Bluegrass Hallmark-esque movie plots. I’m sure this is what the world needs right now: bluegrasstoday.com/from-the-sid...

Fact-checkers need stress leave like air traffic controllers.

Wow. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels writes: “Like Soviet commissars in World War II…today's Washington-based enforcers demand maximum, sacrificial loyalty or else… It's an odd way to build a winning party. Especially when, unlike the Soviet army, you don't start with overwhelming numerical superiority.”

I live in Canada now. This means that I can give my daughter a whole lot of pencils for Christmas, possibly more than she needs. Thank you, @mark-carney.bsky.social !

It turns out that pardoning convicted criminals is so much easier than prosecuting non-criminals:

From the Deputy PM of Sweden:

Reminder: pardons only apply to federal charges www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...

This was a European tour that ended abruptly in Bavaria, with multiple broken ribs and surgery for a ruptured spleen. Life is unpredictable! @jamiegangel.bsky.social

Since he also objects to the “Commanders” name, could the stadium name be accompanied by a team name change to the “Trumpskins”? apple.news/AuLjt7mQvR3G...

. . . only if you like to pose shirtless with a mandolin. @jamiegangel.bsky.social bluegrasstoday.com/from-the-sid...

Maybe time to put that baby right back on the air, maybe during Game 3 of the World Series.

This is one of the numerous ways the damage to international relations will be felt by the U.S. and its one-time economic and strategic allies long after Trump is gone.

Ha ha ha!

For those who are justifiably worried, as I am, there is still hope for the United States of America. Bride poses with frogs:

J.D. Vance’s “boys will be boys” response is completely inadequate.

Thank you, Pope Leo (and Hannah Arendt):

Coming soon! Looking forward to the release of our new single two weeks from today. This is the link to pre-save wherever you listen to music: clg.lnk.to/cj-UnderOver

I’m not a fan of name dropping, but I do have to say that I have met Habeas Corpus. Very nice guy. Very down to earth.

Nashville, October 17th! We return to the world famous Station Inn, with special guests.

Insights from @chrisjonesgrass.bsky.social, quite possibly the most clever mind in bluegrass. bluegrasstoday.com/from-the-sid...

Come back, John Mitchell. All is forgiven.

This has never been a more important quote. When the government dispatches uncalled-for federal troops to cities with no justification whatsoever, hoping to create one, it is absolutely essential to stand up to that firmly and in large numbers, but without giving them that justification.

We know things aren’t good when we’ve already far surpassed JVL’s late 2024 worst-case scenario. A sobering but good read: @jvl.bsky.social www.thebulwark.com/p/we-are-in-...

Breaking: Sinclair ends boycott of Jimmy Kimmel www.cnn.com/2025/09/26/m...

You can go ahead and consider this the theme song for the non-rapture this week, one I co-wrote with Jon Weisberger called “What if You’re Wrong?” youtu.be/nALJfok70NU?...

UN General Assembly address summary:

Does this mean we can resume watching Only Murders in the Building?

Update from north of the border, as reported by the Globe and Mail:

Interesting juxtaposition

I fully plan to inform on any co-worker who says or posts anything negative or insensitive about Robert Redford.

For those of you who have Facebook accounts, I strongly recommend not going there for a while.

Seen in Grande Prairie, Alberta. I think I preferred the “Communists are trying to sap and impurity all of our precious bodily fluids” argument. @kikkiplanet.bsky.social

Important development:

This is really good and pertinent: “Companies’ algorithms are designed to maximize engagement, so a post that receives likes, shares and comments will be shown to more people.”

Last night’s full moon reflecting off the Peace River in northern BC/Alberta. I’m broadcasting on SiriusXM from up here this weekend, with you tomorrow at Willie’s Roadhouse, playing classic country music from 4-9PM Eastern. Might need to spin some moon songs for tonight’s almost-full moon.

Jeannie Seely: Opry legend, groundbreaking artist, great songwriter, and kind, funny, and generous human being. We will all miss her so much.

There’s a kind of consistency and predictability here:

#BestSongHeardToday #MusicChallenge So many good ones today...this one is playing now: Chris Jones & the NightDrivers, "What If You're Wrong" www.youtube.com/watch?v=nALJ... @chrisjonesgrass.bsky.social

Friday night at @caffelena.bsky.social in Saratoga Springs, NY. We love that place. During the show we debuted our new single “How Small of Me.”

“You just added in a third building. That’s what that is” gets my vote for quote of the day.

Meet Canada’s abusive boyfriend: “I love you and want you to move in with me. I will cherish you.” “If you don’t move in, it’ll go very badly for you.” “You’re mean and nasty for not visiting me.”

Gift Article: wapo.st/4o2Yb4E

My band and I are excited to announce that we’ll be releasing 90 songs in 90 days! Sure, right now it’s only one song and it’s coming out Friday. The rest will follow very very quickly. Or maybe not. Anyway here’s the link to pre-add/pre-save the one that *is* coming out: clg.lnk.to/cjnd-HowSmal...

Last night in Galax, VA. Tonight it’s the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville, VA @jamiegangel.bsky.social

Once you’ve rejected the most basic tenets of science, this seems like a perfectly reasonable request. “Hey Canada, your smoke is messing up our summer vacation!”

Happy Canada Day to all. Here’s about 90 minutes worth of a range of Canadian-ness for your soundtrack today, from Hank Snow to Le Vent du Nord: music.apple.com/ca/playlist/... #canadaday #canada

There are so many things worth noting about this 1917 class photo from Maryville College in Tennessee (where I was just teaching at a music camp), I don’t know where to start.

This week, I coached—along with Abbie Gardner—this student bluegrass ensemble at Kaufman Kamp in Tennessee. Their concert was a Great Day for the camp, and frankly a Great Day for the World. I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for this.

Sad reality:

Driving into the northern Alberta smoke yesterday: