Above: Bronwyn Keith-Hynes performs with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway at Belly Up in Aspen, CO 2024
Wildfire Reviews sits down with two incredible artists who performed at this year's Rockygrass Festival in Lyons, CO: James Kee of East Grass Nash, and Grammy nominated Bronwyn Keith-Hynes.
(Above: Bronwyn performs for the 2nd time at the 2025 RockyGrass Festival)
Last year, Nashville fiddler Bronwyn Keith-Kynes released her second studio record, "I Built a World". It was her first time debuting vocals on a record, and the result was a collection of powerful tracks that was nominated for a Grammy. However, in the bluegrass world it's no surprise, as Bronwyn's extremely talented fiddle playing and incredible voice is what truly makes this record Grammy worthy.
This Sunday, we sat down with Bronwyn for a twenty-minute interview and spoke with her about her career, the past, the present and the future.
For the last few weeks, Bronwyn enjoyed some R&R time at home in Nashville after her big last performance with Molly Tuttle & The Golden Highway during RockyGrass 2025 and an extensive future several month tour, starting this week in August.
While on break from her tour, she's been writing some new songs for another upcoming record, which is a bit different from 'I Built A World'. On 'I Built A Word, Bronwyn acquired songs from other musicians that worked well with what she wanted to do on her first singing debut record. However, for her upcoming new record, she'll not only be singing and fiddle playing, but also writing her songs as well.
"Songs come to me at night, so I always keep a note pad next to my bed," Bronwyn explains of her song writing process for her new record.
When she's not writing new material, Bronwyn enjoyed her break by hiking, going to parks in Nashville and catching a few live performances as well at one of Nashville's new concert venues, The Pinnacle. She's also been able to stream a few of her favorite shows, White Lotus and Younger.
Bronwyn's extremely talented fiddle playing came to her an early age, when she was only three years old. After her father gave her a mandolin, she began learning the instrument and going to lessons. Some of her biggest influences includes American Country and Bluegrass fiddler and singer, Tim O'Brien. One of her favorite new records she's been listening to 'Snipe Hunter' by Tyler Childers.
Bronwyn went to school in Berkeley, and it was her time in California where she met Molly Tuttle and a few of the other Golden Highway members where she would move and live in Nashville for eight years, and it's where she currently resides.
Molly Tuttle & The Golden Highway performed their last show together this year at RockyGrass, and it maybe the best time Wildfire Reviews have ever reviewed their show.
"It was an unique setlist," Bronwyn explained, "I was much less nervous this time around with our second time headlining RockyGrass." The setlist truly was exceptional as it featured the group's famous 'White Rabbit' cover of Jefferson Airplane, which doesn't happen too often during their regular shows. Bronwyn also shared the stage with legendary Del Mccoury and his band. "I feel like they elevate the music every time were together," Bronwyn told us, "Every time they play is next to perfect." This, along with several other moments is what made this year's RockyGrass so special for Bronwyn, along with everyone in attendance.
While she had and incredible three and half years with Molly Tuttle & The Golden Highway, some of her favorite times with the gang is the time they spent in Colorado, when she performed with them twice Rockygrass and in Telluride.
Bronwyn has some big things coming up in the future. Her tour includes several stops in Colorado she's looking forward to. "I'm also excited for opening up for The Infamous Stringdusters and The Steel Drivers on this tour," she told Wildfire Reviews. One of her goals is to open for country western star Sierra Ferrell.
Bronwyn will also be sharing a bill with fellow band member and friend Shelby Means for a few dates on her tour, who has an outstanding debut record out now. Shelby is incredible live with her new band as she was one of our favorite performances of this year's RockyGrass festival. If you're lucky enough to catch these two amazing bluegrass ladies together, you'll be in for a treat.
Although most of the bluegrass world knows Bronwyn from her recently released record, 'I Bult a World', she also released her first solo effort, 'Fiddler's Pastime', in 2020. 'Fiddler's Pastime' included many special guest artists, most of them other fiddle and mandolin players. "I was inspired by some of the great fiddle bluegrass records from old time pickers that had multiple guests on their albums, so I wanted to do something similar for my very first record.' While 'Fiddler's Pastime' is her first record, 'I Bult a World' is Bronwyn's second record, and first time singing.
Both Bronwyn Keith Hynes and Shelby Means were part of Molly Tuttle & The Golden Highway, but their solo careers are off to great starts. Bronwyn's Grammy nominated record will be a treat to hear live with her new band, and to hear some of her own songs in the future on her next album will be great as well.
Bronwyn's favorite song from her 'I Built a World' record:
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