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The Doc at 100 Group (left to right): Dr. Ted Olson, T. Michael Coleman, Jack Lawrence, Jack Hinshelwood, Wayne Henderson. // Photo by Dan Mirolli

Classics Never Go Out of Style

March 3rd, 2023 would have been Doc Watson’s 100th birthday.  His influence on bluegrass and old-time music is undeniable. For guitar players, learning to flatpick Doc’s version of “Blackberry Blossom” and fingerpick “Deep River Blues” was almost considered a rite of passage.  Countless players spent countless hours slowing Doc’s records down so they could steal…

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I Am A Pilgrim

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Doc Watson’s birth, FLi Records/Budde Music have released an impressive tribute CD that both honors the indelible legacy of the guitarist and singer from Deep Gap, North Carolina, while involving musicians and styles far from Doc’s country roots.       I Am A Pilgrim features tracks from bluegrass stars…

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The Tate Brothers/Gospel Trio. Left to right: Bob Tate, Jim Tate, and Dan Hatfield. Photo courtesy of Shari Ann Tate Holmberg/Tate Family

Notes & Queries – June 2023

Queries  I just borrowed a copy of a release on John’s Gospel Records, RI-1635, 12” vinyl 33 1/3 RPM.  Side A appears to be the Stanley Brothers with the same song list as Wango 103, while Side B is Clyde Moody, the Tate Brothers & the Gospel Trio, along with recitations by Ray Davis.  There…

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Annie Savage. // Photo by Josh Elioseff

Annie Savage

And the Free-Strings Curriculum Several weeks ago I received a press release from Turnberry Records announcing their launch of a new “Education Division.”  The release explained that the first launch of the new division was called “Free Strings—Join The Jam.”  They stated that in initiating this curriculum they were partnering with fiddler Annie Savage, veteran performer…

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Losing Game

David Peterson, a bonafide purveyor of the bluegrass spirit, delivers just that in his latest work Losing Game. There are stories of heartbreak, the country life, and many other facets to this album. Within all those things we find Peterson giving a pure transmission of Monroe’s spirit paired with the essence Hank Williams, while the…

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Living In The South 

This is a nice traditional project by this Kentucky-based brother duo, which highlights not only some other ‘brother acts,’ like the Delmore’s, Louvin’s, and Stanley’s, but also features selections from such folks as Bill Monroe, Roy Acuff, Scotty Wiseman, and others.  Twins brothers Adam and Aaron have gathered together some great side men to round…

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