Happy Birthday, Wade Mainer! Mainer, a banjo player and singer, is often called the “grandfather of Bluegrass” due to his innovative two-finger banjo fingerpicking style, which formed the foundation for the modern three-finger bluegrass banjo style. Mr. Mainer turned 104 … Continue reading →
One of the truly great voices in Southern music, Hazel Dickens, passed peacefully last night following a brief illness at the age of 75. Born June 1, 1935, in Mercer County, West Virginia, Hazel was an American bluegrass singer, songwriter, … Continue reading →
Phil Leadbetter, known better as bluegrass artist Uncle Phil, announced last month that he is battling Hodgkins Lymphoma. Phil has played a role in the bluegrass community since 1975, when he founded the Knoxville NewgrassBoys in his teens. He went … Continue reading →
The International Bluegrass Music Association is overhauling much of its online content in order to create Bluegrass Nation, an online community for bluegrass lovers around the world. Here’s a list of plans IBMA has set forth as the new service’s … Continue reading →
Updated: We’ve received news that Bert Jansch is now on the road performing with Neil Young for the latest leg of Young’s tour. Neil and Bert have added two Toronto shows to their mid-May schedule. Additionally, plans are being made … Continue reading →
Secondhand, used, retro, vintage, whatever. I do have a history of obtaining broken-in instruments, and the occasional well-worn castoff. My student accordion was a rental while my piano came from a neighbor who relocated to a small apartment. The first … Continue reading →
The Grammy Awards have made some significant changes, and it’s left some fans very unhappy. The recent cut of 31 award categories has left several genres in tatters. The Native American category was cut entirely, contemporary and traditional folk music … Continue reading →
Who says print media is dead? Our friends at Penguin Eggs Canadian folk music magazine have teamed with iPod/iPad App developer MagazineCloner.com to create a digital version of their magazine. “Now we can finally cater to our European subscribers at … Continue reading →
Martin’s classic pre-war D-45 has long been considered one of the most sought-after vintage guitars of all time. The D-45 holds its value better than any vintage instrument ever made. The guitar was originally created for famed cowboy-singer Gene Autry. … Continue reading →
The Library of Congress announced 2010’s inductees to the National Recording Registry. The twenty-five selections were chosen by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington on the basis that they are “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” They join the 300 recordings … Continue reading →
