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Gena Britt
Rooted in Tradition Photo By Michael Carter As banjo player for the 2020 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) “Entertainer of the Year” group, Sister Sadie, Britt describes her music as “rooted in tradition with a contemporary edge,” much like Britt herself. She was first introduced to clogging through her grandfather, William “Son” Britt, a square-dance caller,…
Dale Ann Bradley
Showers Empathy in Her Music Esteemed bluegrass singer Dale Ann Bradley shares stories of hardship and hope on her latest project, Things She Couldn’t Get Over. Growing up in the isolated country of rural Eastern Kentucky, Bradley knows all too well the struggles of life. “There wasn’t a lot of money at all. I’ve carried…
Wyatt Ellis
He’s Got It In Him Photos Courtesy of Teresa Ellis The last few years of Wyatt Ellis’ young life have been remarkable in several different ways. Before the pandemic he was spending upwards of three hours a day shuttling between Boy Scouts, Taekwon-Do, soccer practice, and squeezing in a weekly 30-minute mandolin lesson: pretty much…
Story Behind The Song Two Highways
“I don’t know how much of this you can share, but I’ll tell you,” joked Larry Cordle about the story behind one of his earliest compositions. “Two Highways” dates back to the late 1970s—a pivotal period in the life of this renowned songwriter. It was recorded first by his childhood friend and musical mentor…
Phil Salazar
And His Fabulous Fiddle Shop Many of the artists that we interview in Bluegrass Unlimited grew up in musical families. The majority of them are raised in southeastern regions of the United States where bluegrass and country music was played in their homes from the time they were born. California native Phil Salazar also grew…
Just Off the Wilderness Road, Songs of the Cumberland Gap Region
A concept album of 16 songs focusing on stories and characters from the Cumberland Gap area of Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia takes the listener back in time. Twenty-seven artists whose familes are originally from the region are featured, with lead vocals from Teddy Cosby, Bryan Turner, Phillip Powers, James Clark, Joseph Wilson, Randall Massengill, Jason…