Reviews
Still Run
Originally from Michigan, Jeremy Rilko relocated to Asheville, North Carolina, after serving in the Air Force and graduating from Western Michigan University. It was while in the service and at college that he became enamored with bluegrass music. He has been a banjo player since he was 24, and was influenced by the likes of…
Capital B
When it comes to the nearly all-original material on this Milwaukee-based band’s second album, the term youthful exuberance comes to mind. The MilBillies’ (that’s with a CAPITAL “B,” mind you!) music is shot through with humor, rowdiness, wild times and angst. There’s an almost punkish, hard-partying edge to some of the ragged vocals, frenetic playing…
Together
Acoustic Disc Downloads Being a long-time lover of great guitar playing, I’ve often tried to seek out the best of the best. I thought I’d heard all there was until I discovered the world of the flatpicking virtuosos. Two of the legends, Tony and Wyatt Rice have come together in this incomparable work of Americana,…
Making The Connection
The band’s name is taken from the town of Roxboro, North Carolina where the band is based. Formed by mandolinist Ricky Stroud, the group includes Cliff Waddell (guitar), Bailey Moore (bass), David Nance (resonator guitar), and Ronald Smith (banjo). Both Stroud and Waddell are veterans of the Hagar’s Mountain boys, while Smith played a long…
Lead and Iron
Henhouse Prowlers’ tenth album Lead and Iron brings the same high-energy excitement to the recording that fans know to expect from their live performances. Not surprisingly, the songs not only reflect the band members’ life experiences as touring musicians and family men, but their experiences as world travelers in their role as Bluegrass Ambassadors through…
Hometown Holiday
Husband and wife Darin and Brooke Aldridge breathe imagination and breath-taking soul into this gem of a Christmas album. The song list includes an array of vividly reimagined blasts from the past from the likes of Dolly Parton (“With Bells On”), The Statler Brothers (“Who Do You Think”), The Seldom Scene (“Christmas Time Back Home”),…