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Want to tour with Rhonda Vincent? Well she isn't hiring, but her two talented daughters are. Tensel and Sally Sandker are both studying in the bluegrass music program at East Tennesse State University, and perform as Next Best Thing. Tensel plays bass, Sally mandolin/guitar, and as you might expect, both of them sing. They have [...]
Craig Havighurst - he of String Theory Media and the IBMA Board of Directors - has put together a 9 minute promotional video for the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program at East Tennessee State University. It encompasses perfectly why so many folks are excited about this program, especially as they seek to have [...]
Colby Laney is a student in the bluegrass music program at ETSU in Johnson City, TN. He plays in the young bluegrass band Next Best Thing. Tim Stafford was kind enough to loan Colby a CA guitar for his use in the band. Unfortunately, someone has stolen the instrument. Colby is seeking any information that [...]
The East Tennessean, the student paper for East Tennessee State University, is reporting that the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program at the school is hoping to expand from a minor in the Appalachian Studies department to a four year Bachelor of Arts degree. There are still a few more steps in the accreditation [...]
Here's another sad story about a stolen instrument, this time a string bass belonging to a student in the bluegrass music program at East Tennessee State University. Program director Raymond McLain has distributed this notice: One of our students had a distressing experience this morning. Her car, containing her upright bass was stolen as she [...]
East Tennessee State University dedicated The ETSU Walls of Time: A Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Photomural earlier today, September 17. A formal ceremony was held at 12:30pm in front of Memorial Hall. Speakers included ETSU President Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr., with music provided by students in the university's popular Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country [...]
Is there a more powerful name than Vincent in the bluegrass world right now? Rhonda V. is topping the charts and maintaining a brutal touring schedule, while her brother Darrin supplies the requisite Vincent in the new powerhouse act, Dailey & Vincent. Next Best Thing may not officially share the family name, but they surely [...]
When looking for a higher education in the area of bluegrass music, there are limited choices. The one I chose was South Plains College in Levelland, TX. One of the things I loved about the school was the close association of the music program with recording program. East Tennessee State University (ETSU) has a similar [...]
Since we're on the topic of benefit concerts, here's another one. The Emory & Henry College Appalachian Center for Community Service is sponsoring a benefit concert this Friday, September 7, 2007. The concert, billed as Playing for the Future, will take place on the lawn at the Emory Memorial Chapel at 6 PM. The benefit [...]
Takeharu Kunimoto is a popular personality in Japan, where he performs on the shamisen in the traditional rokyoku style, and works as an actor, storyteller and narrator for children's movies. He is also an accomplished bluegrass musician, both on the mandolin and on the shamisen. The shamisen is a somewhat banjo-like instrument, native to Japanese [...]
