Reviews

When rising bluegrass stars The Price Sisters posted an impromptu field recording of “Weary Lonesome Blues” to their Facebook page last year, they had no idea it would reach more than one million viewers worldwide. One reason for its success was that the videographer used a new mic from Audigo Labs that clearly and crisply…

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to upgrade the look of your flattop guitar is changing out the stock pickguard for a custom-poured guard. These custom pickguards accurately resemble the mottled tortoiseshell style, tiger stripe, or browner, more aged-looking guards from the guitars of the 1930s and ‘40s. They first appeared years ago…

I have known William (Bill) Bay—son of Mel Bay Publications founder Mel Bay—for many years.  He was a regular columnist to Flatpicking Guitar Magazine, which I published and edited for twenty years (1996-2016).  Bill is a very talented writer of instrumental guitar music and an equally talented arranger of instrumental guitar music.  He has published…

Authentic Unlimited’s mandolin player, Jesse Brock, has won the Mandolin Player of the Year Award at the IBMA Awards Show three times (2009, 2015 and 2024).  He has performed with some of the top bands in bluegrass music, including the Lynn Morris Band, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Audie Blaylock…

Before the music that we know as “bluegrass” gained its moniker, the early country, mountain, and rural music of the 193os through the 1950s was often referred to as “hillbilly music.”  Historians tracing the growth in prominence and popularity of this music will typically discuss early “Barn Dance” radio programs such as The Grand Ole…

To say that the new album Product of Colorado by Slay and Stinson starts off with a bang would be a serious understatement. The opening track “Way Too Wide Awake” comes ripping out of the speakers like a house on fire. Listeners get a taste of the musical prowess of the band as Nick Einterz…