Reviews

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…

Aaron Burdett is a Western North Carolina singer-songwriter who is the recipient of many songwriting awards from a variety of competitions such as Merlefest, Mountain Stage, WNCW Magazine and others. On this project he has a backing cadre of musicians that include Kim France (bass), Daniel Ullom (mandolin), Carley Arrowood (fiddle), Tony Creasman (percussion), David…

Lori King and her husband Joe front this rustic and robust veteran band that’s based in Iowa and has been plying its craft on the midwestern bluegrass scene for years.  The Kings, veterans of the band Bluegrass Addiction, are both commanding vocalists and they get sure-footed backing from Kevin Amburgey (mandolin and vocals), Mark Hargrove…