Noted Indiana bluegrass musician Dave Denman has died, passing on April 20 from multiple complications associated with COVID-19. He had just turned 65 years of age. Many bluegrass fans will recall Dave as a member of a very early edition of
banjo
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Ask Sonny Anything… where is that biography you promised?
Good morning Chief, I hope you get this. When I got off the bus last week we were in 1996, I turned around and you boys were gone. Very funny. Fortunately we have dial-up internet. I'm out front here at Bean Blossom...reading
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Ask Sonny Anything… did you ever play clawhammer banjo?
Hey Good morning Chief! We just swung by the electronic post office, and we have a bag of questions for you. Hey, there's some doozies in here. Be forewarned, we have an onion and a glass of water next to
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Beyond the Tagus River from Andre Dal
Portuguese banjoist Andre Dal had been working for eight years on a solo banjo album, with an eye towards releasing it this year. Andre felt a certain sense of urgency as he has been suffering from a focal dystonia in
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Ask Sonny Anything… When did you know how good Bobby was?
Hey good morning Chief! We're all out here with coffee and donuts, looking at the buds on the apple and dogwood trees, and reminiscing. This sure feels like the official kickoff to bluegrass festival season to us. We've been swapping
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New Earl Scruggs Banjo Songbook expected in May
The Hal Leonard music publishing company has announced the imminent release of a new book of Earl Scruggs banjo transcriptions. Titled The Earl Scruggs Banjo Songbook, it will offer tablature for 84 classic Scruggs solos taken from both recordings and live
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Ask Sonny Anything… what was it like touring with Merle Haggard?
Good morning Chief! Wow, how about those storms huh? Made me think we were heading back to 2010 and the big flood here in Music City. Not to worry though, Larry just got the pontoons on the bus (which we've
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Ask Sonny Anything… how ’bout Billy Strings and his Grammy?
Good morning Chief! Well the bus is packed with all the usual suspects and we're ready to roll. Today it looks like we're heading back to 1996 and Bobby's River Bend Festival. Also, one of your fans is asking about
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Cheetos Flamin’ Hot Popcorn makes Todd Taylor pick the banjo fast
Cheetos brand has chosen Nashville banjo player Todd Taylor to help them promote two new products, their Flamin' Hot Popcorn and the Flamin' Hot Wings sold by Cosmic Wings, prepared by Applebee's. Todd has been a professional musician most of his
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Ask Sonny Anything… what made Merle Haggard laugh?
Hi Sonny: I think the year was 1995 or '96 and you were playing a carnival in Clear Springs, MD, and the rain interrupted your show for some time and you, Bobby, and the band went to your bus parked just