The Artists

This past year has been devastating for the music industry so it is welcoming when something positive emerges. With dreams of a bright future, Jake Goforth, a 14-year-old musical prodigy from central NC, is a beacon of hope. Jake’s musical journey began at age 7 when he petitioned his parents to take guitar lessons.  “Mom and Dad had CDs…

Faith, Family, Fiddle & So Much More Photos by Shelley Swanger Jim VanCleve—best known as a fiddler, writer, session player, and producer—is first and foremost a man of faith and family who exhibits a burning passion for music. He quickly credits his grandfather and father as major influences in his personal and musical development. As…

Innovative Mandolin Player Ready to Roll in 2021 Photos by Tia & Shane Reman Jesse Brock arrived at a crossroads in his music career after making the difficult decision to leave the Gibson Brothers band after five years.  The award-winning mandolin player decided to take control of his own career and step out as a…

Leading Ladies of Bluegrass Photos by Jon Roncolato Sister Sadie made bluegrass music history last year when they became the first all-female group to win the IBMA’s “Entertainer of the Year” award. The ladies in the quintet were astounded with the prestigious honor. “I never in a million years saw that coming,” said Deanie Richardson, who…

Photo by Sandlin Gaither A resident of Asheville, North Carolina, Sav Sankaran is an upright bass player and vocalist with the bluegrass band Unspoken Tradition.  Previously, he toured with the Dixie Bee-Liners, Kristy Cox and other North Carolina bands.  He is a first-generation American of Indian descent who points to Bob Paisley & Southern Grass…

Photo by Arnold Flenor Mackenzie Bell is a 15-year-old fiddle player who was born in Guatemala, adopted at the age of seven months, and has grown up just 10 miles from Bill Monroe’s hometown of Rosine, Kentucky.  When she was 7-years-old she heard a friend play the fiddle and thought that this was something that…