What a golden age we’re in for banjo recordings! After years of anticipation, it’s Rob McCoury of the Del McCoury Band, joining recent wonderful banjo recordings by the Foggy Mountain Special Earl Scruggs Tribute team, Charlie Cushman, Noam Pikelny and
In bluegrass music, we have a King and a Queen, a Father and Daughters. What’s next? Gentlemen, perhaps. Recently making their debut on Pinecastle Records are the Gentlemen of Bluegrass, a North Carolina-based group with a strong, smooth traditional sound. Their
If you’re expecting to hear a carbon copy of a Grascals record when you listen to the latest solo effort from the group’s mandolin man, Danny Roberts, you may be disappointed. However, if impressive instrumentation, a great variety of sounds,
When did you first hear the music of Larry Sparks? That seems like a good question to ponder as we consider his latest album, Lonesome and Then Some... A Classic 50th Celebration. For me it was 40 years ago, sometime in 1974
Cullen's Bridge was formed about three years ago with the intention that the band perform in the way that Mickey Galyean's father, Cullen Galyean, did. Hard-core traditional bluegrass is the order of the day. From the traditionally rich area of Lowgap,
There’s a school of thought that says you can’t teach songwriting. Folks can either write lyrics and compose interesting melodies, or they can’t. But if the craft itself can’t be taught, those interested in pursuing it can gain some valuable perspective
The arrival of a new Doyle Lawson CD in the mailbox is cause for joy. Even before the plastic wrapper is peeled off, you know what to expect – music as tasteful and original as his custom boots and jackets. And
Few musicians garner the universal respect of Michael Cleveland. A child prodigy, Michael won the hearts of the entire bluegrass industry in 1993 as a member of the IBMA Youth All-Stars. Since that time, he has gone on to perform and record
As is true for most students of the bluegrass instruments, resonator guitarists are especially enamored of the instruments made just prior to the US entry into WWII. In the late 1930s and early '40s, almost all of the reso-guitars were being
As much as the popular media might want us to, all bluegrass fans don’t live in an old homeplace in the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, that doesn’t mean that those images don’t stay popular in this style of music. Some
