Articles

Growing up in Kenton, Ohio, Mayfield played bass, guitar, and mandolin in his family band. As his music and songwriting skills progressed, he found himself playing in bands like Cadillac Sky, the Avett Brothers, and Mumford and Sons. He also accompanied his folk-artist sister, Jessica Lea Mayfield.  He formed his Mayfield Parade in 2011 and…

Much of the old-timey charm of Big Country Bluegrass is their flair for dusting off and re-enlivening some largely forgotten gems of yesteryear. The title track of the band’s sixth album for Rebel Records (and first in six years) was first written and recorded by Dave Evans back in the 1970s. “Midnight Storm” is an…

On the Road with The Travelin’ McCourys It’s 3:45 p.m. on Friday, April 11, and banjoist Rob McCoury of the Travelin’ McCourys is chilling behind the historic Park Theatre in McMinnville, Tennessee. Almost four hours remain before the band takes the stage, but much work needs to be done before the first note of the…

Carl Bentley was originally from Eastern Kentucky and grew up in a musical family. While honing his singing skills, he also developed a fondness and talent for songwriting. Unfortunately, he was in an auto accident in 1966 that almost ended his life. After his recovery, he started performing bluegrass music while working in software development….

Kentucky-born, Wyoming-raised Shelby Means has been around the music biz for a while. She’s a former member of the acclaimed band Della Mae and more recently has served as the bass player with Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway. Thus, it’s no surprise that her debut album is such an accomplished and assured outing. Means has…

Songs That Made Charlene Cry Bluegrass Hall of Famer Rodney Dillard uses two criteria when choosing what he’ll do next in music—Is it too much hassle, and is it fun? His decision to write and record The Dillards’ latest album, Songs That Made Charlene Cry, fit just right. He had mulled over the idea for…