Obituary

This lovely memorial to long time bluegrass entertainer Smokey Greene is a contribution from Eric Gibson of The Gibson Brothers. Smokey Greene passed away on October 19th at 93, a ripe old age by any standard, but for those of us

James "Buddy" McNeill, 88, upright bass player, passed away on October 22. The Seagrove, NC native had performed in numerous area bluegrass bands over the past 40 years (1980-2020). Many musicians start playing an instrument in their youth, but Buddy didn't take

The midwestern bluegrass community has been stunned and deeply saddened by the tragic death of talented young banjo player Mason Ruble, who died on October 21 in a tragic automobile accident. Mason was 20 years of age, and passed just

Frank Harlow, noted builder of Harlow Resonator Guitars, died yesterday at his home in Vandalia, OH. He was 83 years of age. Born in Bristol, VA, Frank worked as a truck driver for General Motors, and retired from that position to

5-string banjo picker, down-home humorist, and entertainer extraordinaire Buck Trent passed away in Branson, Missouri, on October 9, 2023 (aged 85).   Charles Wilburn 'Buck' Trent was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on February 17, 1938. He was a precocious talent even

Washington state banjoist Harley Worthington died on September 21 in Everett. He was 82 years of age. Though a native of Tennessee, he lived much of his life near Seattle, where he taught a great many young northwest pickers the ropes

Folklorist Loyal Jones, hailed as 'the father of modern Appalachian studies,' and an 'indefatigable and beloved interpreter of Appalachian life and culture,' passed away in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on October 7, 2023. He had been diagnosed with cancer, and

The Columbus, OH bluegrass community has lost one of their stalwarts. Ray Sparks, who built and repaired instruments in the region for many years, has died. He passed on September 25 at 89 years of age. Born and raised in Johnson

Mike Henderson, best recognized in bluegrass circles as a co-founder of The SteelDrivers, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Friday, September 22, 2023. He was 70 years of age.  Michael James Henderson was born on July 14, 1953, and raised

Banjo player and founding member of the Charles River Valley Boys, Bob Siggins, passed away on Friday, September 22, 2023. He was 85 years of age. George Robert "Bob" Siggins started life (thought to be on December 29, 1937) in Miami, Oklahoma,