Sierra Hull Performs Unplanned Instrumental CBS ‘Saturday Sessions’ Set

Sierra Hull made lemonade out of lemons for her “Saturday Sessions” set on this past weekend’s episode of CBS Saturday Morning. Hull led her longtime touring band through three instrumentals for the program when a doctor ordered her not to sing due to “the worst laryngitis [she’d] ever had.”

The acclaimed mandolinist and singer-songwriter explained what happened in a social media post she shared earlier this month after filming the unusual performance. Hull wrote:

The band and I filmed 3 songs for CBS Saturday this morning (airing Dec 13) in NYC. We were originally scheduled to play all three of our Grammy nominated songs – “Boom”, “Spitfire” + “Lord, That’s A Long Way”. (which the backdrop reflects)

However, by this past Saturday morning, my voice was GONE. The worst laryngitis I’ve ever had despite feeling great otherwise! 😩

Doctors orders was vocal rest and no singing for a few days (which I honestly couldn’t have even had I tried). I was super bummed thinking we’d have to cancel, but my publicist spoke with the show producers and in a VERY rare exception we are told, they let us come play 3 instrumentals on the show!

So we played Long Way (as previously scheduled), Movement 3 (from an upcoming release) + Stomping Grounds (which we just simply love playing – thx Béla and Vik).

It wasn’t the plan, but was fun and definitely shines a light on the amazing musicians I get to tour with.

Opener “Lord, That’s A Long Way” is featured on Sierra Hull’s Grammy-nominated 2025 album, A Tip Toe High Wire. The 10-track collection marks Hull’s first LP in five years and first to feature her band — Shaun Richardson (guitar), Avery Merritt (fiddle), Erik Coveney (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums/percussion).

The Hull original “Movement 3” filled the two-slot and the song is set to be issued on a future release. Sierra Hull and her seasoned touring band also performed the Béla Fleck and the Flecktones holiday classic “Stomping Grounds” to end their “Saturday Sessions set. Hull recently wrapped a run of dates as the Flecktones' special guest on their Jingle All The Way Tour.

Watch Sierra Hull’s all-instrumental set from this past weekend’s CBS Saturday Morning below: