banjo

Anyone familiar with the acoustic music scene of Western NC, or with the music of the legendary Charlie Moore, is no stranger to Billy Constable. In fact, I am not certain Billy encountered many strangers. He is a friend to

Swiss-born North Carolina banjo wizard Jens Kruger spent two days earlier this week at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, sharing his wisdom with the banjo students there. His visit was sponsored by the Berklee American Roots Music Program,

We just heard from Ryan Cavanaugh, letting us know that he will be filling in for Scott Vestal this week with the Sam Bush Band. Scott is under the weather, and Ryan is johnny-on-the-spot when you need a progressive banjo picker

Another member of the bluegrass community on the mend is popular Indiana musician Dave Denman, who is at home recovering from triple bypass surgery. Among Dave's claims to fame is being the mandolin/guitar player with the original version of Union Station,

Jens Kruger has released a video which captures his arrangement of the first Bach Cello Suite, played on the banjo. It was recorded in late September at Double Time Studio near Kruger's home in North Wilkesboro, NC, produced  by Philip Zanon. Jens

I had a chance last week to speak with Punch Brothers banjo maestro Noam Pikelny about his new solo project, Beat The Devil and Carry A Rail, due from Compass October 25. He was very frank in discussing the album,

Saturday, September 24 was a grand evening at the Nashville Symphony. Béla Fleck's Concerto for Banjo was the obvious centerpiece of the night, but the piece was bookended by two symphonic pieces, the first being Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring (with a transcendently serene outro). Next

Since its founding in 1982 by Jack Tottle, the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Program at East Tennessee State University (ETSU) has helped to further the careers of many of today’s prominent bluegrass and country musicians, including Adam Steffey,

This interview with Béla Fleck was conducted by fellow banjoist Jake Schepps, who will review the Concerto based on Saturday's performance. Jake's latest CD, An Evening In The Village, also places the banjo in a classical setting, drawing on the

Lonesome River Band leader Sammy Shelor has been announced as the 2011 recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass Music. The award is in recognition of Sammy's high level of musicianship, and the impact he has