Class Act Entertainment has announced the signing of Blue Moon Rising to their talent roster. The East Tennessee-based band is headed by singer/songwriter Chris West on guitar, with Tony Mowell on mandolin, Rusty Ferrell on banjo, and Brandon Bostic on bass.
Here's a bit of radio news that runs counter to the trend. WMAK, a 1000 watt AM station in Lobelville, TN, is switching to an advertiser-supported, all-bluegrass format starting December 26. The station is under the management of Whiplash Community Radio, who own
American and European mandolinists have long been fond of choro, a form of instrumental folk music from Brazil in which the mandolin is prominent. It's a lively, two-beat sound, perfectly suited for dancing, with a beat and melodic style not unlike
The Ralph Stanleys have a new album, Side By Side, set for a February 2014 release on Rebel Records. That would be the one-and-only Ralph Stanley, and his bluegrass singing son, Ralph Stanley II, more commonly known as "Two." Two worked
Ned Luberecki and Stephen Mougin toured last month in England, and Stephen is sending along a travelogue of their time across the pond. Their final day found Nedski in Nerdville. It was a busy day! No gigs, but a quick trip into
We spoke last week with bluegrass veteran Gary Brewer about his next project, a 16-track album called Home Stretch. He tells us that this will mark his 48th record over the course of 33 years in bluegrass. It will also mark his
Danny Paisley was discharged from the hospital this past Saturday night, after having undergone successful triple bypass surgery the Monday prior (12/9). Paisely had suffered a pair of heart attacks this Fall, neither severe enough to require emergency surgery. He said
In addition to the next Blue Highway CD, The Game, due January 21 on Rounder, guitarist Tim Stafford is starting a new solo project of his own today. He'll be recording with frequent collaborators Adam Steffey on mandolin, Barry Bales
Mike Munford, reigning IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, was profiled in today's edition of his hometown paper, The Baltimore Sun. The piece by features writer Wesley Case follows Mike from his first exposure to the 5 string at 15 years
Doyle Lawson took the opportunity to note the 2nd annual Bluegrass Music Appreciation Day at the Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival in Pigeon Forge, TN. The annual commemoration on December 12 was suggested by banjo player Lee Marcus in 2012 as a way
