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
Opinion and commentary
-
-
Walk A Mile In Their Shoes
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
-
Albums of the Year? YOU Decide!
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
-
Best of the Rest: The Bluegrass Today All-Stars
A lot of fine pickers are nominated for IBMA awards every year, and a chosen few get to cross the stage and pick up a statue. But with five or six nominees in a category, that still leaves plenty of
-
A Tack In Your Hammer
Christmas time is with us again, and while we celebrate the birth of Jesus most of all, it’s also time to reflect on 2011 and recognize that none of us are worthy of the blessings we have received this year.
-
Monroe at the gate
Inspired by Chris Stuart's 2011 Holiday Poem, illustrator Ryan Wilson imagines Big Mon at the pearly gates welcoming some of the notable bluegrass icons who passed on this year. Can you name them all?
-
Bluegrass firing squad, and other termination procedures
Having made the mistake of starting on the touchy subject of band personnel changes, their motives, methods, and possible prevention, I guess I have no choice but to finish the job, especially since last week I promised to go into
-
Banjo = career longevity?
Most Bluegrass Today readers are familiar with the careers of Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe, who have led their own bands and, at one time or another, played supporting roles within bluegrass music. Both appeared as sidemen for performers like
-
Blue Yodel #10 – Quantum Lyrics
I don’t know. Maybe I’ve been watching too much of the Brian Greene PBS series The Fabric of the Cosmos lately. It’s fascinating—things blow up and there’s talk about black holes and eleven dimensions. What I’ve learned is that somewhere there’s
-
Grandpa was an old time preacher – and a banjo player
As Thanksgiving approaches, among the many (make that countless) things I am thankful for, I am thankful for my heritage. When I was much younger, particularly as a teenager, I sometimes wished for a more generic last name like Smith or Jones