Author: John Lawless

Tony Trischka has a well-deserved reputation as both an innovator and an instructor of five string banjo. Prior to his current endeavor, the online Tony Trischka School of Banjo, he had more than a dozen banjo instruction books and DVDs,

Fellow banjo legend Terry Baucom pulled together a few reflections on the passing of Earl Scruggs, which he shared as an audio file. We thank Terry, and his wife Cindy, for taking the time for this lovely remembrance. Terry Baucom on Earl

Over the next few days, we will share remembrances of Earl Scruggs from his peers, and the many banjo players whose lives he transformed. Hopefully, we will be able to piece together a portrait of Earl the musician, and Earl

The Tennessean, Nashville's hometown paper, is reporting that Earl Scruggs passed away this morning at a local hospital. He was 88 years old. We know that all of our readers will join us in mourning one of the most celebrated artists

Balsam Range is in the studio this week, working on a new project for Mountain Home. At least most of them are. Fiddler Buddy Melton is still recuperating from a head injury and concomitant facial reconstruction surgery, and he was surely on

England's high-fashion, swing-singing sisters, Hannah and Sophia Johnson, are set to release a new Toy Hearts CD with their dad, Stewart, this Spring. Whiskey, their 4th album, is in the final post-production stages now and the band expects to announce a

Jim & Valerie Gabehart have announced Steve Acord as the newest member of their band, playing mandolin and singing harmony vocals. Acord hails from Beckley, WV and has performed professionally as a mandolinist, fiddler and guitarist. He has worked with a number of

Pete Wernick informs us that a full scholarship is being offered for his Dr. Banjo jam camp held April 23-26 in Boomer, NC, just prior to Merlefest. 2012 will mark the 14th consecutive year Pete has held this event in North

Eight years is a long time between recordings, but that's how long it has been since jam grass favorites Leftover Salmon dropped a new album. But that will be remedied May 22 when Aquatic Hitchhiker is released on Los Records. The band

Eastman Guitars is giving away 40 of their AC-420 dreadnoughts, and all you have to do to win is go check one out and fill out a brief survey. Each of their 40 dealers in the US has one of these