Articles

If there was a bluegrass mandolin hall of fame, there is no doubt that John Reischman would have a plaque on the wall.  He is not only an extremely innovative player, but his clean notes, rich tone, fluidity and expert use of dynamics are what every serious mandolin player strives to achieve.  He has set…

Q: I have been playing bluegrass music for at least five decades. The Stanley Brothers are one of my favorites to listen to and get inspiration from. It was recently brought to my attention by a friend, who was acquainted with Henry Dockery, that the wordage, “Get down boys, go back home…” is incorrect in…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August, 1988, Volume 23, Number 2 If someone were to say “weary hearts” to you, you’d probably think that they were referring to a new romance novel or day-time soap opera. However, anyone familiar with bluegrass music knows of the song, “The Weary Heart You Stole Away,” recorded by the…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine June 1989, Volume 23, Number 12 Even to its strongest supporters, bluegrass isn’t usually seen as a solution to the world’s problems. But in Dan Crary’s opinion, the enduring popularity of bluegrass and other forms of traditional music is one of the few reasons to remain optimistic about the future…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine May 1992, Volume 26, Number 11 To David Grisman, bluegrass is more than just an itch that he needs to scratch occasionally; it’s an integral part of his being. Each encounter is like a passionate reunion with a first lover. He fondly recalls the first kiss: “It was a record…

Reprinted From Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine December 1975, Volume 10, Number 6 This article came from information compiled by Tony Trischka, noted banjo player in his own right, in preparation for his forthcoming book “Melodic Banjo” to be published by Oak Publications in the early part of 1976. Bill Keith is what you might call an…