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
Author: Lee Zimmerman
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Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Bluedust offers bluegrass with Italian seasoning
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
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Moving On – LakeSide
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
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Twisted Pine tangles bluegrass roots while pushing in new directions
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
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Destination Horizon – The Plate Scrapers
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
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Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Illgresi heats up bluegrass in Iceland
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.
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Self Titled – The Wildmans
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,
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The Blood and the River – LaTresa & The Signal
It ought to go without saying that the best bluegrass shares no pretensions. For all the skill and aptitude reflected by the players and performances, it’s honesty and humility that ultimately shines through. That’s certainly been the case when it comes
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Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Paul Trenwith plays grass in New Zealand
If there’s one individual in particular who has been the most ardent promoter of bluegrass in his native New Zealand —and one who has done so with a determination and dexterity that reflects his true devotion to the cause —
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Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards with a new and stirring set of songs
Laura Cortese has always been a prolific performer. She’s released several solo projects — Simple Hearts, All in Always, Acoustic Project, Two Amps 1 Microphone, Hush, Blow the Candle Out, Into the Dark, Even the Lost Creek — as well