Author: Richard Thompson

The shock passing on Christmas Day last year (2020) of stellar guitarist and ace vocalist Tony Rice created an outpouring of affection for him, personally, and increased interest his music.  One example of this is the great demand for one of

One of the originators of modern bluegrass banjo, Curtis McPeake, passed away at his home in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, on Friday, February 19, 2021. He was 93 years old and had recently been hospitalized briefly. McPeake was born on October 9,

Lee 'Boy' Sexton, the legendary drop-thumb (clawhammer) banjo stylist and two-finger picker from Letcher County, Kentucky, passed away on February 11, 2021. He was 93 years of age.  Born in 1927, Lee Sexton worked as a field hand to earn the

Red Cravens with The Boys from Martinsville Early bluegrass music pioneer Robert 'Red' Cravens passed away "about a week ago" (around January 11, 2021), reports his former bandmate Harley Bray. He was 88 years old and had spent his last few

Old-school banjo player Bill Runkle passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021, his 82nd birthday, due to COVID-19.    Born on January 7, 1939, in Laurel (now Brogue), Pennsylvania, William G. Runkle grew up surrounded by music. Both his uncles played

Following an invitation that the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) extended to its members that they share a memory from "75 years of bluegrass," we thought that we would collect a few to share with you. Aynsley Porchak, from Woodstock, Ontario,

Following an invitation that the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) extended to its members that they share a memory from '75 years of bluegrass," we thought that we would collect a few to share with you. Louisa Branscomb, originally from upstate

Jim Brewer Jr., best known for his long-time involvement with the Kentucky Ramblers, passed away on September 12, 2020, after being diagnosed with Leukemia and struggling several months with health issues. He was 82 years old. Finley Jerome (Jim) Brewer Jr.

Following an invitation that the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) extended to its members that they share a memory from "75 years of bluegrass," we thought that we would collect a few to share with you. The exact moment when I

Following an invitation that the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) extended to its members that they share a memory from "75 years of bluegrass," we thought that we would collect a few to share with you. Bill Emerson is considered to