Articles

Ben Eldridge was the banjo player for the iconic Washington, D.C. area band the Seldom Scene for 45 years.  During that period of time he proved himself to be one of the most innovative and unique banjo players in the history of bluegrass music.  The Seldom Scene drew from a very wide range of musical…

The modern bluegrass artists of today still stand out as the old souls of America, and David Peterson and 1946 are still carrying the torch with their eighth project Cup of Loneliness. This album is a concentrated focus on the classics that are highly relevant in the 2020’s. It echoes the emotions felt by millions…

Bluegrass newcomer Casey Penn mentions on Mountain Fever Records’ page that her solo debut album, One Step Away, is dedicated to the memory of her father, who she says lived a life of faith “one step away from heaven.” It’s a sweet notion about a sweet project featuring original songwriting, clean vocals, and solid picking….

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine March 1982, Volume 16, Number 9 They call him “The Old Man of the Mountains.” At the spry age of forty-two, that makes Raymond Fairchild a rather youthful “old man.” No matter. The mountains can age you before your time and Raymond has lived far enough back in the Smoky…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine June 1984, Volume 18, Number 12 Good as Gold and fine as diamonds, worth its weight in waiting for …” The sounds that ring through the capacity-filled hall are familiar to the cheering fans. The sounds have been produced, recorded, and enjoyed for over 26 years. There have been several…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine January 1986, Volume 20, Number 7  He’s rarely played in public over the past two decades, and he’s not on many records, but Porter Church remains among the most eloquent of five-string banjo players. I may as well say it: in my opinion, when it comes to “golden era” bluegrass…