Author: Sandy Hatley

"Music makes the world a better place." That's a line Russell Moore sang from Grandpa's Mandolin Saturday afternoon at Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival in Roxboro in north central North Carolina. Written by Billy and Terry Smith and Mark Irwin, the

Lonesome River Band at the 2021 Willow Oak Park Bluegrass Festival - photo by Sandy Hatley Wonderful weather, a pristine park, and marvelous music make a perfect combination for a great weekend of bluegrass music. Willow Oak Music Park, a 60

The Lady of Tradition, Lorraine Jordan, front woman and mandolinist for her band, Carolina Road, didn’t let the global pandemic stop her when venues shuttered their doors and bookings evaporated in 2021. Instead of sitting at home wondering how to

Jacob Greer of Sideline and Ally Hinson of the Hinson Girls were married on Saturday, May 22, at Smethport Baptist Church, in West Jefferson, NC. The church's pastor and Zack Arnold's dad, Phil Arnold, was officiants during their ceremony. The musical

What images and sounds come to mind when you think about folk music? Maybe not bluegrass, but bluegrass, country, Gospel, Irish fiddle tunes, Appalachian ballads, and more fall under the category. It is in this spirit of broadly conceptualizing and tying

Tommy Edwards - photo and stylization by Carol McDuffie In our bluegrass community, some folks perform, some promote, some teach, some deal/trade instruments, some encourage others in the business, and then there are those that amazingly do it all, and do

Caroline & Company celebrate the release of Applejack with a custom album art cake at Lorraine's Caroline Owens, 19 year old songbird/guitarist from central North Carolina, has just released her first album with her band, Caroline & Company. Entitled Applejack, the

Donna Ulisse says that she is a logomaniac, which simply means that the singer/songwriter/author/avid reader is a lover of words. Known for her original tunes, Ulisse's songs have been recorded by Claire Lynch, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, the Bankesters, Doyle

Musicians, employees (past and present), friends, and fans gathered Sunday afternoon at the World Famous Station Inn to pay homage to its longtime owner, musician, and friend to all, Earl "J.T." Gray. At age 75, the beloved proprietor passed away

The 41st Annual Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver Bluegrass Festival is now in the record books, and a good time was had by all in Denton, NC. "What will all the stuff that has been going on, I am totally overwhelmed by