Opinion / Humor

Well, if you’ve followed Bluegrass Today at all in the last week, you know there really is something more newsworthy and controversial than a government shutdown. It turns out to be the fact that a bluegrass artist decided to stop

Generally, when I write these around the week of the IBMA World of Bluegrass, I like to keep them extremely short, to match the nights of sleep I’ve had, and the attention span I have as a result. I guess that

Seriously, who needs Nashville? I was among those not thrilled when IBMA packed up and moved World of Bluegrass from Nashville to Raleigh, N.C. The annual awards show taking place somewhere other than the historic Ryman? Unthinkable. The yearly business conference being held

A reader recently asked if I would consider, at some point, addressing the issue of playing for free. I replied: “Sure, for 80 bucks I will.” After some negotiation, my fee was reduced to barter payment of a used lime

Shortly after the announcements of the IBMA Awards nominations, an important discussion was started here in Bluegrass Today about the award nominations and voting process. Many readers joined in with ideas, constructive criticism, and in some cases, good old-fashioned griping. With

One of the many creative challenges facing songwriters (besides paying this month’s utility bill) is the naming of a new song. This is frequently done after the song is written, and sometimes it feels like a big decision. Unlike a

IBMA Executive Director Nancy Cardwell is interested in hearing from members who have ideas about the rules for the association’s award for emerging artist of the year. Cardwell responded after my commentary last month, which pointed out what I saw as

This column from Chris Jones is a reprise of one from March 2012 - with a new introductory paragraph. Some time ago, I published a list of topics for bluegrass music camp elective classes that, based on trial and unmistakable error,

Last week, after passing along some of the findings in my research into the whereabouts of some familiar characters in bluegrass songs, I received some questions, comments, and suggestions. The suggestions, which mostly involved where I should go, and what I

We've all heard tales of boredom on the road, and the clever and often ingenious ways that touring musicians find to occupy their down time. Experienced road warriors know that if you don't find something fun or productive to do with