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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,…

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…

While the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to live in-person music performances, it did spawn some great creative work.  A prime example is Grit & Polish, an album that veteran musicians Mark Schatz and Bryan McDowell recorded in Schatz’s basement. It was created without much in the way of overdubbing and transports the listener to…

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…

George Jackson is a New Zealand native who now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. He grew up hearing bluegrass music and started learning fiddle at an early age. He moved to Australia at 16 and soon became the three-time Australian National Bluegrass Fiddle Champion.       Now residing in Nashville since 2016, he has established…