In episode 134 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kolath welcome a special guest with deep connections to Widespread Panic history - mandolin player Matt Mundy, formerly of the Aquarium Rescue Unit and the musician who played on Panic's "Pickin' Up The Pieces."

Topics Discussed:

Matt's musical journey from his bluegrass upbringing to joining Colonel Bruce Hampton's Aquarium Rescue Unit
The story behind Matt's mandolin playing on Widespread Panic's "Picking Up The Pieces"
Recollections of the early days with ARU and being part of the Capricorn Records roster in the 1990s
Matt's experiences on the H.O.R.D.E. festival tours in 1992-93, including the legendary collaborative jams between bands
What it was like to rejoin Widespread Panic on stage at the Fox Theatre in 2022 after a nearly 30-year absence
Memories of playing with Jimmy Herring and Michael Houser
Matt's bluegrass roots, his family's musical history, and the Louisville and Lexingtoni Holiday Inn circuit where his parents performed alongside future stars like Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs
His current musical projects, including an upcoming album featuring his mother on bass and a mix of bluegrass and swing tunes

Guest Info:

Matt Mundy - Former mandolin player for Aquarium Rescue Unit who has played with Widespread Panic numerous times, including a session on "Pickin' Up The Pieces." He continues to perform bluegrass music and is currently working on a new album with his family.

Musical Influences Mentioned:

David Grisman, Sam Bush, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Bobby Osborne
The Louisville bluegrass scene featuring JD Crowe, Tony Rice, and Ricky Skaggs

Hosts' Recommendations:

Harvey: "Adolescence" on Netflix - a four-episode drama filmed in single takes
Jeff: The first four songs of Jason Isbell's new album (with mixed feelings about the rest)

Notable Quotes:

"I gig quite a bit, but I've held a day job for years... Music's a lot of fun, but there's very few mandolin players in your square mile that earn a living." - Matt Mundy
"Bluegrass has been in my life all my life... Still I'm playing bluegrass music. I started when I was probably 11. It bit me a little bit right in there." - Matt Mundy
"You're basically just doing it to have a record, a record of something... It's not to make money. It's not to promote a tour. It's just to do, and we have a studio, so why not?" - Matt Mundy on recording his new album

At the end of the episode, listeners are treated to two new unreleased tracks from Matt's upcoming album, "Flatt Lonesome" and "Island Hop"

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134: Matt Mundy on ARU, Widespread Panic, and His Bluegrass Roots

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