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Opry Hosts 25th anniversary Celebration of O Brother, Where Art Thou?
In the same vein that “Man Bites Dog” is bigger news than “Dog Bites Man,” a soundtrack that eclipses its own blockbuster movie makes for better headlines. On February 28, a packed house at the Grand Ole Opry celebrated the 25th anniversary of O Brother, Where Art Thou? The impact of the movie’s music, however,…
Remembering Ronnie Bowman
Hearts were shattered in the bluegrass music world when singer/songwriter Ronnie Bowman died March 22 from injuries he suffered in a motorcycle wreck the day before on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee. Friends, fans, and fellow musicians were stunned to know such a beloved gentleman would never again share that gentle smile and warm hug….
Bobby Atkins—A Rededication to Bluegrass
Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 1985, Volume 20, Number 2 Photographs, albums, and posters crowd the walls of the hand-built frame structure that once housed Bobby Atkins’ Stokes Recording Studio in Summerfield, ten miles northwest of Greensboro, North Carolina. Atkins’ career has included three stints with Bill Monroe, ten albums of his own, radio,…
Charlie Nixon
Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine December 1977, Volume 12, Number 6 The dream of many aspiring bluegrass Dobro pickers is to play for Lester Flatt and the Nashville Grass. Since 1972, this position has been capably filled by Charlie Nixon. Originally from Springfield, Tennessee, 25 miles north of Nashville, Charlie was fascinated by the sound…
Billy Baker—Fiddler for Sixty Years and Counting
Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine April 2013, Volume 47, Number 10 Among the better-known but under rated bluegrass musicians who have more than paid their dues, the name Billy Baker must rank as one of the more significant. At one time or another, this Virginia native worked as a regular or fill-in with about every…
Marc Pruett Does It All
Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine April 1985, Volume 19, Number 10 Marc Pruett’s office tells at least half the story. A ten by fifteen foot corner of his Pick ‘N’ Grin music store in Asheville, North Carolina, it exudes warmth and frenzied activity. Banjo parts lie scattered about wherever he could find space for a…