The 2000s were an interesting decade for bluegrass. Riding high off the genre’s revival in the late 1990s and early 2000s from Dolly Parton’s The Grass Is Blue and the Coen Brothers’ O Brother Where Art Thou, artists in this … Read More
The mandolin is an interesting instrument with an interesting history. Though some may associate its gentle 8-string tones with mobster flicks and the music of the 1920s, for us there’s no question—the mandolin is the backbone of bluegrass! Bill Monroe … Read More
Ricky Skaggs may be known better to some as a classic country star of the 1980s, but to us, he’s a well seasoned bluegrass bellwether who’s been in the game for more than five decades. Both a skilled instrumentalist and … Read More
Two weeks ago, we listened to a playlist of the Founding Women of Bluegrass—and this week, we’re listening to a list of the women who are taking charge and moving the genre forward! From longtime stewards like Alison Krauss and … Read More
March is Women’s History Month—so let’s celebrate bluegrass music’s founding mothers! It’s hard to pinpoint the exact year when bluegrass began, but it certainly wouldn’t have been without the contribution of the earliest female performers of the nascent genre, like … Read More
Gospel music is a core aspect of bluegrass music. Spirituals, hymns, and other religious music featured prominently in the early days of bluegrass, and it continues to do so to this day. The classic format of four voices with guitar … Read More
Bill Monroe—depending on who you ask—started this whole bluegrass business, and led an illustrious touring career that extended into the 1990s. But Big Mon’s legacy obviously didn’t stop there. Go to any bluegrass jam and you’re liable to hear some … Read More
In my opinion, bluegrass will never be better than it was in the 1990s. Some of the best bands in the genre’s history produced their standout works during this decade: Tony Rice made Tony Rice Plays and Sings Bluegrass, the … Read More
Although he doesn’t get nearly as much love as singers like Del McCoury or Russell Moore, Larry Sparks is one of the most talented troubadours in bluegrass history. With a history spanning five decades, Larry Sparks is an underrated master … Read More
Bill Monroe played the mandolin, Flatt and Scruggs played the guitar and banjo respectively… but bluegrass would not be what it was if those legends hadn’t had top-notch fiddlers in their band. From first generation fiddle masters like Kenny Baker, … Read More