Al Batten

The Friends of Al Batten Bluegrass Jam was hosted Sunday October 15 at The Farm in Selma, NC by Johnny Ridge, Lori Batten McLamb and Hospice of Johnston County, NC. Many family members and friends were there to celebrate this

Alton Tharse Batten, known widely as Al, passed away on Sunday, November 20. He was 68 years of age. Al was born and raised in Selma, NC where he lived his entire life. He led the popular bluegrass group, Al Batten &

A number of bluegrass acts have announced new representation this past few weeks. Appalachian musician and humorist Leroy Troy is now being booked by Hootenanny Publicity, run by Danny "Hootenanny" Clark, formerly with the International Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, KY. Danny

Thanks to Laura Tate Ridge for this fine gallery of photos from the Family Style Bluegrass Festival, held late last month at Willow Oak Park in Roxboro, NC.  

Tragedy has been a part of the human experience throughout all of history. When families and communities lose their own, there is a primal pain that ensues, especially when young folks are involved. War, disaster, accident or malice, it matters very

Roby Huffman, popular singer and bandleader in eastern North Carolina, passed away on December 29, 2012. He was 74 years old, and had been ill since being diagnosed with lung cancer a few months back. Huffman toured internationally with his band,

This gallery of photos from last weekend's South Carolina State Bluegrass festival are a contribution from Laura Tate Photography.

If you're a bluegrass fan that has been around for a while, you're no doubt familiar with a handful of elite sidemen from days gone by who held their job with only one band for a great number of years.