Playing bluegrass festivals, I find that one problem is that many (dare I say most) performers just want to stand up on stage and do their songs -- no contact with the audience.

So, I like to tell a quick story here and there -- and follow with a song that fits the story. I guess it's the break in cadence for their ears -- but the crowd seems to really come to us and "listen up" when they hear something other than banjo, banjo, banjo!