Articles

Missy Raines grew up in West Virginia and spent much of the 60’s and 70’s, along with her family, going to music festivals in the Baltimore, Washington, D.C. area. She got her first bass at the age of 10, and it soon became her only and best instrument. Over the years, she cut her musical…

Based in California, Suzy Thompson has had a solid career as both a singer, guitarist, and fiddle player. She was influenced by blues singers and players such as Memphis Minnie and Bessie Smith, and got her fiddle chops from such Cajun players like Dewey Balfa, Dennis McGee, and Wade Fruge. She has played with artists…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine September 1985, Volume 20, Number 3 Some great names in bluegrass picked under an old oak tree in Harris, North Carolina many years ago. Oren Jenkins, who still lives in this rural community, remembers summer nights when he, his brother Hoke and his uncle Dewitt “Snuffy” Jenkins were joined there…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine January 1988, Volume 22, Number 7 You walk up to Kenny Baker at a bluegrass festival and introduce yourself and explain that you’d like to interview him for a possible feature in a music magazine. He listens quietly, but courteously, and replies, “Maybe later, I’m kind of busy now.” You…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine June 1991, Volume 25, Number 12 Why would any fiddle player turn down offers from Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Grandpa Jones and Mac Wiseman? “I’m pretty much of an individualist,” says Arvil Freeman. “I’ve never been a person that’s wanted a lot of attention.” In fact, anyone wanting to hear…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine February 1996, Volume 30, Number 8 There are an extraordinary number of bluegrass and country music performers who achieved stardom by simply emulating Carter Stanley’s hauntingly emotional vocal style or by recording one of his many remarkable hit songs. The songs he wrote have been recorded and/or performed by nearly…