Author: Lee Zimmerman

They have a funny name, this band from New Zealand that call themselves the Pipis Pickers. Nevertheless, they have a serious dedication to their craft, not only as far as their penchant for bluegrass is concerned, but also for furthering

Missy Raines’ reputation as both a bassist and one of bluegrass’ most preferred partisans is well known of course, but such is her skill that her abilities as a singer and songwriter are sadly underrated. Royal Traveller offers opportunity to

Pete Seeger once said of his friend John McCutcheon, “John is not only one of the best musicians in the USA, but also a great singer, songwriter, and song leader. And not just incidentally, he is committed to helping hard-working

Credit ought to be accorded any band that writes its own material and delivers with the kind of adroit ability demonstrated by the ensemble that bills itself as Hank, Pattie & The Current. Seemingly impervious to any preset formula, their

You can tell that Bluedust is committed to their cause simply based on their handle alone. As Josh Villa, the band’s singer and mandolin player expalins, they chose it for a specific purpose.  “We are called Bluedust,” Villa says. “Blue like

There’s something to be said for pure, unfettered emotion, delivered with dedication and intent but sans the affectation and pretence that often seems to plague those intently aiming for attention. Happily then, Sister Sadie makes a sound spawned from the

Formed by mandolin player, singer and frontman Frank Ray with his uncle over half a century ago, Cedar Hill has a storied history known mostly to aficionados of authentic bluegrass of the Ozark Mountain variety. That’s the place they’ve always called

It’s no small achievement to forge a sound so essentially American in a place that’s so decidedly removed from its roots. So credit Sweden’s Downhill Bluegrass Band with not only succeeding on that score, but also making their mark both

These days, much of the discussion about bluegrass, nugrass, Americana, and grassicana seems to center on to what extent the influence of vintage trappings appear to impinge on contemporary credence. Consequently, most bands are labelled according to which side of

It’s always encouraging to hear a new generation of musicians taking up the bluegrass and grassicana mantle, and though they may opt to add new elements to the mix, the devotion and dedication is generally evident immediately. That’s clearly the