• Weisberger Elected IBMA Chairman

    Veteran songwriter and bass player Jon Weisberger was elected chairman of IBMA’s board of directors today, as the World of Bluegrass conference got underway in Raleigh, N.C. Weisberger, who had been co-chairman, replaces Stan Zdonik, who was chairman for three years

  • Bluegrass, Alan Jackson Style

    Alan Jackson isn't the first country artist to give bluegrass a try now that country music is morphing into pop, and he most certainly won't be the last. But by giving it a shot, he's giving bluegrass a shot in

  • For IBMA, New Venue, New Leadership

    IBMA will kick off its first World of Bluegrass conference in Raleigh with new leadership. A new chairman will be elected by the board of directors Tuesday morning, the first full day of conference activities. While other candidates will be discussed,

  • IBMA Chief Discusses Awards

    IBMA Executive Director Nancy Cardwell is interested in hearing from members who have ideas about the rules for the association’s award for emerging artist of the year. Cardwell responded after my commentary last month, which pointed out what I saw as

  • An Update on John Miller

    Bluegrass picker and songwriter John Miller still needs our help. Miller, who plays with The Travelers and the Eastman String Band, is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for tongue cancer, and is unable to work. John has a few weeks of

  • Missy Raines Explores a New Frontier

    Sometimes, you just have to chase a dream, even if it threatens to push you – or your fans -- out of the comfort zone. That’s what Missy Raines did on New Frontier, the latest Compass Records release from Missy

  • Time to Shake Things Up at IBMA

    At one point during Wednesday night’s announcement of nominees for this year’s IBMA awards, Jim Lauderdale caught himself reading the choices for female vocalist of the year for the second time, and Sam Bush kidded about having a déjà vu moment. Unfortunately,

  • Donna Ulisse’s Gospel Collection

    Anyone who is new to sweet-singing songwriter Donna Ulisse is in for a treat when listening to her new Gospel collection, I Am A Child of God. Regular fans, on the other hand, might feel a bit of déjà vu

  • Seldom Scene in the studio

    At long last, here’s some news out of Washington that everyone can feel good about: The Seldom Scene is in the studio working on a new CD. Longtime…Seldom Scene will be released in 2014 on the Smithsonian Folkways Recordings label. The