Author: Richard Thompson

Bluegrass music pioneer Jim McCall passed away on Tuesday, 9 February. McCall, who was perhaps best know for his association with Earl Taylor, was a mainstay in the Cincinnati area for many years appearing and recording with Benny Birchfield, Vernon McIntyre

We have reported in the past about Jan Johansson’s health problems and a benefit concert to provide him and his family with some financial assistance. Swedish-born Johansson, a multi-instrumentalist and fiddle teacher based in Cary, North Carolina, was diagnosed in 2008

Summertown Road has announced the recruitment of Zachary Rambo to fill the position on mandolin, recently vacated by John Rigsby. Replacing the recently departed John Rigsby in Summertown Road is up-and-coming mandolin player Zach Rambo of Worthington, Kentucky. Stalwart banjo player

Big Country Bluegrass debuted their new song, The Boys In Hats and Ties, at the Good Home Grown Music booth at the SPGBMA Convention yesterday (2/6). The song will be featured as the #1 cut for their upcoming album, Back

Gerald McCabe, a furniture designer whose passion for woodworking and love of music led to the creation of the Santa Monica folk music institution McCabe’s Guitar Shop, died on Sunday, January 17 in Eugene, Oregon, two days after suffering a

A second benefit concert for Eddie Adcock, who is experiencing multiple medical issues, has been arranged for Thursday, February 4. The concert, going under the name of McReynolds Memorial Bluegrass Music Spectacular, is to be hosted by bluegrass veteran Jesse McReynolds,

The Snyder Family Band is the latest band to sign for Mountain Roads Recordings. The Lexington, North Carolina, based Snyder Family Band has recently signed for Mountain Roads Recordings, the Bristol, Tennessee, based label run by Karl and Gail Cooler. The family

Bulagrian bluegrass songstress Lilly Drumeva has a new CD on Polysound Records. Lovin' You was recorded in both Bulgaria, with her band Lilly Of The West, and in Czech Republic, where she recorded with Czech grassers Monogram. The album features covers

This coming Friday, Christmas Day, bluegrass legend Curly Seckler will celebrate his 90th birthday. Another reason for Seckler to celebrate is the forthcoming 75th anniversary as a professional musician, a milestone accomplished by very few. Seckler was born in 1919 in China

Phyllis Boyens-Liptak passed away on 9 December after a battle with cancer. The daughter of old-time singer and songwriter Nimrod Workman, Phyllis Boyens was a soulful mountain singer who recorded her only solo album, I Really Care for Rounder (0162) in