Author: John Lawless

John Viers, a popular and prominent banjo banjo in southwestern Virginia, has died. He passed away on November 21 at 78 years of age. Born John Thomas Viers in 1943 in Hiwassee, VA, he started playing banjo in the third grade

Gator Cases in Florida has introduced a new semi-rigid gig bag for guitarists that want serious protection for their instrument with the light weight and ease of carrying of a padded bag. Billed as the Gator ICON series, these bags feature

Chad Beavers - photo by Alauren McClary Virginia's Caleb Bailey & Paine's Run have announced a new band member for 2022 and beyond. Chandler Beavers from Princeton, WV has joined the band on mandolin, taking the spot vacated by Kyle Windbeck who

The Storytellers are a hybrid bluegrass/jamgrass group making the scene in Los Angeles, CA this past four years. Formed initially as a duo busking on the streets, they have grown into a regular five piece band working from southern California

David Surette, beloved New England guitarist, mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, died December 20 following a six year battle with cancer. He was 58 years of age. Surette was well known among players, students, and fans of old time and bluegrass music,

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced their search for a new Communications Director in their Nashville office. Casey Campbell, who has served in this position since December of 2019, is stepping down as of Friday to focus on his

Our German bluegrass buddies, The Wortmann Brothers, have shared another of their clever songs, played in their own distinctive primitive bluegrass style. The brothers, Frank on guitar and mandolin and Ulrich on banjo, have been involved with bluegrass since they were

Last year around this time, we ran a story about an error-ridden obituary of Tony Rice that ran in Relix magazine online. It turned out that the mistakes were the result of an inexperienced staffer who found herself needing to

Sideline has announced two new members of the group heading into 2022. This is to replace bassist and founding member, Jason Moore, who passed away suddenly just before Thanksgiving, and guitarist Jacob Greer, who left to stay closer to home. The

The year end bluegrass trading season is upon us, when pickers shuffle from band to band as others leave the road in advance of the new year, or take up positions with other groups. This morning EMG recording artists Fast Track