Author: Richard Thompson

Widely regarded as the leading bluegrass and old-time music event in Ireland, and one of the main such events outside North America, the 2024 Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival returns for the 18th time to the small coastal town of

Ben Eldridge, legendary banjo player and co-founder of the equally legendary Seldom Scene, passed away of natural causes on Sunday evening, Apil 14, 2024, aged 85. Benjamin 'Ben' Eldridge was born in Richmond, Virginia, on August 15, 1938. His early Influences

Al Jones, perhaps best remembered for his work with Frank Necessary, passed away at his home in Whitetop, Virginia (Grayson County), on March 3, 2024. Aged 92, he had been in declining health for the past few years, and was

Len Holsclaw, best known for being the manager of the Country Gentlemen from 1971 to 1998, passed away on February 19, 2024, at the Blue Ridge Christian Home in Bealeton, Virginia, after a long battle with dementia. He was 90

For those who wish to pay their respects to and honor the life and career of bluegrass legend Audie Blaylock, there will be a celebration of his life on Thursday, January 25, 2024. The event will be held at 2:00

Following hot on the heels of 2023's The UK & Ireland Dobro Celebration, comes D for Dobro, from Chris Eaton.  Whereas the 'Celebration' album featured a collection of Dobro players from around the British Isles (compiled, produced, and played on by

5-string banjo picker, down-home humorist, and entertainer extraordinaire Buck Trent passed away in Branson, Missouri, on October 9, 2023 (aged 85).   Charles Wilburn 'Buck' Trent was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on February 17, 1938. He was a precocious talent even

Folklorist Loyal Jones, hailed as 'the father of modern Appalachian studies,' and an 'indefatigable and beloved interpreter of Appalachian life and culture,' passed away in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on October 7, 2023. He had been diagnosed with cancer, and

Mike Henderson, best recognized in bluegrass circles as a co-founder of The SteelDrivers, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Friday, September 22, 2023. He was 70 years of age.  Michael James Henderson was born on July 14, 1953, and raised

Banjo player and founding member of the Charles River Valley Boys, Bob Siggins, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023. He was 85 years of age. George Robert "Bob" Siggins started life (thought to be on December 29, 1937) in Miami, Oklahoma,