The Yolo County Breakdown

A lizard playing banjo near a rocky cliff

Bluegrass, newgrass, and beyond. From Bill Monroe to Billy Strings, the Yolo County Breakdown is a journey through acoustic string music ranging from the traditional to the cutting edge.

Replays Sunday 3-4pm
Live Friday 10-11am
Podcast
Music programs are only online for two weeks after they are broadcast.

The Yolo County Breakdown for 10:00am on Apr 18, 2025

Ralph Stanley plays the traditional and the Kronos Quartet plays the avant-garde, but Rocky doesn't care. He plays them both! Plus a whole lot more in between - even including one from the Boss! Bruce Springsteen on the Yolo County Breakdown? Yes indeed and yesirree.

The Yolo County Breakdown for 10:00am Apr 11, 2025

Alison Krauss's first new album with Union Station in 14 years is now out, and Rocky brings another track from it straight to ya! Plus he spins some singing by Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman and some pickin by Merle Travis. And if the current events of the day got you all tangled up, he let's John Hartford tell you how to Untangle Your Mind...

The Yolo County Breakdown for 10:00am Apr 04, 2025

Rocky is joined by a legendary guitar player who is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Jorma Kaukonen. A country and blues guitar player at heart, Jorma rose to fame as a member of 2 definitive Rock and Roll bands that emerged from the 1960s San Francisco scene - Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna. But here we take a look at his acoustic side, including his current partnership with John Hurlbut - who also joins the show!

The Yolo County Breakdown for 10:00am on Mar 28, 2025

Rocky is joined by the undisputed heavyweight champion of the banjo world - Bela Fleck. Bela is one of the most decorated musicians in Grammy Award history with 19 wins across nearly every genre. His new project - BEATrio - features him alongside Edmar Castaneda on harp and Antonio Sanchez on drums finding their Latin groove.

The Yolo County Breakdown for 10:00am on Mar 21, 2025

It's a Don Reno banjo bonanza on this edition of the Yolo County Breakdown. Rocky spins 4 cuts from the banjo wizard from 4 different bands. Plus something newer from Del McCoury and live tracks from Mark O'Connor and Scotty Stoneman. Too much hot pickin' for one show!

The Yolo County Breakdown for 10:00am on Mar 14, 2025

Rocky's got the latest single featuring an all-female triple banjo blowout! Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt and Alison Brown are all capable of pickin' a masterful banjo break, but put them all together and holy cow! Plus bluegrass and jazz from Bela, and a live recording of the Hot Club de Nashville that would even make Django smile.

The Yolo County Breakdown for 10:00am on Feb 28th, 2025

Jerry Douglas is everywhere! Without doubt, the dobro master shows up on more recordings that air on the Yolo County Breakdown than any other musician, and this week is no exception. Hear his wizardry as he plays with Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Lyle Lovett, and his own band. But don't worry - another great dobro player named Rob Ickes also makes an appearance this week too!

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Comments

Here is a direct link to the epsiode of the Yolo Couinty Breakdown for 5/22/26 featuring my conversation with Bela Fleck and Renee Fleming: https://kdrt.org/audio/yolo-county-breakdown-may-22-2026

Hoping that the podcast feed gets fixed asap.

Aloha,

Rocky

 

Submitted by Rocky Outcrop on Fri, 05/22/2026 - 11:05am

Hi Friends,

We are aware of the problems on the KDRT website right now. Shows are not appearing on the showpages, and podcasts are not getting posted. I will try to post direct links to shows after they air so you can still listen if you don't catch them live. Apologies for this. The tech folks assure me a fix is in the works.

Aloha,

Rocky

Submitted by Rocky Outcrop on Fri, 05/22/2026 - 8:37am

Mr. Outcrop, 

I am a songwriter from North Carolina with a new single I just released on Get It Played from the album "Living In Yesterday,"

The song "Cimbing Up This Mountain" is under Scott Strickland/ Creech's Mill featuring Kiesha Bryant. I humbly ask that you might take a listen and possibly play the song on your show. Thanks for your consideration. Scott Strickland.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/21/2026 - 12:54pm

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