David Holt's State of Music

Arts and Music Series / 2 Seasons

"David Holt's State of Music" features music from emerging young artists as well as veteran masters. Shot entirely on location in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and South Carolina, the series showcases the musical heritage and scenic beauty of Southern Appalachia while introducing viewers to bluegrass, roots music, blues, new acoustic, and gospel music genres.

Get Cascade PBS Passport to watch

David Holt Introduces Joe Newberry

3m / TV-G

Series host David Holt introduces longtime friend Joe Newberry, who became a globe-trotting professional musician and singer-songwriter in middle age after a lifetime of playing and singing as an amateur.

April Verch Sings “It Don’t Do Nothin’ But Rain”

2m 55s / TV-G

April Verch sings and dances to “It Don’t Do Nothin’ But Rain,” accompanied by Cody Walters on bass and Alex Rubin on guitar for a Season 3 episode of "David Holt's State of Music."

David Holt and April Verch Play a Percussion Duet

50s / TV-G

Series host David Holt plays hambone as April Verch step dances in a percussion duet at the Asheville Guitar Bar for a Season 3 episode of "David Holt’s State of Music."

Episode 2 Preview | Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton

30s / TV-G

David interviews and plays with Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton at the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham, NC. Jerron plays a blues- and jazz-influenced mix of traditional tunes.

Jerron Paxton Plays “Ugly Woman”

3m 57s / TV-G

Country blues artist Jerron Paxton plays his hilarious version of “Ugly Woman” on piano at the Hayti Cultural Center in Durham, NC for a Season 3 episode of "David Holt's State of Music."

Jerron Paxton and David Holt Play “Twin Sisters”

2m 37s / TV-G

David Holt talks to country blues artist Jerron Paxton for a Season 3 episode of "David Holt's State of Music," and they play “Twin Sisters” on ﬁddle and banjo.

Episode 1 Preview | Sam Bush

30s / TV-G

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.

Season 3 Preview

30s / TV-G

Season 3 showcases performers of traditional and new acoustic music filmed at unique locations around the South. Artists include mandolin legend and "Father of New Grass" Sam Bush, musical time lord Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton, champion fiddler and step-dancer April Verch, mid-life overnight success Joe Newberry, guitar phenom Molly Tuttle and the godfather of the resonator guitar, Jerry Douglas.

David Holt and Sam Bush Play “Johnson Boys”

1m 43s / TV-G

David Holt and Sam Bush play “Johnson Boys” on mouth bow and mandolin for a Season 3 episode of "David Holt’s State of Music" filmed at historic Hachland Hill outside Nashville, TN.

David Holt Interviews Mandolin Legend Sam Bush

2m 53s / TV-G

David Holt interviews mandolin legend Sam Bush about his musical origins at a historical farm outside Nashville, TN for a Season 3 episode of "David Holt’s State of Music."

“Eight More Miles to Louisville”

3m 32s / TV-G

Mandolin legend and “Father of New Grass” Sam Bush performs the bluegrass classic “Eight More Miles to Louisville” with guitarist Stephen Mougin and Bassist Todd Parks on "David Holt’s State of Music."

Episode 6 Preview | Doyle Lawson & The St. John Unity Choir

30s / TV-G

David checks in with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and gets some stories from Doyle’s years on the road; also, a visit to the St. John AME Zion Church in Kinston, North Carolina, where the Unity Choir performs.

The Kruger Brothers: A New Country

4m 26s / TV-G

Jens and Uwe Kruger and Joel Landsberg perform a movement of their Appalachian Concerto for banjo, guitar, and bass. The Kruger Brothers live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, where they were filmed for an episode of David Holt's State of Music.

Episode 5 Preview | The Kruger Brothers

30s / TV-G

David travels to the mountains of Wilkes County, NC to share tunes and stories with Jens and Uwe Kruger and bass player Joel Landsberg. The Kruger first came to North Carolina for Merlfest but found such a welcome for their unique brand of bluegrass that they are now permanent residents.

Supported by