The Tradition

Q: In the words of the great Larry Cordle song, “Black Diamond Strings,” he says, “Well Daddy showed me three chords, but Jimmy Steele taught me how to play, He showed me the G-run I’m still using today.” Who is/was Jimmy Steele? Ted O’Brien, Oswego, New York. A: We reached out to Larry Cordle, who…

Looking back over the recordings that Jim and Jesse McReynolds made with their band the Virginia Boys, one will notice that there was no lack of talent in the banjo spot.  Take a look at the list on page 34 and you will notice a number of 5-string legends.   Although talent abounds on this…

Jerry Douglas was one of the most insightful people whom I interviewed for Discovering Tony Rice, Tony’s oral biography. He was perceptive about Tony because he is insightful about himself. We see that what Jerry has to say about his old friend also says much about himself.  I spoke with Jerry on July 12, 2022…

Q: I’ve heard it said that the 1959 Folkways album Mountain Music Bluegrass Style was the first bluegrass album ever recorded.  I guess that means a set of songs and tunes recorded specifically to be released in album format.  Does that sound right to you?  I recall purchasing albums by the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe,…

Ensuring A Bright Future For Bluegrass Photo By Angela Norton Nancy Cardwell Webster is no stranger to readers of Bluegrass Unlimited. The award-winning  Missouri native has written dozens of articles for BU through the years, including this edition’s cover story featuring resophonic guitar master, Jerry Douglas.  A prolific wordsmith, Nancy wrote her first story for…

Queries  Q: I was reading John Hartley Fox’s article ‘Muleskinner & Clarence White’ in the June 2023 Bluegrass Unlimited and noticed what I think are (slight) errors.  I grew up in LA and had been to the Ash Grove many times to see the likes of The Kentucky Colonels and Bill Monroe with Billy Keith…