Author: John Lawless

  • Update from the Slaughters

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    We heard this week from Shannon Slaughter, with an update on his and Heather's upcoming band project, and some major milestones in their personal lives. Shannon tells us that the new album, from Shannon and Heather Slaughter & County Clare, will

  • The Chapmans open The Acoustic Shoppe

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    The Chapmans have been playing, singing and recording bluegrass as a family for more than 20 years. Brothers John, Jeremy and Jason, along with their dad, Bill, have been on the scene since the boys were youngsters, and they have

  • Gruhn Guitars moving off Broadway

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    Last Thursday evening at SPBMA we had a nice chat with George Gruhn, proprietor of the legendary Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. He shared that the shop is preparing a move across town, leaving the bright lights of Broadway behind. Since 1970, Gruhn's

  • Lots o’ grass on Music City Roots

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    Tonight's (2/6) edition of Music City Roots will feature a bluegrass-centric lineup. They are billing the show as Bluegrass and Friends, since two of the shows acts will be billed in that fashion. Jon Weisberger & Friends will feature the noted

  • The Meyers at SPBGMA

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    We found a video of 2013 SPBGMA International Bluegrass Band Championship, The Meyer Bluegrass Band, performing one of the songs that led to them taking the trophy on Sunday afternoon. The Missouri band consists of siblings John Meyer on banjo, David

  • Jammin’ with the Rage

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    Over the weekend at SPBGMA, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage hosted an open jam in the lobby of the Sheraton Music City Hotel, where the convention was held. All were invited to pick with Rhonda and the boys, and quite

  • New mando man for Volume Five

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    Volume Five has announced Harry Clark as the new mandolinist with the band. Harry hails from Searcy, AR where he got started on mandolin at the age of 10. He picked up guitar a few years later and started performing regionally

  • Hammer Down premieres at Pop Matters

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    The Steeldrivers' upcoming Rounder album, Hammer Down, is being offered as a live stream through the mega pop culture site, PopMatters. There you can not only hear the entire project in its entirely, you can read an interview with the band

  • Silver Dollar City band contests

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    At SPBGMA over the weekend, we spoke several times with D.A. Callaway, Talent Coordinator at Silver Dollar City, and the reigning 2013 SPBGMA Promoter of Year for his work on Silver Dollar's Bluegrass & BBQ festival, held in May at