul 22, 2025
Back Porch Bluegrass - 15-07-2025
Time for some hard-driving bluegrass, with maybe a couple of 'softies' thrown in. Tracks from the Bluegrass Album Band, American Drive, the David Grier Band, High Fidelity, the Kody Norris Show, Balsam Range and others - some top picking and singing he...
Jul 14, 2025
Back Porch Bluegrass - 08-07-2025
The Free FM studios are being renovated, so I've chosen this show from five years ago to be played in lieu of recording a 'new' show in a building site! I have my good friend, band-mate and luthier Keith MacMillan in the studio with me. We talk about ...
Jul 08, 2025
Back Porch Bluegrass - 01-07-2025
This week, I have re-visited some of my first influences for banjo playing, from Earl Scruggs, Bill Keith, Don Parmley, Doug Dillard, Mike Seeger, Walt Hensley, and Ralph Stanley, and of course the music that the bands they were part of were playing. I...
Jul 01, 2025
Back Porch Bluegrass - 24-06-2025
A broad spectrum of bluegrass in this week's show, and there'll be something for all musical tastes, I'm sure. The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band kick-off (well, they would if it was a rugby match), then we've got Chris Jones and the Night riders, Tony ric...
Jun 24, 2025
Back Porch Bluegrass - 17-06-2025
Mid-winter here in NZ, but this show has nothing to do with the season. All year round, it's great to listen to bluegrass music, and there's plenty of it here. The Lost Pines from Texas, the Earls of Leicester, Chad Manning, Claire Lynch, and the Osbo...
Jun 17, 2025
Back Porch Bluegrass - 10-06-2025
I've just received the brand-new album from Seth Mulder & Midnight Run from Rebel Records, and it's a beauty. I play a couple of tracks from it. I've also featured some music from the Lynn Morris Band, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Po' Ramblin' Boy...
Jun 10, 2025
Back Porch Bluegrass - 03-06-2025
Larry Sparks kicks off today's show, followed by a great bunch of performers including the Po' Ramblin' Boys, John Hickman, the Kruger Brothers, Bob Baker, and Double Overtime. We have some new music from Irish band Whistle, and some from NZ's Pipi Pic...
Jun 03, 2025
Back Porch Bluegrass - 27-05-2025
All sorts of bluegrass and allied music in this week's show, from Laurie Lewis's 'Nashville' recordings to Snuffy Jenkins and some 'pre-bluegrass' sounds. Here you'll find the Stanley Brothers, Patty Loveless, Del McCoury Band, Tony Ellis, Nothing Fanc...
May 27, 2025
Back Porch Bluegrass - 20-05-2025
Created by Free FM, Hamilton, New Zealand
May 20, 2025
