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Sitting here in my Tennessee home tonight, with an ice storm having passed through the area today and being on our 3rd consecutive week of snow events that included “Thunder Snow” last week, the mind wanders to happier times when the sun is shining, the temps are warm and the bluegrass bands play late into [...]
The people in the Czech Republic have long had a fondness for bluegrass music, even before they escaped from the Soviet Union, when the music was forbidden. I have spoken with long-time Czech grassers who told me that part of the charm in the old days was the fact that recordings and magazines had to [...]
Bob Mitchell will feature The Sons Of Bluegrass, a group consisting of students studying for the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music degree at East Tennessee State University, on his Best Of Bluegrass show this weekend. The show will air Friday morning (1/25) from 10:00 a.m. to noon (EST) on Radio Bluegrass International, a free online [...]
Congratulations to our Special Bluegrass Correspondent, John Goad. Yesterday (12/15) he graduated from East Tennessee State University, along with four other students, with a bachelor's degree in Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music Studies. Goad graduated with a dual major, accepting a history degree as well. Since Bluegrass Today launched in September of 2011, John has contributed [...]
The list of country stars with a bluegrass background is an impressive one. Ricky Skaggs and Keith Whitley both took their training with Ralph Stanley to the top of the country charts, and Vince Gill did some picking and singing before his star began to rise. Skaggs, of course, returned to bluegrass after a string of [...]
It’s no secret that the Tri-Cities area of East Tennessee is full of bluegrass. One band in particular which is beginning to draw attention not only within the region but across the south and Midwest is the Sons of Bluegrass. Comprised entirely of Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies majors from East Tennessee State [...]
The Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies program at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN is on the hunt for a new faculty member, starting with the Fall 2013 term. This is a tenure track position which will entail both classroom and individual instruction, and leading or directing ensembles. Requirements include an advanced degree [...]
We've written many times about the bluegrass music program at East Tennessee State University, and their fine work turning out educated, capable young artists for the bluegrass farm teams. They are among the very few institutions where a talented young musician can earn a bachelors degree... ETSU believes that they can best prepare these future [...]
While East Tennessee State University remains the only college to offer a four year degree in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies, another college in Tennessee has recently added a two-year associate’s degree program in bluegrass music. Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin now offers an Associate of Science in Bluegrass Music within their [...]
The East Tennessee State University Pride Band, featuring top students from the Bluegrass, Old Time & Country Music program, performed recently on Bristol's Big Room, a local music show broadcast on BTN-TV in Bristol, TN. The university is located in nearby Johnson City. Their set started with a strong vocal performance from our own John Goad, [...]
