Author: Richard Thompson

September is very significant in the life of Bill Monroe, inasmuch as it is the month when he was born (September 13, 1911), and and the one in which he passed away (September 9, 1996). Recently, I learned of a new

The Violin Shop is a well-established music outlet on Old Hickory Boulevard in Nashville, Tennessee, owned by Fred Carpenter. He has been a violin/fiddle player for over 42 years and has over 27 years of experience in the violin and

After 21 years together, one of the most popular and well-known names on the British bluegrass music scene, Monroe's Revenge, has finally released their debut CD. The band from south-east England has made regular appearances at festivals around the country for

The Richmond Indiana-based Palladium-Item reported on Sunday that bluegrass veteran Larry Sparks is to receive the Legacy Continues Award from the Starr-Gennett Foundation. Sparks who has enjoyed over 40 years as a professional bluegrass musician, beginning when he started high school

Our friends at ukbluegrass are looking forward to the appearance of one of the hottest new groups in bluegrass today, Cadillac Sky, at this year's Didmartin Bluegrass Festival at the end of the month. The 20th iteration of this event

The September edition of Acoustic Guitar magazine includes a review of seven dreadnaught guitars. In an eight page section the feature article assesses the merits of seven different makes of the cherished Dreadnought guitar, varying in price from $350 to $4,000

Recently, the West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame announced the names of those to be inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame this year. Among them are the Clear Creak, Raleigh County, bluegrass trio the Lilly Brothers and

Carlton Haney, creator of the first series of multi-day bluegrass festivals, is to be inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place during the final day of the 4th Annual Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Uncle

The recently completed film about banjo ace J.D. Crowe is to have its first showing shortly at the J.D. Crowe Bluegrass Festival on Thursday night, 28 August. The film entitled A Kentucky Treasure: The J.D. Crowe Story, has been produced by

Last week we told you about the premature death of Keishi Shikata. Earlier today I received a touching tribute from renowned mandolin player Mike Compton, a friend of Shikata's for 30 years.…. "I knew Keishi since the late 1970's. He was always