Articles

IssueM Articles

Arvil Freeman—Portrait of an Independent Fiddler

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine June 1991, Volume 25, Number 12 Why would any fiddle player turn down offers from Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Grandpa Jones and Mac Wiseman? “I’m pretty much of an individualist,” says Arvil Freeman. “I’ve never been a person that’s wanted a lot of attention.” In fact, anyone wanting to hear…

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Crown of Bright Glory—The Legendary Carter Stanley

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine February 1996, Volume 30, Number 8 There are an extraordinary number of bluegrass and country music performers who achieved stardom by simply emulating Carter Stanley’s hauntingly emotional vocal style or by recording one of his many remarkable hit songs. The songs he wrote have been recorded and/or performed by nearly…

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Bluegrass Gospel: The Music Ministry of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan 

In our May 2025 issue, we printed an article by Jack Bernhardt introducing us to a bit of the history of bluegrass gospel music.  Bernhardt, an anthropologist and journalist, researched the history of gospel bluegrass while preparing this new book, which focuses on the gospel bluegrass of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan, father and daughter bluegrass…

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Brandon Lee Adams // Photo by Patrick Gibson

Brandon Lee Adams

The Life  of a Musician on  PBS Appalachia When Brandon Adams called me several years ago and told me that he was getting ready to produce a new television show for PBS Appalachia, I’ll have to admit that I was hesitant to jump in with a story about it because many times these kinds of…

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Tom Sauber // Photo by William Purcell

Through the Years with Tom Sauber

There aren’t many bluegrass or old-time fiddlers who can claim to have performed in a bear suit. More than once. As cool as that is, it represents but a second in the long and eventful career of the highly esteemed Southern California multi-instrumentalist Tom Sauber. Now in his seventh decade as a professional musician, has…

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Mutt Poston during his heyday as a Rural Rhythm Recording Artist, ca. 1967.

Notes & Queries – August 2025

Q: Could you provide me with some info on Fiddlin’ Mutt Poston? I will be playing one of his fiddle tunes on our radio program in the coming weeks and have been unable to locate any info about this gentleman. Thanks.  – Wilson Moore, Amherst, Nova Scotia A: Mercer Adron “Mutt” Poston was a fiddler from…

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