Author: John Lawless

We have learned that Wade Mainer passed away yesterday evening, September 12, after having been returned to his home in Flint, MI with hospice care after a brief hospitalization. We will post further details about Mainer's eventful life in short order.

Virginia fiddler Billy Hurt is the newest member of Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show. This gig is right up Billy's alley. If there is a fiddler out there with a greater love, knowledge and understanding of the roots of traditional

Longtime sideman Clay Hess is out with his third solo project, due for wide release during IBMA later this month. Rain finds Hess in his most familiar role: scorching the guitar, on both lead and rhythm. Since first hitting the

Rural Rhythm has announced October 25 as the release date for Prime Tyme, the next CD from Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. Can you believe it's been 20 years since Russell left Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver to start a new

Those clever young lads in Monroeville have created a pre-release tease for their upcoming debut music video. This talented bunch offers a textbook example of how to launch a new venture. They have invested every bit as much time and treasure

Resonator guitarist Jimmy Ross is the newest member of Barbwire Bluegrass, based in Georgia. He had worked previously with Frances Mooney and Fontanna Sunset. Barbwire is a father-and-son outfit, with Ricky Ponder on guitar, his son Ben on bass, and Gary

Lonesome River Band leader Sammy Shelor has been announced as the 2011 recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music. The award is in recognition of Sammy's high level of musicianship, and the impact he has

The Deadly Gentlemen are one of those bands that exists in the nether regions, somewhere between a typical bluegrass outfit using the traditional instruments they employ, and the crafty, somewhat zany mind of their fearless leader, banjo innovator Greg Liszt. As

Chris Jones has scheduled a special Bill Monroe tribute for today's (9/9) edition of his Truegrass show on Sirius XM's Bluegrass Junction (Channel 61) at 3:00 p.m. (EDT). "I'll be playing lots of Bill's music, with an emphasis on the early

We reported on Tuesday that Sammy Shelor had been selected as the 2011 recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music. This is the second year that Martin has endowed this $50,000 annual award, which