Articles

Buncombe Turnpike gets their band name from the old 19th century road that ran from Tennessee to Greenville, South Carolina as it passed through Ashville, North Carolina, the town the band calls home. The group includes founder Tom Godleski (bass, harmonica), George Buckner (banjo), Don Lewis (fiddle), David Hyatt (guitar, banjo), Korey Warren (bass, mandolin,…

Photos by Laci Mack Sometimes a new song comes to you the way it should, as in randomly, and without fanfare or prior description, and the quality of it takes you for a ride. That is what happened to me one day while driving through the mountains of Western North Carolina. In the Blue Ridge…

I called Ron Thomason on his eightieth birthday, September 5th, to schedule an interview for Bluegrass Unlimited. I had just recently reviewed his latest album, Ancient Songs Et Al. I had also watched the recent documentary about Ron and the Dry Branch Fire Squad, The Court Jester. I had read numerous articles highlighting Thomason’s many…

The old saying “good things come in small packages” rings true for Lowe Vintage Instrument Company in Burlington, North Carolina.  The small store front located beside a photography studio and vintage vinyl record store in the historic downtown district appears neat, clean, and quiet from the outside, but it’s what’s on the inside that draws…

Henderson Reflects on Its Long Run Photos by Derek Halsey Southwest Virginia’s Wayne Henderson happens to be one of the most famous guitar builders in the world. He has also been one of the best fingerpick guitarists in the country for many years. And yet, for the majority of his amazing career, Henderson has lived…

Established over forty years ago, The Lonesome River Band is known for its consistent sound and song presentation. The band has gone through many member changes over the years, but both Sammy Shelor (banjo) and Mike Hargrove (fiddle) have been there for most of those years. Current member Jesse Smathers (vocal, guitar, mandolin) joined when…