"My Bluegrass Heart:" An Interview with Béla Fleck, Bryan Sutton, & Sierra Hull || ArtistWorks

Interested in learning bluegrass guitar, mandolin, or banjo? Try some free sample lessons from Grammy-Award winning guitarist Bryan Sutton, mandolin virtuoso Sierra Hull, and more here:
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Last month, world-renowned banjo icon and fourteen-time Grammy Award-winner, Béla Fleck, released his highly anticipated fourteenth studio album as a solo artist, "My Bluegrass Heart." The already critically acclaimed album is the third in a trilogy of recordings from Béla featuring a more traditional bluegrass lineup, and is Béla’s first work structured in this style since his seminal 1999 album, "The Bluegrass Sessions: Tales from the Acoustic Planet, Vol. 2."
Much like "The Bluegrass Sessions" and its 1988 predecessor "Drive," Béla’s latest nineteen-track album features an all-star lineup of some of bluegrass’ most revered artists, including ArtistWorks master instructors Bryan Sutton on the acoustic guitar, Sierra Hull on mandolin, and both Tony Trischka and Noam Pikelny joining Béla on banjo. The album also features legendary bluegrass musicians like Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, David Grisman, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, and Chris Thile, as well as a handful of younger artists who are quickly making their mark in the genre, such as Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle.
To commemorate the album’s release, ArtistWorks co-founder Patricia Butler gathered Béla, Bryan, and Sierra virtually for an in-depth interview to discuss the record, its writing and recording process, and the subsequent tours that have since followed and will continue through the coming winter months.
★ Béla Fleck ★
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★ Bryan Sutton ★
► Website - www.bryansutto...
► Instagram - / bryansuttond28
► Facebook - / bryansuttonmusic
► Twitter - / bryand28sutton
★ Sierra Hull ★
► Website - www.sierrahull...
► Instagram - / sierradawnhull
► Facebook - / sierrahullmusic
► Twitter - / sierrahull
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[@dannybradley7101]

All of these artists are at the top of their respective fields. I have seen most all of them at one time or another and have never been disappointed.

[@philiprundall3432]

What a fascinating interview and the double cd is stunning. Having been an ArtistWorks student of Bryan's in the past I cannot recommend his guitar school enough and I'm so pleased that Sierra Hull has joined their impressive list of teachers.

[@spokaneman7327]

I cannot wait to see them at Carnegie Hall! I love most genre’s of music, but two things especially about Newgrass - the skill and excellence of the musicians (some of the best in the world across genres) and the special community the musicians seem to have. Few albums have moved me to tears as much as this one.

[@dpaddock3271]

I'll also say that my favorite albums require 3 or 4 listenings. Sometimes my favorite piece at an early listening is replaced by another (often more complex) after many run-throughs. I guess I'm writing this for some who may hear it once and say, "that's not for me," or "I like more straight-forward grass." Don't give up on it until you've let your brain stew over it a few times!

[@davidhoxit4274]

You are all fantastic artists, thanks for sharing and inspiring!!

[@gracestokes3288]

Fortunate to have such incredibly skilled musicians that don’t want to get stuck in comfortable. Love the challenges and the amazing growth that results from hard work, imagination and curiosity. Keep it going. The creative process is all about taking yourself into an uncomfortable place.

[@dpaddock3271]

I love the comments about having to get the technical skill down, get in shape, IN ORDER TO GET TO THE MUSIC/ART of pieces. I find this very parallel to martial arts and mechanical design. Probably for almost all types of art.

[@DogDoc1991]

We just saw the group in Wilmington, DE. It was a master class in bluegrass musicianship by every musician on stage.

[@Benry1]

My favorite album by far!

[@stanleykomonce8302]

i want to say that the guy with glasses (i dont remember his name) has gotten better over the past few years ...im gald he did not rest on his knowledge and kept getting better. Bela, ur great as we all know ...and Sierra so wonderful and smart ....(quick little fast notes)...putting it all together .dont u give any of it up girl.... also im glad u all got together and the fiddle player ,,genius...i dont want to leave out the bass player ....well its hard to hear the bass but im sure hes a great guy ....and the rest of the band all GOOD PEEPS

[@mbsnyderc]

He's been a top player for years he's an 8 time IBMA guitar player of the year,and heavily used session musician.

[@OldMcDnald]

Bro that's Bryan Sutton. Are you in your senses?

[@stanleykomonce8302]

👍👍🤣🤣@@OldMcDnald

[@JustFiddler]

aku suka sierra ! dia adalah idolaku. matur suksma

[@robertfox499]

Thanks for the interview. I bought the double CD set. The album is awesome. I normally dont buy a physical CD but this album is going to an important part of Newgrass/Bluegrass history.

[@brucekuehn4031]

I got it for Christmas and it is amazing! I told my son to get it for me from Béla directly. In other words, don’t use that place named after the big river in South America. That fellow has enough money to give other millionaires free space rides.

[@jambonejim1249]

Excellent chat AW. I am completely in love with the music and the touring band's take on it.

[@jimgroff6880]

Album of the year.

[@slode1693]

Bela, Trust me, all those little subtleties are very appreciated. Listening to this album is like taking 19 shorter trips on a vast journey. And the songs are laid out perfectly to let you rest after the fast tempo stuff, and things pick back up before you get to comfortable.

[@riceflatpicking4954]

My take on this is that this is the recording of the decade

[@MattBrownGuitar]

This company is partnered with Jamplay. Boycott both companies!

[@Tyler_Wilson]

Why?

[@travis8947]

Yeah. Might need some context with that statement

[@riceflatpicking4954]

Why? I take lessons with Bryan on artist works and it’s killer. Did they steal some of your students away?

[@travis8947]

@@riceflatpicking4954 haha. Gotta love the guy who tries to start a boycott but can’t explain why

[@riceflatpicking4954]

@@travis8947 I guess now we have cancel Bluegrass culture as well 🤷‍♂️