mandolin

Do you remember the short story of Rip Van Winkle, the mythical character who over-imbibed and "fell asleep" for 20 years? What a shock when Ol' Rip finally woke up! The entire world had changed . . . a lot! Imagine

July 9, 2023, marked the 100th anniversary of the date when musician, instrument designer and sound engineer Lloyd Allayre Loar signed off as tested and approved, an iconic batch of Lloyd Loar Gibson F-5 mandolins.  The batch includes the most famous

Another major figure in the development of bluegrass music has left us. Bobby Osborne, singer, mandolinist, and one half of the trendsetting and hit-making Osborne Brothers, has died today. He was 91 years of age. From the time he started performing

Central North Carolina bluegrasser, Teddy White, 67, of Robbins, passed away on May 28 after battling continuing health issues for some time. An avid musician, he specialized on the mandolin and enjoyed playing bluegrass and gospel music with his many

West Virginia mandolinist Chandler Beavers has a new single, an original instrumental of his called The Long Way Forward. Beavers skirts the line between contemporary bluegrass and jamgrass, and he says this new tune shows the influence of both sides of

Mandolinist Mark Stoffel is the focus of the latest single released by Mountain Home Music. The German-born musician has been a member of Chris Jones & The Night Drivers this past 16 years, and is not only a gifted and agile

Mel Bay Publications has two new titles that should be of interest to bluegrass musicians, and those studying to become ones. First up, Hot Banjo Licks in the Different Musical Genres, written by Italian banjo player Claudio Parravicini, who has also

We've mentioned several times that nothing beats bluegrass people for their kindness, and willingness to help others as they learn to play the music. Most of us who have been involved for some time will have stories to tell about

Sam Bush could be considered the perennial troubadour. He's not only a regular presence at every bluegrass gathering of any significance, he's also a steadfast session player whose contributions on mandolin and fiddle are found on any number of albums

Another member of our bluegrass family has passed. Mandolinist, Alan Niederland, 66, of Chapel Hill, NC, passed away on April 4 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Raised up north, he later relocated to North Carolina where he played in