Dear MariBella & The Pigkickers, a young sibling band out of Hampstead, NC, have a new original single released last week. Sin Eater is a somewhat haunting, but up-tempo bluegrass ballad that tells the plight of a poor, marginalized individual in
Author: Nicholas Hancock
2025 IBMA Youth Bands and Kids On Bluegrass Report
Denim & Plaid on the Youth Stage at IBMA Bluegrass Live! 2025 - photo © G. Nicholas Hancock The 2025 edition of the International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Youth Stage and Kids on Bluegrass (KOB) programs, held in Chattanooga, TN for
Young guitarist’s Billy Strings dream is realized at WOB ’25
Two years ago in July 2023, Elliot King, at age 11, attended a Billy Strings performance at the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary, NC. Elliot is 13 today, and a budding lead guitarist who takes lessons from Zeb Snyder, guitar
Greg Blake at the Montgomery General Store in Gold Hill, NC
Tom Hyatt, Daniel Schronce, and Greg Blake at the E.H. Montgomery General Storein Gold Hill, NC - photo © G Nicholas Hancock On Sunday evening, August 3, a unique bluegrass music event occurred at the E.H. Montgomery Store in the small
2025 Nunn Brothers Bluegrass Music Festival report
Slate Mountain Ramblers at the 2025 Nunn Brothers Bluegrass Festival - photo © G Nicholas Hancock The Nunn Brothers Bluegrass Music Festival celebrated its 24th anniversary July 24-27, 2025, nestled between hills in the small community of Woodville, NC, located east
More photos from 2025 Abingdon Fiddlers’ Convention
Decorative sign at the 2025 Abingdon Fiddlers' Convention – photo © G Nicholas Hancock Nick Hancock has also shared these photos from last weekend's Abingdon Fiddlers' Convention, held at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Abingdon, VA. Thanks Nick! default
2025 Abingdon Fiddlers Convention results
Yates Family, 1st place Adult Old-time Band at the 2025 AbingdonFiddlers' Convention – photo © G Nicholas Hancock The summer heat did not deter 22 bluegrass and old-time bands, and 143 individual contestants, from attending the 4th annual Abingdon Fiddlers' Convention
On Forgotten Paths – Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers
Rarely do I hear a new recording in any genre that contains a vocalist that makes me go, "Whoa! Where did that come from? Who is this person?" A new album titled On Forgotten Paths by Dear MariBella and the Pigkickers
More photos from the 2025 Mt. Airy Fiddlers’ Convention
Bodhi Guinn at the 2025 Mt. Airy Fiddlers' Convention - photo © G. Nicholas Hancock Here is another large gallery of photos taken by G. Nicholas Hancock at last weekend's Mt. Airy Fiddlers' Convention in North Carolina, capturing all the
2025 Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention results
New Floyd County Ramblers, 1st Place Old Time Band at the 2025 Mt. AiryFiddlers' Convention - photo © G. Nicholas Hancock The 53rd Mount Airy Fiddlers' Convention was held this past Friday and Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park in Mount Airy, NC.










