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Group photo of Pendleton “Uncle Pen” Vandiver, Arnold Shultz, Unkown, Luther Shultz (Photo courtesy of Roger Givens) playing their instruments

A “Hidden Legend” Steps into the Spotlight

The Arnold Shultz Fund is launched in honor of influential western Kentucky musician In July 2020, the IBMA Foundation established the Arnold Shultz Fund to support activities increasing participation of people of color in bluegrass music. Arnold Shultz (1886–1931) was an African American musician from western Kentucky who had a profound influence on Bill Monroe’s…

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Jimmy Martin poses for a portrait with his guitar

Hall of Famers Unveiled

Jimmy Martin As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the bluegrass genre, Bluegrass Unlimited magazine will look deep into what made those first-generation bluegrass artists tick.  At the magnificent and sprawling Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, KY, the venue seeks to tell the story of bluegrass music by going…

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Old-Time Music and Bluegrass: Separate But Intertwining Branches

There are certain questions that anyone who plays bluegrass has encountered more than once from well-intentioned (mostly) listeners.  “Is that a ukulele?” to the mandolinist.  “What’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin?” (Generally, about $50,000 a year). “Do you know ‘Wagon Wheel?’” (No!!!) Right up there amongst them is, “What’s the difference between…

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Group photo of the band sitting outside with their instruments

Band On The Run – The Johnson Mountain Boys

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited MagazineVolume 16, Number 6, December 1981 “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike,that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans…proud of our ancient heritage… ”—President John F. Kennedy January 20,1961 On a crisp winter day when the fall leaves…

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Charlie Stevens

Charlie Stevens Charlie Stevens (guitar, vocals) is an artist based in the Fort Collins, Colorado area where he regularly performs and teaches guitar. On this debut release Stevens is joined by a host of supporting musicians including Jan Peterson (bass), Ron Lynman (banjo), Scott Catalano (mandolin), Tad Smith (resonator guitar), Bridger Dunnagan (fiddle), Taylor Shuck…

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There Was A Time

There Was A Time The band takes its name from a stretch of the New River which originates in North Carolina. Together since 2004, the current band is Barry Long (banjo, resonator guitar), Michael Johnson (guitar), Dwayne Brown (bass), Chuck Price (fiddle), Michael Mullins (mandolin), and Andy Smith (guitar). This a project of mostly Gospel…

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