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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…

Photos by Michael Weintrob In life, as in love, knowing when and how to make a change is crucial. For Mason Via, the youngest member of Old Crow Medicine Show, leaving the well-established band to focus on a solo career followed serious deliberation. Shortly after making the break official, Via released “Hey Don’t Go,” which…

Bands Blurring the Lines of Bluegrass “Roots music incorporates so many different cultures that it is bound for a glorious future,” says Julie Gussaroff, vocalist and bassist of the Sweet Lillies.  “Our place is right in the middle of it, alongside everyone else.” Gussaroff’s statement, while a recognition of the Sweet Lillies’ place in the…

Photos by Emma McCoury If you have been to a Del McCoury Band show in the past several years, you may have noticed a young man standing in the back playing the guitar and wondered about him and his relationship to the band.  This young guitar picker happens to be Ronnie McCoury’s oldest son, Heaven….

Q: I have been a subscriber to Bluegrass Unlimited for around 45 years or more; this is the first time I have been in touch. I have a question. The Columbia recording by Flatt & Scruggs “Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’” has Chubby Wise listed as the fiddle player. It sounds more like Benny Martin…

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…