Opinion / Humor

I’m on an extended family vacation right now (48 hours), so with your permission (who am I kidding? You have no say in the matter at all!) I’m presenting a slightly revised version of a column which ran previously in

After events of the past week, I’ve been asked numerous questions and have tried to respond to various rumors about my position with Bluegrass Today, and any possible changes to my schedule here. Unfortunately, the extremely restrictive contract I signed

I'd just like to go on record as saying that I love the SPBGMA weekend in Nashville, and this past weekend's event was another good one. There's really a lot to love, from the obscure acronym (understood only by insiders), to

Recently, I’ve noticed that band breakups, wholesale personnel changes, and other career developments once thought of as negative are being broadcast to the world in press release form. Maybe this is a good thing, reflecting a new era of openness and

Every January, or thereabouts (January to April or so) I publish an annual bluegrass music quiz, known officially as the Bluegrass Knowledge Test, or BKT (believe me, it took numerous meetings, presentations, and the formation of several committees to come

As discussed last week, making resolutions is a popular January pastime. Making predictions for the coming year is another one, and many psychics, whether amateur, professional, or semi-pro (weekend psychics), are already weighing in. Really, as with New Year’s resolutions, there’s

New Year’s resolutions are, for the most part, doomed to failure. I’m sorry to be the one to quell New Year’s optimism, but try to just think of me as the messenger. I’m merely stating an undisputed fact. Now for the good

Ah, the New Year: it’s a time filled with the promise of a new day, or technically speaking, a new year, which is exactly what it is. I’m feeling inspired just spouting cliches about it. For many, it’s a time of

Billboard, who publishes the (supposedly) quintessential music charts, have released their year-end chart of the Top 15 Bluegrass Albums of 2013. 15. Leaving Eden - Carolina Chocolate Drops 14. Brothers of the Highway - Dailey & Vincent 13. The Living Years - The Isaacs 12. Ahoy! - The Punch Brothers 11. Hammer Down - The

My mailbox and inbox overflowed with music in 2013, as sure a sign as any that bluegrass is alive and well. There’s good news and bad news about that. The good news is that much of that music was very well