Photo by magnus eriksrud

Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra Ends First Full US Tour with Plans to Return

Many bluegrass fans trace their introduction to the music to films such as O Brother! Where Art Thou? and Cold Mountain, or to Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken? recording project. For Norwegian band Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, their first taste of bluegrass came just as they had formed a band. Ten years…

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the artists

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recording with Jimmy Martin for the Will the Circle Be Unbroken album. (Left to Right) John McEuen, Jimmy Martin, Jeff Hanna, Les Thompson, Ray Martin, Gary Scruggs. // Photo by William E. McEuen

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band 

Celebrates 60 Years  As the majority of bluegrass fans know, bluegrass music—as we know it today—was born the first time that Bill Monroe walked out on the Grand Ole Opry stage with Earl Scruggs as a member of his band in December of 1945.  Early in 1946, the “classic” bluegrass band—consisting of Bill Monroe, Chubby…

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photo by mason wright

Mason Wright

A Fiddler You Should Know Mason Wright is a fiddler who can play many different styles, including classical, country, and bluegrass.  He’s been a member of several bands, from traditional to contemporary, and has a teaching workload as well.  He’s serious about his music but has a humorous side, as reported by several former bandmates. …

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Balsam Range’s Marc Pruett

Master of the 5-String Banjo Photo by Caty Smith Balsam Range banjo powerhouse Marc Pruett has spent 59 years gracing stages, playing bluegrass music. He has recorded and/or appeared in concert with Balsam Range, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, James Monroe, Lester Flatt, Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, Emmylou Harris, Mac Wiseman,…

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from the archives

Bowman Remains True to Bluegrass

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 2003, Volume 38, Number 2 Ronnie Bowman wants to make one thing perfectly clear. He is not bailing from bluegrass music. The former front man for the popular and influential 1990s Lonesome River Band has made several changes in his life since the turn of the millennium clock, but…