East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, perhaps the first major state school to offer a degree in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies, has announced a new concentration. Starting with the Fall 2021 semester, students within the Bluegrass, Old
The folks at the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival in Alberta have come up with a wonderful way to share the music through the dark winter months ahead. They are holding a series of Thursday night workshops called 20 Workshops in 20 Weeks.
Normally at this time of year, west coast banjo player, educator, and promoter, Bill Evans, is finishing preparations for his annual California Banjo Extravaganza. This would involve a series of live shows in the Golden State, featuring a number of top
Round Window Institute's Banjo Summit is going virtual this year, with all classes and workshops held online. Overseen by Jake Schepps, The Banjo Summit has a very specific focus. Their goal is to demonstrate new techniques to add color to traditional
The Murphy Method has released a second volume of Christmas songs for banjo, in time for five stringers to gear up for Christmas jams with some of their favorite holiday tunes. Casey's Custom Christmas Collection, Vol. 2, features Casey Henry, daughter
Here's an interesting new instructional/motivational item for fiddlers and fiddle students. And fans of the late, great John Hartford. Though many people think of Hartford as a banjo player, which he certainly was, he had also dedicated his life to the
Nashville mandolinist Tristan Scroggins has released another book of transcriptions, this time featuring the playing of Dan Tyminski with Lonesome River Band. Tristan has transcribed all of Dan's solos from LRB's breakout album, Carrying The Tradition, which set the bluegrass
Finally! Banjo players rejoice... a book on the stylings of Seldom Scene banjo player Ben Eldridge is in the works. Though now retired from the band, Ben was with the Scene from their first jams in his basement in 1971, through
Education at every level, all over the world, has been retooled on the fly this year, since municipal and state shutdowns have closed schools of every type. Teachers, students, and parents alike find things they like and dislike about online
Eight string maestro Chris Thile has announced a series of Master Classes over the next three weeks, offered in association with Mandolin Box Office. Billed as Music Is Life Is Music with Chris Thile, these three sessions are designed not only
