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The Gift of Carter

December 26, 2021

Carter Stanley
[sayit] Folks, August 27, 2021,  marked what would have been the 96th birthday for my father, Carter Stanley. For many people, their birthdays are a cause for celebration. I can only hope that my Daddy found some small comfort at those times. I know he had to be lonely for his mother and wife that [...]
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The Carter Scratch

February 8, 2021

Carter Family, The Carter Scratch
by Wayne Erbsen [sayit] They didn’t call her Mother Maybelle for nuthin.’ Nope. In addition to being the mother of three girls (Helen, Valerie June, and Anita), Maybelle Carter certainly earned the title of Mother of Bluegrass Guitar. Starting in 1927, her lead and rhythm guitar playing laid the foundation that was built upon by [...]
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The Truth About the Lester Flatt G Run

February 6, 2021

The Truth About the Lester Flatt G Run
[sayit]Bluegrass hero Lester Flatt had a lot to be proud of. One of his most lasting achievements was the G run that bears his name. You can hear this distinctive guitar run in practically every traditional bluegrass song that can be played on the guitar using a G shape chord. In its original form, it [...]
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Vern Williams

Author

January 1, 2021

Vern Williams, Vern Williams band, Vern and Ray

Vern Williams (December 9, 1930– June 6, 2006) Vern was a singer and mandolin player who wasinstrumental in introducing Bluegrass music to the West Coastof the United States. Williams was born in Newton County, Arkansas (or Bullfrog Valley, Pope County, Arkansas), as part of a musical family, that played either the fiddle, the guitar, or […]

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Orange Blossom Special

November 23, 2020

Orange Blossom
[sayit] The Orange Blossom Special was a deluxe passenger train which inspired the tune by the same name. The song was written and copyrighted by Ervin T. Rouse in 1938 and the first recording took place in 1939 by Ervin and Gordon Rouse. There has been a bit of controversy as to the original composer [...]
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The Big Bang Theory of Bluegrass

November 5, 2020

The Big Bang Theory of Bluegrass
[sayit] If the “big bang theory” helps to explain the origin of the universe, perhaps “the big bang theory of bluegrass” will shed some light on the origin of the bluegrass music universe. First, let me say that there are two schools of thought as to the origins of bluegrass music. One has Bill Monroe [...]
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Nine Pound Hammer

November 3, 2020

Nine Pound Hammer Tab
[sayit]When we talk about the most popular bluegrass songs, “Nine Pound Hammer” nearly always floats to the top. Let's follow the scent and try to sniff out the origins of this famous tune. After the Civil War, when able-bodied men were scarce, former slaves and convicts were conscripted to build tunnels and lay track in [...]
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FOX ON THE RUN

October 7, 2020

fox on the run
  The Country Gentlemen [sayit] In the early 1970s “Fox on the Run” was among the most requested bluegrass songs. Along with “Rocky Top,” a bluegrass band could scarcely play a show without fans yelling for “Rocky Top” or “Fox on the Run.” The song was written in 1968 by an Englishman named Tony Hazzard [...]
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Fightin’ Side of Me

September 27, 2020

Merle Haggard, Fightin Side of Me
[sayit] Merle Haggard was perhaps one of the most influential country music artists in his life. With songs of troubles, love and life, he was able to capture the attention of the public. His style remained true. Haggard held very little back. He wrote lyrics that came from his heart and he sang in just [...]
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Scotty Stoneman

March 13, 2022

Scott “Scotty” Stoneman b. August 4, 1932 d. March 4, 1973 Scotty Stoneman is known for his great talents in country and bluegrass fiddle.  A member of The Stoneman Family, Kentucky Colonels and the Bluegrass Champs, Scotty shared his love of the fiddle.  He was also a five time National fiddling champ which makes it […]

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Tom Riggs

March 13, 2022

Thomas W. “Tom” Riggs b. March 3, 1936 d. August 30, 2014 Tom Riggs was the founder and former owner of Pinecastle Records. He left an indelible mark on the bluegrass music industry and will be remembered not only for the way he conducted business but for the many artists that he encouraged and help establish. […]

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Bob Wills

March 6, 2022

James Robert “Bob” Wills b. March 6, 1905 d. May 13, 1975 Bob Wills was an American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the co-founder of Western swing, he was universally known as the King of Western Swing (although Spade Cooley self-promoted the moniker “King Of Western Swing” from 1942 […]

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July 2022 Bluegrass Festivals

Author

February 4, 2022

February, December. festival, bluegrass music, june, july, augustfestivals, January. February, march , April, may, June, October, September, July, November, JANUARY

July Bluegrass Festival links for 2022. Click on festival names to visit their website for more information, band line up, and tickets.  2022 Bluegrass Music Festivals In July. Remington Ryde Bluegrass FestivalJune 30th through the 3rd, 2022 in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman.July 1st, 8th & 22nd in Nashville, Tennessee. Wheeler County […]

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June 2022 Bluegrass Festivals

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February 4, 2022

February, December. festival, bluegrass music, june, july, augustfestivals, January. February, march , April, may, June, October, September, July, November, JANUARY

June Bluegrass Festival links for 2022.Click on titles to visit event websites for more information.  2022 Bluegrass Music Festivals In June NEPA Bluegrass Festival.June 2nd through the 5th in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania. Bluegrass BBQ Fest, Jun 3rd and 4th in Lexington, Kentucky. Back Forty Bluegrass Festival,June 2nd-5th in Curryville, Missouri. Pickin’ on the Plains.Jun 3rd through the […]

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May 2022 Bluegrass Festivals

Author

February 4, 2022

February, December. festival, bluegrass music, june, july, augustfestivals, January. February, march , April, may, June, October, September, July, November, JANUARY

May Bluegrass festival links for 2022. Click on the festival names to visit event websites for  2022 Bluegrass Music Festivals in May Silver Dollar City Bluegrass and BBQ Festival May 4th through the 30th in Branson, Missouri. Mr. B’s Bluegrass Festival. May 5th through the 7th, 2022 in Woodford, Virginia. Parkfield Bluegrass Festival. May 5th through […]

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April 2022 Bluegrass Festivals

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January 14, 2022

February, December. festival, bluegrass music, june, july, augustfestivals, January. February, march , April, may, June, October, September, July, November, JANUARY
Click on festival titles to visit event websites for more information. 2022 April Bluegrass Festivals. WinterWonderGrass, April 1st through the 4th in Squaw Valley, California. Florida State Bluegrass Festival. April 1st and 2nd in Perry, Florida. Tucson Folk Festival April 2nd and 3rd in Tucson, Arizona. Bluegrass Heritage Festival April 8 – 10 h in Farmers [...]
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J. D. Crowe – Train 45

Author

December 27, 2021

J. D. Crowe – Train 45 James Dee Crowe (August 27, 1937 – December 24, 2021), an American banjo player and bluegrass bandleader. He first became known during his four-year stint with Jimmy Martin in the 1950s. Crowe was the leader of the bluegrass group New South from 1971 until his death in 2021. Crowe was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His first […]