Williamson Branch at the 2018 Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies - photo © Bill Warren Thursday at Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies was kicked off by Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition, from Maryland. They gave an appreciative audience a full measure
Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies kicked off Wednesday evening, presented by Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road. Lorraine’s parents are great supporters and helpers through the year and at the show. Royce handles the MC duties to keep the show rolling.
Family bands tend to have a limited run in bluegrass. It’s inevitable that the kids age, get married, have children. Life happens, as they say. In recent years, I’ve seen several of my favorites move on – Cherryholmes, the Bankesters
Sometimes a person is in the right place at the right time. This past Friday was one of those places and times. Matt Thacker & Route 23 appeared that night at the Kentuckians of Michigan in Romulus, MI. Matt is the late
Sometimes when I’m overextended, I listen to new music in the background while answering emails, preparing song licenses or making dinner. Then I circle back later and give the CD my undivided attention for a few listens before I write
Credit ought to be accorded any band that writes its own material and delivers with the kind of adroit ability demonstrated by the ensemble that bills itself as Hank, Pattie & The Current. Seemingly impervious to any preset formula, their
There’s something to be said for pure, unfettered emotion, delivered with dedication and intent but sans the affectation and pretence that often seems to plague those intently aiming for attention. Happily then, Sister Sadie makes a sound spawned from the
Formed by mandolin player, singer and frontman Frank Ray with his uncle over half a century ago, Cedar Hill has a storied history known mostly to aficionados of authentic bluegrass of the Ozark Mountain variety. That’s the place they’ve always called
These days, much of the discussion about bluegrass, nugrass, Americana, and grassicana seems to center on to what extent the influence of vintage trappings appear to impinge on contemporary credence. Consequently, most bands are labelled according to which side of
Paul Williams joins Joe Mullins at the November 2018 SOIMF - photo © Bill Warren This past weekend saw what Tammy Mullins told me was the 29th edition of the March and November Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival, held in the