The recent explosion of digital recording technology available to budget-minded amateur and small studio recordists has resulted in a similar burst in educational opportunities for those interested in working in the field. Everything from DVD instruction to four year degrees in
It seems we've been reporting a good deal of late about American bluegrass artists touring overseas. Given the costs, legal issues and inconveniences associated with taking a band out of the country, it's great to see so many artists finding a
For The Game, due from Rounder on January 21, Blue Highway has again put together an album of original material written within the band. Each of the five members have at least one track, with co-writes from such noted bluegrass
We heard this afternoon from Rainer Zeller, who for the past five years has promoted a bluegrass/old time concert series in Germany during the month of December. The biggest difference between these shows, billed as Bluegrass Jamboree!, and the many
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
