David Holt's State of Music

Watch as David Holt interviews and performs with modern masters of traditional music, on location in the southern mountains, the countryside that nurtured their music.

Season 2 showcases top acoustic performers of traditional music filmed on location in the Southern Appalachian mountains. Featured artists include the Steep Canyon Rangers, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Kruger Brothers, Mipso, Laurelyn Dossett, Dom Flemons, Amythyst Kiah, Rayna Gellert, Alice Gerrard, and the St. John AME Zion Unity Choir. The season finale, recorded live onstage, features Rhiannon Giddens, Dirk Powell, Jason Sypher, Balsam Range, Josh Goforth, and The Branchettes.

David interviews mandolin legend Sam Bush, known as “The Father of New Grass,” at an 18th-century farm outside Nashville, TN. Sam and his band play traditional tunes and original songs.

Della Mae is a powerhouse band of women who play bluegrass and more, and they are mentoring young female players around the world. David visits them at the historic Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

Blues legend Keb’ Mo’ visits with host David Holt. Keb’ has described himself as “too happy for the blues, too bluesy for jazz, too funky for folk, and too city for country.” David talks with him about how he found his place in music.