Mitch Jayne of The Dillards, 1930-2010

Mitch Jayne, bass player and front man for the influential bluegrass band The Dillards, passed away Aug. 2 after being diagnosed with cancer recently. Although The Dillards toured and recorded for decades, helping to expose the world to the music of the Ozarks, they are best known for their recurring appearances on CBS-TV’s “The Andy Griffith Show,” in which they played The Darling Boys, a family of mountain musicians. The Dillards were inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame last year. [To read the full article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingMitch Jayne of The Dillards, 1930-2010

Bluegrass Album by the Late Sen.. Robert C. Byrd to be Reissued

Although he was best known as the longest-serving member of the United States Senate, Robert C. Byrd, who died Monday at 92, also was an old-time and bluegrass fiddler. On July 27, Virginia-based County Records plans to reissue a bluegrass album recorded by Byrd, who represented West Virginia for more than half a century in the Senate and also served as the chamber’s majority leader for 11 years. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingBluegrass Album by the Late Sen.. Robert C. Byrd to be Reissued

2010 Telluride Troubadour Competition Finals Set for June 17 & 18

The finals in the 2010 Telluride Troubadour Competition take place this week. Ten singer-songwriters will vie for a custom Shanti guitar, cash prizes, recognition, and the opportunity to perform on the main stage during the 37th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival that takes place in Colorado, June 17-20. [To view the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue Reading2010 Telluride Troubadour Competition Finals Set for June 17 & 18

Finalists Named in 2010 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

Finalists have been named in the 18th annual Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, hosted by MerleFest 2010, the popular roots-oriented music festival that takes place April 29-May 2 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingFinalists Named in 2010 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

MerleFest Lineup Announced; Early-bird Ticket Prices in Effect

Most of the lineup for MerleFest is now set, and early-bird ticket prices for one of America’s most popular roots-oriented music festivals are available through April 6. Celebrating the music of the late instrumental virtuoso Merle Watson and his father Doc Watson, the “traditional-plus” music festival features sounds of the Appalachian region and beyond -- ranging from bluegrass and Americana to old-time, country and roots music. It takes place April 29 – May 2 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. [To view the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingMerleFest Lineup Announced; Early-bird Ticket Prices in Effect

Congress Honors the Legacy of Lester Flatt

Bluegrass pioneer Lester Flatt, who died in 1979, is best known for having been a lead singer and guitarist with Bill Monroe back in the 1940s and for the two decades he spent with banjoist and fellow Bluegrass Boys alum Earl Scruggs as Flatt and Scruggs – a partnership that produced such bluegrass classics as “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” The U.S. House of Representatives, on Jan. 26, agreed to a sense resolution recognizing Flatt’s invaluable contribution to American art and the indelible legacy he left on bluegrass music. [To see the full text of the resolution, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingCongress Honors the Legacy of Lester Flatt

Joe Val Bluegrass Festival Near Boston Set for Feb. 12-14

The Boston Bluegrass Union hosts the 25th annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, February 12-14, at the Sheraton Framingham in Framingham, Massachusetts. The indoor festival, located 18 miles west of Boston, will feature regional and nationally touring bands, more than 40 master classes and workshops (for which pre-registration is required), directed slow jams and plenty of picking opportunities throughout the weekend. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingJoe Val Bluegrass Festival Near Boston Set for Feb. 12-14

Nominees Named for 36th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards

Dailey & Vincent and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage both scored eight nominations in the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) 36th Annual Bluegrass Music Awards. Winners will be announced during an awards show on February 7, 2010 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. The awards show is a centerpiece of the organization’s annual national convention. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingNominees Named for 36th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards

Initial Artist Lineup Announced for DelFest

The third annual DelFest at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Maryland does not take place until next Memorial Day Weekend. But bluegrass patriarch and nine-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Entertainer of the Year Del McCoury joined IBMA Broadcaster of the Year Katy Daley yesterday on WAMU’s “Bluegrass Country” to announce the initial lineup for the event and take calls from fans. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingInitial Artist Lineup Announced for DelFest

MerleFest 2010 Artists to be Announced on Oct. 22

MerleFest, one of America’s most popular roots-oriented music festivals, will announce its artist lineup for 2010 during a one-hour radio special on North Carolina public radio station WNCW (streaming online at www.wncw.org) on Thursday, October 22, at 8 p.m. EDT. [To read the entire article, click on the headline.]

Continue ReadingMerleFest 2010 Artists to be Announced on Oct. 22

2009 International Bluegrass Music Awards Bestowed

Dailey & Vincent retained the title of Entertainers of the Year when the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards were presented on Thursday, October 1, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The duo also was named Vocal Group of the Year. [To read the entire article and learn who all the winners are, click on the headline.]

Continue Reading2009 International Bluegrass Music Awards Bestowed