• The Bill Monroe Reader in paperback

    Tom Ewing is a member of one of the most exclusive clubs in all of bluegrass music. Having spent ten years as Bill Monroe's guitarist and lead vocalist, he can lay claim to the title of Bluegrass Boy, an honor

  • Claire Lynch audio samples online

    We mentioned last week that Claire Lynch's CD, New Day, was due for release on Rounder on March 28. We also mentioned at that time that no audio samples were yet available online. They are now up on the Rounder web

  • Mandolin Cafe: Bass Pro mandolin gear

    Our friends at Mandolin Cafe have a hilarious post available this morning which takes advantage of the reputation of today's date, and a long-standing tradition of news parodies dated 4/1. Theirs is entitled, Bass Pro Enters Mandolin Market, and is

  • Dr. Banjo honored by CBMS

    Pete Wernick, aka Dr. Banjo, has been chosen to be among the first four Coloradans inducted into the Bluegrass Hall Of Honor by the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society. Recipients were chosen for their demonstrated love of the music, and dedication

  • Clear Channel gives Bluegrass a try

    Clear Channel Radio, often cynically portrayed by critics as embodying all that is wrong with corporate radio consolidation, has flipped a property in WV from Gospel to a Bluegrass/Americana format, effective March 30. The station is WCTR-AM, serving the Huntington,

  • Reuters reports on Earl Scruggs

    Reuters is running a story about Earl Scruggs this morning. The story talks about his history in the music business, the recent passing of his wife Louise, and his recent performance at the Kennedy Center. On the subject of Louise,

  • Alison Brown on the Opry this weekend

    Banjo player, Alison Brown and her band will be performing this Saturday on the Grand Ole Opry radio broadcast. She will be featured in the 9:30-10:00 p.m. and 12:30-1:00 a.m. segments (all times eastern). Noted not only for her fluid,

  • Episode #22 – Neil Rosenberg

    Episode #22 of The GrassCast features John's interview with bluegrass historian, Neil Rosenberg. They discuss his book Bluegrass: A History, which is now available in a 20th anniversary paperback edition. This GrassCast is 18 minutes in length and the file download

  • County Records reissue profiled on NPR

    Last week, All Things Considered on NPR carried a feature on County Records' 3 CD reissues containing field recordings of clawhammer banjo music. Originally released on vinyl in the mid-60s, these recordings were heralded by folklorists, and celebrated by fans

  • Cool photos on the Bluegrass Japan Blog

    Harajuku refers to the area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station. It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for grown-ups and some historic sights. And it's home to a monthly bluegrass jam.