George Jackson & Brad Kolodner – Shady Lane
When fiddler George Jackson met banjoist Brad Kolodner ten years ago in a late night jam session at the Appalachian String Band Music Festival in Clifftop, West Virginia, it was the beginning of a deep and lasting musical bond. After embarking on a tour of Jackson’s native New Zealand in the spring of 2024, the […]
Aynsley Porchak to Crossroads Music
Crossroads Music, parent company of Mountain Home Music Company and several other successful imprints, has announced the hiring of Aynsley Porchak to be their social media specialist. Other labels in the Crossroads family include Sonlite, Horizon, and Organic Records. Bluegrass folks know Aynsley as one of the top fiddlers in bluegrass, winner of both the […]
Cacklin’ Hen from Deanie Richardson & Kimber Ludiker
Two of the top fiddlers in our genre, both of whom head up all-female bluegrass acts, have teamed up on a new twin fiddle project for Mountain Home Music. Deanie Richardson of Sister Sadie and Kimber Ludiker of Della Mae have talked about a record like this for some time, and now it has come […]
Medical fund established for luthier Gary Vessel
Celebrated California luthier Gary Vessel, builder of fine violins and mandolins, suffered a severe stroke on May 7, and is currently hospitalized in critical condition. Stroke care has come a long way in recent years, and there is a realistic hope of a full recovery, though the road will be long and arduous. Vessel’s instruments […]
Bronwyn’s big Opry debut
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes debuts at the Grand Ole Opry (4/2/25) – photo © Sophia Sharp Photography We reported earlier this week that Nashville fiddling sensation Bronwyn Keith-Hynes was to make her Grand Ole Opry debut as a solo artist on Wednesday, April 2. And so she did, accompanied by some of Music City’s top bluegrass pickers. […]
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes to make Opry debut April 2
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes – photo © Michael Weintrob Dazzling young bluegrass fiddler Bronwyn Keith-Hynes will be making her Grand Ole Opry debut tomorrow night, April 2, in Nashville. Bronwyn has turned heads wherever she has played, from her teen years performing Irish music, to her student days in Boston at the Berklee College of Music and […]
Music Area introduces new fiddle case
Music Area, a leading Chinese manufacturer of cases for musical instruments, has introduced a new fiddle case. Their AA31 offers sturdy protection for your valuable instrument in a lightweight case with a large outer pocket to carry music. This case is made with a core consisting on an ABS plastic plate for rigidity, and more […]
California Report: Fiddler Megan Lynch Chowning on Hartford Project and more
Megan Lynch Chowning – photo © Alex Steed Megan Lynch Chowning is a Nashville-based California native known for her excellent bluegrass and Texas-style fiddle lessons. She cut her teeth as a contest fiddler, and is a seven-time national fiddle champion who has played and toured with bluegrass and country acts such as Pam Tillis and […]
Carter & Cleveland – Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland
When it comes to the best of contemporary bluegrass fiddling, Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland are two names that likely come to mind. With numerous awards and accolades each, these two masters would often play on each other’s studio recordings, or be impromptu guests on live shows. With a longtime friendship between Jason and Michael, […]
More AKUS 2025 tour news – Stuart Duncan added, TV March 19 (Updated)
Alison Krauss & Union Station have announced the addition of fiddler supreme Stuart Duncan to their lineup for the 2025 Arcadia tour, slated to begin in a few weeks. Stuart is widely recognized as among the very finest fiddlers ever to play bluegrass or country music. For many years he was a member of the […]
