Located on the Washington County Fairgrounds in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, the Abingdon Fiddlers' Convention returned this past weekend for its second year. It is the region's largest bluegrass and old-time competition. $7,500 in cash prizes along
Bluegrass lost a great supporter, entrepreneur, and friend in the passing of Glenn 'Hoppy' Hopkins, 74, of Gold Hill, NC, on June 2. He was married to former North Carolina Bluegrass Association president, Vivian Pennington Hopkins. They celebrated their 50th
Band competition at Mount Airy 2023 - photo © G Nicholas Hancock The Mount Airy Blue Grass & Old-Time Fiddlers Convention is a popular western North Carolina festival devoted to old-time and bluegrass music and dance. Established in 1972, the first
Central North Carolina bluegrasser, Teddy White, 67, of Robbins, passed away on May 28 after battling continuing health issues for some time. An avid musician, he specialized on the mandolin and enjoyed playing bluegrass and gospel music with his many
The 2023 Not Your Average Folk Contest is underway. North Carolina residents can apply online for a chance to win a main-stage performance during the 2023 North Carolina Folk Festival, and studio recording time with Black Rabbit Audio, both located
The cool dizzily weather failed to dampen the spirits of the artists and attendees at Camp Springs Bluegrass Park near Reidsville, NC, this weekend for the first annual Tony Rice Memorial Day Musicfest. Promoters, Cody and Donna Johnson, labored arduously
The Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Association, located in West Plains, south-central Missouri, is celebrating four decades of music. The stated purpose of HOBA is "to further the education and the enjoyment of bluegrass music." All its officers and board
Bluegrass fans will get a treat this weekend at Camp Springs Bluegrass Park near Reidsville, NC, when Southern Legacy takes the stage for the Tony Rice Memorial Day Musicfest on Saturday. The newly formed band features the Tony Rice style-playing
David Luttrell with Karl Smakula, who ended up with his stolen banjo Mississippi banjoist David Luttrell's original pre-war Gibson RB-00 banjo was stolen in 1981. After a 42 year search and a bit of luck, the two were recently reunited. "That was
Multi-instrumentalist, Jerry Kearns, 77, of Mount Pleasant, NC passed away on Friday, May 5, 2023, following a lengthy battle with cancer. Jerry played with numerous local bands, but most notably played with the touring band, the Jones Brothers and the
