Nashville, TN -- Grammy-nominated bluegrass sensation, The Steep Canyon Rangers are anticipating the imminent release of their debut Rounder Records recorded effort “Nobody Knows You.” They are pushing the boundaries of bluegrass and making it accessible to both traditional and progressive audiences of this genre.
Nashville, TN -- Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent of Dailey & Vincent are proud to announce that Jessie Baker will join the band as banjo player and harmony vocalist. Acclaimed banjoist and vocalist Joe Dean, a founding member of Dailey & Vincent's band, will pursue other endeavors.Jessie Baker
HoustonFest has signed 14 time GRAMMY® Award-winner Ricky Skaggs. Over the course of his 40 year career, Ricky Skaggs has won 14 Grammy Awards, 8 CMA Awards, 8 ACM Awards, 11 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards, 2 Dove Awards and countless others. HoustonFest 2012 will be held at Felts Park in Galax, Va. on May 4 & 5.
Ferrum, VA -- Since the release last year of The Heart Of A Song, the second CD on Rebel Records from Junior Sisk And Ramblers Choice, the band has celebrated much success as the project continues to maintain significant support from radio programmers and fans alike. The first single from the CD, "A Far Cry From Lester And Earl" is topping bluegrass charts nationally and has reached #1 for Bluegrass Unlimited's Top 30 National Songs chart for April 2012.
Chilmark, MA, April 2, 2012—The April 2012 issue of the Banjo Newsletter focuses on Ross Nickerson, founder of BanjoTeacher.com, a popular instructional site. Making a living with the banjo has always been a challenge, and the current economy certainly hasn't made it any easier. But undeterred by the times and facing great odds, Ross Nickerson has succeeded at doing exactly that very thing.
Saturday, April 14th, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of bluegrass music by Raymond McLain and the Morehead State University Traditional Music Ensemble. Admission to the concert is $7 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free. Raymond McLain has been performing at Carter Family shows since Janette Carter first began presenting concerts in the old A.P. Carter Grocery in 1974 - first with his family, the McLain Family Band - and later with ETSU when he was head of the ETSU Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music program.
By Joe Ross
Mandomaniacs and acoustic music lovers far and wide will rejoice in knowing that Akira Otsuka has released his first solo album project, First Tear. The eclectic mandolin player"s name is well known among aficionados of that instrument. In fact, Otsuka-san is a frequent contributor of helpful information and advice on the Mandolin Café forum.
It was a very special night last Saturday as determined fans braved hail and rain to hear bluegrass music group Greg Cahill and Special Consensus perform with the Americana group Belfry Fellows. The concert was the final performance in a series to benefit Providence Minisitries men's shelter in Dalton, Georgia.
College Station, TX -- World-class family entertainment is coming to the Brazos Valley during the weekends of April, 2012 in the form of a festival that harkens back to a time where strong families and strong values shaped America. Bluebonnets & Bluegrass - A Festival of Yesteryear brings National Headliner Bluegrass Acts, unique shopping, nostalgic foods, and a heart-warming step back in time each Saturday and Sunday throughout April.
Irvine, KY -- Kindred Records has signed a record deal with North Carolina Gospel Bluegrass group Kevin Carter and Full Assurance. The new project Not Looking Back is scheduled for release in May 2012, and the first single "Heavens Bluegrass Stage" is now available for digital release to radio on AirPlayDirect. The project includes 12 tracks, with 11 original songs written by Kevin Carter.
Lyons, CO -- Ten years ago Yonder Mountain String Band, already stars of the RockyGrass and Telluride stages, organized a celebration for their fans (dubbed "kinfolk") at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons. The modest single-day event grew to two inspiring days by the following year, with camping and numerous musical kin sharing the Lyons stage.
Our favorite bluegrass uncle, Uncle Phil Leadbetter is battling to get a handle on his Hodgkins Disease -- a form of cancer. Doctors are still doing surgery and trying to find a cocktail that will bring this disease under control. The rising medical costs are putting a great burden on him and his family. To help with this, a grand benefit program featuring many of the top bluegrass artists today will take place Sunday at The Paramount in Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee.
Jeff & Sheri Easter are anticipating their fourth annual Homecoming to bring the best of Southern Gospel music to Lincolnton, Georgia. Among the world-class award-winning talent coming to help raise funds for the Lewis Family Homeplace Restoration Fund are Ivan Parker, the Perrys, the Primitive Quartet and some special appearances.
Like everyone else that loves bluegrass music and the banjo, I was saddened to hear the news of Earl Scruggs' passing. Terry Smith, bass player with The Grascals, called me at my parents' house in South Carolina to give me the news. Though I didn't know him well, I immediately felt a void because his life has had so much impact on mine. In fact, anyone that plays traditional 3-finger, bluegrass banjo (which is almost every banjo player in the world) owes their craft to Earl Scruggs. Even the players that unfortunately haven't listened to him first-hand, should understand that their primary influence is still Earl Scruggs.
