Winners from the 2026 Kentucky State Fiddle Championship
This past weekend the 2026 Kentucky State Fiddle Championship was held at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro, KY. Trophies were awarded in four categories for fiddlers, as well as an overall champ, and for banjo, mandolin, guitar, and dance. The competition began to award a state fiddle champion in 1975, […]
Ian Lane – fiddler on the move
There are many up and coming young bluegrass musicians in Florida, and one of those worth mentioning is Ian Lane. His musical journey began with Christmas in 2019 when 13-year-old Ian received a fiddle. As we all know, the pandemic struck in early 2020. Ian puts it this way… “I had lots of spare time […]
Jim Shumate fiddle recordings now available online
Three vintage recordings of pioneering bluegrass fiddler Jim Shumate, long out of print, are now offered via the major online streaming services, thanks to the efforts of Jim’s grandson, bluegrass artist John Cloyd Miller. A native of Wilkes County, NC, Shumate had the honor to perform with Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys, The […]
Josh Wills – Oklahoma fiddling sensation
In the world of old time and bluegrass music, young artists often feel both the pull of tradition and a spark to push the boundaries at the same time. Such is the case with fiddler Josh Wills. Just 15 years old, this remarkable young talent has already made waves in the Oklahoma music scene, showcasing […]
Edwin McCoy to Crandall Creek
West Virginia’s Crandall Creek has announced Edwin McCoy as the newest member of the band, coming aboard on fiddle. He steps in for Ray Bruckman whose intense teaching schedule was an impediment to touring. Just 19 years of age, Edwin comes with a pedigree. He is the son of Chance McCoy of Old Crow Medicine […]
Crystal Shipley Bittinger struck by car while walking
West Virginia bluegrass fiddler Crystal Shipley BIttinger was the victim of a pedestrian-vehicle collision in Charles Town, WV on January 21 at roughly 3:30 in the afternoon. She had exited her car and was crossing the street to a coffee shop when an automobile operated by an elderly woman struck her, causing a serious head […]
Eb Saunders to Kevin Prater Band
Young Eb Saunders has been introduced as the new fiddler with The Kevin Prater Band. The son of noted bluegrass fiddle Owen Saunders, who played with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Gillis Brothers, and David Davis & The Warrior River Boys, Eb is a prodigy in many ways. At 16 years old, he’s been playing […]
David Mansfield lll to Seth Mulder & Midnight Run
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run have announced the addition of David Mansfield III on fiddle, thus completing the band’s complement for the 2026 season. Mansfield, originally from west Tennessee and now living in Nashville, has worked for some time in town with a variety of bluegrass artists like Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle, Peter Rowan, Ronnie […]
Cumberland Gap from George Jackson & Local Trio
New Zealand fiddle phenom George Jackson has a new album coming soon, Center of the Universe, with a group he assembled for this purpose called Local Trio. But not local to Jackson’s home in New Zealand. Now living in Nashville, George tapped banjo player Frank Evans and bassist Eli Broxham as his Trio, with special […]
A visit to Peter Prier & Sons Violins
While in Salt Lake City, I was offered a wonderful opportunity to visit with Paul Prier, son of violin maker Peter Prier, who gave me a tour of the shop as we discussed yesterday, today, and the future of Peter Prier & Sons Violins. Now you might be thinking, “how did this lady from Oklahoma […]
