Author: Dave Berry

As the ninth annual John Hartford Memorial Festival (JHMF) was wrapping up, I took in some final shows, saw the band competition, and chased down some members of the festival team who reflected on their histories of running the festival.

The ninth annual John Hartford Memorial Festival (JHMF) took place last week at the hallowed bluegrass grounds of the Bill Monroe Music Park in Bean Blossom, Indiana. Not to be confused with with the original Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival which

Looking at the lineup for the 2019 edition of the John Hartford Memorial Festival, it may not seem that California is well represented. But in her first appearance at the Hartford Festival, Grammy Award-winning musician, producer, singer, songwriter, fiddler and

Brandon Godman is a Kentucky native, master fiddler, and relatively new transplant from Nashville to San Francisco. He has played with greats such as Dale Ann Bradley, Melvin Goins, Karl Shiflett, Doyle Lawson, and David Peterson and 1946. He currently

In the California bluegrass world, the CBA Father’s Day Festival gets most of the ink. But fear not, bluegrass fans, there’s a wonderful Mother’s Day bluegrass festival held every year in the heart of California earthquake country. The picturesque hamlet

Amy Scher is a treasure of the Berkeley bluegrass, folk, and old time scenes. She plays great fiddle and sings with such passion, it leaves a lasting impression on all who’ve had the privilege of hearing her belt out a

Today we talk with San Francisco-based Zach Sharpe, who plays bass in the Bow Ties, Supermule, and Jeff Scroggins and Scroggdogs. He also is your friendly neighborhood solar energy salesman by day, and ping pong champion/bluegrass picker by night. Hi Zach,

Most bluegrass fans with even a passing knowledge of California bluegrass know about the California Bluegrass Association (CBA) Father’s Day Festival, and maybe some have gotten wind of the winter weekend hotel getaway in Bakersfield known as the Great 48

AJ is nine-time winner of the Northern California Bluegrass Society Female Vocalist of the Year. She’s the mandolinist and leader of the band Blue Summit, described on their website as, “A genre-fluid bluegrass band and remarkable group of young musicians

I recently got wind of a new project with Jeff Scroggins, leader and banjo player from Jeff Scroggins and Colorado (JSCO). Jeff is assembling a new band with a host of youngish California bluegrass talent including Scott Gates and members