Author: Lee Zimmerman

The Sam Bush Band at MerleFest 2024 - photo © Alisa B. Cherry Now celebrating its 46th year, MerleFest 2024 did  not disappoint. Founded in 1988 by the legendary Doc Watson in honor of his son Merle, and presented primarily by

Ireland’s JigJam effectively crosses that narrow divide that separates Celtic music from bluegrass basics, doing so in a way that successfully melds the two genres while also making it difficult to discern where one sends and the other begins. Their

When a band takes its name from a generalized genre, it would seem to reflect both confidence and credibility. Given the accolades accrued by Stacja Folk — a handle that's loosely translated from the Polish as "Folk Station" —  those

It's the rare artist that emerges fully formed courtesy of a debut album that somehow suggests he or she has been making music forever. Credit Eddie Lightner for accomplishing such a feat with his fine initial eight song outing titled,

For the past 35 years, MerleFest has become known as one of the foremost music festivals in the southeast, and, one would daresay, in the entire world. Sponsored by Window World and founded in 1988 as a fundraiser for the

Moonsville Collective is one of those bands that listeners simply can't help but enjoy and embrace. They have a lot going for them — riveting arrangements, impeccable harmonies, and songs that flesh out their feelings without ever sacrificing the inherent

Hailing from the picturesque city of Asti, Italy, LouTente & the Cameltoes is a captivating combo that opted to pursue the bluegrass basics in 2015. There origins can be traced back to the fact that upright bassist and mandolin player

My Brother's Keeper is best defined not by their output, but rather by their expression. Based in Cincinnati, they eschew any stereotypical sound and lean instead on mood and melody. The band — which consists of brothers Benjamin, Titus, and Joshua

Inspired by the natural environs of their native Kentucky, The Wheelhouse Rousters have developed a devoted populist following courtesy of the fact that they're certified festival favorites, having made appearances at such high profile gatherings as Bourbon and Beyond, Telluride Bluegrass

South Korea's Country GongBang demonstrates that the basics of bluegrass aren't limited exclusively to the realms of the western world. Since we last profiled the band, they received the 2023 IBMA International Band Performance Grant, a credit to their credibility