Author: Richard Thompson

This morning's edition of the Washington Post has a review and pictures taken at yesterday evening's hour-long concert at the White House featuring Alison Krauss & Union Station, Charley Pride and Brad Paisley. The president began the evening by reflecting on

Monday's Washington Post included a special feature by Jedd Ferris, who explores the bluegrass scene in and around Nashville. Ferris, the managing editor of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine in Charlottesville, VA, reminds readers about the historic links between bluegrass and Music

U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis of Tennessee has introduced a resolution honoring Lester Flatt. On June 25 Mr. Davis, supported by 10 other members of the House of Representatives, introduced his resolution in recognition of Tennessee native Flatt and his singular legacy

Jesse Lester McReynolds, mandolin player extraordinaire, celebrates his 80th birthday today (7/9/09). Born in Coburn, Virginia, McReynolds, known for his innovative cross-picking and split-string styles of playing the mandolin, partnered his late brother, Jim, in the pioneering bluegrass band Jim and

As reported earlier veteran singer/multi-instrumentalist Bill Harrell passed away on June 24 at his home in Davidsonville, Maryland. He had suffered a stroke on June 12 and was hospitalized for a week. His health was further complicated by advanced prostate

Steve Martin will appear on the season finale of A Prairie Home Companion on Saturday, June 27. As has often been the case, he will be performing with Steep Canyon Rangers. Hosted as usual by Garrison Keillor the program will be

Doyle Lawson and Ricky Skaggs are among the performers scheduled to appear during the forthcoming Bluegrass Nights Series at The Ryman. Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman, an annual concert series in Nashville, begins June 25 with a show featuring Doyle Lawson

One of the recent new releases from Rebel Records is Mac Wiseman's Bluegrass Hits and Heartsongs (REB CD 7523). The 14 recordings in this collection came about due to the mutually beneficial liaison during the mid-1970s between Lou Ukelson, owner of

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum continues with its fight to keep Bill Monroe's mandolin. According to a report on WGNS Radio, Murfreesboro, TN, the museum has raised about $680,000 of the $1,100,000 needed to keep several prized instruments

Tom Thomas, the President of the Flatt and Scruggs Preservation Society, has announced the creation of a blog that will naturally focus on matters relating to Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. Thomas said of his blog... "(It) will display any new information