S4 E6. Mark Rader: The Blues Are Still The Blues (Part 2)
Mark Rader was the lead vocalist and guitarist of The Traditional Grass, one of the foremost bluegrass bands on the festival circuit in the 80's and 90's. In this episode of Walls of Time, Mark shares great tales from the road, tells us what Kathy Bates film inspired one of the band's biggest hits, and discusses the band's decision to get off the road in 1995. He also lets us know what bands in today's bluegrass scene really fire him up!
Let's return to Mark's dining room table for Part Two of our conversation with Daniel's "Uncle" Mark Rader.
This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:
-- Greene County Public Library: greenelibrary.info-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)
11 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT
S4 E5. Mark Rader: The Blues Are Still The Blues (Part 1)
The Traditional Grass was one of the premiere bluegrass bands of the '80s and 90s. Originating in the Miami Valley, they developed a strong reputation and a national following, releasing four albums for Rebel Records before disbanding in 1995. Daniel sits down to chat with the band's guitarist and lead vocalist, Mark Rader, who formed The Traditional Grass alongside Daniel's papaw and dad: Paul "Moon Mullins and Joe Mullins.
Gathered around his dining room table, Mark shares stories about growing up in Middletown and coming of age in southwestern Ohio during such an exciting time for the region's bluegrass scene. He recounts how The Traditional Grass was founded in 1983 and breaks down the excitement behind writing one of their signature songs, "The Blues Are Still The Blues." Mark is a great storyteller and is a lover of roots music. We get him to break down some his favorites artists, from Larry Sparks to Lonnie Mack!
Enjoy Part 1 of our conversation with Mark Rader.
This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:
-- Greene County Public Library: greenelibrary.info-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)
31 Jul 2026
S4 E4. Larry Sparks: Natural Thing To Do (Part 2)
Larry Sparks is truly one of one. We return to the Sparks home in eastern Indiana for the second half of our conversation with the "Youngest of the Old Timers".
We chat with Larry about some of his biggest songs and albums, and we learn about why he turned down some opportunities in the late-80's. He also opens up about his faith and the love of his life, Pam Sparks.
Enjoy Part 2 of our conversation with Larry Sparks.
This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors:
-- Greene County Public Library: greenelibrary.info-- Samson's Haircare: samsonshaircare.com (Use code BLUEGRASS to save 10%.)
Inside a recent episode
S4 E6. Mark Rader: The Blues Are Still The Blues (Part 2)
Published 14 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] That touched me. And I ended up talking to the guy. I called him on the phone or he called me here. He gave me his number or something. And we talked for about an hour or something. It was really, really a rewarding thing to think that somebody saw something in what I was doing enough to make them want to say, I can do that and I can add to it. I can do my thing with it. That's what it's about. Why do you think it's so important for, as you say, you know, for that influence to be passed on and then added to as it goes from generation to generation? Just like you said, you guys were called traditional grass, but what folks call traditional now is different than what you called traditional then and is different than what the generation before you called traditional. […]
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