The Archives

Edd Mayfield—The Mystery Man

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 1983, Volume 18, Number 2 In the short history of bluegrass music many individuals have passed through the few major bands. During the late ’40s and early’50s, bands sporting a contract with a major recording company or privileged with major radio and later TV exposure could be counted on…

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Bluegrass Mandolin—1/3rd Century Later

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine March 1972, Volume 6, Number 9 In the early years of bluegrass the mandolin was frequently overshadowed by both fiddle and banjo. Bill Monroe is by no means the only one who took up the mandolin because it was the only instrument not already spoken for by his musician friends….

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Jesse McReynolds—Rounds Eighty Years With Renewed Energy and Inspiration

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine July 2010, Volume 45, Number 1 Bluegrass Hall of Famer, National Heritage Award recipient and Grand Ole Opry star Jesse McReynolds celebrated 62 years in the music business and eighty years of life on July 9, 2009. Hundreds of friends, fans, and several former members of his Virginia Boys band…

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Jesse McReynolds—The Next Chapter

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine June 2004, Volume 38, Number 12 When the career of the legendary bluegrass brother duo, Jim & Jesse, came to a halt after 55 amazing years with the death of Jim McReynolds on January 31, 2002, the bluegrass music community and Grand Ole Opry fans worldwide grieved over the death…

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Roger Sprung

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine January 1969, Volume 3, Number7 Roger Sprung is 38 years old, tall dark and handsome. He is reminiscent of a Gregory Peck type in appearance. Shy soft spoken and friendly. When I met him in 1950, he had already learned all of the banjo styles that were popular. Frailing, Scruggs…

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Good Ol’ Persons

Photos by Gene Tortora Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine October 1984, Volume 19, Number 4 “I’m sorry, but when it comes to singing bluegrass, most women just can’t cut it.” “Women bluegrass musicians are such wimpy players.” “If God had intended women to play bluegrass, He would have created “Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass…

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