"It's been tough for all of us entertainers," began Billy Troy, son of famed reso-guitarist, Josh Graves. The past year was especially difficult for this professional singer/musician in particular. He nearly died after contracting COVID-19. In 2007, Troy had left his Nashville
Author: Sandy Hatley
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Charlie Cushman – Banjo Doctor is in
Is your five-string ailing? If so, contact the doctor. Charlie Cushman, banjoist with the Earls of Leicester and an Earl Scruggs devotee, is a top-notch banjo set-up man as well. Working out of his north Tennessee home, Cush has a shop
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Hugh Moore – making music during the pandemic
Hugh Moore, an accomplished banjo picker from Raleigh, NC, learned how to utilize modern technology, to pick with friends, and share their collaborative music with others while doing it all safely and tastefully during the midst of a global pandemic. "I wanted
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Louisa Branscomb takes Woodsong Farm Songwriter retreats to NC
Founded in 1989, Louisa Branscomb's Georgia Woodsong Songwriter Retreat is likely the oldest continuous songwriter retreat in the genre, a distinction leading to her current nomination for IBMA Mentor of the Year. In the majestic setting of the farm's rolling
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Clyde Maness suffers broken leg – Maness Music Barn stage shuts down
Clyde Maness, proprietor of Maness Pottery and Music Barn in Carthage, NC, fell on June 30, breaking his leg (between hip and knee). He underwent surgery on July 1 and is already on the road to recovery. The 80-year-old owner started
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Tommy Edwards remembered at Celebration of Life
Energetic, prolific, and talented were some of the adjectives used to describe the late Tommy Edwards during his celebration of life service. On Sunday afternoon, an eclectic group comprised of some of the red headed guitar picker's closest friends assembled
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Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival – a weekend of special moments
"Music makes the world a better place." That's a line Russell Moore sang from Grandpa's Mandolin Saturday afternoon at Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival in Roxboro in north central North Carolina. Written by Billy and Terry Smith and Mark Irwin, the
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2021 Willow Oak Park Bluegrass Festival starts on a good foot
Lonesome River Band at the 2021 Willow Oak Park Bluegrass Festival - photo by Sandy Hatley Wonderful weather, a pristine park, and marvelous music make a perfect combination for a great weekend of bluegrass music. Willow Oak Music Park, a 60
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Lorraine Jordan reinvents herself during the pandemic
The Lady of Tradition, Lorraine Jordan, front woman and mandolinist for her band, Carolina Road, didn’t let the global pandemic stop her when venues shuttered their doors and bookings evaporated in 2021. Instead of sitting at home wondering how to
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More on the Greer/Hinson wedding
Jacob Greer of Sideline and Ally Hinson of the Hinson Girls were married on Saturday, May 22, at Smethport Baptist Church, in West Jefferson, NC. The church's pastor and Zack Arnold's dad, Phil Arnold, was officiants during their ceremony. The musical