The Tradition

The Arnold Shultz Fund is launched in honor of influential western Kentucky musician In July 2020, the IBMA Foundation established the Arnold Shultz Fund to support activities increasing participation of people of color in bluegrass music. Arnold Shultz (1886–1931) was an African American musician from western Kentucky who had a profound influence on Bill Monroe’s…

Jimmy Martin As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the bluegrass genre, Bluegrass Unlimited magazine will look deep into what made those first-generation bluegrass artists tick.  At the magnificent and sprawling Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, KY, the venue seeks to tell the story of bluegrass music by going…

There are certain questions that anyone who plays bluegrass has encountered more than once from well-intentioned (mostly) listeners.  “Is that a ukulele?” to the mandolinist.  “What’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin?” (Generally, about $50,000 a year). “Do you know ‘Wagon Wheel?’” (No!!!) Right up there amongst them is, “What’s the difference between…

NOTES In the August 2020 “Notes & Queries,” we fielded a query about the jam-session favorite and popular bluegrass number, “Love Please Come Home,” and its writer Leon Jackson. Leon, with his partner Johnny Bryant, fronted a band called the White Oak Mountain Boys. The group made at least eight recordings for the King label…

A number of today’s top bluegrass guitar players are playing guitars that have been built by the crew at Preston Thompson Guitars in Sisters, Oregon.  The Master Luthier who started this company, Preston Thompson, sadly passed away in April of 2019.  Although Preston is no longer with us, the luthiers who worked with him are continuing his legacy building…

Bill Monroe was not only known for his music but also for his one-line words of wisdom. “It ain’t no part of nothin’,” “Pie please,” and “You can’t hurt ham,” just to name a few.  Another of Bill’s quotes was, “No, you back up.” Over the years, stories have been told about the origin of…