The Banjo, The Booth, and The Bus: Why Bluegrass Titan Joe Mullins Is Stepping Away from the Road
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
A Life of Bluegrass and Bandwidth
Joe Mullins is a figure synonymous with the preservation and promotion of traditional bluegrass music. Not merely a celebrated musician—a virtuosic, Scruggs-style banjo player and strong tenor vocalist—Mullins has successfully navigated a dual career as both an acclaimed entertainer, leading the award-winning Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers (JMRR), and a highly influential radio broadcaster and entrepreneur (Real Roots Radio). This dual-sided identity, rooted in the legacy of his father, Paul “Moon” Mullins, is central to understanding his recent decision to retire from full-time touring.
In late 2025, Mullins announced his plans to cease touring full-time with JMRR, with the final curtain call expected in early 2026, around his 60th birthday. This is not a retirement from music entirely, but a strategic move to rebalance a life stretched thin across decades of relentless activity.
The Core Reasons for the Change
Mullins’ decision is driven by a combination of factors related to age, the demands of the road, and a desire to commit fully to his flourishing off-stage businesses.
1. The Call of the Radio Booth
The primary motivation is a return to his deep roots in broadcasting and his successful venture, Real Roots Radio (Town and Country Broadcasting, Inc.). Mullins owns and operates a network of stations and hosts syndicated shows like Front Porch Fellowship and The Banjo Show. He notes that pursuing both a full touring schedule (often over 100 dates a year) and managing a complex radio business is simply not sustainable due to the time commitment. By stepping off the road, he frees up significant time to dedicate to the radio network, festival promotion (he founded the Industrial Strength Bluegrass festivals), and potentially more recording projects.
2. The Next Chapter and Age Milestone
Turning 60 provides a natural inflection point for a veteran musician. Mullins is retiring from the road with 40 years of professional experience under his belt. He explicitly stated, “I ain’t retiring or dying! I’m just getting off the road.” This highlights a desire to simplify his life while continuing to contribute to the genre he loves, albeit from a less physically demanding position.
3. Securing the Future of The Radio Ramblers
Crucially, Mullins recognized that the current lineup of The Radio Ramblers is exceptionally talented (including Jason Barie, Adam McIntosh, Chris Davis, and Zach Collier). He felt that “pulling back or slowing down wasn’t the best option” for a band that needs to stay highly visible and active. Instead of incrementally reducing the touring schedule and potentially stifling his bandmates’ careers, Mullins chose to step aside, allowing the band, likely under new leadership or a revised format, to remain a full-time touring entity. This ensures the longevity of the music and the ensemble he helped build, a final leadership act of generosity and strategic planning.
The Enduring Legacy
Mullins’ touring career leaves an enormous footprint. As the leader of JMRR, he helped define the neo-traditional bluegrass sound for two decades, earning multiple International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 2019, and becoming a regular guest at the Grand Ole Opry . His work has been characterized by sharp arrangements, pristine harmonies, and a deep respect for the genre’s history.
While the touring bus is parking, Mullins’ voice will remain a fixture in the bluegrass community through his syndicated radio broadcasts and his ongoing commitment to hosting festivals. His legacy transitions from the stage to the airwaves, ensuring that he will continue connecting audiences to their heritage, albeit through a different medium.