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Lester Flatt
Bluegrass Original Photos from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine archives Some bluegrass enthusiasts like to argue about how and when bluegrass music, as we know it today, was founded and by whom. Some will say that it was founded and developed by Bill Monroe. There is certainly a good solid argument for that point of view. Regardless…
The New Sound of Bluegrass America
The story of one of America’s greatest bluegrass bands begins in Maine in the French-speaking home of Eric and Mildred LeBlanc. The LeBlanc family was of French-Canadian stock from New Brunswick, Canada, and they were a musical lot. Three of the LeBlanc sons were especially musical. Sometime around 1950, the family began using the Anglicized…
Live at Greenfield Lake
If there’s a complaint to be made about the Steep Canyon Rangers’ 2021 live album North Carolina Songbook, it’s that it was too short. At eight songs, the album covered a range of artists from Thelonious Monk to James Taylor to Ben E. King to Doc Watson. It met rave reviews and was nominated for…
Bluegrass Tracks
Andy Statman grew up in Queens on rock and roll music, took mandolin lessons from David Grisman, wanted his Jewish heritage to be a part of his art and his work is described on his website as “spontaneous American-roots music and personal, prayerful hasidic music, by way of avant-garde jazz.” So naturally, listeners would expect…
Williamson Branch
Here’s to the next 10 years! Williamson Branch, a family bluegrass band featuring parents Kevin and Debbie Williamson with daughters, Melody Williamson Keyes, Kadence Williamson Reynolds, and Caroline Williamson, celebrated 10 years of performing in 2024. With six albums and a Christmas DVD under their belts, a 2020 “Best Vocalist” IBMA Momentum Award for Melody,…
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry
Photo by Scott Simontacchi After fifteen years playing together, Mike Compton and Joe Newberry are releasing their first studio album Home in My Heart. The project combines new arrangements of old standards and original songs with a traditional flavor, delivered clean and spare. The result showcases their unique blend of vocal harmony and instrumental virtuosity….