Bruce Molsky: “Through the Gates”

Peghead Nation fiddle and banjo instructor plays a Russ Barenberg tune on guitar at the Peghead Parlor, Wintergrass 2025.

Listening to Old-Time Fiddle and Old-Time Banjo instructor Bruce Molsky play and then casually talk about his process was a highlight of our late night Peghead Parlor at Wintergrass earlier this year.  In addition to playing fiddle, Bruce treated us to this great take on the Russ Barenberg tune, “Through the Gates,” on guitar. He’s playing a 1938 Washburn guitar loaned to Bruce by Mark Demaray, because Bruce’s trusty Santa Cruz guitar was damaged while traveling.

Russ Barenberg recorded this tune on Transatlantic Sessions 3 with Aly Bain on fiddle and Jerry Douglas on dobro, and Bruce was also on Transatlantic Sessions 3, playing fiddle and singing on several recordings, all worth checking out!

For more guitar from Bruce Molsky, check out his album  Everywhere You Go (Tiki Parlour Recordings), released a few years ago. The recording is a musical tour of the globe, with tunes from Africa, Scandinavia, Scotland, Ireland, and America.

To learn old-time fiddle from Bruce, enroll in his Old-Time Fiddle course on Peghead Nation today. And learn clawhammer banjo from Bruce in his Old-Time Banjo course. Sign up for either course now and get your first month free with promo code “BruceLand” at checkout.

Related Live Onstage Posts

California Bluegrass Reunion: “Little Pine Siskin” Peghead Nation instructors play a John Reischman original the Freight in Berkeley, California. Read More

California Bluegrass Reunion: “King of California” Peghead Nation instructors play a Dave Alvin song at the Freight in Berkeley, California. Read More

California Bluegrass Reunion: “Old Gnarly Oak” Peghead Nation instructors play one of Chad Manning’s original tunes live at The Freight in Berkeley. Read More

Emerald Rae, Stash Wyslouch, Bruce Molsky, and Jeremy Kittel: Fiddle Fest at Great Lakes Music Camp Our Beginning Celtic Fiddle instructor leads a group of her fellow Peghead Nation instructors in a rousing set of reels and strathspeys. Read More

Della Mae: “Ohio” Bluegrass powerhouse plays a great version of the Neil Young classic. Read More

Stevie Coyle with Evie Ladin: “Compadres in the Old Sierra Madre” Our fingerstyle guitar instructor plays a Riders in the Sky song, with a little help from his Peghead Nation compadre. Read More

Stash Wyslouch with Zoe Guigueno and Bruce Molsky: “Prodigal Son” A trio of Peghead Nation instructors play a traditional song made popular by Dock Boggs. Read More

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway: “Crooked Tree” The flatpicker, songwriter, and singer performs the title track to her Grammy-winning album at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California. Read More

Compton and Newberry: “Death and Blues” Mike Compton plays a powerful original song with his long-time duo partner Joe Newberry. Read More

Bill Evans, John Resichman, Todd Phillips, Hayes Griffin: “Big Spike Hammer” Peghead Nation banjo and mandolin instructors play an Osborne Brothers classic at Great Lakes Music Camp. Read More