The Artists

Photos By Caty Smith If you’ve spent time around bluegrass festival jam sessions you may recall hearing someone in the jam who is as good as anyone that you’ve ever heard play and wonder, “Wow, who is this?”  There are many such local and regional bluegrass pickers and singers who are extremely talented but have…

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 Amanda Rowan Annie Staninec (featured in Bluegrass Unlimited, May 2017) is a stellar bluegrass fiddle player of Japanese/Czechoslovakian descent who grew up in San Francisco, California and currently lives in Portland, Oregon.  She learned to play the fiddle at a young age and became interested in bluegrass because her father played the guitar…