The Jan/Feb issue of Bluegrass Music Profiles features a cover story interview with Ricky Skaggs where he discusses the first time he and Keith Whitley met The Stanley Brothers, the day he witnessed Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt perform together again at Bean Blossom in the early seventies following a 20-plus year feud, and what bluegrass groups and CDs he’s currently listening to.

Referring to his catalog of music, Ricky said:

"There’s a lot of great music in the past that I’m very proud of but I just feel like I haven’t even hit my stride yet. I’m 54 and I’m looking for more."

You’ll also find a DJ Profile with Pete Hart, a Q&A with Tim Hensley, coverage of the Vicki Simmons Benefit Concert in Renfro Valley, KY, a ShopTalk with Jerry Douglas, Junior Sisk’s Bluegrass Favorites, a Promoter Profile with the Florida Bluegrass Festival’s Dawn Taylor, a Songwriter Profile with High Windy’s Patrick McDougal, as well as the 2009 Annual Festival Guide.

Find full details online.

Well, not yet…but she soon will.

Pikeville, TN, Hassler’s hometown, will be presenting her with the Key to the City next month. Pikeville Mayor, Greg Johnson, will make the presentation and proclaim Carrie Hassler Day, on December 5, 2008. There will be a reception from 5-8 pm at the Perfect Light Gallery located at 421 Spring Street, Pikeville, TN.

I’ve never been given a key to a city, does it allow for unrestricted access to everything, or only public and municipal buildings?

In related news, Carrie is also the cover feature in the November/December 2008 issue of Bluegrass Music Profiles. This is the 3rd Annual Women in Bluegrass issue for the mag.

The November/December 2008 edition of Bluegrass Music Profiles (BMP) is now available according to a note that I received this morning from the publishers, Bluegrass Publications, LLC.

This new edition carries the legend “3rd Annual Women In Bluegrass Issue,” and it features articles about Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, Sierra Hull, Jeanette Williams, and Next Best Thing (Tensel and Sally Sandker). In addition you’ll find in its pages a DJ Profile with Andrea Bradstreet, ShopTalk with Casey Henry, Songwriter Profile with Donna Ulisse, and a Promoter Profile with Chris Palmer of RiverCity Bluegrass Festival.

BMP is currently soliciting submissions from promoters regarding their 2009 festival dates for a free listing in the magazine’s annual festival guide, to be included in the January/February 2009 edition.

Women in Bluegrass is also the theme of this week’s Music from Foggy Hollow, airing on WAMU’s Bluegrass Country. The show is hosted by Australian Mike Kear and is offered 6 times weekly over the 24/7 streaming audio feed at bluegrasscountry.org.

Mike says that every song played on this week’s show will either be all-female, or feature a female performer. A number of selections from the newest Daughters Of Bluegrass CD, Bluegrass Bouquet, will be played, along with an interview with co-producer and songwriter Dixie Hall.

Look for Mike’s show Tuesday at 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Thursday at 10:00 p.m., and Friday at noon. All times eastern.

The new Bluegrass Music Profiles is out, with The Grascals on the cover.

The September/October ‘08 issue finds Grascals Jamie Johnson and Danny Roberts interviewed about the band’s latest CD, Keep On Walkin’, their newest member (fiddler Jeremy Abshire), and their dream of someday becoming members of The Grand Ole Opry.

You’ll also find an interview with The Gibson Brothers, a Shop Talk column with Ron Block, a history of the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Celebration, and a discussion with songwriter Chris Jones.

Full details on BMP can be found on their web site.