For fans of traditional music, 2012 was a sad year, with bluegrass, folk, and other acoustic genres all losing notable figures. Several of these artists, such as Earl Scruggs, have recently been remembered with tribute albums and collections of their
Jack Lawrence has announced the April 12 release of his next album, Arthel's Guitar, on Little King Records. It's a mix of vocals and instrumentals featuring the stellar guitar work and vocals of this long-time Doc Watson accompanist. Joining Lawrence are Wayne Benson on
The Foundation for Bluegrass Music has announced details for their 2014 grant cycle. A total of $10,000 in grants will be awarded this year to honor the memory of pioneers Doug Dillard and Doc Watson. This is a $2000 increase
When Doc Watson passed away in May 2012, the world of traditional music lost one of its most beloved figures. Doc had quite a prolific career, recording albums both as a solo artist and with his son Merle, as well
During IBMA week, I had the pleasure of attending the Nashville premiere of The Porchlight Sessions, a new film which digs deep into the roots of our music while also looking forward to its future. The film blew me away. (See
Rosa Lee Watson, wife to Doc Watson for 65 years, died on Thursday (November 22) at the nursing facility where she had been living in North Carolina the past year and a half. She was the mother of Eddy Merle
This reflection on three legends who have passed on during 2012 is a contribution from flatpicking legend Dan Crary. In addition to being a pioneering guitarist, Crary is an Associate Professor of Speech Communications at California State University at Fullerton.
Milo Farineau caught up with Del McCoury recently, and took the opportunity to get his reflections on some fellow bluegrass legends who have passed on this past few months. Milo: It’s been a tough year of loss for the bluegrass world.
Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see The Avett Brothers perform at the Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, OH. (I can already see the rigid traditionalists rolling their eyes.) I was thoroughly surprised to see the Avetts perform several tribute
With my return to the Carrboro/Chapel Hill, NC area in April to join the staff of The ArtsCenter, life has been largely a reunion recently. Two recent trips to the mountains possibly turned out even more poignant for me in
