Reviews

If the calendar says it’s time for the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival in the Boston suburbs, it’s usually safe to bet on snow. This year, though, you would have lost that bet. Mother Nature provided the perfect backdrop for the 34th

Blue Mother Tupelo might not be bluegrass in the strictest sense, what with a bare boned musical approach that relies on little more than two voices, a robust strum, and a steady stream of natural percussion. If anything, they lean

The Joe Val Bluegrass Festival in the Boston suburbs provided the perfect cure for cabin fever this year, as the music was hot and the snow that seems drawn to the festival weekend like metal to a magnet stayed away

The Del McCoury Band at the February 2019 Palatka Bluegrass Festival - photo © Bill Warren Whenever Doyle Lawson and Del McCoury appear on the same day at a festival – well just wow! That was the case on Friday at

The Gibson Brothers at the February 2019 Palatka Bluegrass Festival - photo © Bill Warren The 15th February Palatka Bluegrass Festival held at the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch has begun. Norman and Judy Adams have outdone themselves this weekend. John Holder has brought

When it comes to bluegrass Gospel, Rick Lang is one of very best songwriters in the genre. The latest proof can be found on Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout, a dozen songs “from the pen of Rick Lang” on Billy Blue Records.

Not only can the Grammy-nominated songwriter put together a fine run of alliteration to name a special occasion, but she also really knows how to throw a party.  “Thank you so much to each and everyone one of you for coming

What becomes a legend most? If that legend in question happens to be Kathy Kallick, suffice it to say it’s a body of work that extends back some 40 years and some two dozen albums that either bear her name

Alan Perdue and Junior Sisk at Alan's benefit concert - photo by Sandy Hatley This report on the Alan Perdue benefit concert is a contribution from Sandy Hatley. They came, they ate, they picked, they listened, they gave. Saturday night, over 1,000

Like many budding performers, Tony Rook acquired his appreciation for music early on. He was initially enticed after watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan. He picked up his first guitar at age 12. His parents, who performed at their church’s