Articles

Nervous Energy seems like the perfect name for a solo project from a banjo player who is staying busy.  Andy Lowe, most recently known for his work with the Deer Creek Boys, looks like he has a winner. The first single off the album is “Mountain,” with the lead singing duties taken by Josh Shilling…

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…

University of Missouri Press  Howard Wight Marshall, a Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri, has recently completed his trilogy covering the history of fiddling in the state of Missouri.  The first book in the series, titled Play Me Something Quick and Devilish (2013) begins with what is known about fiddling from the time of…

Chosen Road’s latest release, It Never Gets Old is a collection of soulful gospel tunes highlighted with wonderfully blended vocals and instrumentation. The group has been together for over a decade and produced a chart-topping album, Appalachian Christmas, last year. This reviewer was fortunate enough to review Water Grave a few years ago—an early, solidly…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 1972—Volume 7, Number 2 I. Why The Louvin Brothers? Not only because they played with a full bluegrass band for a year, and not only because of their deep roots in old-time duet singing, but because of the firm impression their songs and style have had on bluegrass music….

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine October 2005, Volume 40, Number 4 It has taken two decades, but bass player maestro Missy Raines is finally ready. “It’s terrifying,” the five-time IBMA Bass Player Of The Year confesses of her bold move to transition from bandmember to bandleader. “I have always wanted to do this, for twenty…