Reviews

Even though she’s flown somewhat under the radar for much of her career, Valerie Smith has been flying fast and for a long time. This fabulous album is her 18th. Renaissance showcases Smith’s penchant for everything from sorrowful and inspirational balladry (“Heart Of Sorrow, “Do You Know Where Your Heart is Tonight”) to hard-charging bluegrass…

More so than in most genres of music, change is inevitable—and often frequent—in bluegrass music.  The Grascals have been around for 17 years and were known for handling change well while providing one-of-a-kind vocals from all-time great Terry Eldridge. Eldridge’s departure signaled a need to move in a different direction. The group has managed to…

When Darin and Brooke Aldridge first broke onto the bluegrass scene they quickly picked up the tag “bluegrass sweethearts.”  Now nearly a decade into a career based on warm harmonies, great song selection and the dynamic vocal range of Brooke, the group has become one of the top acts in bluegrass and a force among…

If you have ever played an acoustic instrument into an amp or PA using a direct input (DI) box to control your EQ, volume and tone, you are likely to be familiar with LR Baggs. Known for stellar acoustic pickups like the Lyric bridgeplate microphone, the company earned a spot in countless acoustic musicians’ gear…

Whysper Stephenson is the ten-year old daughter of Larry and Dreama Stephenson. Larry is a well-known music artist and Dreama runs their record label. This is Whysper’s debut release of mixed gospel and bluegrass tunes. On this project she plays fiddle and sings, and she is joined by her father Larry on mandolin and vocals,…

Usually the expression “about what I expected” is tossed around as a somewhat salty comment.  However, when it comes to the new offering from aptly named The All Stars of Bluegrass, it’s a good thing. After all, what do you expect from top notch pickers such as Phil Leadbetter (resonator guitar), the late Steve Gulley…