Bill Yates, lifetime bluegrass musician, bassist with The Country Gentlemen, and friend to everyone in the bluegrass community, died tonight after several weeks in the hospital. He was 78 years old. He had been hospitalized earlier this month, suffering from a
Surely many of our readers live in areas that might be described as a "bluegrass wasteland." These may be places where some bluegrass fans may live, but no one is actively sponsoring or promoting the music at live shows. Or it could be a
The Church Sisters have announced that Jacob Eller has joined their band on bass. Like the Churches, Jacob is a native of SW Virginia who learned to play bluegrass as a youngster. Before touring the world as a member of Sierra
Banjo player Simon Mitchinson has launched a new web site offering free backing tracks for bluegrass musicians who need a resource for practicing their instruments. At present he has 72 jam favorites posted, mostly banjo and fiddle tunes, in a variety
Hammertowne has announced that Bryan Russell has joined the group to play bass and help with vocals. Russell is from eastern Kentucky and had spent the past few years working with Cumberland Gap Connection. David Carroll, who plays guitar and sings with
Brandon “BB” Bowles, a well-known face in the North Carolina/Virginia bluegrass scene, died Sunday, October 19, in a car accident in Davie County, North Carolina. Bowles, 32, of Rural Hall, NC, was returning home from a friend’s house about 1:00
Shelby Means, who has been playing bass with Della Mae this past two and a half years, has announced this weekend that she will be leaving the group. She will accompany the Dellas on their upcoming State Department tour as
Junior Sisk has announced that Kameron Keller has taken the job playing bass with Rambler's Choice. He had been working this past few years with Alan Bibey and Grasstowne. Kameron takes the spot vacated by Jason Tomlin who has left for
Artie Werner, bass player, band manager and booking agent, shared these words of remembrance for his friend, Ron Murphy, who passed away yesterday. Ron and his wife of 40 years, Lora formed The Muddy River Band in 1977, played a heavy
Ron Murphy, whose rock-solid bass playing anchored the Cincinnati-area band Muddy River for many years, died this morning, one day short of his 67th birthday.Ron's kidneys failed in June and he was diagnosed with melanoma. Despite treatment, the cancer spread
