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We all know the story of how bluegrass came to Ireland—how Bill Monroe banished the dreadful snakes and taught three-part harmony with a shamrock. While some may doubt the accuracy of this account, none can dispute the fact that in the Island of Saints and Scholars, bluegrass music is alive and flourishing. For this column [...]
Guest Artist Quiz and Prizes This month’s guest artist is the rajah of the resophonic guitar, Rob Ickes. At an early age, Rob was kidnapped by pirates who left him on an island off the coast of California with nothing but a Dobro and a year’s supply of fish tacos. When the pirates returned, he [...]
March Madness, to me, doesn’t mean basketball. Rather, it’s the perennial delusion that just by showing up in Peoria, Arizona, and running a few wind-sprints, the San Diego Padres are guaranteed in seven months to be spraying champagne over themselves after the last out of the World Series—a delusion I always fall for, despite all [...]
I hope when I’m 80 years old I can say what Pete Goble said to me on the phone the other day: “I’m writing more songs now than I ever did in my life and I think I’m writing better songs.” I called him at his home in Rockwood, Michigan, where he still gets up [...]
Tweets in Response to Steve Martin's Blatant Attempt to Increase Public Awareness of Bluegrass Grammy #bluegrassgrammyattackads Steve Martin claims to be illegitimate son of Jimmy Martin. Nope, says Jimmy in Skype session from beyond. #bluegrassgrammyattackads Steve Martin mispronounces “banjo” on Letterman. No, Steve, it’s not a “ban-ho.” #bluegrassgrammyattackads Steve Martin SuperPac $$ influencing Grammy voters [...]
We start a new feature this week with 20 Questions. When I write biographical articles on bluegrass stars I have to ask predictable questions, which means I usually get predictable answers. For this feature, I ask questions the artist may not have expected. You’re welcome to leave your own answers or ideas for future questions [...]
The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchandisers) Show is held less than a mile from Disneyland. One is a commercial shrine to prepubescent entertainment and sensory overload. The other is a theme park. Or, maybe I should say the NAMM Show is Disneyland without the lines. Except, there are lines if you want to get [...]
Dear Mr. Blue Grass Smarty Pants, How come you didn’t call this column Blue Yodel #13? Did you skip a number? —Lucky 13 Dear Lucky 13, Yes, I made that mistake once in high school when I took number 13 on the baseball team and my batting average immediately went south of the Mendoza line—my [...]
This year, I mean it. No more abandoning resolutions to learn the fiddle or write a song every week. No more good intentions turned into shovel-ready projects to hell. No more orgy of self-loathing with two guys named Ben & Jerry. No more bacchanal of broken promises. This year, I mean it—no more New Year's [...]
Inspired by Chris Stuart's 2011 Holiday Poem, illustrator Ryan Wilson imagines Big Mon at the pearly gates welcoming some of the notable bluegrass icons who passed on this year. Can you name them all?
