Miscellaneous bluegrass news Archives - Page 2 of 291

Kimberly Williams booking Pitney Meyer

Kimberly Williams, owner and chief publicist with East Public Relations – certainly one of the most celebrated and effective publicity people in bluegrass – has announced that she is now also handling booking representation for Pitney Meyer. This is the relatively new group fronted by country and bluegrass artist Mo Pitney alongside banjo player and vocalist John Meyer.

Both men grew up in family bluegrass groups, and while both dissolved as all the siblings got older, Mo has seen his star rise in country music since 2014 with songs like Country, Boy & and a Girl Thing, Local Honey, and Mattress on the Floor getting attention from country radio and print media. His obvious sincerity and rich singing voice won fans for Mo wherever country music is played, with many unaware of his bluegrass roots, unless they had seen him on stage.

John had all but given up the music business, moving away from Nashville after finding success with his brothers and sister as Meyer Band, and working with Jimmy Fortune and others. But after he and Mo became friends, they also developed into songwriting partners, and when they realized they had written an album’s worth of bluegrass music, it only made sense to record it, and Pitney’s label, Curb Records, is going to release it in 2025.

So while Mo continues to book his country dates, he has also carved out time for Pitney Meyer, and they will be out in support of the new record, Cherokee Pioneer, next year with a bluegrass group including Nate Burie on mandolin, Mo’s brother Blake Pitney on bass, and a rotating cast of fiddlers.

Mo and John had already chosen Kimberly Williams to handle their publicity, as she has been doing for Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, and her husband, Blake Williams, when they tempted her to step back into a booking role, something she hadn’t done since the Williams & Clark Expedition broke up some time ago.

Kimberly explains a bit about how it happened.

“Pitney Meyer has an incredible album set to release in April 2025 on Curb Records, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Since June, I’ve had the privilege of working with them as their publicist, but the chance to step into a new role didn’t present itself until a couple of months ago when they sought my advice on booking. Over the past six months, as I’ve gotten to know Mo and John, I’ve been deeply moved by their genuine love for bluegrass, and their thoughtful approach to sharing their music with the world.

To be honest, I never imagined I’d add booking agent back to my resume—especially after stepping away from that role 11 years ago when I was booking for my own band. The industry has shifted so much since then. But I couldn’t ignore the persistent nudge I felt to take this step, and I truly believe God led me to this opportunity.

Working alongside Mo, John, and their manager, Daniel Kohavi, has been an unexpected blessing, one that’s brought me so much joy. I’m incredibly excited to help share their talent with as many people as possible and to see how their music touches hearts in the way only bluegrass can.”

If you want to bring Mo Pitney and John Meyer, aka, Pitney Meyer, in for a festival or concert, reach out to East Public Relations to make arrangements.

Little Roy makes a young banjo picker’s day

No one reading this is likely to need reminding of the kindness of bluegrass artists towards their audience. No other musical format experiences the sort of closeness and availability that bluegrass fans come to expect, with most of our top performers spending as much time greeting people and signing autographs as they do on stage at shows and festivals.

Young players who go on to become professionals often share stories about how interactions with their favorite artists had a strong and powerful impact on their development, and in some cases spurred them on to pursue music as a career.

Here’s a brief story about one such interaction just recently, between Little Roy Lewis and Jeremiah Penny, a 16 year old banjo player who tours with his family’s gospel group. Diligent readers may recall a profile we published about Jeremiah earlier this year, and how a combination of studying bluegrass and divine intervention have helped in his struggle with autism.

This past weekend the Penny family drove from their home in Beulaville, NC to just south of Raleigh so that Jeremiah could get to see his hero, Little Roy Lewis, on stage, and hopefully have a chance to meet and speak to him.

Brent Penny, Jeremiah’s dad, shared this story of how it went…

“Saturday night I took my family to Lorraine’s Coffee House in Garner, NC to see The Little Roy and Lizzy Show. It has been a life long dream of Jeremiah’s to meet Little Roy in person, and maybe get an autograph and take a picture with him.

