The Artists

From the Bluegrass  Cardinals to Carolina Road

Photo by Laura Ridge On the cover of the May 1976 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited there appears a group of unknown bluegrass musicians along with the words “Bluegrass Cardinals.”  The title of that cover story, written by Frank Godbey, was “Who in the World are the Bluegrass Cardinals?”  The world would soon find out. The…

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Abbie  Gardner

DobroSinger Photo by Neale Eckstein You may think that DobroSinger must be a typo, however rest assured it is not.  Not only is it the title of Abbie Gardner’s new release, but it also serves as an excellent description of the style she has carved out for herself.  Dobro is an instrument that is largely…

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Doyle Lawson

Retires from the Road Photo by Richard Boyd The last week of 2021 was an emotional one for IBMA Hall of Fame legend Doyle Lawson. On Christmas Eve one of his best friends, J.D. Crowe passed away. His funeral was scheduled for December 30, the same day that Lawson would be taking his final bow…

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Mark Hembree tends the record shack at Bill Monroe’s annual Bean Bossom festival. Hembree was allowed to supplement his band income by taking a percentage from sales of albums, cassettes, T-shirts, coffee mugs and other merchandise.

Hembree  Remembers

Touring With The “Father of Bluegrass”  In many ways, Mark Hembree’s new book about life on the road with Bill Monroe was an account he needed nearly 40 years to write.  He actually started work on the book while still a Blue Grass Boy and got so far as to draw up a rough draft of an…

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Ben Greene

Bluegrass Sideman Photos By Laura Ridge “I am very blessed to have spent my whole life doing what I love with deepest passion,” Ben Greene professed after a recent show. What has he been doing his whole life? Playing music, mostly picking banjo for his livelihood. Greene has played the last sixteen years with the…

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Seth Mulder and Midnight Run (left to right): Ben Watlington, Colton Powers, Seth Mulder, and Max Etling. // Photos by Miranda Goff

Seth Mulder & Midnight Run

Taking Their Music To The Next Level Humor is only one part of the package that makes the new bluegrass group, known for the hit “One More Night,” appealing to audiences. Seth Mulder on mandolin from Hillsboro, ND is the leader of the group. He’s joined by Colton Powers (banjo) from Kingsport, TN, Max Etling…

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