Blue Ox Music Festival Podcast
Pert Near Sandstone’s Nate Sipe and Justin Bruhn host ‘The Road to Blue Ox’ Podcast series in anticipation of the Blue Ox Music Festival. They interview Blue Ox Music Festival artists, play music from the year’s lineup and discuss features of the 3-day outdoor festival. Listen to get an idea of what to expect and get excited for the year’s event which takes place annually at The Pines Music Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
We are interested to know what you would like to hear on future episodes and any helpful feedback. Send a message to: [email protected]
Written by: Nate Sipe & Justin Bruhn. Produced by: Pert Near Sandstone and The Blue Ox Music Festival. Recorded and edited by: Nate Sipe.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @pertnearsandstone, @blueoxmusicfestival
Season 7 – Episode 3: Featuring Mike Devol of Greensky Bluegrass
(June 2025)
The final episode before gates open at this year’s Blue Ox Music Festival! Nate and Justin connect with Mike from Greensky to discuss what they’ve been up to and look ahead to celebrating a milestone in their career as a flagship of the jamgrass scene. Also mentioned are some updates and information to be aware of for this year. We listened to a song from Two Runner, who will be joining us on Thursday at the festival. See you in the Pines soon!
Featured Music on this episode: “The Waiting Days” – Pert Near Sandstone, “Sirena Exotica” – Nate Sipe, “Late Dinner” – Two Runner, “Stress Dreams” – Greensky Bluegrass, “Distracted” – Greensky Bluegrass
**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.
Season 7 – Episode 2: Featuring Warren Haynes
(May 2025)
Justin and Nate had a great conversation with Warren Haynes! They discuss his past collaborations that led him to where he is today, dove into his new album and learned about the incredible band he will have along at Blue Ox. There are a few timely announcements about the festival and we also listen to a song by The Wildmans, who are performing on Saturday on the Saloon Stage.
Featured Music on this episode: “The Waiting Days” – Pert Near Sandstone, “You’re Gonna Make me Lonesome When You Go” – The Wildmans, “Go Down Swinging” – Warren Haynes, “Real, Real Love” – Warren Haynes
**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.
Season 7 – Episode 1: Featuring Leah Song of Rising Appalachia
(May 2025)
We’re back with a new episode in anticipation of this year’s Blue Ox! Justin and Nate chatted with Leah Song of the sister-led group, Rising Appalachia. We discussed their journey around the country, developing their signature rendering of folk music and keeping rooted with a family that continues to inspire their music, pace of life and sense of place in the world. We listened to a couple of their songs and one from The Cody Sisters, who will be performing on stage and also conducting the guitar and mandolin workshops at this year’s festival. Other new and recurring features are discussed, helping to serve as an introductory audio guide and to get excited about this quickly approaching weekend. See you soon at the Blue Ox Music Festival on June 26-28th in Eau Claire, WI!
Featured Music on this episode: “The Waiting Days” – Pert Near Sandstone, “All the Quiet People” – The Cody Sisters, “All Fence and No Doors” & “Resilient”- Rising Appalachia
**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.
Season 6 – Episode 4: Featuring Molly Tuttle
(June 2024)
This is the last episode of the season just days before the 10th anniversary of The Blue Ox Festival! Welcoming her back to Blue Ox for her 3rd-ish time, Nate & Justin were thrilled to have a conversation with Molly Tuttle about the development of her music and the formation of Golden Highway. It was a great chat preceded by some event updates. Thanks for listening and very soon we’ll see you in The Pines!
Featured Music on this episode: “The Waiting Days” , “Summer Skies (background)”– Pert Near Sandstone, “Side Saddle”, “Down Home Dispensary”, “The First Time I Fell in Love” – Molly Tuttle
**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.
Season 6 – Episode 3: Featuring Art Stevenson
(May 2024)
Anyone familiar with Wisconsin bluegrass knows of our guest, Art Stevenson. He has been keeping traditional bluegrass going in the region for 30 years with his band, High Water. Nate and Justin had a great chat with him about his musical development, his show on WORT community radio, and his own involvement with festival organizing. We are excited to hear them perform on Saturday, June 29th on Blue Ox’s Saloon Stage.
Featured Music on this episode: “The Waiting Days” – Pert Near Sandstone, “Sawmill Town”, “Handsome Molly”, “California Cottonfields”– Art Stevenson and High Water.
**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.
Season 6 – Episode 2: Featuring Lindsay Lou
(April 2024)
Lindsay Lou joins us from her home in Nashville, TN for an in-depth conversation about her new album, Queen of Time. She will be performing at Blue OX on Thursday 6/27. We listen to a song from the band contest winner, Emmy Woods and the Red Pine Ramblers. Nate and Justin also discuss a couple new festival features.
Featured Music on this episode: “The Waiting Days” – Pert Near Sandstone, “Million Miles Per Hour” – Emmy Woods and the Red Pine Ramblers, “Queen of Time”, “Nothing Else Matters”, “Love Calls”– Lindsay Lou.
**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.
Season 6 – Episode 1: Featuring Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon & The High Hawks
(February 2024)
Nate and Justin of Pert Near Sandstone are back with a new season of the Road to Blue Ox Podcast! They kick off this season by interviewing Mr. Festival himself, Vince Herman, of Leftover Salmon and The High Hawks.
A few festival news highlights and announcements are also discussed as we look forward to celebrating the 10th year of the Blue Ox Music Festival this June 27-29 in Eau Claire, WI. Thanks for listening!
You can catch Leftover Salmon and The High Hawks at Blue Ox 2024 on Thursday, June 27th!
Featured Music on this episode: “The Waiting Days” – Pert Near Sandstone, “Verde River” – Kassi Valazza, “Waterbound” – The Tan and Sober Gentlemen, “Somewhere South” – The High Hawks, “Flying” – Vince Herman
**Permission was obtained for all music used in this episode.
*Search ‘Road to Blue Ox‘ Podcast in Spotify to listen to previous season episodes*