To refer to cello player Mike Block as simply a virtuoso would seem to sell him short. A composer, educator, vocalist, and indeed a musical pioneer, his talents can’t be contained by any single genre. His work spans any number of
Author: Lee Zimmerman
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Classy. Sassy. Bluegrassy – Williamson Branch
If the title seems a bit of an overreach, it’s only because Williamson Branch is a far more traditional combo than a name like Classy. Sassy. Bluegrassy. might seem to suggest. Despite a varied background that incorporates bluegrass, country, Gospel
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Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Abalone finds a common connection in Czech Republic
It’s a credit to bluegrass’ international popularity, that Abalone, a band from the Czech Republic would come to embrace the style as its own. Founded in 2010 as an offshoot of a previous band, P.O. Ruby, its original three members
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The Roses – Old Town Flood
Old Town Flood make a formidable impression with their impressive debut offering, The Roses, a set of songs that finds melody absolutely on par with musicality. That in itself says something, considering the considerable talent the band appears to have
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This Long Stretch of Gravel – John Lowell
John Lowell’s name may not be known to most folks, but that doesn’t negate the fact that he’s a superb singer and songwriter who’s drawn the respect and admiration of his musical peers. A glance at the list of those
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Sounds Like The South – Alan Sibley & The Magnolia Ramblers
Credit Alan Sibley & The Magnolia Ramblers for finding the ideal combination of rowdiness and reverence on their new LP, Sounds Like the South, a heartfelt set of mostly uptempo songs that allows the album title to express its own
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Bluegrass Beyond Borders: The Lonesome Ace Stringband goes bluegrass and old time
Canada’s Lonesome Ace Stringband comes about their purist pedigree quite naturally. Its three core members — Chris Coole (banjo), John Showman (fiddle) and Max Heineman (bass) — pride themselves on being journeyman musicians and veterans of some of Canada's top
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Songs Like Those for Days Like These – The Chigger Hill Boys and Terri
There’s something to be said for the kind of devout devotion that the Chigger Hill Boys and Terri express on their new album, Songs Like Those for Days Like These. Granted, the divide between bluegrass and Gospel is often indiscernible,
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Breaks to the Edge – Sideline
What started out as, well, a sideline, has now become a full-time gig for the veteran musicians who took leave of their day jobs and opted instead to share a new pursuit. The decision paid off, and Sideline itself soon
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Herb Pedersen – a west coast bluegrass legend looks back
There may be no more prolific or proficient musician in the combined history of bluegrass, country music, grassicana, or Americana than multi-instrumentalist Herb Pedersen. As the founder and helmsman of several significant combos, as well as a sideman to such