We’ll cut to the quick; there seems to be two views on drums in bluegrass. The first take, to borrow a phrase from Bill Monroe, is “That ain’t no part of nothin.” The second take is to view the drums … Read More
I’m a long-time fan of David Davis — his mandolin playing, his singing, his background (nephew of Bill Monroe’s first Blue Grass Boy, guitarist Cleo Davis), his courtly Alabama manners, his band, and his work ethic. He’s been playing bluegrass … Read More
Like Flatt & Scruggs or Reno & Smiley, the duo name of Hazel & Alice resonates as a source of inspiration for bluegrass novices or professional musicians. You don’t just hear Hazel & Alice, you know it’s them. So, Glory … Read More
Rudy Ekstein is a mandolinist based in Asheville, North Carolina who delivers twelve original tunes in a classic bluegrass ensemble setting. A stellar list of supporting musicians make up the various ensemble formations: Stuart Duncan, Jeff Autry, Mark Schatz, John … Read More
The Borrowed Tyme Band is Roger Brown, Rick Wilson, and Kolin Brown and hails from the hills of Indiana. I’d love to tell you more, but the band seems to be traveling incognito, the only bio on the band website … Read More
I keep trying, and mostly failing, to keep my mind in the present while listening to A Tribute to the Kentucky Colonels, a new release from Roland White and Friends. Before I lapse into personal reminiscence, I should mention right … Read More
Dennis K. Duff has made his living as a songwriter for others in the bluegrass and country genres. Now that he’s stepped out with his own album you would very much expect that it would be centered around the songwriting, … Read More
Well-known artists contributed to the album, Come See About Me: A Benefit for the IBMA Trust Fund, including Balsam Range, Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Donna Ulisse, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, The Grascals, The Lonesome River Band, … Read More
Fiddler Bobby Britt’s new CD Alaya is a solo effort that shows off his composing and arranging skills against a backdrop of a breadth of musical styles. Those who are familiar with Bobby’s bluegrass fiddle work with the band Town … Read More
Since Neil V. Rosenberg’s book Bluegrass: A History, we have seen relatively few attempts to bring a fresh and up-to-date reading about the musical genre. The approach with Craig Harris’ new book, based on a wide range of personal … Read More