Reviews

For most bluegrass musicians, jamming is an essential part of life. Pickers get together once or twice a week and simply enjoy being able to play music with friends. However, some jammers take their casual love of bluegrass music a

Straight-ahead bluegrassers may recall Richard Bennett’s Tony Rice-like work from his years spent with J.D. Crowe and the New South, where he was featured on the stellar Flashback record. Now, having recorded three solo projects with Rebel Records and performed

The newly formed band American Drive may currently be best known for being the most recent version of the “New South” portion of J.D. Crowe and the New South, but don’t let the fact that their fearless leader is retiring

Many of today’s bluegrass bands have somewhat unusual names. Previous Bluegrass Today columns by Chris Jones have even discussed this phenomenon, suggesting that bands sometime simply open the refrigerator to find inspiration for their band name. However, other bands use

The 2009 winners of the Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition, The HillBenders have released its second full-length recording; Can You Hear Me? (Compass Records 7 4585 3). The quintet, formed in 2008 by personnel from diverse locations but now based in Springfield,

Athens, Georgia has long been known for its diverse music scene. From pop and rock bands like the B-52s and R.E.M. to alt-country group the Drive-By Truckers, Athens has been the home base for multiple popular artists throughout the past

Among the many treasures to be found in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the state’s diversity is a definite asset. To a visitor from another part of the world, one might find it difficult to believe that the heavily populated areas

Currently in their thirtieth performing year, the Lonesome River Band has maintained their own sound even while having endured many member changes. With the release of their second of three Chronology albums, which feature both new material and re-recorded standards

Imagine the excitement of getting ready to tear open a gift from someone who always comes up with something exciting and wonderful. Then imagine the disappointment when you discover the package contains a shirt. A well-made shirt, for sure. But, in

My last Album of the Week was Reno & Smiley's Wanted. Toward the end of the article, Joe Mullins highlighted the song Unfaithful One, written by Sid Campbell. He also mentioned how the song appeared on The Bluegrass Album Band's third record, California