Much to my surprise, Little Roy treated us like family, like he had known us for all of our life. We talked for a good while and I brought Jeremiah’s banjo to see if little Roy would take a quick picture with my son holding his banjo. Little Roy took several pictures with Jeremiah and my family, and also autographed a piece of paper for all my kids. My son’s dream had finally came true, to meet Little Roy in person, get his autograph and a picture with him.

Jeremiah and I could never had imagined what was going to happen next. Little Roy called Jeremiah up on stage to play a song with him and the band. Words could never express how much this has meant to my son. He has told everyone about it and is still on cloud nine.

After the show, Little Roy came back over to us and gave my son a few tips about banjo, then he played guitar while Jeremiah played banjo on Hallelujah Turnpike (one of Jeremiah’s favorite Lewis Family songs). I couldn’t believe after a two Hour show that Little Roy came back over to my son and spent more time with him.

Words could never express the gratitude that I have for every musician that has taken time out to make a kid’s dream come true. So many do not understand, but something so small as taking five minutes out to spend with a kid who looks up to you as their hero, just what kind of impact it can have.”

Lorraine’s posted some video of Jeremiah Penny jamming with Little Roy after the show while his dad and sister sang Hallelujah Turnpike.

A lovely story. Nicely done, Mr. Lewis!

Claire Ratliff to PLA Media in Nashville

Claire Ratliff, one of the more prominent and enduring publicists working in bluegrass music, has accepted a position as Senior Publicist with PLA Media, a full service public relations and marketing company in Nashville.

For the past 20 years Ratliff had led her own successful independent agency, Laughing Penguin Publicity & Consulting. There she worked with both bluegrass and country artists and labels, including The Grascals, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, and Balsam Range on the bluegrass side, along with Mountain Home Music Company, Mountain Fever Records, Rounder Records, and Billy Blue Records, and country stars like Lorrie Morgan, David Frizzell, and David Ball.

We have worked many times with Claire at Bluegrass Today, and have always been impressed with her talent and professionalism. She even served as an author for us several years ago with a recurring column titled 20 Things You Didn’t Know About, in which she interviewed a series of bluegrass artists and acts to bring out some fun facts about their backgrounds, preferences, and personalities.

Claire has also served as the Executive Director of the War Paint podcast and television program with Lorrie Morgan.

Founder and CEO of PLA Media, Pam Lewis, says of her new publicist…

“I’m thrilled to welcome Claire to the PLA Media team. I’ve been aware of her work and stellar reputation for more than a decade, and welcome her always-fresh take, optimism and dedication to great service. She brings a breath of fresh air and a can-do spirit to every challenge.”

Ratliff returns the compliment.

“You could say that Pam and I have been a mutual admiration society for a long time. When I think of some of the finest folks I’ve known in the business, they are generally mutual friends of both Pam’s and mine. I’m delighted to hang my ‘hard-at-work-hat’ next to hers at PLA Media.”

With PLA Media she will be working with a wide range of music and corporate clients, including many that are institutions in the music business world.

Many congratulations to Claire Ratliff, and best of luck to her with PLA Media.

Three weekly jams in Frederick, MD

Wednesday night jam at Steinhardt Brewing in Frederick, MD

It’s always been true that some sort of unifying entity is what is needed to create a bluegrass scene in any city. It might be a music store that offers lessons, or a bar or club that will feature bluegrass and allow jamming. Or even a local bluegrass association that hosts regular meeting and jams.

Once enough people know a place and time, they will start showing up for the music, and friendships, and bands, start top form. Before you know it, there are enough regulars to book concerts with touring artists, and you have a fledgling bluegrass community in the making.

This very thing is happening now in Frederick, MD, located roughly an hour from both Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD, largely through the efforts of Jason Hannan and a few of his friends. Jason has launched and is maintaining three different bluegrass jams weekly in and around Frederick, and they are well populated and growing.

Hannan earns his living performing with his wife’s country band, Michelle Hannan & One Blue Night. But his first love is bluegrass, which he learned to love growing up in Mississippi, and has practiced with a number of groups in the wider capitol region. Recognizng that there wasn’t anywhere to jam around Frederick, he decided to do something about it.

