Opinion / Humor

I first saw banjoist Ned Luberecki on stage at an IBMA showcase back in the ‘90s. He made a joke that about ten people in the room got and I immediately bonded with him. It took several more decades for us

Last week I published a list of topics for bluegrass music camp elective classes that, based on trial and unmistakable error, were deemed colossal failures. I didn’t, however, say that the topics couldn’t be discussed in this column. One of them

In last week’s discussion of bluegrass music camps, I focused primarily on the students, and what they can expect at events like this. This week, I’d like to offer a word or two for and about music camp instructors, especially

Guest Artist Quiz and Prizes This month’s guest artist is the rajah of the resophonic guitar, Rob Ickes. At an early age, Rob was kidnapped by pirates who left him on an island off the coast of California with nothing but

Now that March is upon us, it’s only natural to think ahead to the end of winter (if you got any where you live) and the coming festival season. The festival season also means the season of the bluegrass music

March Madness, to me, doesn’t mean basketball. Rather, it’s the perennial delusion that just by showing up in Peoria, Arizona, and running a few wind-sprints, the San Diego Padres are guaranteed in seven months to be spraying champagne over themselves after

I have always loved a good conspiracy theory. I believe almost all of them, too, whether they become discredited in the media or not. When I hear that something has been “disproved,” I believe that’s just what “they” want us

If any of you tuned in to the Grammys last night, or have followed any of the coverage, you surely noticed one name that has been making headlines: Adele. Adele tied Beyonce’s record for the most Grammys brought home in one

I’ve had time to analyze the reaction to my disclaimer published here last week, the one that attempted to warn that these columns are not intended to be taken seriously or literally, and I’d have to rate it as a

Growing up in Hurricane WV was a real blessing in my life. Hurricane and surrounding towns were a hotbed of bluegrass music lovers, with a wealth of fine musicians. I remember as a young man, when my dad took me