Author: Lee Zimmerman

The influence of the Dillard brothers on the ever-evolving trajectory of modern bluegrass can never be underestimated. One of the prime ensembles that ushered in the merging of that traditional tapestry with a contemporary sound, championed by such '60s standbys

For the past five years, the M-City Ramblers have made it their mission to help establish a bastion for bluegrass in Belgium. Nevertheless, its evolution came naturally. The band played its first official gig at a regional contest for acoustic

They say there's no such thing as overnight success, but leave it to Wood & Wire to come as close as any band can. Their auspiciously titled offering North Of Despair, released two years ago, garnered a Grammy nomination for

Boulder Colorado-based Bowregard may be newcomers as far as the contemporary bluegrass scene is concerned, but they’ve already proven their mettle courtesy of major wins in two prestigious competitions — first, the Ullrgrass Bluegrass Band Contest in 2018, followed by a

Italy is known for a variety of things — its art, its culture, the cuisine, and of course, a fabled history that goes back thousands of years. However most would agree that one thing that the nation’s not known for

LakeSide has never wavered from their determination and devotion to their faith. Their astute blend of country music, acoustic instrumentation, bluegrass, and grassicana is wholly immersed in the Gospel tradition. That said, their sound is immersive, engaging and accessible, and

While any number of new bands have helped push the parameters of traditional bluegrass, few have done so with more diligence than Twisted Pine. Their roots were planted in traditional ground at the outset of their collective careers, as evidenced

There’s a lot to be said for a band that mines the buoyant sounds of vintage bluegrass while also paying heed to music and melodies that quickly connect, and leave the listener swooning and swaying with joy and jubilation. Those

Iceland isn’t generally considered a breeding ground for bluegrass. In fact, most Americans know very little about the nation at all, except that it’s a tiny island in the Atlantic whose main product would seem to be ice and snow.

Like other younger contemporary ensembles, The Wildmans tend to freely explore their music with a flexibility and finesse that pays little heed to preset boundaries or any textbook trappings. Although they certainly bear the proper credentials — an Appalachian birthright,