Opinion / Humor

This has turned into a lengthy series on bluegrass band self-management, which is fitting because we live in a do-it-yourself era, from self-service gas pumps to self-checkout at grocery stores. I’ve even recently learned to eat meals without professional assistance.

Dear Mr. Blue Grass Smarty Pants, How come you didn’t call this column Blue Yodel #13? Did you skip a number? —Lucky 13 Dear Lucky 13, Yes, I made that mistake once in high school when I took number 13 on the baseball team

Somewhere deep in my list of items that are on a new bluegrass band’s to-do list was this little, seemingly trivial task: “Book a gig.” I think it was somewhere after selecting stage clothes and seeking endorsement deals. Many—though by no

This year, I mean it. No more abandoning resolutions to learn the fiddle or write a song every week. No more good intentions turned into shovel-ready projects to hell. No more orgy of self-loathing with two guys named Ben &

Say one thing about 2011: It was a terrific year for lovers of bluegrass music, both traditionalists and big tenters. In fact, there were so many top-notch albums issued last year that I had trouble figuring out my Top 10

What do Alison Krauss, comedian/actor/novelist/art buff Steve Martin, classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, classic rocker Tommy Shaw, and country star Dierks Bentley have in common? And what does that list have in common with Trampled by Turtles, Steve Ivey, Dr. Elmo (he

Reflecting back on the past year, it's been a busy and eventful one, and I don't need a guardian angel Clarence to help me realize it's a wonderful life. Our CD It's My Turn, released in late 2010, received a good

Well, 2011 has come to a close, and for bluegrass, it was exceptional year. We saw new releases from nearly everyone, and many were exceptional. It really is a great time to be a bluegrass fan. There are more albums coming