The Artists
Open Up Your Mind & Free the Music
“For the first little while you have to find something to keep yourself busy,” explains guitar-wizard Larry Keel on how he approached the time at home forced upon us when the world shut-down due to the Covid-19 outbreak. “Even going to take the trash out was a big day in the neighborhood. It was something…
The Five of a Kind
40 Years of Picking Traditional Bluegrass For 40 years, the Five of a Kind bluegrass band has been entertaining audiences up and down the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Based in Strasburg, Virginia, the group’s personable and involve-the-audience approach to a traditional blend of bluegrass and classic country gathered a large following throughout the area….
Daryl Mosely Flies Solo
Photos by Shelley Swanger Despite his lengthy career in music, veteran bluegrass artist Daryl Mosley had his doubts that people would recognize his individual talents. “Even though I’ve been in bluegrass music professionally for 30 years, you never really know who knows who you are,” Mosley said. “I’ve always been part of a band. I…
Back to Cuttin’ Grass
Although it’s taken him five albums to put out a project with the bluegrass arrangements to match, this is exactly what Sturgill Simpson has done on Cuttin’ Grass – Vol.1 and 2 (The Butcher Shoppe Sessions). Bluegrass music has long been a part of Simpson’s upbringing—something he credits to his paternal grandfather. However, it took…
Patrick McAvinue
A Perfect Fit Between Nashville and Baltimore “I wanted to help bridge the connection between Nashville and Baltimore,” explains fiddler Patrick McAvinue about his latest album, Perfect Fit released in 2019. For many the relationship between the two cities might seem odd at first, but for Baltimore native McAvinue—who first cut his teeth as youngster…
Donna and Roni Stoneman and The Legendary Stoneman Family
Before the Carter Family or Jimmie Rodgers ever stood in front of a microphone to record for Ralph Peer, another “hillbilly” artist had already solidly established himself. Starting in 1924, Ernest Stoneman, the “Unsung Father of Country Music” had recorded a multitude of songs and had a hit record with his self-penned “Sinking of the…