Author: John Lawless

We had a blast this year at the SPBGMA National Convention in Nashville. As always, it's great to re-connect with old friends and make new ones, with more high-quality music being played than you could ever hope to see in

We had the chance to catch a set from Mountain Faith in their new stage configuration this past weekend at SPBGMA. It was a fast-paced, high-energy show that ran through a combination of the songs from their various albums, the grassified

Virginia's Deer Creek Boys have been announced as the newest band to sign with Mountain Fever Records. The group had been recording at the Mountain Fever Studios in Willis, VA, and made the agreement with Mark Hodges and the label official

Tonight's 42nd annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards in Nashville didn't come off completely without incident. About halfway through the show, MC Jeff Weaver from Rarely Herd took a tumble off the back of the stage, grabbing and pulling down several

The results are in from the 2016 International Band Championships held during the annual SPBGMA National Convention in Nashville. Bands are invited to compete from all over the US for this prestigious competition that awards $10,000 in prizes to the top ten

It's the worst nightmare for a picker. You borrow an instrument to take to a festival, and it turns up missing. Now you not only have no instrument, but have to face explaining the loss to a trusting friend. That's the

Here's a video for all you bluegrass lovin' football fans out there, guaranteed to ignite controversy among those planning to take in tomorrow's Super Bowl contest. It comes from Maine bluegrass songwriter Stan Keach, showing his passion for the Carolina Panthers

Sammy Shelor, banjoist extraordinaire and leader of the indomitable Lonesome River Band, was surprised last week when he was presented with the Key to the City of Martinsville, VA. Shelor was performing with some buddies of his at Mtn' Jax Restaurant

We all know that bluegrass people can be compulsive, but when it comes to recreating things the traditional way, nothing beats old time musicians for their enthusiastic obsessions. Witness The Hogslop String Band, who had their current promotional photos created using tintype, where the

The Country Gentlemen Tribute Band, initially formed when longtime bassist Bill Yates was still alive, has signed with Graham Talent Group for representation. The band exists to retain the sound of the many classic Country Gentlemen songs, and offer an opportunity for