Obituary

Popular Ontario bluegrass artist Marc Roy has died. He passed quite suddenly on July 25 at 39 years of age. No cause of death has been shared by his family. Marc's participation in noted groups like Hard Ryde and Backcountry, plus

Roger Sprung, the innovative five-string banjo player, popular instructor and successful instrument dealer, widely recognized as "the Godfather of Progressive Bluegrass," and a pioneer of newgrass, passed away in Newtown, Connecticut, where he had made his home for many years.

Paul Prestopino, a renowned multi-instrument sideman and recording engineer, with long experience in bluegrass, old-time, folk, and contra dance musics, passed away peacefully at his home in Roosevelt, NJ, on July 16, 2023. He was 84. One of two sons of

Banjo and guitar player, Roby Carter Harris, lovingly known as R.C. by his friends, family, and the wider bluegrass community, passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Harris, formerly of Mooresville, NC, was 83.  At age 11, R.C. began picking banjo

This obituary for Virginia grasser Raymond Lumpkin is a contribution from his grandson, Spencer Atkinson. Richmond, VA bluegrass scene native, Raymond Lumpkin, passed away at his home in Mechanicsville, VA on June 24. He was 83 years of age. Being born January

Another major figure in the development of bluegrass music has left us. Bobby Osborne, singer, mandolinist, and one half of the trendsetting and hit-making Osborne Brothers, has died today. He was 91 years of age. From the time he started performing

Jesse McReynolds, surely among the most consequential mandolinists, singers, and songwriters in the history of bluegrass music, died earlier this afternoon at his home in Nashville with his wife by his side. He had been in hospice care this past

John Miller could do just about anything when it came to bluegrass. He played guitar, mandolin, and upright bass. He sang lead and harmony parts. He arranged, produced, and wrote. And much of the time he did it while fighting cancer

Mark Kuykendall and Bobby Hicks; Mark Kuykendall photo © LuAnn Adams Noted bluegrass multi-instrumentalist and singer Mark Kuykendall, age 60, passed away on June 19, 2023. He had been unwell for many years, plagued with a variety of illnesses, including diabetes and

Bluegrass lost a great supporter, entrepreneur, and friend in the passing of Glenn 'Hoppy' Hopkins, 74, of Gold Hill, NC, on June 2. He was married to former North Carolina Bluegrass Association president, Vivian Pennington Hopkins. They celebrated their 50th