The Japanese have always been fascinated by western culture, whether it’s American films, clothing or, of course, music. Masuo Sasabe, singer and guitarist for the Japanese bluegrass band, The Blueside of Lonesome, can attest to that. A frequent visitor to
Author: Lee Zimmerman
-
-
Pieces – Jason Barie
First… a bit of background… According to his website, Jason Barie grew up in Florida, picked up his first fiddle at the age of 10, took classical music lessons beginning in the fifth grade, learned to play bluegrass at a local music
-
For Those Who Care To Listen – Volume Five
After eight albums over the span of a dozen years, one can’t help but get the impression that the title of Volume Five’s new offering, For Those Who Care To Listen, bears a bit of irony. In a sense it’s
-
Time To Love – Donna Ulisse
While the sound and spirit of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton appear to inform every note and nuance that inspire Donna Ulisse’s vocals, the singer herself has no need to lean on any comparisons whatsoever. Winner of the
-
Authentic – Band of Ruhks
The best songs are, by nature, overtly entwined with sentiment. On their new Rebel Records album, Authentic, Band of Ruhks lives up to the disc’s title by sowing songs flush with shared feelings and, well, authentic emotion. A stirring mix of
-
Bluegrass Beyond Borders: Sons of Navarone bring the Belgian bluegrass
It may seem somewhat surprising that the Sons of Navarone, a Belgian bluegrass band, found the motivation they needed from, well, a Belgian movie. Not just any movie mind you, but one that had the telling title, The Broken Circle
-
When the Crops Are Laid By – The Gospel Plowboys
It’s hardly surprising that Gospel music and bluegrass are often intertwined. After all, both are borne from core values that find faith and music sharing a common bond. The Gospel Plowboys convey those convictions through their mutual devotion, and indeed,
-
Time Has Made A Change – Jeff Parker & Company
Granted, the billing sounds more like a consulting firm than a bluegrass band, but in truth, Jeff Parker & Company have been entertaining audiences with their down home sounds for more than three decades. A native of central Kentucky, Parker
-
High Peaks and New Ground – Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle
If it sometimes seem like Steve Gulley is literally everywhere, well suffice it to say there’s good reason. Aside from his regular morning presence as a DJ on one of East Tennessee’s most prominent radio stations, WDVX, he was practically
-
A Musical Legacy – Mark O’Connor Band
It’s hard to say anything about Mark O’Connor that hasn’t been said before. An award winning multi-instrumentalist, he’s been on the receiving end of countless kudos ever since he proved himself a teen prodigy in his adolescent years. For the










