banjo

Dale Vanderpool, noted bluegrass banjo player and good friend to many in the central US, died Sunday after a three year struggle with cancer. He was 59 years old. His professional work included stints with Don Rigsby, Larry Stephenson and Melvin

That Evening Sun is a terrific album of delicate banjo music from Thom Moore, which escaped our attention when it was first released in December of last year. Thom had actually sent us a copy, but it never reached our

Mumford & Sons have released a new music video in advance of their upcoming CD release. This British quartet present something of a dilemma for many bluegrass fans. Rootsy to the core, their sound draws on elements of bluegrass and folk,

Flats & Sharps is a quartet of Cornish lads who have been recently enamored with the bluegrass music. Following the classic model, they first heard the music at a live show, rushed out to obtain instruments of their own, and

Ah, the joys of summer... and summer vacation! Those of us who live within an easy drive of the coast are wont to spend time at the beach when a break is in the offing. In just this way, I find

North Carolina teen banjo phenom Brandy Miller, winner of numerous banjo contests and a new Daughter of Bluegrass, has released her very first project, BrandyGrass, Volume 1. Clinging to her deep traditional roots, she chose ten enduring bluegrass gems (seven of

Our poll this week is bound to generate some sparks. We want to know which instrument in Bill Monroe's original bluegrass band most epitomizes bluegrass music. Is it the beloved, all-powerful, everybody-loves-it 5 string banjo, or one of those other supporting

Brian Vance with D'Addario spent a few minutes with us during the Summer NAMM show earlier this month. He gave a quick run-down of the various strings and accessories for the bluegrass market. http://vimeo.com/46123153  

Summer can be the hardest time to get things done. Anyone who can looks for time to get away, and even those of us left at work can be distracted by sunny skies, warm temperatures and dreams of next month's

While prowling the trade show floor at the 2012 Summer NAMM show, Eric Tapp discovered a strap company with an interesting concept for using recycled materials. Here is his interview with Jennifer Tabor of Souldier. She tells an inspiring story of