Author: Richard Thompson

As previously reported, Charles Richard ‘Dick’ Freeland passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2014, at his home after a prolonged illness. He was 76 years old. Born June 23, 1938, ‘Dick’ Freeland was a native of Pennsylvania. He “always had a robust

On This Day ….. On October 24, 1951, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs recorded ‘Tis Sweet to Be Remembered and Earl’s Breakdown. During an afternoon session at the Castle Studio set up at The Tulane Hotel, 206 8th Avenue North, Nashville, Flatt

The pioneering banjo player from North Carolina Gena Britt is my companion in our local coffee shop today.  Britt fell in love with the sounds of bluegrass music at a very early age and began her career as an award-winning clogger.

Johnny Lee Vincent was born into the musical Vincent family on October 18, 1940, at Button Ridge, Missouri, the fourth and youngest child of Bill and Erma Vincent. As a young boy, he loved to play baseball and other outdoor activities

Regina Ann Bartlett passed away suddenly on October 1, 2014, while attending the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event in Raleigh, North Carolina. She had been enjoying herself jamming into the early hours, but passed away in her sleep later that

British banjo ace Phill Morley passed away on Wednesday morning, 27 August, 2014, in Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, Essex. He had been ill for some time and had had major heart attacks on three occasions in recent years. Born on March 13,

On Wednesday September 10, A Life of Sorrow: The Life and Times of Carter Stanley gets its first public airing when Stanley Brothers expert Gary B Reid presents his one-man show – just him and a guitar – enacting the

We have collected some memories from a few people who knew Dick Freeland well. Long-time Bluegrass Unlimited contributor, Walt Saunders (he writes the column Notes and Queries) remembers Dick Freeland ……… I first met Dick Freeland in 1966. He was not only

On this day …… On August 18, 1992, the Bass Mountain Boys released their first Pinecastle CD, Carolina Calling Me (PRC 1011). The 14 tracks were recorded at the Doobie Shea Studios, Ferrum, Virginia, by Steve Dilling , Johnny Ridge , Mike

The latest release from Patuxent Music, The Patuxent Banjo Project (Patuxent CD 250), has a very interesting aspect in that it brings together 40 regional banjo players to showcase their talents. However, these pickers are from the bluegrass-rich Greater Washington,