Articles

Photo Courtesy of Roy M. Andrade The tiny Appalachian town of Mountain City, Tennessee (population around 2,500), sits in the northeastern corner of the state, about halfway between Bristol, Tennessee, and Boone, North Carolina.  At 2,418 feet, it is the highest incorporated town in Tennessee, and the county seat for Johnson County, in one of…

We Interview Some of the People Involved with All Stages of the IBMA’s History Photos Courtesy of IBMA It was in 1985 that the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) was officially formed, which makes 2025 its 40th anniversary year.  In this article, we are not going to do a deep dive into the logistics and…

Photos by Will Price When it comes to the rich history of American roots music that collectively pre-dated and led to the creation of bluegrass in 1945, local culture and geography were key to different styles arising.  That phenomenon often happens with music that organically evolves, no matter the genre. In the 1700s and 1800s,…

When Marty Falle writes, he thinks in records, not singles. “That’s what I believe the original singer-songwriter artist is all about,” he says. His formula, which works for him, is “to write the record: write what’s in your heart, in your experience.” To judge by the radio play and the number of tracks charting off…

Photo by Laci Mack Ashleigh Graham is a new source of inspiration in the bluegrass music world that has been a lifetime in the making. Originally, her desire was to follow her heart in music, but life took a detour, sending her on the practical journey of marriage and motherhood. Along the way, she battled…

When festival season ends and you’re pining for those summer times where bluegrass tunes are wrapped around over-the-top corny comedy bits, you may not have to wait for the spring thaw. The Billy Boucher Bluegrass Band may just have the product for you. It’s hard to believe the band can sing with tongues planted so…