The Sound

Has Eastman Brought Affordability TO Bluegrass Guitars?

Photos by Bud Osborne Eastman Music Company, over the last decade or so, has quietly but unmistakably risen to the challenge of building guitars that can satisfy discerning bluegrass players, while retaining the affordability that is the hallmark of APAC (Asia-Pacific) instrument manufacturing.        Case in point is the well-crafted and luxuriously appointed…

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I’ll Take Love

Louisa Branscomb and Dale Ann Bradley A song can create an out-of-body experience, not only for listeners upon hearing it but also for songwriters as they write. This according to renowned songwriter, psychologist, and performing artist Louisa Branscomb, PhD, who had such an experience while strolling the hills of her famous (and now former) Woodsong Farm….

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Keith Yoder. // Photo by Rachel Deutmeyer

Keith Yoder

The Camp Guy If you have attended any of the popular bluegrass music camps that occur around the country every year, you have probably met Keith Yoder. Keith has been an instructor at Steve Kaufman’s Acoustic Camp, Colorado Roots Music Camp, Merlefest Jam Camp, NimbleFingers, Strawberry Jam Camp, Acoustic Music Camp, Acoustic Alaska Guitar Camp,…

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Video shoot cast and crew for “The Barber’s Fiddle.”  Photo Courtesy of Dark Shadow Recording

The Barber’s Fiddle

Becky Buller and Lynda Dawson Based on true events, “The Barber’s Fiddle,” written by Becky Buller and Lynda Dawson, has become a signature story song for Buller and the Becky Buller Band. Indeed, since its release in 2020 (Distance & Time, Dark Shadow Recording), it has become a celebrated event thanks to a heart-warming response…

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Tears Of Regret

Jim & Jesse McReynolds and Lucille Hutton The late Jesse McReynolds (1929-2023) was well known for his unique style of mandolin playing and the beautiful vocals he brought to Jim & Jesse and The Virginia Boys. He was also a prolific songwriter – a fact that’s under-recognized by many bluegrass listeners. This from Chris Jones…

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TinkerTar

The Best Way to Get Young Kids Started on Stringed Instruments There are many equivalences that one can make between learning a musical instrument and learning a language.  In fact, studies have shown that if a person learns to play a musical instrument when they are young, their brain processes it like a language, using its…

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