Articles

Protobilly The Minstrel and Tin Pan Alley DNA of Country Music JSP Records JSP5202 You probably think you know where bluegrass tunes like “Bully of the Town,” “Arkansas Traveler,” “Turkey in the Straw,” “Are You From Dixie,” “Under the Double Eagle” and more came from. Like me, you’re probably wrong about most. Because these tunes…

Wood & Wire No Matter Where it Goes from Here “Lightning in a bottle” – that’s the phrase that’s apt to leap to mind when listening to the latest release from this four-piece Texas-based outfit. Wood & Wire’s music is infused with a delicious mix of virtuosity, exuberance and youthful bravado. The band’s lineup features Trevor…

Mark Stoffel Coffee & cake Mark Stoffel isn’t a name heard much in mandolin circles. That’s about to change. With the release of his solo CD, Coffee & Cake, Stoffel, who holds the mandolin chair in Chris Jones and the Night Drivers, has created a strong personal mandolin brand that charms and beguiles rather than…

Lindley Creek Freedom, Love And The Open Road Pinecastle PRC-1244 This band is a family affair from the Missouri Ozarks, Lindley Creek presents a contemporary approach to bluegrass. Jim VanCleve does an outstanding job on the production and the result is a highly listenable project. On live shows, Lindley Creek is Kathie Greer, guitar, John Greer,…

We Shall All Be Reunited Revisiting The Bristol Sessions Bear Family Records BCD 17592 It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a century since the renowned recording sessions arranged by Ralph Peer in Bristol.  The music captured those few weeks in late summer 1927 helped to catapult Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family to…

Roger Cline So Inclined Walnut Run Music WRM0002      Marylander Roger Cline began playing guitar in the late ‘60s, eventually turning to bluegrass and acoustic music in the ‘90’s. He began writing songs and also picked up the mandolin. On this debut project, Cline features his songwriting, his singing and playing and is accompanied…