Articles

IssueM Articles

The Louvin Brothers

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 1972—Volume 7, Number 2 I. Why The Louvin Brothers? Not only because they played with a full bluegrass band for a year, and not only because of their deep roots in old-time duet singing, but because of the firm impression their songs and style have had on bluegrass music….

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A Leap of Faith for Missy Raines

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine October 2005, Volume 40, Number 4 It has taken two decades, but bass player maestro Missy Raines is finally ready. “It’s terrifying,” the five-time IBMA Bass Player Of The Year confesses of her bold move to transition from bandmember to bandleader. “I have always wanted to do this, for twenty…

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Don Reno—A Bluegrass Family Tradition

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 1980, Volume 15, Number 2 Don Reno, whose middle name could easily be “Banjo” spoken with a bluegrass accent, recently marked his 40th anniversary in the entertaining business. Fans of his distinctive style (“I just pick it,” he says.) will be happy to know that thoughts of any kind…

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Cloud Valley—The Right Combination

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 1983, Volume 18, Number 2 When is a bluegrass band not a band but an “ensemble”? What is the difference? Some people may think that “ensemble” is only a fancy name for a group —a word used in publicity material sent out to secure the more elite gigs like…

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The Billy Strings Merchandise section of the Gift Store at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum // Photo by jamie plain

Billy Strings Pop-Up Store

Earlier this summer, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum collaborated with Billy Strings to create a pop-up store in its gift shop.  The museum collaborated with the artist’s team to create a unique display that features Billy Strings merchandise which includes apparel, vinyl records, and CDs.  The museum store is located near the…

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Les Butler. Photo Courtesy of Les Butler

REAL Traditional Southern Gospel Music 

At the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum New Years Eve 2021, I was walking down the hallway at the Jekyll Island Bluegrass Festival when I heard someone say, “Hey REAL Southern Gospel Music man!”  I turned around and saw an elderly couple seated on a bench in the hallway waving for my wife…

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