Reviews

Author Barbara Martin Stephens was the common-law wife of Jimmy Martin, much troubled bluegrass star of the 1950s onwards.   Her personal story, Don’t Give Your Heart to a Rambler: My Life with Jimmy Martin, the King of Bluegrass, relates the

There’s something to be said about traditional music. Real traditional music, not the kind of sound that’s attempted for interpretation only or used as some sort of commercial cash cow. Kudos then to Kim and Quillan Roe for turning their

Jim Lauderdale’s newest record is also his oldest. Like a treasure unearthed from a time capsule, it’s a perfectly preserved artifact from a particular point in time, in this case 1979. The short history of the Yep Roc CD, Jim Lauderdale and

Youngsters get a chance to try out instruments at the 2018 Milan Bluegrass Festival - photo © Bill Warren The Friday stage show at the 2018 Milan Bluegrass Festival was opened by the East Tennessee State University Pride Band. ETSU has the

Summer Brooke & The Mountain Faith Band at the 2018 Milan Bluegrass Festival - photo © Bill Warren Thursday at the Milan Bluegrass Festival opened with the strong bluegrass sound of Hammertowne. This group always brings a top shelf show to

Dave Adkins Band at the 2018 Milan Bluegrass Festival - photo © Bill Warren Milan’s KC Campground owner and festival promoter, Mark Gaynier, added a fourth day to the festival. The addition was a “must see” day of music. The Dave Adkins

Matt Cornette with The Lil Smokies at FloydFest 2018 - photo by Teresa Gereaux Saturday and Sunday of FloydFest 2018 brought several bluegrass groups to the Dreaming Creek Main Stage. On Saturday, South Hill Banks and Horseshoes and Hand Grenades kicked

Cover Story, the 4th album from Virginia's Love Canon, is among the most interesting releases we have covered at Bluegrass Today. It's not really a bluegrass record in the traditional sense of the word, or even an exhibition of bluegrass

Deadwood at the 2018 Marshall Bluegrass Festival - photo © Bill Warren Friday at the Marshall Bluegrass Festival brought the band Deadwood to the stage, now celebrating their 40th anniversary. Larry Efaw brought the Bluegrass Mountaineers back to the Marshall stage

Though the cover art pictures a woman who resembles a cross between Rosie the Riveter and Ellie May Clampett, it mostly serves as a reminder that neither books nor albums can be judged by their covers. Ida Clare is a