Articles

Having been the publisher and editor of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine for twenty years, my ears always perk up when I hear about a new talent in the world of flatpicking guitar.  A few months ago, one of my guitar students mentioned a female flatpicker from England, Charlotte Carrivick, and said that I should check out…

Here’s to the next 10 years! Williamson Branch, a family bluegrass band featuring parents Kevin and Debbie Williamson with daughters, Melody Williamson Keyes, Kadence Williamson Reynolds, and Caroline Williamson, celebrated 10 years of performing in 2024. With six albums and a Christmas DVD under their belts, a 2020 “Best Vocalist” IBMA Momentum Award for Melody,…

Most folks don’t think of traditional, old time, or bluegrass fiddlers hailing from New York City. Longtime musician, session player, actor, and TV and movie soundtrack contributor Kenny Kosek is out to prove you can’t judge a book by where it was printed. Kosek’s new album, Twisted Sage, a collaboration with banjo maestro Tony Trischka…

Listening to the new duo CD from Mike Compton and Joe Newberry feels like reading the manuscript of a lost Faulkner novella discovered at a flea market in Mike Compton’s native Lauderdale County, Mississippi. The stories are real and raw, but disclosed in measured doses, through voices at times tortured and others reverent. It’s music…

Claw hammer banjo player Brad Kolodner has long been a spark plug on the old-timey-Celtic music scene. He’s toured and recorded extensively with his father, Ken, founder of the ground-breaking band Helicon. Brad is also a founder of the acoustic roots quintet Charm City Junction. For his latest outing, an all-instrumental collection of kick-up-your heels…

Andy Statman grew up in Queens on rock and roll music, took mandolin lessons from David Grisman, wanted his Jewish heritage to be a part of his art and his work is described on his website as “spontaneous American-roots music and personal, prayerful hasidic music, by way of avant-garde jazz.”  So naturally, listeners would expect…