The Hillbenders

When you’ve soared to a high peak, topping that triumph can be a challenge in itself. In the case of the Hillbenders, a band that turned both rock and bluegrass on their respective ears with an otherwise unimaginable take on

Thanks to the organizers of the Old Settlers Music Festival in Austin, TX who shared these images of the various bluegrass artists who performed last weekend at the annual alternative music and entertainment event.

Thanks to Bob Compere for this batch of photos from last weekend's Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival & Chili Cookoff in Farmer's Branch, TX, just north of Dallas.

Do you have to be a fan of the original rock opera, Tommy, to enjoy The Hillbenders' bluegrass tribute? After having a good listen to Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry, I'd say, "no," but it helps. For anyone over 50 years old,

From when I lived in south Alabama in the early '90s, I remember Destin, FL for its pearly white beaches, crystal clear water, and tons of new construction. Much of the area had fairly recently been devastated by a hurricane,

When it was announced in January that The Hillbenders would be releasing a bluegrass version of The Who's classic rock opera, Tommy, one of the first songs that came to mind was the fiendishly creepy Tommy's Holiday Camp. How would

In 1969, the rock music world was agog when The Who, one of the top grossing acts on the circuit at that time, released a double album called Tommy. Described as a rock opera, the entire album was based on

A number of bluegrass acts have announced new representation this past few weeks. Appalachian musician and humorist Leroy Troy is now being booked by Hootenanny Publicity, run by Danny "Hootenanny" Clark, formerly with the International Bluegrass Museum in Owensboro, KY. Danny

The 2009 winners of the Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition, The HillBenders have released its second full-length recording; Can You Hear Me? (Compass Records 7 4585 3). The quintet, formed in 2008 by personnel from diverse locations but now based in Springfield,

This evening, World of Bluegrass featured a special event for slide players, billed as a Slidegrass Extravaganza. David Morris happened upon Chad Graves from The Hillbenders warming up before the show.