• Here To Distract You – Red Herring

    On their website, Rotterdam-based Red Herring describe their music as a mixture of “folk roots, Americana, murder ballads, love songs, and kickass tunes.” Although the lively mix of tuneful and tasteful melodies found on the group’s latest offering would seem to

  • Front and Center – Sideline

    In the past several years, Sideline has jumped from being a literal side project for some bluegrass A-listers to a fully-fledged band working its way to the top of the bluegrass world. With a few of those original “sidemen” on

  • The Magic of MerleFest – a 2018 report

    Jerry Douglas Band at MerleFest 2018 on the Watson Stage - photo by Alisa B. Cherry It’s little wonder that MerleFest bills itself as a family-friendly event. The reasons are obvious given the multi-generational mix that runs the gamut from youngsters

  • No Escape – ClayBank

    ClayBank’s 2016 debut album, Playing Hard to Forget, was a strong entry into the bluegrass scene, racking up comparisons to bluegrass heavyweights like the Lonesome River Band. Their new recording, which dropped last Friday from Mountain Fever Records, is a

  • Old Salt Union, self titled

    Old Salt Union is a young band, but one well versed in timeless tradition and the ability to make music that’s energizing, exuberant, versatile and vibrant. Ironically, their origins are anything but ordinary. Consider their makeup — a horticulturist, a

  • My Town – The Lindsey Family

    Sometimes it’s easy to dismiss family bands as cute kids with more than their fair share of musical talent, but more and more frequently these days, family bluegrass groups are proving their abilities not only at fancy picking, but also

  • Carter Stanley’s Eyes from Peter Rowan

    Peter Rowan has paid his dues, spending more than 50 years in and around bluegrass, sharing the stage with everyone from Bill Monroe and Jerry Garcia. Now, he’s paying tribute. His new CD on Rebel Records is called Carter Stanley’s Eyes.

  • Kristy Cox scores with Ricochet

    When I reviewed Part of Me from Kristy Cox two years ago, I ended with these words about her work with songwriter and producer Jerry Salley: “I can’t wait to hear what Cox comes up with next. And here’s hoping she