Reviews

It’s early to start thinking about the 2019 IBMA awards, given that the finalists for this year haven’t been selected yet. But I already have a frontrunner for next year’s recorded event of the year, the award that goes to a

Jenny Brook promoter Candi Sawyer poses with her Jimmy Martin cutout - photo by Darcy Cahill Welcome to the 18th annual Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival! It seems like Candi and Seth Sawyer have done it again. They are busy this morning getting

It’s a credit to the genre and its ability to evolve and find a fit with contemporary audiences that bluegrass — or grassicana as its current incarnation is often referred to — is open to so many methods of interpretation.

It no longer surprises me when drums show up on a bluegrass record. When everybody from Irene Kelly to the Lonesome River Band and Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers is using percussion on their projects, it’s clear their use

Balsam Range have a lot to brag about. In just over a decade, they’ve managed to accumulate a stellar reputation as one of bluegrass’ best hopes, notching up two IBMA Awards in a single year, one for Entertainer of the

The Del McCoury Band - Del McCoury Still Sings Bluegrass and The Travelin’ McCourys A bluegrass original and his sons and successors opt to release their albums simultaneously, providing a familial connection and clearly synchronistic styles. For his part, Del does what

Bruce weeks performs at the 2018 Armuchee Bluegrass Festival - photo by Bobby Moore For 35 years now, the Memorial Day weekend edition of the Armuchee Bluegrass Festival has been like old home week for pickers making the trip from rural

The best things often begin small with no expectation of greatness beyond the initial act of 'doing.' Like acts of decency done with no expectation of compensation, or gifts given with no mention on social media in unspoken request for

I had the great pleasure of spending some of my Memorial Day weekend at the Chantilly Farm Bluegrass & BBQ festival in Floyd, Virginia this past weekend. To say it was a good time is an understatement. A great line-up,

It’s somewhat rare for a new band to release an album filled almost completely with original material. Most up-and-coming groups tend to rely on established songwriters and updated versions of old standards, with perhaps a few originals sprinkled throughout. Not