Bluegrass & Beyond
Nickel Creek Reunites, Sets Spring Tour

Nickel Creek Reunites, Sets Spring Tour

Nickel Creek, the popular progressive acoustic trio that went on a self-described “indefinite hiatus” in 2007, is reuniting. To mark its 25th anniversary, the Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum-selling band will embark on a U.S. tour this spring and summer and is at work on a new album. [To read the full article and view a video of Nickel Creek performing a song from its forthcoming album, click on the headline.]
Winners Named in 40th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards

Winners Named in 40th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards

The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) presented its 40th Annual Bluegrass Music Awards on February 2, 2014 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Winners in 23 categories were honored during an awards show that capped the nonprofit organization’s national convention. [To read the full article and see the list of winners, click on the headline.]

Presenting Bluegrass is Panel’s Focus at 2014 APAP Conference

“Presenting Bluegrass: Engaging a New Audience” was the topic of a special interest professional development session during the 57th Annual Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) Conference held in New York City, Jan. 10-14, 2014. [To continue reading the article, click on the headline.]
IBMA Presents Awards for 2013

IBMA Presents Awards for 2013

The Gibson Brothers were named Entertainer of the Year during the 24th Annual Bluegrass Music Awards show on Thursday night, Sept. 26, at Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was the second straight year that the quintet from upstate New York received the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s top honor. [To read the entire article and see who else received awards and honors, click on the headline.]
Top Albums and Songs of August 2013 (FOLKDJ-L)

Top Albums and Songs of August 2013 (FOLKDJ-L)

Alice Gerrard's Bittersweet, the first recording of all original songs by one of the pioneering women in bluegrass and old-time music, was the most-played album on folk radio during August 2013, according to charts compiled by Richard Gillmann from radio playlists submitted to FOLKDJ-L, an electronic discussion group for DJs and others interested in all folk-based music on the radio. Closely following it were the debut album by The Barn Birds (the singer-songwriter duo of Jonathan Byrd and Chris Kokesh)and Si Kahn's Bristol Bay, which was July's most-played album. [The Top Albums and Songs charts are posted with permission on AcousticMusicScene.com. To view them, click on the headline.]
Nominees Named for 2013 International Bluegrass Music Awards

Nominees Named for 2013 International Bluegrass Music Awards

The Gibson Brothers top the list of nominees for the 2013 International Bluegrass Music Awards that were announced during an August 14 news conference at Nashville’s Loveless Barn. The reigning Entertainers of the Year, who hail from upstate New York, garnered a collective eight nominations. Following them were Balsam Range with seven nominations and The Boxcars, Alison Kraus & Union Station and Russell Moore & 111rd Tyme Out with six nods each. Winners will be announced during the International Bluegrass Music Awards Show in Raleigh, North Carolina on Sept. 26. [To read the full article and see the entire list of nominees, click on the headline.]
Old Settler's Music Festival Set for April 18-21

Old Settler’s Music Festival Set for April 18-21

The roots, bluegrass and Americana-oriented Old Settler’s Music Festival returns to the Salt Lick BBQ Pavilion and Camp Ben McCulloch in Driftwood, Texas, April 18-21. Now in its 26th year, the festival is not as well-known outside the state as some others in the Austin area – and that’s part of its allure. Old Settler’s Music Festival also takes place during what’s usually the height of Texas Hill Country’s bluebonnet and wildflower season. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]
Registration Now Open for World of Bluegrass 2013

Registration Now Open for World of Bluegrass 2013

Bluegrass music’s annual industry gathering and family reunion is uprooting from its Nashville base and headed for Raleigh, North Carolina, Sept. 24-28. Registration is now open for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)’s World of Bluegrass 2013 events. [To read the article in its entirety, click on the headline.]
Chris Thile Awarded MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant

Chris Thile Awarded MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant

Chris Thile, 31, a multi-instrumentalist and composer best known for his role as virtuosic mandolinist and singer for the Grammy Award-winning progressive acoustic trio Nickel Creek and currently with the Punch Brothers, has been awarded a “Genius” grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. As a MacArthur Foundation Fellow, he will receive an unrestricted award of $500,000 over the next five years. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]
International Bluegrass Music Awards Presented for 2012

International Bluegrass Music Awards Presented for 2012

The Gibson Brothers, winners of last year’s Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year awards, were named Entertainer of the Year during this year’s 23rd Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards show on Thursday night, Sept. 27, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. This ended a three year winning streak by Steve Martin & The Steep Canyon Rangers that had been preceded by another three-year streak by the popular duo Dailey & Vincent.. [To read the full article and learn of all the other winners and honorees, click on the headline].
Banjo Symposium at UNC-Chapel Hill, Aug. 25

Banjo Symposium at UNC-Chapel Hill, Aug. 25

“The Banjo: Southern Roots, American Branches” will be explored during s series of free lectures and panel discussions presented by The Southern Folklife Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012. The symposium, extending from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will be followed in the evening with a 7:30 p.m. concert showcasing the banjo at the campus’ Memorial Hall featuring Tony Trischka, Riley Baugus with Kirk Sutphin, and Don Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]

Bluegrass Pioneer Everett Lilly, 1924-2012

Funeral services will be held on Sunday for Everett Lilly, one of the forefathers of bluegrass music, who died May 8 at his home in southern West Virginia. He was 87. [To read the article in its entirety, click on the headline.]