If you get a chance to script your own farewell, it might look a lot like Saturday night, when Ben Eldridge made one last appearance with the Seldom Scene, the iconic Washington, DC-area band that he helped found nearly 45
Author: David Morris
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Bright Star Soundtrack tugs at emotions
The musical Bright Star didn’t have a long run on Broadway, but the soundtrack is grassy enough to deserve a spot on the playlist of anyone who loves bluegrass and story songs, or who just wants to thank Steve Martin
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Remembering Willie Kerr
Willie Kerr died last week and a part of bluegrass died with him. Unless you played or attended the two annual festivals at Gettysburg or shows in and around York, PA, you probably didn’t know Willie. But artists and fans alike
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Joe Mullins delivers some Sacred Memories
Take the crisp, clean instrumental licks that are a staple of Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, add in almost heavenly three- and four-part harmonies and – just in case all of that isn’t enough – dashes of Ricky Skaggs,
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The Stanley Brothers: Hall of Fame Oversight
There’s a glaring omission at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Stanley Brothers deserve to be there, and every year that goes by without their induction devalues those who are enshrined. “I’ve been angry about it. I’ve been perplexed about it.
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What IBMA Can Learn from Merlefest
Leaders of IBMA and the city of Raleigh can breathe a little easier now that another year of MerleFest is in the books. The annual four-day roots music extravaganza in Wilkesboro, NC, was the first major music festival held in the
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Ashleigh Caudill soars with Looney Bird
If you don’t know the music of Ashleigh Caudill or know her mostly as an upright bass player with impeccable timing, her new CD Looney Bird will come as a pleasant surprise. If you already know the work of the Nashville
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Southport – A Festival with a Twist
Louisa Branscomb knows a thing or two about songwriting, for sure. And she has two Grammys, two Song of the Year trophies (IBMA and SPBGMA), nearly 200 cuts, and a long list of hits to prove it. But her newest venture,
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IBMA Keeping Eye on ‘Toilet Bill’
Controversial legislation in North Carolina has IBMA stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place, a development that makes the usual arguments about the definition of bluegrass seem quaint. On one side are some members, musicians and fans who say
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Williamson Family Band Branchin’ Out
One of the fun parts of writing for Bluegrass Today is watching young artists mature, as individuals and musicians, and watching some family bands graduate from the cute stage to genuine top-tier acts. I’ve watched it happen with The Bankesters, Flatt