When an album comes in the mail (or e-mail, these days) from a new band, you’re never quite sure what to expect. Will the whole album live up to the superbly produced first single? Will an amazing live sound transfer
Music Reviews
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Better Late Than Never – Brady Stogdill
There’s nothing like listening to a new artist for the first time, but when that new artist is embarking on a career that’s been a long time in coming, the rewards are amplified are the more. Brady Stogdill states that
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13 Or So – Nick Hornbuckle
Instrumental albums can present something of a challenge. Without the benefit of vocals or clearly defined melodies, listeners may not find a means to connect, especially with a lack of lyrical narrative. That said, credit Nick Hornbuckle with creating an
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Dreaming Small – Timothy Scott
There’s both sweetness and sincerity imbued in Dreaming Small, the ironically named EP from North Carolina native Timothy Scott. It’s an easy and amenable song that allows for a clear connection and a sense of familiarity even when hearing these
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Chicago Barn Dance – Special Consensus
We all know that bluegrass music is most often associated with Kentucky, but throughout its history, several other regions around the United States have laid claim to their own special role in the founding of our favorite music. The Washington
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Shake, Rattle & Roar – Randy Barrett
Randy Barrett seems to come by his craft naturally. A singer, songwriter, banjo player, fiddler, teacher, and luthier, he’s enjoyed a 40 year career recreating sounds of vintage origins. A winner of seven Washington area music awards and a member
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Undeniable – Nothin’ Fancy
It’s one thing to be so technically proficient, you simply dazzle your audiences with ability and execution. In bluegrass realms, that’s an especially important additive. Yet it’s equally essential — perhaps even more so — to make an emotional impact
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Hello Stranger – Eliza Meyer
It’s evident even from an initial listen that Eliza Meyer is an old soul in teenage trappings. Born and raised in North Carolina, this high school junior is a musical prodigy who digs into her state’s deep well of tradition
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Bad for You – The Steeldrivers
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from The Steeldrivers. Their most recent prior album, 2015’s The Muscle Shoals Recordings, was honored with a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Not long after, lead singer Gary Nichols took a medical leave,
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All Of These Years – Steve Thomas & The Time Machine
Steve Thomas’s musical career has been a bit of a roundabout trip through the music business, taking him from stints with bluegrass greats like The Osborne Brothers and Del McCoury, to tours and recordings with country stars such as Brooks