This response to our article last week, Who’s the real Father of Bluegrass, is a contribution from Richard D. Smith, a mandolin player based in Somerset County, NJ, and the author of Bluegrass: An Informal Guide and Can't You Hear Me
Opinion / Humor
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From The Side of the Road…. bluegrass pandemic goals vs reality
Bypassing Christmas for the moment ("and so, as Tiny Tim observed . . ."), we are approaching the time for year-end reflections, top 10 lists, and other ways of cataloging and looking back on the year 2020. "Yuck" is the
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Ask Sonny Anything… tell us about the Banjo Medley
Good morning Chief, as I look out the window on our first dusting of snow here in middle Tennessee, I've come to the realization that your weekly trip through bluegrass' past might best be conducted this week in a sleigh.
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Who’s the real Father of Bluegrass?
This Saturday, the Grand Ole Opry celebrates the 75th birthday of bluegrass music. It's certainly a cause for celebration. But, for me at least, it's also a time for reflection and the sharing of a belief that I’ve held for
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From The Side of the Road… Hallmark Christmas movies with a bluegrass twist
Last year around this time, I offered up some potential Hallmark Christmas movie plots with a bluegrass element, because, you know, we all need the money. Last year, I had no idea how much we'd be needing the money. I'm sure
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Ask Sonny Anything… did you ever play clawhammer style?
Ask Sonny Anything is a recurring feature where our readers pose questions to the great Sonny Osborne, one half of the iconic Osborne Brothers who redefined bluegrass music in the 1960s, and noted banjo maven and collector of fine prewar
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Giving thanks, bluegrass edition
I've never celebrated Thanksgiving in my own home. That means 64 holidays at my parents, my in-laws, a West Coast dinner out with an uncle, and a long weekend with my college girlfriends family in Pittsburgh. That string will be broken
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From The Side of the Road… Thanksgiving 2020 edition
Thanksgiving is upon us, and for some it's a time for reflection on all we have to be thankful for. For most, if we're honest, it's a time for eating as much as humanly possible, saving no room for pumpkin
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Ask Sonny Anything… tell us about recording with Ira Louvin
Ask Sonny Anything is a recurring feature where our readers pose questions to the great Sonny Osborne, one half of the iconic Osborne Brothers who redefined bluegrass music in the 1960s, and noted banjo maven and collector of fine prewar
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From The Side of the Road… Mr. Bluegrass Manners takes your questions
Mr. Bluegrass Manners has just completed a 14-day mandatory self-quarantine after attending a conference in South Dakota on Thanksgiving etiquette. He's feeling well and is ready once again to take your questions: Dear Mr. Bluegrass Manners, Is it considered permissible or not to sing