{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/51338af4-acf0-4ecf-91eb-d3dc2e038d7c/67f32f28506c6c628c09c161?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"134: Matt Mundy on ARU, Widespread Panic, and His Bluegrass Roots","description":"<p>In episode 134 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kolath welcome a special guest with deep connections to Widespread Panic history - mandolin player Matt Mundy, formerly of the Aquarium Rescue Unit and the musician who played on Panic's \"Pickin' Up The Pieces.\"</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Topics Discussed:</strong></p><ul><li>Matt's musical journey from his bluegrass upbringing to joining Colonel Bruce Hampton's Aquarium Rescue Unit</li><li>The story behind Matt's mandolin playing on Widespread Panic's \"Picking Up The Pieces\"</li><li>Recollections of the early days with ARU and being part of the Capricorn Records roster in the 1990s</li><li>Matt's experiences on the H.O.R.D.E. festival tours in 1992-93, including the legendary collaborative jams between bands</li><li>What it was like to rejoin Widespread Panic on stage at the Fox Theatre in 2022 after a nearly 30-year absence</li><li>Memories of playing with Jimmy Herring and Michael Houser</li><li>Matt's bluegrass roots, his family's musical history, and the Louisville and Lexingtoni Holiday Inn circuit where his parents performed alongside future stars like Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs</li><li>His current musical projects, including an upcoming album featuring his mother on bass and a mix of bluegrass and swing tunes</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Guest Info:</strong></p><ul><li>Matt Mundy - Former mandolin player for Aquarium Rescue Unit who has played with Widespread Panic numerous times, including a session on \"Pickin' Up The Pieces.\" He continues to perform bluegrass music and is currently working on a new album with his family.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Musical Influences Mentioned:</strong></p><ul><li>David Grisman, Sam Bush, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Bobby Osborne</li><li>The Louisville bluegrass scene featuring JD Crowe, Tony Rice, and Ricky Skaggs</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Hosts' Recommendations:</strong></p><ul><li>Harvey: \"Adolescence\" on Netflix - a four-episode drama filmed in single takes</li><li>Jeff: The first four songs of Jason Isbell's new album (with mixed feelings about the rest)</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Notable Quotes:</strong></p><ul><li>\"I gig quite a bit, but I've held a day job for years... Music's a lot of fun, but there's very few mandolin players in your square mile that earn a living.\" - Matt Mundy</li><li>\"Bluegrass has been in my life all my life... Still I'm playing bluegrass music. I started when I was probably 11. It bit me a little bit right in there.\" - Matt Mundy</li><li>\"You're basically just doing it to have a record, a record of something... It's not to make money. It's not to promote a tour. It's just to do, and we have a studio, so why not?\" - Matt Mundy on recording his new album</li></ul><p>At the end of the episode, listeners are treated to two new unreleased tracks from Matt's upcoming album, \"Flatt Lonesome\" and \"Island Hop\"</p>","author_name":"Harvey Couch, Jeff Kollath"}