NYT: Celebrating the Sounds of Appalachian Strings
The New York Times travel section recently ran an article highlighting the 85th annual Ole Time Fiddler’s and Bluegrass Festival in Union Grove, N.C.
The article is a full two pages long and presents the festival and accompanying contest in a positive light. Quite a bit of attention is given to the younger generation of players who are now competing and jamming at these events.
The author was obviously not a bluegrass and old-time aficionado, but appears to have really enjoyed himself at the festival. I can’t help but think many more people would respond in like manner. They may not know much about the music, may even have some preconceived notions concerning it, but get them to a live event and let them experience the excitement and musicality of it, and they’ll walk away at least having enjoyed themselves, if not having become a disciple of the genre.


The New York Times has an interesting article published last Friday (2/22) entitled A Journey Shaped by a Guitar. It gives an insight into the workings of the famous Martin Guitar company's Nazareth, Pennsylvania, factory.
Spoken of in terms of being a tourist attraction, it outlines what a visitor...
The Lowell Folk Festival in Lowell, MA takes place July 29-31. The sole ambassador of bluegrass music at this year's event is Dale Ann Bradley.
From the Lowell Folk Festival website:
Like her eastern Kentucky sisters and predecessors, Dale Ann is blessed with a voice rich with emotion and force,...
The current issue of Teen Strings magazine has a story titled How To Train For A Fiddle Contest. It's written by John Boulware, who at age 19 is the 2006 Tennessee fiddle champ.
Teen Strings is a quarterly print magazine from String Letter Publishing, who also publishes Strings Magazine. The magazine...
As a young man just gaining an interest in bluegrass music, the bluegrass festival was almost heaven for me. One of the first festivals I can remember attending was at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. I grew up there in Missouri so it seems natural I would have fond memories of this festival. This...
The DC Bluegrass Union has announced plans to hold the first-ever DC Bluegrass Festival in Spring 2010.
The announcement and the unveiling of the DC Bluegrass Festival logo was the focal point of the 1st annual DCBU Fundraiser Gala where, following a festive sit-down dinner in the home of Regina and...
This past weekend marked the 30th anniversary of Stompin' 76, a huge music festival held near Galax, VA. Estimates of the attendance ranged between 70,000 and 100,000 people over three days. The festival was promoted by Hal Abramson, a young first time promoter who pooled resources within his circle...




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