The Venue

Musicians and Community Support One Another Photos by Ricky Davis 2024 was preordained to be a bittersweet IBMA year, like a high school graduation, throwing caps in the air, fully realizing that the World of Bluegrass landscape as we knew it was about to change. After 12 years in Raleigh—a period long enough to be a…

Henderson Reflects on Its Long Run Photos by Derek Halsey Southwest Virginia’s Wayne Henderson happens to be one of the most famous guitar builders in the world. He has also been one of the best fingerpick guitarists in the country for many years. And yet, for the majority of his amazing career, Henderson has lived…

Sponsor of Multifaceted Enrichment and Opportunity The June issue of Bluegrass Unlimited included an article about the history and summer Traditions Weeks of Common Ground on the Hill, an initiative founded thirty years ago by Walt Michael on the campus of McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland.  That article promised this concluding part two to feature…

A Gracious and Glorious Time Del Yeah! It is the popular refrain yelled by the crowd, seen on t-shirts, shouted from the stage, and shared by fans throughout the weekend at DelFest, the four-day bluegrass inspired festival.  The refrain is a playful take on DelFest founder, namesake, and bluegrass legend, Del McCoury’s name. The festival…

High Lonesome Strings (HLS), the central North Carolina-based bluegrass club, has been in existence for almost 27 years. Pammy Davis Lassiter founded the musical organization in July 1997. It has been going strong and growing ever since with a current enrollment of 202 members. Board member Lassiter, who still handles membership, the G Run Newsletter,…

Bluegrass’s Annual Ritual of Spring Photos By David McCarty Every year on the last weekend of the first month, the bluegrass faithful emerge from their winter burrows like cicadas after hibernation with no outdoor festivals and few indoor events, itching to pick. It may still be late January, but don’t try telling bluegrass that spring…