Articles

Over 50 Years of Broadening Bluegrass Boundaries Although bluegrass traditionalists may disagree, I feel that bluegrass music would not be as vibrant as it is today had the roots of the music not branched out in so many different directions.  Had the music remained bound to the repertoire, presentation, and style of the founding fathers,…

Carl Bentley was originally from Eastern Kentucky and grew up in a musical family. While honing his singing skills, he also developed a fondness and talent for songwriting. Unfortunately, he was in an auto accident in 1966 that almost ended his life. After his recovery, he started performing bluegrass music while working in software development….

The Wilder Flower was formed in 2021, and is based in the rural areas of North and South Carolina. They are Danielle Yother on guitar, Molly Johnson on banjo, and Madeline Dierauf on fiddle. Their Appalachian old-time and bluegrass roots are featured well on this project with their focus on material that includes pleasant lead…

Much of the old-timey charm of Big Country Bluegrass is their flair for dusting off and re-enlivening some largely forgotten gems of yesteryear. The title track of the band’s sixth album for Rebel Records (and first in six years) was first written and recorded by Dave Evans back in the 1970s. “Midnight Storm” is an…

On the Road with The Travelin’ McCourys It’s 3:45 p.m. on Friday, April 11, and banjoist Rob McCoury of the Travelin’ McCourys is chilling behind the historic Park Theatre in McMinnville, Tennessee. Almost four hours remain before the band takes the stage, but much work needs to be done before the first note of the…

Songs That Made Charlene Cry Bluegrass Hall of Famer Rodney Dillard uses two criteria when choosing what he’ll do next in music—Is it too much hassle, and is it fun? His decision to write and record The Dillards’ latest album, Songs That Made Charlene Cry, fit just right. He had mulled over the idea for…