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Vinyl Ventures – My Fifty Years at Rounder Records

Equinox Publishing While Rounder Records has released more than bluegrass music over its 50-plus years in the business, the amount of essential bluegrass music found on the label is undeniable. Created a half century and change ago by Bill Nowlin, Ken Irwin and Marian Leighton Levy, the record label has gone from a small imprint…

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Six Degrees Of Separation

Pinecastle Records—PRC1255 Steve Wilson formed the Wilson Banjo Co. as a promotional tool for his custom banjos, whose popularity among bluegrass musicians has grown quite a lot in the past few years. Located in the Westminster, South Carolina area, Wilson gathers together many local musicians and others to record his brand of the music. On…

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Andrea Roberts

Leading Others  to Bluegrass Success Photo by Shelly Swanger Longtime performer turned business owner Andrea Roberts lived an enviable existence as a bluegrass musician the first part of her life. Her impressive resume includes fronting one of the first all-female bluegrass bands Petticoat Junction and playing alongside some of the genre’s most legendary figures including Bill…

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The Way I See It

Bell Buckle Records This is Daniel Crabtree’s fourth release and contains all-original material written by Crabtree. He is joined by Scott Vestal (banjo), Gaven Largent (resonator guitar), Patrick McAvinue (fiddle), Cody Kilby (guitar), Harry Clark (mandolin), and Dave Roe (bass). Guests include Evan Winsor (bass), and vocalists Aaron McClune, Rick Stanley, Donna Ulisse.  Donna Ulisse…

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Livin’ In America

SWEET RIVER BAND SRB02 Sweet River Band is a five-piece group based in Nantes, France.  This project showcases their affection for American music with a collection of tunes showing their influences of bluegrass, old time, blues, swing, folk, country, and even rock-and-roll. The group is Claude Cordina (guitar), Patrick Couton (banjo, dobro, autoharp), Sébastien Farges…

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Bridges And Backroads

Very Jerry Records — VJR-005 Since 1982, Jerry Salley has become one of the most accomplished and sought-after songwriters in country, bluegrass, and gospel circles. His songs have been recorded by many, many artists from such as Travis Tritt, Reba McIntire, and Brad Paisley to Chris Stapleton, Rhonda Vincent, Doyle Lawson, Patty Loveless, The Talleys,…

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