Articles

At the end of May, Jacob Jolliff released his latest album, Instrumentals, Vol. 2: Mandolin Mysteries on Adhyaropa Records. If you are familiar with Jolliff, you have probably listened to Instrumentals, Vol. 1, released in 2018 when Jolliff was a youthful 27 years old. Now in his mid-thirties, this new album of originals reflects Jolliff’s…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine July 1982, Volume 17, Number 1 Fiddler Bobby Hicks has a gleam of contentment in his eye these days. He’s right where he wants to be, doing what he wants to be doing, among the best of company—but he’s certainly traveled a long, winding, and sometimes treacherous road to get…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine March 1996, Volume 30, Number 9 The arrival of a significant new band in bluegrass is always a momentous event. When one does appear with the clear potential to become a major player, it is absolutely fascinating—as well as great fun—to watch. Few bands indeed have the combination of utterly…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine February 1982, Volume 16, Number 8 and March 1982, Volume 16, Number 9  On March 9, 1919, a doctor rode his horse-drawn buggy through the hills of northwest Georgia to the home of Ben and Effie Davis. He was summoned because Effie was about to have a baby. By the…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine September 1983, Volume 18, Number 3 The Sally Mountain Show’s stage presentation carries a great deal of visual appeal but its real story concerns the group’s refreshingly different sound, loaded with “punch” and vocal force that has to be heard to be appreciated. The raw power is supplied by 20-year-old…

Calling My Children Home At recording sessions in August 1977, the Country Gentlemen recorded their last album for the Rebel label before showing up at Sugar Hill Records. The album was a gospel collection, their second, and it featured Charlie Waller, Bill Yates, Doyle Lawson and James Bailey. The title of the album was Calling…