Reviews

Ralph Stanley II at the 2022 Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival - photo by Ted Lehmann This report, with photos, is a contribution from Ted Lehmann, one of the more prolific writers and photographers in bluegrass music for many years. Now retired,

As anyone even vaguely familiar with the instrument will tell you, the banjo had its origins in Africa long before it became synonymous with bluegrass and other forms of folk music. Nevertheless, the indelible imprint it's made on esoteric American

Authentic Unlimited at the 50th annual Charlotte Bluegrass Festival - photo © Bill Warren The 50th Charlotte Bluegrass Festival is in the books. No tornado, and only one very light rain shower for part of the final act. It was a

The Kody Norris Show at the 2022 Charlotte Bluegrass Festival - photo © Bill Warren The Charlotte Bluegrass Festival is celebrating its 50th year at the Eaton County Fairgrounds in Charlotte, Michigan. Wes Pettinger took over promoting the festival several years

With a 14 year history that’s found them releasing six well-received recordings, Breaking Grass — currently consisting of Jody Elmore (banjo, harmony vocals), Cody Farrar (guitar, lead vocals, harmony vocals), Britt Sheffield (bass, harmony vocals), Tyler Wrote (fiddle), and Zach

Mike Compton leads a mandolin workshop at the 2022 CBA Music Camp The California Bluegrass Association Music Camp that immediately proceeds the Fathers Day Festival calls Wednesday transition day, which is a very applicable theme for life and this short column.

Shannon Slaughter is an artist with a smooth contemporary sound, that by the same token packs a lot of punch. His latest release, Ridin' Through The Country, not only displays this further, but it presents Slaughter's originality as a writer and

Dan Tyminski Band at the 2022 Pickin' On The Plains festival - photo by Cynthia Marcotte Stammer This report on the Pickin' On The Plains festival earlier this month is a contribution from Gary Wiggins, a bluegrass musician in Kansas. Here are

It's a credit to the Canadian outfit that calls itself The Slocan Ramblers — Darryl Poulsen (guitar, vocals), Adrain Gross (mandolin, mandola, vocals) and Frank Evans (banjo, vocals), and guest Charles Hames (bass, vocals) — that they don't allow their

Sunset at the 2022 Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival - photo by Doug Whitley Always held Father's Day weekend, the Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival in Roxboro, NC continues to grow, and celebrated its largest turnout this year despite the absence of promoter,