John Duffey

John Duffey is one of the biggest characters in the 70-year history of bluegrass music, larger than life; physically imposing with a voice that covers the whole range required for the four standard vocal parts, and a style of mandolin

This remembrance from the recording of Epilogue: a Tribute to John Duffey comes from Akira Otsuka. Together with Ronnie Freeland, he spent 15 years recording this loving tribute to a bluegrass legend, who was also a dear friend to Akira. It is

It’s early to start thinking about the 2019 IBMA awards, given that the finalists for this year haven’t been selected yet. But I already have a frontrunner for next year’s recorded event of the year, the award that goes to a

Well over 20 years after John Duffey’s passing in December 1996 he continues to be revered. And thanks to Sugar Hill Records (in 2000) with Always in Style: A Classic Collection and Rebel Records (in 2011) with Rebel Years: 1962-1977

Last month, I was taken by a photo on Missy Raines' Facebook page showing her playing bass onstage at the Birchmere while John Duffey leaned in and chopped mandolin. They say a picture is worth a thousand words but a

Akira Otsuka with John Duffey's F-12 - photo by Michael G. Stewart American bluegrass audiences became aware of Akira Otsuka during Bluegrass 45’s first U.S. tour in 1971. Bluegrass 45 will celebrate their 50th anniversary by playing the Red Hat Amphitheater

From the very beginning playing bluegrass music has been a very precarious job, even for the very, very talented. Bill Monroe worked at Sinclair Oil in the 1930s; Kenny Baker often went back to the coal mines even though he was

The Shape I'm In was written by Dudley Connell, a founder member of the neo-traditional band the Johnson Mountain Boys and currently guitar player with the Seldom Scene. It was included in the band’s Dream Scene album (Sugar Hill SHDC-3858),

Back in the early 1970s, a talented young Japanese band caused quite a sensation at festivals here in the US - and not simply for what was then the novelty of a foreign band playing bluegrass. Calling themselves Bluegrass 45,

Rebel Records has been focusing of late on a slew of re-issues and compilations from their rich catalog of bluegrass music. This week, they have announced five more sure to warm the hearts of fans who remember the '70s and