Burlington, MA -- Multi-talented Grammy® and Emmy winning actor/comedian/musician and bestselling author Steve Martin will perform on the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Martin will showcase the banjo on a unique collaboration with ACM "Vocal Group of the Year" nominees Rascal Flatts during a performance of their new single "Banjo." The Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM live ET / delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
Nashville, TN -- Grammy-nominated bluegrass sensation, The Steep Canyon Rangers are anticipating the imminent release of their debut Rounder Records recorded effort “Nobody Knows You.” They are pushing the boundaries of bluegrass and making it accessible to both traditional and progressive audiences of this genre.
Nashville, TN -- Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent of Dailey & Vincent are proud to announce that Jessie Baker will join the band as banjo player and harmony vocalist. Acclaimed banjoist and vocalist Joe Dean, a founding member of Dailey & Vincent's band, will pursue other endeavors.Jessie Baker
HoustonFest has signed 14 time GRAMMY® Award-winner Ricky Skaggs. Over the course of his 40 year career, Ricky Skaggs has won 14 Grammy Awards, 8 CMA Awards, 8 ACM Awards, 11 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Awards, 2 Dove Awards and countless others. HoustonFest 2012 will be held at Felts Park in Galax, Va. on May 4 & 5.
Ferrum, VA -- Since the release last year of The Heart Of A Song, the second CD on Rebel Records from Junior Sisk And Ramblers Choice, the band has celebrated much success as the project continues to maintain significant support from radio programmers and fans alike. The first single from the CD, "A Far Cry From Lester And Earl" is topping bluegrass charts nationally and has reached #1 for Bluegrass Unlimited's Top 30 National Songs chart for April 2012.
Chilmark, MA, April 2, 2012—The April 2012 issue of the Banjo Newsletter focuses on Ross Nickerson, founder of 
Saturday, April 14th, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, will present a concert of bluegrass music by Raymond McLain and the Morehead State University Traditional Music Ensemble. Admission to the concert is $7 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 11, under age 6 free. Raymond McLain has been performing at Carter Family shows since Janette Carter first began presenting concerts in the old A.P. Carter Grocery in 1974 - first with his family, the McLain Family Band - and later with ETSU when he was head of the ETSU Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music program.
By Joe Ross
It was a very special night last Saturday as determined fans braved hail and rain to hear bluegrass music group Greg Cahill and Special Consensus perform with the Americana group Belfry Fellows. The concert was the final performance in a series to benefit Providence Minisitries men's shelter in Dalton, Georgia.
College Station, TX -- World-class family entertainment is coming to the Brazos Valley during the weekends of April, 2012 in the form of a festival that harkens back to a time where strong families and strong values shaped America. Bluebonnets & Bluegrass - A Festival of Yesteryear brings National Headliner Bluegrass Acts, unique shopping, nostalgic foods, and a heart-warming step back in time each Saturday and Sunday throughout April.
Irvine, KY -- Kindred Records has signed a record deal with North Carolina Gospel Bluegrass group Kevin Carter and Full Assurance. The new project Not Looking Back is scheduled for release in May 2012, and the first single "Heavens Bluegrass Stage" is now available for digital release to radio on AirPlayDirect. The project includes 12 tracks, with 11 original songs written by Kevin Carter.
Lyons, CO -- Ten years ago Yonder Mountain String Band, already stars of the RockyGrass and Telluride stages, organized a celebration for their fans (dubbed "kinfolk") at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons. The modest single-day event grew to two inspiring days by the following year, with camping and numerous musical kin sharing the Lyons stage.
Our favorite bluegrass uncle, Uncle Phil Leadbetter is battling to get a handle on his Hodgkins Disease -- a form of cancer. Doctors are still doing surgery and trying to find a cocktail that will bring this disease under control. The rising medical costs are putting a great burden on him and his family. To help with this, a grand benefit program featuring many of the top bluegrass artists today will take place Sunday at The Paramount in Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee.
Jeff & Sheri Easter are anticipating their fourth annual Homecoming to bring the best of Southern Gospel music to Lincolnton, Georgia. Among the world-class award-winning talent coming to help raise funds for the Lewis Family Homeplace Restoration Fund are Ivan Parker, the Perrys, the Primitive Quartet and some special appearances.
Like everyone else that loves bluegrass music and the banjo, I was saddened to hear the news of Earl Scruggs' passing. Terry Smith, bass player with The Grascals, called me at my parents' house in South Carolina to give me the news. Though I didn't know him well, I immediately felt a void because his life has had so much impact on mine. In fact, anyone that plays traditional 3-finger, bluegrass banjo (which is almost every banjo player in the world) owes their craft to Earl Scruggs. Even the players that unfortunately haven't listened to him first-hand, should understand that their primary influence is still Earl Scruggs.
Burlington, MA -- Multi-talented Grammy® and Emmy winning actor/comedian/musician and bestselling author Steve Martin will perform on the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Martin will showcase the banjo on a unique collaboration with ACM "Vocal Group of the Year" nominees Rascal Flatts during a performance of their new single "Banjo." The Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM live ET / delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.