Author: John Lawless

Early last month we reported that banjo picker Jim Mills was leaving Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, a job he had held for the past 14 years. The move came as a shock to a lot of Skaggs/Mills fans, and

A number of Hollywood blogs are drawing attention today to the development of a Bill Monroe film biography, which The Wrap describes as a "low-budget, 'Walk the Line'-type project." The reports we have seen are a bit on the gossippy side,

One of my favorite stylistic hybrids is the successful merging of old time and bluegrass music. And by successful, I more than offhanded references to another tradition, or the grassification of an old timey song or tune. It's not easy to

I've been watching the musical career of Darrell Webb for many a year. He first popped up on my radar as the mandolinist/tenor singer with Lonesome River Band in 1994, hired as the "replacement" for Dan Tyminski when he departed

Mountain Heart has announced that Jake Stargel has joined the band on guitar, filling the spot just vacated by Clay Jones. Jake is a fiery flatpicker from Georgia who at 19 years of age has already developed quite a reputation in

Fitzmaurice is a talented young band from Maryland fronted by twin sisters Maria and Sarah Fitzmaurice. They have been performing regionally for the past 3 1/2 years, and have just released a debut, self-titled CD. Their sound - and their original

Mike Witcher, who has played resonator guitar with Missy Raines and the New Hip since its inception in 2002, has announced his departure from the group. In addition to being a fine musician, Witcher also has a photography business, and

When we first learned that Dailey & Vincent had been invited to render the National Anthem before a Nashville Sounds baseball game this week, I was immediately hopeful that a recording would be made. Knowing the tremendous vocal ability in

Still Learning, the next CD from Lonesome River Band, isn't due until July 13 on Rural Rhythm Records, but you can get a sneak peek on Tuesday evening (6/29). Sammy Shelor will be joining Judith Barnette on WBRF-FM to talk about

Shannon Slaughter, guitarist and vocalist with Lou Reid and Carolina, is working on a solo project that will showcase both his muscular vocal style, and his clever and thoughtful songwriting. He has been recording this month at Eastwood Studio in