Bluegrass Ramble

On air

Sundays · 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM · ET

WCNY-FM · 91.3 FM · New York

3-hour Sunday mix. Mostly traditional bluegrass, newgrass, oldtime, gospel bluegrass

About the show

Marie Lamb and Bill Knowlton are the powerhouse production and presentation team behind Bluegrass Ramble, one of the longest-running and most celebrated bluegrass programs in radio history. Broadcasting since January 1973 from Syracuse, New York, the show is a cultural institution across the Northeast, airing every Sunday night on the WCNY Classic FM network (91.3 FM Syracuse, 89.5 FM Utica, and 90.9 FM Watertown).Bill Knowlton—universally revered as "Mr. Bluegrass of Central New York" and "The Colonel"—is a legendary industry pioneer who hosted New York City's very first all-bluegrass radio show back in 1960. A retired U.S. Air Force public affairs officer, Bill’s monumental contributions to acoustic music earned him the prestigious IBMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Award. He is also the founder and master of ceremonies for the historic, annual Bluegrass Ramble Picnic, a massive free New York tradition celebrating its 53rd continuous year. Marie Lamb, an accomplished Central New York native and graduate of Syracuse University's Setnor School of Music, serves as the vital backbone of the modern Bluegrass Ramble broadcast. A prominent WCNY classical music and opera host by day, Marie has partnered with Bill for over 20 years. For the past decade, she has handled the critical post-production, digital syndication, and behind-the-scenes magic that keeps this historic broadcast flawless and accessible to global streaming audiences. On-Air Style & Sound A Half-Century of Heritage: The show is a masterful, three-hour weekly journey completely devoted to the absolute best in traditional bluegrass and old-time acoustic country music. The "Parlor" Atmosphere: Bill warmly invites his global audience into his virtual on-air studio "parlor" every Sunday, delivering his trademark humor, deep historical knowledge, and highly engaging storytelling. Monthly Artist Residences: A beloved feature of the program is its rotating, 15-minute monthly radio showcases featuring regional and international balladeers, including acts like Canada's Tom Wilson & Border Bluegrass and Virginia's Bill & Maggie Anderson. Live Archival Gems: Marie and Bill frequently treat listeners to exclusive, pristine live audio board recordings captured straight from the stages of major Northeast festivals and the annual Bluegrass Ramble Picnic.