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Landis Finger Picks
Setting The Standard For Art And Function What do you get when you combine a master metalsmith/engraver with a multi-instrumentalist? In the case of Ron Landis, the answer is that you get custom crafted sterling silver fingerpicks unlike any other fingerpicks currently available. While Archimedes postulated that “the shortest distance between two points is a…
Story Behind The Song Sin City
By Chris Hillman & Gram Parsons You might wonder what place a Flying Burrito Brothers song has in the world of bluegrass. Quite a worthy one, as you’ll see from the history of the iconic “Sin City,” penned by Chris Hillman (The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Desert Rose Band, Manassas) and the late Gram…
Sonia Shell
The Banjo Sound Never Gets Old If you were to picture someone sitting outdoors picking on a five-string banjo, the setting that comes to mind would probably be somewhere in the southern regions of the United States—most likely in the area of southern Appalachia—as opposed to say, southern California. Southern California and banjos are not…
Arthur’s Music
Indy’s Bluegrass Heart Walk into Arthur’s Music in southeast Indianapolis’ artsy Fountain Square neighborhood, and you’re immediately struck by how seriously this music store takes serving the area’s bluegrass customers. On an average day, a customer will find 30-50 banjos ranging from less expensive Deering Goodtime models to a vintage 1999 Gibson Earl Scruggs Signature…
On the Bus with Bill Monroe: My Five-Year Ride with the Father of Bluegrass
Touring with Bill Monroe was notoriously difficult. Still, with Monroe’s foundational place in the history of bluegrass, it was a rite of passage that many musicians were not only willing but eager to endure. Monroe’s death in 1996 has of course shut the door to any future opportunities to tour with the “Father of Bluegrass.”…
Too Late Now
Susan Nikas is a singer-songwriter from the San Dimas area of California. Her career began in 1987 when she joined the band Clay County as their singer. Clay County was founded by banjoist Jim Dawson, and mandolinist Frank Abraham. Bassist Jim Logue joined them in the studio but was soon replaced by Leslie Spitz. It…