There's always something to be said for music that possesses craft and creativity. Without those essential additives, there's little worth in listening. Given Shannon Bielski's background — fiddle lessons that began in her teens, a Public Performance Scholarship for the
It's one thing to be labeled a prodigy. It's quite another when that distinction is earned for more than one reason. Consider the case of Alex Leach. Having earned his musical accreditation at the tender age of 19, he was
It's fortunate that G-Runs ’N Roses are as clever about making music as they were when coming up with their handle. On first glance, however, the branding might be misleading. In truth, there was never any cause for mistaken identity. For
Few new voices have been embraced by bluegrass radio in recent years like that of Amanda Cook, whose first two albums from Mountain Fever Records have garnered a number of top singles over the past few years. Cook has recently
The ultimate irony in Still Here, the stellar project from Tim Stafford and Steve Gulley, is that one of them no longer is. But before Gulley died last year after a short fight with cancer, he and Stafford finished most of
With increased inoculations and safety protocols firmly at the fore, the Steep Canyon Rangers’ concert this past Sunday at The Caverns in Grundy County, Tennessee offered the promise that a real return to live music may now be more than
A singer and songwriter from Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Caleb Bailey offers a striking solo debut with Poplar & Pine, an album that explores a range of emotions and experiences with an exceedingly impressive drive and dynamic. Bailey, a one time
It's a little early in the year to be making album of the year lists, but I can just about guarantee that once awards season rolls around, Industrial Strength Bluegrass will be a top contender. The Joe Mullins-produced effort from
"Im so dumb that I'm happy," Steve Ludwig sings on the song of that name, one of eight impressive offerings on his new album with the Casual Hobos, Down in the Deepest Shade of Blue. In a way, the song's an ode
Who knew that a trio of Wisconsin and Iowa bluegrass and folk natives would find their home in Denver, Colorado? Well The Martin Gilmore Trio have done just that. Composed of band leader Martin Gilmore on lead vocals and guitar,
