• Infamous Stringdusters do Richmond

    There was a big crowd for the final event in the Friday Cheers series on Friday, June 28 in Richmond, VA. The series is produced by Venture Richmond and they hosted some great shows earlier in the summer with groups

  • Big time at Weiser

    Well, I just came back from my first time to Idaho and the big National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest & Festival out there in Weiser. As a Virginia festival goer, it was really interesting with some definite differences between our festivals out

  • Festival of the Bluegrass 2013

    This report on the 2013 Festival of the Bluegrass is a contribution from Jim & Valerie Gabehart. Jim shared the review, and Valerie the photos. We have a great many additional photos to share taken by Estil Robertson. Look for

  • Avett Brothers close MerleFest 2013

    One last MerleFest 2013 gallery from Andy Garrigue, who also shared these comments. Heavy numbers poured in Sunday to see The Avett Brothers close down Merlefest 2013, despite the calls for rain throughout the day, and their late afternoon set was

  • Houstonfest 2013 photos

    Houstonfest is a small but growing festival now in its third year, dedicated to the memory and example of banjo prodigy Houston Caldwell, who died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 18. Caldwell dedicated his life to song

  • Ten Reasons MerleFest 2013 Was Awesome

    MerleFest 2013 is now history, but the music, moments and memories remain to savor. This year’s festival posted aggregate numbers of 76,000 over the four days beginning April 25 and running through the 28th, on the campus of Wilkes Community

  • Mike Compton at the Towne Crier

    Many know Mike Compton from the Nashville Bluegrass Band and John Hartford String Band, or from duet appearances. Many students have taken his mandolin classes. He IS the acknowledged Monroe-style master. When I learned Mike was appearing solo April 21 at the

  • Roosterfest report

    Roosterfest last Sunday was a wonderful day full of awesome music, with folks reuniting, catching up, swapping stories and remembering the great Rooster Ruley who passed away earlier this year Rooster was a truly unique character who seemed to be from

  • Frank Solivan Cooks

    First, Frank Solivan cooked a satisfying dinner and his bandmates served it up to about 85 lucky guests. Then the band took the stage and they all cooked. So went Saturday night’s CD release party for Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen’s