MerleFest has announced the finalists in their 2015 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, an invitational competition being held for the 23rd time this year during the festival on April 24. Three finalists are selected in four categories from among the hundreds of
Am I A Fool was written by Keith Tew and then-spouse Danette Gilley and recorded by the Lonesome River Band. The song won the 2000 SPBGMA Song of the Year award. Born in 1966, Tew is a native of Florida who
Frank Ray, the leader of Cedar Hill, has contributed many songs to theband’s stage and recorded repertoire. However, about two years ago, Ray lost his son, Scott, and his father, Dallas, and he has experienced a song writer’s block ever
The DC Bluegrass Union has posted the winners of their inaugural Hazel Dickens Song Contest, just ahead of their big DC Bluegrass Festival later this month. They were delighted to receive more than 80 entries in this first year, all of which
Now that Dixie Hall has gone on to her reward, her many friends in and around Nashville feel less constrained about sharing the love and admiration they feel for her. While she was with us, Miss Dixie would have considered it "making
“Right now, I think we need writers who know the difference between the production of a market commodity and the practice of an art.” – Ursula Le Guin There are lyrics which transcend the words that are chosen, rising above the
Early country stars, the Delmore Brothers were huge influences on not only bluegrass and country music, but blues, folk, rock and roll, and more. The Delmore Brothers received a long overdue Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association
Early country stars, the Delmore Brothers were huge influences on not only bluegrass and country music, but blues, folk, rock and roll, and more. The Delmore Brothers received a long overdue Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association
I didn't get to chat with Donna Ulisse this year at the World of Bluegrass as I often do, though she has recently shared some news with us about a venture she is launching in 2015. She is calling it Songwriting Escape, her name for
When the DC Bluegrass Union launched their songwriting competition this year, it was a simple decision to name it in honor of Hazel Dickens, a nearly-native daughter who spent much of her life based in the Baltimore/Washington area. Born in West
