The people in the Czech Republic have long had a fondness for bluegrass music, even before they escaped from the Soviet Union, when the music was forbidden. I have spoken with long-time Czech grassers who told me that part of
Druha Trava
Peter Rowan prepares for European tour
As Peter Rowan prepares to tour Europe, he is in the Compass Records' studio recording his second album for the label. Along with his current band, Keith Little (banjo), Paul Knight (bass) and Mike Witcher (resonator guitar), Rowan has been joined
20 years of Druha Trava
Here's another notable anniversary to note during Bill Monroe's centennial year. Czech grassers Druha Trava are celebrating their 20th year in 2011, and Lilly Pavlak has a nice retrospective published on The European Bluegrass Blog. The band was formed in 1991
Bluegrass alive and well…in Europe
We are always encouraged to see main stream media coverage of our beloved musical genre. When that coverage is in a major news outlet like the New York Times, it's even better. Yesterday the NYT published a story in its "Arts"
Bluegrass in Slovakia
Not long ago we brought you a story about Stephen Mougin playing in Slovakia. The tour is done, Stephen is back in the states and on the road with Sam Bush again, but he sent us some reflections on the
Czech bluegrass in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran a story last week about Czech bluegrass band Druha Trava, who are touring in the US and Canada through the rest of September. The Gazette's Nate Guidry interviewed Robert Krestan, who founded the group in 1991 about