“Just after the COVID, I started up a jam at a brewery called Rockwell Brewery, which has since moved. We’ve been building this for the past few years, and now have three jams a week.”

On Mondays there is a jam at Liquidity Aleworks in My Airy, just east of Frederick, and on Wednesdays at Steinhardt Brewing.

“Steinhardt Brewing is our biggest jam, which is the one originally at the Rockwell. It’s always packed. When the weather is nice it spills out into the parking lot.”

Just recently Jason has started a new bluegrass jam on Thursdays at Benztown, a bar in Frederick so named as it is located on S. Bentz Street. That one is also growing as his friends Bianca Bentz (related to the family for whom the street is named) on bass, and Mack Geiger on guitar. If even one or two show up they have a band.

Hannan says everyone is welcome at any of these jams, whether they want to join in or just listen.

“We always welcome newcomers, and will check to see if they want to lead a song on stage, or just sit at their table and pick along. There is always a sound system with microphones set up, so it’s more of a stage jam. We are friendly and welcoming to beginners, but this isn’t a slow jam.

Our audiences are always very encouraging. At Steinhardt we have developed an educated bluegrass audience, and they really appreciate seeing new players develop.”

Already Jason has seen pickers go from jammers to playing in local bands, like Shadetree Collective, who met and formed through one of these Frederick jams. Another is Andrew Tontala, who started at the jams and is now playing guitar with Tom Gray’s band, Blue Spruce.

For those thinking, “Hey… I could probably do something like that in my town,” Jason offers a piece of advice.

“Breweries offer a great opportunity for bluegrass jams. They may not even offer entertainment, but are always glad for a recurring event that brings people in. It becomes a pub scene, a musical as well as a social thing, where people hang out.”

The best way to stay in touch with Jason and these jams in the Frederick, MD Bluegrass group on Facebook. He’ll post reminders about the various gatherings, or any change in schedule. It’s easy to join the group, and once in, anyone can post questions.

Hannan released an album himself last year, Heading South, which is available on bandcamp.

Well done Jason Hannan, and all the regular jammers in Frederick, MD. In no time there will be a mature bluegrass scene there through your efforts.

Welcome Branson Wooten!

Zach Wooten, mandolinist with Mississippi’s Breaking Grass, and his wife, Anna Brooke, are celebrating the birth of their first child.

Branson Reid Wooten came into the world on Monday, November 25, 2024. He made his appearance at 1:39 p.m., weighing in at 9lb 6oz, stretching out to 20.5”, and with nearly a full head of hair.

Zach says, “He’s officially become the center of our world, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!”

The Wootens have waited several years to reach this point, and thank all their family and friends who have kept them in their prayers.

Congratulations Anna Brooke and Zach, and a big Bluegrass Today welcome to little Branson!

Changes afoot at Banjolit

Richard Ciferský in the Banjolit shop

Richard Ciferský in the Slovak Republic has announced some big changes with his internationally popular banjo accessories company, Banjolit. His partner of the past 11 years, Miroslav Durai, has decided to break away to focus on his banjo and mandolin business, Coall Instruments, also located in Slovakia, and Richard has had to prepare a new workshop in Bratislava to build and finish the various products he offers.

Perhaps their most popular items are wooden armrests for banjo and mandolin called Dr. Arm. Banjo players like that it presents a wooden surface to their forearm rather than the metal, which not only gets quite hot in the summer, but also causes allergy issues for people who are sensitive to nickel. For mandolinists, Dr. Arm allows players to avoid damaging the finish of their instruments through contact with their skin.

To fabricate these and other BanjoLit products, Richard has built and fitted a new workshop, with new machinery to help him turn out Dr. Arms, and their Banjo Picking Trainers, a small wooden practice device for banjo players to work on rolls and right hand patterns without needing to break out your banjo.

Richard is very proud of his shop, and shared some photos of his new work space.

