Articles

From an interview with Ken Irwin August 1972 Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine June 1973, Volume 7, Number 12 “Drive is the most important part of this music. When I look back, it is the drive in this music which excited me and that was the thing that I strived for.” Thus, Del McCoury, a…

Singer/songwriter Rick Lang follows up his IBMA award-winning CD, Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout with another all-star ensemble of musicians on Blue Collar Gospel (Billy Blue Records). The magical vocal pairings for the 11-cut project including Becky Buller and Nathan Woodard (“Rise Above It All”), Dave Adkins with Alecia Nugent and Jerry Salley (“Old Rugged Me”), Barry Abernathy featuring John…

As this impressive album attests, the Grascals, with 20 years of history, and members coming and going (and in the case of founding member Jamie Johnson, coming back again), are still going as strong as ever. They come blazing out of the chute with a salute to the Osborne Brothers, who’ve had an indelible influence…

By Sarah Pirkle “The Piney Rose,” written by Sarah Pirkle, was first released in 2001 on Dog Years (Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle, Barb Hollow Music). Already a favorite at Pirkle’s shows, the song then found an even broader audience when Dale Ann Bradley released it that same year on her Cumberland River Dreams (Doobie…

This dazzling live album doesn’t just capture an immensely accomplished musical ensemble in full court press. It also serves as a sort of ad hoc “best of” from Tyminski’s storied career as both a solo artist and as long-time singer-guitarist-mandolinist with Alison Krauss and Union Station.  Additionally, with originals such as “God Fearing Heathen,” “Goat,”…

Cutting Their Own Grade on the Bluegrass Parkway When the Travelin’ McCourys were formed almost a decade and a half ago, the thought that crossed everyone’s mind was that Del McCoury was now in his 70s and was needing, and deserving of, a less hectic schedule on the bluegrass trail.  Not only had Del been…