Music

Rick Jamison, a bluegrass songwriter based in northern California, has recently launched a blog about his craft, titled appropriately enough, On Songwriting. The new site went live on July 14, and Rick has already posted 5 songwriter profiles among 11 posts.

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

Mountain Heart is scheduled to play three shows with southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd in September. Fiddler Jim van Cleve tells us that show promoter Kent Martin was so impressed with the band that he started talking with them about performing

CMT will soon begin their 3rd annual Music City Madness, where artists compete in head-to-head video competition online. Video entries can be submitted until October 6, 2008 and in-person auditions will be held in several locations over the next few

Blue Moon Rising is celebrating last month's release of their 4th recording, One Lonely Shadow, with a CD release party tonight (8/22) at The Shed in Maryville, TN. The new album has been getting strong airplay from bluegrass radio, and the

BluegrassCollege.org is now offering a series of free playing tips from their prestigious faculty, updated daily on the front page of their web site. First up are two posts on warm-up tips for flatpickers from Tyler Grant and one for mandolinists

After performing for the past 15 years under the tutelage - and the shadow - of his famous father, Ralph Stanley II is ready to establish his own musical personality. He has a new CD due for release in September,

Valerie Smith and Becky Buller have been playing together for some time now, but they've recently teamed up to release a duet CD titled Here's a Little Song. The CD will be released September 9, 2008 on Bell Buckle Records. Taking

Mastershield Records has added two family bluegrass bands to their roster. Lonesome Meadow features Anne-Marie, John and Gary Jackson, bluegrass-picking teen siblings from central Ohio. Anne-Marie plays fiddle and mandolin, John is on guitar and Gary on banjo. All three sing

Fast Paced World, the new CD from The Duhks, was released yesterday on Sugar Hill Records. The Canadian band got its start in a string band format, but has since evolved into a far more eclectic and adventurous sound. Founder -