James "Buddy" McNeill, 88, upright bass player, passed away on October 22. The Seagrove, NC native had performed in numerous area bluegrass bands over the past 40 years (1980-2020). Many musicians start playing an instrument in their youth, but Buddy didn't take
Chris Jones has announced that Nelson Williams, until recently bassist with Jake Blount, will take up that position next week with The Night Drivers. Marshall Wilborn, who has been playing bass with the band this past few years, recently told Jones
Compass Records is announcing today Highlander, a new album from Missy Raines, expected early this fall. A debut single is also available, which find the veteran bassist and vocalist teamed up with traditional bluegrass icon, Danny Paisley. This first look at
The DC Bluegrass Union hosted a party over this past weekend to celebrate the birthdays of two capitol area bluegrass greats, Tom Gray and Carroll Swam, both of whom are turning 82 years of age. Tom's 82nd was last week,
With the digital age, music, including bluegrass, is being presented in a lot of different types and formats. Jeremiah Gilmer, a young southern Virginia-based graphic designer, works a day job and plays music in his spare time from his home,
James Cox, who has been playing bass for Virginia's Nothin Fancy since 2016, has announced that he is leaving the group. When he first came into the band, they described him as the quiet member as he mostly stayed still and
Curtis Vestal is a veteran bluegrass performer, who has been involved in the music since he was a teen. Perhaps not as well known as his older brother, Scott, Curtis has worked alongside a number of well-known artists, starting when
Jacob Eller has been announced as the new bass player with consistent bluegrass chart toppers Volume Five. Bluegrass fans know Jacob from his time on bass with Galax, VA group No Speed Limit, and with both Sierra Hull and The Church
Central North Carolina-based Drive Time has a new bassist. The band welcomes Lee Sawyer from Thomasville to their ensemble. Sawyer has performed and recorded with several touring bands including the Larry Stephenson Band and Grasstowne. Grayson Tuttle, their former bass player,
Discover Double Bass, a web site dedicated to all things upright, has just released an online course taught by Barry Bales, surely among the most celebrated bassists in bluegrass music. From his three decades keeping the beat behind Alison Krauss to
