John Reischman, Joe K. Walsh, and Eli West: “The Road to Malvern”

A two-mandolin take on an old-time tune, played in the Peghead Parlor at Wintergrass.

By: Dan Gabel

February 8, 2026

While looking forward to another fun year at Wintergrass, February 19 to 22, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue in Bellevue, Washington, I came across this gem from 2024 Peghead Parlor sessions at Wintergrass, with Peghead mandolin instructors John Reischman and Joe K. Walsh, joined by guitarist Eli West, on “The Road to Malvern,” written by fiddler Jim Childress.

Both John and Joe will be back at the festival this year, Joe with his band Mr Sun (Joe, fiddle legend Darol Anger, Peghead guitar instructor Grant Gordy, and jazz/roots bassist Aidan O’Donnell), and John with John Reischman and the Jaybirds, celebrating the release of their latest album, The Salish Sea. In addition to John, the Jaybirds are Patrick Sauber on guitar, Trisha Gagnon on bass and vocals, Nick Hornbuckle on banjo, and Greg Spatz on fiddle.

We will be hosting another series of concerts in the Peghead Parlor suite on Friday night, February 19, with John and Joe reprising their duo set, and both Bruce Molsky and Grant Gordy playing showcase sets. On Saturday night, February 20, at midnight, we’ll have Never Come Down in the suite for a great late-night set. Peghead Nation is a proud sponsor of the extensive Workshop program at the Wintergrass Festival, and we’re looking forward to another great weekend of music, learning, and community with outstanding performances, instructional sessions, and plenty of jamming.

If you’re at Wintergrass, please come by the Peghead Nation table and join us in the Peghead Parlor for some late-night fun!

To learn mandolin from Joe, enroll in his Advancing Mandolinist, Bluegrass Mandolin Jam Favorites, Octave Mandolin, Swing and Jazz Mandolin, or Improvising for Mandolin and Fiddle courses today! Use promo code JoeLand to get your first month free!

To learn mandolin from John, enroll in his Melodic Mandolin Tunes and Old-Time Mandolin courses, and use promo code JohnLand at checkout and get your first month free!