Articles

Fifty Years and Beyond This is the story of Mark Newton, a veteran bluegrasser, promoter, and ambassador whose journey in music and life clearly reminds us of how precious life is. If not for unwavering faith, a support system of family and friends, and a team of top-notch medical staff, this story would have appeared…

Growing up in Kenton, Ohio, Mayfield played bass, guitar, and mandolin in his family band. As his music and songwriting skills progressed, he found himself playing in bands like Cadillac Sky, the Avett Brothers, and Mumford and Sons. He also accompanied his folk-artist sister, Jessica Lea Mayfield.  He formed his Mayfield Parade in 2011 and…

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…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine July 1980, Volume 15, Number 1 Many years ago, John Duffey attended the annual auction of a post office selling items lost or unclaimed in the mail. Through a low bid, he acquired a large box of broken musical instruments. There among the damaged treasures was Duffey’s first mandolin. In…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine October 1980, Volume 15, Number 4 The Sullivan Family of St. Stephens, Alabama, represent a synthesis of two of the strongest and most vital American musics: gospel and bluegrass. It is a powerful combination, the melding of these two musical styles, and the driving, emotional music of the Sullivan Family…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine October 1982, Volume 17, Number 4 Ten years ago, if a gypsy fortune teller had told Barry Poss that he would someday run a small but successful record company with the unlikely name of “Sugar Hill,” he probably would have laughed and asked for his money back. Ten years and…