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I was trying to think of a good mindless escape from post-election analysis and the inevitable elation or depression you feel, depending on which horse you had money riding on. Even if you’re one of those who are happy with the result, you still have to listen to all the lamenting of any friends and [...]
This post is a contribution from Mark Stoffel, mandolinist with Chris Jones & the Night Drivers. It was written following his naturalization as an American citizen last week. As we look past this year's extremely divisive election, it may do us all good to ponder how this country looks to an outsider coming in. This [...]
Irish contemporary bluegrass group JigJam has released a music video for the title track of their latest album, Hello World. It displays the band's penchant for incorporating elements of modern pop music in their bluegrass sound, driven by the strong vocals of guitarist Jamie McKeogh. JigJam is also known for including traditional Irish folk music in their [...]
Last night, O'Connor Band performed at Nashville's City Winery, and the stars of Music City's bluegrass scene came out to enjoy the show. Our own Terry Herd was in the audience, and he sent along a few photos and some comments about the show. It was a triumphant return to Nashville for Mark O'Connor, a musician [...]
As Americans line up at the polls today to choose our next President, one gets the idea that half of the country feels like we could do just fine without the other half. And the other half returns the sentiment in kind. But Rhonda Vincent is asking all of us to remember what we share as [...]
Mike Bentley has announced that Chad Hurley will be the new mandolinist with Cumberland Gap Connection. He takes the spot vacated by Matthew Hiser, who is leaving to take advantage of an opportunity with his day job, one which leaves him without the time to commit fully to the band. Chad joins Bentley on guitar and [...]
Baseball and bluegrass... Two of the best reasons I know to get up again each morning, and why the long winter months seem so dark and dreary without them. And of course the two of them have been intrinsically linked since the earliest days of our music, when Bill Monroe used the game to help drum [...]
Blue Mafia has announced the departure of banjo player, Calib Smith, and the addition of new five slinger, Curtis Bumgarner, to the band. Bluegrass fans will recall seeing Curtis with Adkins & Loudermilk over the past few years, and more recently working with Dave Adkins. He plays banjo on Dave's latest, self-titled CD. Curtis is a [...]
Mike Conner, bass player with the Country Gentlemen Tribute Band, is scheduled to be released from the hospital today in Knoxville after a long week flirting with disaster. Conner suffered a ventricle fibrillation on Saturday, October 30, causing his heart to stop for several minutes until paramedics arrived to shock him back into rhythm. Fortunately his [...]
The winners of the 1st Annual Bluegrass Music Association of Iowa Awards were announced during an awards show in Moravia, Iowa on Sunday October 30, 2016. Awards were distributed as the closing event at the Association's 7th Annual Honey Creek Resort Festival. And the winners are: Guitar Player of the Year - Joe King Mandolin Player of the Year - John [...]