Banjolit also offers high quality leather straps, a very handy banjo multi-tool, and a number of products designed for acoustic musicians using professional sound reinforcement. They also have their own line of banjo strings. All can be seen online.

Congratulations and best of luck, Richard!

Double Stop Fiddle Shop changing business model

Byron Berline’s Double Stop Fiddle Shop, a popular bluegrass gathering spot in Guthrie, Oklahoma, has recently made the strategic decision to close its doors and transition to operating by appointment only.

Things began to unravel so to speak in February, 2019, when the original Fiddle Shop burned to the ground, devastating the bluegrass community in the area. I can still remember that day, quite clearly, being one of the first media people on location, with the sounds of breaking strings crying out forever etched in my mind. Bluegrass lovers got behind Byron and helped he and his wife Bette to rebuild.

The Berline’s purchased a store front within a block of their original location, and so the second stage began for Byron’s Fiddle Shop. People continued to come from near and far to jam with Berline, to listen to his endless stories of life on the road, and to feel the presence of the greatest fiddler ever. And, of course, to look over his terrific stock of fiddles and mandolins for sale.

However, only three years after the loss of the original shop, the bluegrass world was shaken by the untimely death of Byron Berline on July 10, 2021. Bette and their daughter, Becca, stepped up to the plate and continued to keep the brick and mortar shop open.

But Bette Berline shared with me this morning that this is changing at the end of this year

“Byron is no longer here, and it’s not the same. People came to see him, not us. The building is up for sale. There will be no changes to the business except for the physical location, and operating by appointment only.

Byron’s Fiddle shop will no longer offer live shows after December 2024. The end of the era was with Byron, and the building closure is a new way of life.”

I spoke with Cowboy Jim Garling about the change, who shared the following: “If it weren’t for Byron Berline, I wouldn’t be Cowboy Jim Garling.” Garling had worked for Byron in the old shop as an instructor for 10 years, with an average of 50 students. “Byron and John Hickman had always done a show for Beck Implements around Christmas time, and one year they couldn’t make it, and Byron gave me his gig.” Chuckling, Garling said, “Byron always said, you better watch old Jim, he will steal your gig.”

Berline’s grandchildren, whose ages vary from nine to almost fifteen years old, have become extremely active in sporting events, and family time has become of the essence. Becca shared with me not too long ago, that she would often drive over an hour twice a day to make practices and games, and of course Bette was doing her part too.

After these last four music shows at Byron’s Music Hall, no more will be scheduled.

October 26 – Cowboy Jim Garling, Richard Sharp and Henry Burgess
November 16 – The Hunt Brothers Band
December 7 – Guthrie’s Victorian Walk evening and Cowboy Jim Garling
December 14 -Guthrie’s Victorian Walk evening and The Hunt Brothers Band

By offering personalized consultations by appointment, Becca and Bette believe that they can foster a sense of loyalty and exclusivity among their clientele. Building strong relationships with customers can lead to positive word-of-mouth referrals, and long-term brand advocacy. To drive future growth through appointment-only business, the Fiddle Shop can explore expanding their service offerings to cater to a broader range of customer needs.

Bette wants to make clear to everyone that the Berlines are not quitting, just changing with the times, and making themselves available on a scheduled basis.

Prioritizing flexibility, creativity, and customer satisfaction, Byron’s Double Stop Fiddle Shop can successfully navigate change, and position themselves for long-term success in this new business environment. Embracing the appointment-only model and focusing on personalized customer experiences, the Shop is poised for continued success in its operations.

Through lessons learned and insights gained from this transition, Berline’s Double Stop sets an inspiring example for small businesses seeking to adapt and thrive in evolving market landscapes, and amid rising costs.

The Berlines can be reached through the shop’s Facebook page.

Congratulations Dax and Sarah Lewis!

On October 18, Dax Lewis and Sarah Logan were married in a simple home wedding. Dax is the banjo player with the David Parmley Band, and bluegrass fans recall Sarah from her time playing fiddle and singing with Wilson Banjo Co.

