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Jamie Johnson has asked us to share a statement as he departs The Grascals. He was an original, founding member of the band, which got it's start as Dolly Parton's Nashville-based road band when she was doing a more bluegrass sound. Touring with them for the past 10 years, Johnson fronted their stage show and [...]
Change is something of a constant in the bluegrass world, just as it is in the arts in general. We've become accustomed to seeing new faces in our favorite groups from time to time, which makes bands that display consistency all the more special and rare. The Grascals are a great example of that stability. [...]
When it was announced in January that The Hillbenders would be releasing a bluegrass version of The Who's classic rock opera, Tommy, one of the first songs that came to mind was the fiendishly creepy Tommy's Holiday Camp. How would that work in a bluegrass style? Well, wonder no more. The 'Benders have released a [...]
When Bill Yates passed away in January, many people wondered what would become of the band he had created, billed as Bill Yates & the Country Gentlemen Tribute Band. He had assembled the group to perform the old songs the Gentlemen had recorded during his 20 year run with the band. It turned out that [...]
It may be a bit chilly at MerleFest this year, but the competition was hot for the 2015 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest this afternoon at the festival. Three finalists in four categories performed their songs live on stage for the judges, who included Peter Rowan, Bruce Robison, and Jesse Bellamy. In the all-important bluegrass category, first [...]
Through his daughter, Jody, we have learned that renowned fiddler and bluegrass personality, Tex Logan, is in very poor health. He has been hospitalized for much of April with a variety of issues, but has just recently suffered a heart attack and is experiencing kidney failure. Jody's concern is that Tex is refusing dialysis, and [...]
Jack Hatfield reminded us yesterday that his Smoky Mountain Banjo Academy has moved back to Pigeon Forge, TN, and will be held in the barn adjacent to his business. The Academy grew out of the remnants of the Maryland Banjo Academy, which was run by the staff of Banjo NewsLetter in the 1990s. When they ended their [...]
Rounder Records has released a first single from The Muscle Shoals Recording by The Steeldrivers. It's a new song from guitarist/vocalist Gary Nichols, Brother John, which includes an acoustic slide guitar solo from Jason Isbell, country rock singer/songwriter and Nichols' childhood friend who co-produced the track. The single is only released at this point via Souncloud, so [...]
The South Carolina Broadcasters, a bluegrass and old time group from North Carolina, have announced the addition of Andy Edmonds to the band on fiddle. Edmonds, from Pilot Mountain, was raised in a family of traditional musicians, and learned the fine art of fiddle while playing banjo and guitar with Benton Flippen & The Smokey Valley [...]
The organizers of the 2015 Old Settler's Music Festival in Driftwood, TX shared a number of stage photos taken by John Grubbs. This was the 28th annual event in the Texas Hill Country.
