The Artists

When Marty Falle writes, he thinks in records, not singles. “That’s what I believe the original singer-songwriter artist is all about,” he says. His formula, which works for him, is “to write the record: write what’s in your heart, in your experience.” To judge by the radio play and the number of tracks charting off…

Mandolin Ambassador While I was browsing YouTube a while back, I ran across a video titled “Mandolin (small…but MIGHTY).” At the opening of the video, Jake Howard of Henhouse Prowlers was blazing through a mandolin solo.  Rob Scallon, the video’s host and interviewer, was sitting next to Jake and playing the guitar.  Two members of…

Photo By Wes Hobbs – Better Focus Photography Singer/songwriter Amanda Cook doesn’t simply shine on the creative side as a full-time touring and recording artist. She also has a solid business acumen and knowledge, accompanied by a strong work ethic, that has propelled her to the Chief Operations Officer position at Mountain Fever Records, the…

The Life  of a Musician on  PBS Appalachia When Brandon Adams called me several years ago and told me that he was getting ready to produce a new television show for PBS Appalachia, I’ll have to admit that I was hesitant to jump in with a story about it because many times these kinds of…

There aren’t many bluegrass or old-time fiddlers who can claim to have performed in a bear suit. More than once. As cool as that is, it represents but a second in the long and eventful career of the highly esteemed Southern California multi-instrumentalist Tom Sauber. Now in his seventh decade as a professional musician, has…

Fiery Bluegrass Fiddler Annie Staninec has a lot going for her. First, she has what might be the biggest smile by several inches of anybody except possibly Doug Dillard. Second, she is a fiery bluegrass fiddler, perhaps the “grassiest” fiddler of them all.  I was honored to interview her for this article. I chose to…