This review is a contribution from our friend, Ted Lehmann, and first appeared on his blog. We thank him for sharing it with our readers. Craig R. Evans grew up in a solidly mid-western family surrounded by a striving father and
Print Reviews
John Cowan — Hold On To A Dream: A Newgrass Odyssey
Widely-celebrated bluegrass singer and bassist John Cowan contributed as much as any of his generation to bringing the music from past to present. When he replaced original bassist Ebo Walker in the groundbreaking '70s ensemble, New Grass Revival, he helped
Oh, Didn’t They Ramble – Author digs deep Into Rounder’s story
When the definitive history of bluegrass music is written, Rounder Records will play a sizable role, and deservedly so. The label was at the center of many key events since its founding in 1970, from the recording of J.D. Crowe &
My Lucky Life at Silver Dollar City by D. A. Callaway
D. A. Callaway - photo by Kaitlyn McConnell/Ozarks Alive For generations people have responded, often in jest, to the question, "What are you going to do now that you've retired?", with, "I don't know... I guess I'll write my memoirs." Of course,
On Banjo – Recollections, Licks, and Solos by Ben Eldridge
Talk about a long time in coming... A book about the banjo music of Ben Eldridge is a great many years overdue. Since 1970, he has been among the most influential banjo pickers in the bluegrass world, through many years as
On The Bus with Bill Monroe: My Five-Year Ride with the Father of Blue Grass – Mark Hembree
Over the last few decades there have been several books written about the Father of Bluegrass. While some such as Tom Ewing's Bill Monroe: The Life and Music of the Blue Grass Man dive deep into Monroe's life journey, others
The Complete Tune Playing Toolkit for 5-String Banjo
Mel Bay Publications' latest banjo instruction manual is one that any serious three finger player could benefit from adding to their collection. The title is quite a mouthful, The Complete Tune Playing Toolkit for 5-String Banjo - A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering
The Earl Scruggs Banjo Songbook
We finally got our hands on a copy of the new Earl Scruggs Banjo Songbook from Hal Leonard, which will surely have a place on the bookshelf of every serious banjo player or student worldwide. At least all who have
Speed Bumps On A Dirt Road – John Cohen
Most fans of old time and early bluegrass music know John Cohen as a musician, and a founding member of the New Lost City Ramblers, with whom he toured from 1958 until 2008. Their 20 albums of traditional and contemporary
Pete Wernick’s JAM Songbook
Pete Wernick has given a great deal to the banjo and bluegrass communities over the course of his lengthy career. The author of several top-selling instructional books for banjo, he was also a founding member of Hot Rize, and the
