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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…
This Issue
the artists
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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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
Marc Pruett Does It All
Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine April 1985, Volume 19, Number 10 Marc Pruett’s office tells at least half the story. A ten by fifteen foot corner of his Pick ‘N’ Grin music store in Asheville, North Carolina, it exudes warmth and frenzied activity. Banjo parts lie scattered about wherever he could find space for a…