Author: Lee Zimmerman

The Farm Hands may have assigned themselves a humble handle, but the fact is, they have accrued an impressive history along the way. Having amassed more than 80 award nominations — and garnered 30 of them in the process —

There may be no more celebrated band in modern bluegrass than Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. The group — Solivan (vocals, mandolin, guitar, fiddle) Mike Munford (banjo), Chris Luquette (guitar), and Jeremy Middleton (bass) — are the recipients of any

Mandolin player Darren Nicholson subtitles his new album, Fret A Spell, as Instrumental Bluegrass. Of course, the description isn’t really necessary. Given the fact that most of the offerings in this 13 song set are well known standards, the music itself offers

Imitation is one thing. After all, it’s said to be the sincerest form of flattery. Emulation is also admirable. That’s the ability to trade on a technique and offer it homage, even while opting for originality, all at the same

It would be far too easy for Steven Curtis Chapman to rest on his laurels. After all, he’s one of the most heralded artists in Christian music environs, having accumulated no less than five Grammys, 58 Gospel Music Association Dove

Hearing Carolina Red for the first time provides no hint whatsoever that the band that recorded it it, Red Wine, hails from any environs other than the United States. Indeed, the influences are so firmly imbued in solid bluegrass terrain

Dede Wyland has seen many of the changes that have impacted bluegrass over the expanse of the past several decades. As a budding musician and eager enthusiast active in the early ‘70s, and then through to her latest album, the

Steel & Wood make no apologies for the fact that they tap the tradition as far as their music is concerned. The only misnomer lies in the fact that the name of their new album — Along The Track is subtitled

Bluegrass in Belguim? Who would expect that a tiny country like that would boast a band with a fondness for arcane Grassicana. Nevertheless, eight years after Blue Maxx’s initial formation, the band is still going strong, and gathering a loyal

Damian Muller is a knowing singer/songwriter, and while his sentiments may seem obvious and even simple to any outside observer, the thoughts he expresses ring true, especially to anyone whose outlook on life remains untarnished by cynicism or sarcasm. Touching on