• Kudos to Lee and Dan

    The winners of the 2011 International Songwriting Competition have been announced, and first place in the Instrumental category was awarded to a banjo tune! Gone Beserk, written by Lee Marcus and performed by Dan Menzone on his Frostbite CD, took the

  • Cherryholmes: so long and farewell

    Cherryholmes has had quite a run of late. Over the past ten years, we've watched them go from a cute family bluegrass band of teen siblings, to a writing, touring and recording powerhouse of serious pickers and singers with their

  • Gettysburg reports this weekend

    David Morris will be on the ground this weekend at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, reporting back on the 62nd iteration of this popular Pennsylvania event. The festival has been going since 1979 when it was founded by Joe Cornett and his

  • Sarah Jarosz talks Follow Me Down

    Sugar Hill has prepared a video interview with Sarah Jarosz about her upcoming Follow Me Down album, due for release May 17. Jarosz is poised to perhaps become the next singer/songwriter to emerge from the bluegrass and old time world, and

  • Bouncing bass players

    A couple of popular North Carolina bands have brought on new bass players this past few days. Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road have announced that Eddie Biggerstaff will handle the low end for them on the road. Eddie spent several years

  • Town Mountain – Steady Operator

    North Carolina's Town Mountain sees their first album with Pinecastle Music, Steady Operator, released today (5/10). It showcases their decidedly modern take on the bluegrass genre, which doesn't so much straddle the line between a traditional and progressive approach

  • Statement from Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper

    Here is a statement from Michael Cleveland following yesterday's unexpected news about the sudden departure of band members Marshall Wilborn, Jesse Brock and Tom Adams. Life and business are often about change and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper are certainly no exception.

  • Flamekeeper flameout?

    Unexpected news regarding one of the hottest bands on the bluegrass circuit... We have learned that all of the members of Flamekeeper save bandleader Michael Cleveland and new banjo player Charlie Cushman are out of the picture. Guitarist and primary lead vocalist

  • Jayd Raines to Ralph Stanley II

    We heard earlier today from multi-instrumentalist Jayd Raines with word about his new gig. He will be the banjo player with Ralph Stanley II, where he will also play some guitar and provide harmony vocals. Jayd has been playing bass with

  • Podunk Songwriting Master Seminar

    Noted bluegrass songwriter Louisa Branscomb is partnering with Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival to help celebrate their having been named IBMA's 2010 Bluegrass Event of the Year. The festival runs August 4-7 in East Hartford, CT and Louisa will conduct a Songwriting