Author: David Morris

Family bands tend to have a limited run in bluegrass. It’s inevitable that the kids age, get married, have children. Life happens, as they say. In recent years, I’ve seen several of my favorites move on – Cherryholmes, the Bankesters

Sometimes when I’m overextended, I listen to new music in the background while answering emails, preparing song licenses or making dinner. Then I circle back later and give the CD my undivided attention for a few listens before I write

Billy Droze is a relatively young man with an old soul. You get that sense listening to his music. But the point is driven home with hammer-meets-nail certainty when you spend a few minutes on the phone with him. He’s humble,

The accolades, awards and good news keep piling up for the sweethearts of bluegrass, Darin and Brooke Aldridge. Rounder Records announced today that it signed a deal with the award-winning husband and wife duo, who will release their first project for

Many times when bands take a break from the road they’re never heard from again. That’s not the case, fortunately, for Detour, the Michigan-based band that made a big splash before dropping off the road a couple of years ago

IBMA’s love affair with Raleigh continues. Crowds seem bigger this year. Exhibitors report brisk business – one merchant sold two high-end banjos in an hour. And there’s more jamming per square inch than I remember seeing in Nashville. In fact, it’s

IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger speaks at the 2018 Momentum Awards while Board Chair Joe Mullins and host Sierra Hull look on - photo © Frank Baker The Trailblazers and Mile Twelve scored double wins Thursday when IBMA presented the 2018 Momentum

Jamie Dailey’s keynote speech to open this year’s World of Bluegrass in Raleigh was the equivalent of mom urging you to ignore all the sumptuous entrees and desserts on the table and eat your vegetables. Playing music is fun, but bands

Daniel Pugh is one of the newest youngsters on the professional bluegrass circuit, joining the Kevin Prater Band on upright bass. The 17-year-old high school senior from Biscoe, NC, played a gig with the band in mid-August in Cambridge, Ohio. Prater

Award-winning songwriter Louisa Branscomb is stepping up to help musicians and music lovers in Southport, NC, a coastal town that was ravaged by Hurricane Florence. Branscomb got to know many area residents when her non-profit organization, ScreenDoor Songwriter Alliance, hosted an