Ron Block has had a productive 2015. In addition to his first-ever full length banjo instrumental CD, Hogan's House Of Music, he has just released a short-form EP of holiday music, Carter's Creek Christmas. Here the focus is on familiar carols and hymns,
If there is a talented young bluegrass artist out there somewhere, there's a good chance that Tom Mindte and Patuxent Records has an eye on them. Their catalog contains many a title from the likely who's who of the next
The Song Of The Banjo is not like any banjo album you have ever heard, even if you've listened to Alison Brown's prior releases. Sure, it features several of her intricate instrumentals, played to perfection, but in addition to guest
2015 has been a good year for Becky Buller. After starting a new career as a solo performing artist, she has found rapid success in that new role, including being selected as Emerging Artist of the Year from her peers
When you think “Del McCoury’s banjo player,” your mind probably automatically goes to Del’s son, 2015 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year Rob McCoury. However, before there was a Del McCoury Band, there was Del McCoury & the Dixie Pals.
Let’s cut right to the heart of the matter: Flatt Lonesome’s Runaway Train is one of the best CDs I’ve heard this year. Not just the band, which is tight, or the songs, which are stout. Nearly everything about this record
Along the softer edges of bluegrass, where smooth contemporary melodies merge with a folkier, singer-songwriter sensibility, lies Oregon-based band True North. The group’s music is largely gentle and contemplative, guided by the lyrics and lead vocals of Kristen Grainger, an
What's up with Grasstowne? That's a question I've heard more than a few times this past few years. Founder and mandolinist Alan Bibey has seen a lot of changes with this band in the nine years since they formed as a
It's only been in the past few years that songwriter projects have been a thing in bluegrass music. At one time, the common exercise was for writers to record demo versions of new songs, and send them out to interested
The Vickie Vaughn Band has been making the bluegrass rounds over the past few years, racking up appearances at the Station Inn, Music City Roots, and the World of Bluegrass, securing a nomination for an IBMA Momentum Award, and serving
