Articles

Eli Miller’s Fender Banjo Eli Miller was born in Ohio to an Amish family of thirteen children.  In 1951, when Eli was ten, the family moved to the town of Catlett, Virginia.  Catlett is a small town not too far from Warrenton.  Eli didn’t listen to bluegrass music as a child because, being Amish, he…

Photo by Amy Richmond, Courtesy of Rebel Records At age 33, bluegrass singer Kody Norris hardly seems to fit into the category of “seasoned veteran.” But sit down with him for a conversation about the music business and you’ll find that he is wise beyond his years. His formula for success: start with passion and drive,…

Prolific songwriter paints pictures in listeners’ minds while telling stories with lyrics and melodies. One of bluegrass music’s most prolific songwriters draws from a deep well of influences. Mark “Brink” Brinkman, 68, grew up listening to his grandfather play Big Band music, including a stint with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. His mom was a concert…

If you have ever driven through the old downtown area of Mt. Airy, NC, whether to go to the Mt. Airy Bluegrass & Old-time Fiddler’s Convention or to visit the Andy Griffith Museum and Theatre, you will have probably noticed the Mayberry’s Music Center. The business has been run by James Easter of the legendary…

John Reischman’s sound on the mandolin has always been a striking one, crystalline and clear, like a rushing stream. He has said this sparkling tone comes from the slanted angle he holds his pick at and the naturally full resonance of his Gibson Lloyd Loar. Hearing his latest album, New Time & Old Acoustic, I…

This debut alum from the lead singer and guitarist of the acclaimed Texas band Wood & Fire is a stylistically varied and winning collection of wise and exquisitely crafted original songs. Back Down Home features gripping arrangements that feature everything from banjos, fiddles and pedal steel to saxes, trumpets and a B3 organ while running…