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Notes & Queries – March 2026
Q: Today on Bluegrass Jamboree, I heard the Stanley Brothers’ OLD version “put your head on my shoulder.” It sounded like Ralph was doing some “Stringbean 2-finger” picking, and it was “crude” in a way, but still great. Was this 1946 or ‘47? Nothing much on the “net” on this. I still get goose bumps…
2026 Learn To Play Workshops & Camps
Are you looking to attend a music camp or workshop this year? Camps and workshops are a great way to study with top professional players and talented instructors. Camps and workshops also provide you the opportunity to meet new friends and jamming partners. Below is a list of camps and workshops organized by state. This…
The Rich-R-Tone/Folk Star Story
Old Music Gets A New Life Discovering music that you have never heard before can be exciting if it is music that lifts your spirit, resonates with your heart and sinks deep into your bones. For fans of traditional bluegrass and early country music, finding this kind of music today can sometimes be difficult. Sure, there…
Olivia Jo
Who I Am Photos by Sierra Cochran Finding ourselves is a journey that can be hard with a lot of ups and downs along the road. For rising bluegrass star Olivia Jo, she has traversed two different paths in her thirty years. The singer of “Down Life’s Road” drove the country music freeway before doing…
Briar Finch
The Briar Finch name comes from the last names of two songwriters from the Olympia, Washington area. Cory Briar sings and plays mandolin and octave mandolin. Erin Finch sings and plays guitar. On this project of original compositions, the pair is joined by Tom Roalkvam on electric bass and Josh Grice on 5-string fiddle. Together,…
Great Big Sound Production
David Chichester is a bluegrass sound engineer whose profession began as a hobby that evolved into a career. He and his wife, Traci, own and operate GBS Productions (Great Big Sound) out of Ohio. He explained his audio company’s name. “Great big was a catch phrase before social media: “great big hair” or “great big”…





