I can’t tell you how much I love this, or how thrilled I am at how seemingly rapidly bluegrass is becoming more inclusive, as well as embracing gender equality. I’m proud to be an ally and to have played a very small part by insisting from the beginning that the Dixie Bee-Liners be an equal opportunity employer (not to mention having the good sense to hire Justin ourselves for a couple of tours — he’s a hell of a musician, and a super nice guy). Be the change you want to see!

Bluegrass Artist Justin Hiltner Wants New, Queer-Inclusive Music To Smash Barriers

Banjo player, singer and songwriter Justin Hiltner touches on many time-honored themes on his new bluegrass album, “Watch It Burn.” Loneliness, heartbreak and nostalgia are cornerstones of “Watch It Burn,” due out Friday. But the album, which Hiltner wrote and recorded with fellow musician and pal Jon Weisberger, is poised to shift listeners’ long-held perceptions of bluegrass, too.