• ACMA announces Kiser Scholarship at ETSU

    In recognition of East Tennessee State University now offering the first four year Bachelor's degree in bluegrass music, the Appalachian Cultural Music Association (ACMA) has announced the launch of a new scholarship for ETSU students in the name of the

  • Raymond McLain interview in Bristol Herald

    The Bristol Herald Courier, which covers Bristol Tennessee and Virginia, plus the nearby cities of Johnson City and Jonesborough, TN, had a piece last Monday about the changing of the guard at East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass, Old Time &

  • Alex Hibbitts joins The Expedition Show

    The dust is starting to settle from the bluegrass winter personnel rotations. The Expedition Show, formerly Williams & Clark Expedition, welcomes mandolinist Alex Hibbitts from Johnson City, TN to the band. Alex, 23 years old, is a recent graduate of East

  • Bluegrass B.A. approved at ETSU

    When we last spoke with Raymond McLain about the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program at East Tennessee State University, they were in the process of seeking full accreditation to offer a four year Bachelor of Arts degree. McLain

  • Auditions for Next Best Thing

    Want to tour with Rhonda Vincent? Well she isn't hiring, but her two talented daughters are. Tensel and Sally Sandker are both studying in the bluegrass music program at East Tennesse State University, and perform as Next Best Thing. Tensel plays bass,

  • Bluegrass at ETSU

    Craig Havighurst - he of String Theory Media and the IBMA Board of Directors - has put together a 9 minute promotional video for the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program at East Tennessee State University. It encompasses perfectly

  • ETSU to offer bluegrass degree?

    The East Tennessean, the student paper for East Tennessee State University, is reporting that the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program at the school is hoping to expand from a minor in the Appalachian Studies department to a four

  • Another stolen bass

    Here's another sad story about a stolen instrument, this time a string bass belonging to a student in the bluegrass music program at East Tennessee State University. Program director Raymond McLain has distributed this notice: One of our students had a distressing

  • ETSU photomural debuts this week

    East Tennessee State University dedicated The ETSU Walls of Time: A Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Photomural earlier today, September 17. A formal ceremony was held at 12:30pm in front of Memorial Hall. Speakers included ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton