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Celebrating 33 years of music, ideas, & community on the radio
The Infamous Stringdusters with Molly Tuttle And Guest Maria-Rose Belding

This week we travel back to 2019 to revisit an acoustic-ish and bluegrass-esque show featuring The Infamous Stringdusters and Molly Tuttle. Nick also has a chat with Maria Rose Belding about the value of donating food and paying employees a living wage.


The Infamous Stringdusters

The Infamous Stringdusters are a celebrated American progressive bluegrass band known for their virtuosic musicianship, innovative arrangements, and genre-blending style. The GRAMMY Award-winning Americana quintet—Andy Falco [guitar], Chris Pandolfi [banjo], Andy Hall [dobro], Jeremy Garrett [fiddle], and Travis Book [double bass]—have musical influences that truly run the gamut, but their common denominator is certainly bluegrass— the sound that has in essence defined the course of their career.

The Infamous Stringdusters stand out as the rare group who can team up with contemporary artists on late-night television one night and headline the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre the next, and have recently emerged as proprietors behind their newly found independent record label, Americana Vibes.

Manifesting an actual flock of impassioned fandom, much like those who paved the road before them, the band has attracted a faithful international audience that continues to grow. Moreover, their powerful music and performances paved the way for a GRAMMY Award win in the category of “Best Bluegrass Album” for 2017’s Laws of Gravity, and a number of International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA) in a variety of categories. Known for their energetic live shows and improvisational prowess, The Infamous Stringdusters continue to push the boundaries of bluegrass while honoring its roots, captivating audiences across the country and around the world.


Molly Tuttle

Molly Tuttle is a trailblazing musician whose virtuosic guitar playing and storytelling prowess have solidified her place as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary bluegrass. Raised in Northern California and now based in Nashville, Molly has garnered widespread acclaim for her innovative approach to the genre, blending tradition with modern themes and masterful musicianship.

A first-class instrumentalist, Molly made history as the first woman to be named Guitar Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Her musicianship, paired with her ability to craft songs that resonate deeply, has earned her collaborations with legends like Dave Matthews and Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor. Whether delivering intricate acoustic arrangements or leading joyous singalongs, Molly continues to redefine bluegrass while celebrating the deep-rooted community that surrounds it.


Maria-Rose Belding

As the author of more than a dozen nationally published pieces on food security and poverty, Maria-Rose has also had the privilege to speak on the same issues in 25 states. Her work has not gone unnoticed, with recognition from Points of Light, L’Oreal Paris, and the Obama White House with President’s Volunteer Service awards in 2014 and 2016, along with being named a 2018 Glamour College Woman of the Year. In December 2018 at age 23, she became the youngest-ever female CNN Hero of the Year. Maria Rose graduated from American University in Washington, DC in May 2019, receiving a B.S. in public health while on the premed track. Learn more about Maria-Rose Belding.