Their wedding was a wholly impromptu event, with only a few moments of planning. Though the two had been planning to get married at some point, Sarah relates that Dax literally looked at her on Friday morning and asked, “Should we get married today?”

So they contacted a minister and two witnesses, and stood out on their front porch and got married, holding on to their beloved “dog children.”

Sarah says that it was a perfect day.

“It was so spontaneous and so perfect, everything fell into place like nothing we could’ve ever planned or imagined. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. And so, Dax and I – with our beautiful dogs at our side – were married on the front stoop of our home, in the only fashion we know how – authentically.

Although we wish that everyone could’ve been there, we do plan to have a few celebrations with all of our friends and family in the future.”

In addition to his role with Parmley, Dax is the Director of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State University, while Sarah works with a professional dog care business. Both are terrific bluegrass performers, and we wish them tremendous success together. Dax is also a member of the McLain Family Band.

Congratulations Dax and Sarah Lewis!

Welcome Daisy Mullins!

Another bluegrass baby!

Daniel Mullins, popular bluegrass radio host on Real Roots Radio, and manager of the twice-yearly Industrial Strength Bluegrass festivals, and his wife, Santana, are celebrating the birth of their first child.

Daisy Belle Mullins was born on October 11, and entered this world at 7lbs 6oz. Hers was an unexpectedly early arrival, but mom and daughter are doing well.

Both Santana and Daniel are overjoyed with their bundle of joy, and couldn’t be more pleased. They thanks everyone for their prayers and well wishes.

Mullins is also a prominent author in bluegrass circles, and has won multiple awards for his album liner notes. He also writes for a number of online publications, and many of his articles have appeared here at Bluegrass Today. Santana is a bluegrass artist as well who plays the fiddle.

Daniel is also the son of Joe Mullins, of Radio Ramblers fame, so the next time you see him, be sure to holler, “Hey Grandpa!”

Congratulations to the whole Mullins family, and a big, wide Bluegrass Today welcome to Daisy!

Congratulations Bronwyn & Jason!

It was the highlight of the bluegrass society season in Nashville when Bronwyn Keith-Hynes married Jason Carter at the Grand Ole Opry House on Tuesday, October 15. The two fiddle phenoms exchanged their vows on the Opry stage in a ceremony officiated by Vaughan Johnson.

Bronwyn’s bridesmaids should all be familiar to our readers: Molly Tuttle, Brenna MacMillan, Shelby Means (Maid of Honor), and Cristina Vane. Standing with Jason were Aidan Keith-Hynes (Bronwyn’s brother), Michael Cleveland (Best Man), Jeff Carter (Jason’s brother), and Alan Bartram.

Jason, of course, is the long time fiddler with both The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys, as well as with his own Jason Carter Band, while Bronwyn currently fiddles with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and her Bronwyn Keith-Hynes Band.

The two newlyweds, currently honeymooning in Hawaii, shared a few words about their big day, and how they were able to hold the ceremony on the Opry stage.

“We both are fortunate to get to play regularly on the Grand Ole Opry, and we were out there around the time that I proposed to Bronwyn. When we started talking about wedding venues, the Opry was the first place we thought of. The Grand Ole Opry is such a special place to us, and to any fan of bluegrass or country music.

We knew it was a long shot but figured it was worth asking. We were blown away when they said we could have our wedding there, because the Opry house is not a common wedding venue. And then to put the icing on the cake, they asked if we would be interested in performing on the Opry that night. So it was a total dream come true.

It really was an amazing day for us, being surrounded by so many friends and family. Some traveled as far as Ireland to come.

Since music is a huge part of our lives, it was very important to us who to get to play at the wedding. Michael Cleveland and Bryan Sutton performed during the ceremony, and Country Cousins (Timbo, Luke Munday, Nate Leath, and Brian Zonn) played the reception in Studio A at the Opry.

They were all incredible and just perfect! We are so fortunate to be a part of this amazing community! Our hearts are full.

Bronwyn’s bridesmaids’ dresses were designed and made by Constance McCardle, and flowers were provided by CarryAnn Misamore.