Author: John Lawless

American and European mandolinists have long been fond of choro, a form of instrumental folk music from Brazil in which the mandolin is prominent. It's a lively, two-beat sound, perfectly suited for dancing, with a beat and melodic style not unlike

The Ralph Stanleys have a new album, Side By Side, set for a February 2014 release on Rebel Records. That would be the one-and-only Ralph Stanley, and his bluegrass singing son, Ralph Stanley II, more commonly known as "Two." Two worked

Ned Luberecki and Stephen Mougin toured last month in England, and Stephen is sending along a travelogue of their time across the pond. Their final day found Nedski in Nerdville. It was a busy day! No gigs, but a quick trip into

We spoke last week with bluegrass veteran Gary Brewer about his next project, a 16-track album called Home Stretch. He tells us that this will mark his 48th record over the course of 33 years in bluegrass. It will also mark his

Danny Paisley was discharged from the hospital this past Saturday night, after having undergone successful triple bypass surgery the Monday prior (12/9). Paisely had suffered a pair of heart attacks this Fall, neither severe enough to require emergency surgery. He said

In addition to the next Blue Highway CD, The Game, due January 21 on Rounder, guitarist Tim Stafford is starting a new solo project of his own today. He'll be recording with frequent collaborators Adam Steffey on mandolin, Barry Bales

Mike Munford, reigning IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, was profiled in today's edition of his hometown paper, The Baltimore Sun. The piece by features writer Wesley Case follows Mike from his first exposure to the 5 string at 15 years

Doyle Lawson took the opportunity to note the 2nd annual Bluegrass Music Appreciation Day at the Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival in Pigeon Forge, TN. The annual commemoration on December 12 was suggested by banjo player Lee Marcus in 2012 as a way

One of the fun supplements to the World of Bluegrass events this year in Raleigh, NC was having the North Carolina Pork Council's Whole Hog Barbecue championship held during the weekend's Wide Open Bluegrass festival. The aroma of pig on the

Have you ever thought to yourself... "There's just not enough banjo music at MerleFest?" Not a problem for 2014. The mega-festival's new Artist Relations Manager, Steve Johnson, has organized a special, one-time banjo geek-out show for Friday, April 25 on the main