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…

Born Over A Bluegrass Bandstand Photo by Sheri Oneal In awkward adolescent script scrawled in his high school yearbook, amidst the well wishes and inside jokes from his buddies, one theme appears several times: “See you on the Glen Campbell Show.” “I look back, and I wonder how they knew that,” says the yearbook’s owner,…

Bob Dylan said it in 1964, “The Times, They Are A Changing.”  Around that time, the Civil Rights Movement was burning a hole in our consciousness sometimes dividing North and South, and bluegrass music was still emerging from diverse musical forces.   In 1964, Bill Monroe’s band included Steve Arkin and Don Lineberger on banjo,…