Cowboys in Bluegrass Music?
As a kid, I desperately wanted to be a cowboy. I dreamed of owning a horse, riding the range, and doing what cowboys did. And why wouldn’t I? Every night I slept under a cowboy blanket and my lunch box … Read More
CD Review: David Benedict – The Golden Angle
This beautiful instrumental album presents eleven original tunes from rising mandolin star David Benedict. A sublime listen, The Golden Angle manages to be inventive and original while holding a delicate balance with traditional instrumental bluegrass. “Lawnmower” Featuring legendary Nashville pickers … Read More
Review: Hot Buttered Rum – Lonesome Panoramic
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
David Davis & The Warrior River Boys Didn’t He Ramble – The Songs of Charlie Poole
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
Review: Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard: The DC Tapes 1965-1969
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
Review: Rudi Ekstein – Carolina Chimes
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
William Shakespeare Who? – The Deep Roots of Bluegrass Songs
His name was William Shakespeare Hays. Even though you’ve probably never heard of him, he was one of the most prolific composers of bluegrass songs ever. The conundrum is that he was born on July 19, 1837 and died on … Read More
CD Review: Borrowed Tyme – Borrowed Tyme
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