Opinion / Humor

Leadership Bluegrass is an IBMA-related program which has been going strong since the year 2000. Its stated purpose, according to IBMA's web site, is "to pull together a cross section of people with exhibited or potential leadership qualities into a

Coming up with rules for holding in-person events in the era of COVID isn't easy, and no matter what organizers settle on, there is no way to please everyone. IBMAs board of directors certainly learned that in the wake of its

Sonny was not able to answer new questions this week, so we are running a classic edition of his column. We hope to have a new set of responses from him next Friday. Sonny, years ago you said that there was

In case you need to take your mind off of current events, and the inevitable rancorous arguments that accompany them, it might be good to apply your mind to a pop quiz. Think of this as bluegrass sudoku, even though it’s

Sonny, I'm curious about that session when Ira Louvin sang the low tenor part (is that right?) with you and Bobby on Give This Message to Your Heart. I think it was your fifth session for Decca. Pardon me if you've

I was recently sent a press release about a song that claimed it's the "Hotel California of bluegrass" (because you can never leave?), and it got me thinking about these kinds of comparisons: "The American Pie of Bluegrass," "The Mick

Sonny, I always liked your baritone singing a whole lot. I know you started on banjo early on. When did you become interested in singing, and do you remember the first recording you sang on? Also, what were the banjos you

Chris Jones has been unexpectedly detained at the Canadian border, so we are running this pre-pandemic column at his direction. It's Charlie Sizemore's favorite! Co-writing is definitely the mode of Music Row. We have a great co-writing tradition in bluegrass music,

Sonny, I've been enjoying your column since it began, and I finally decided to toss in my two cents worth. Last week you said that you played better standing up than you did sitting down. I've noticed the same about my

Hello from North Carolina. This week I'm in the studio recording some Christmas songs with the Night Drivers. Between writing charts, and watching A Christmas Carol and Elfto get into the Christmas spirit in late July, I'm a little pressed