Bluegrass Music Profiles is out with their 4th annual Women In Bluegrass issue, with Dale Ann Bradley gracing the cover.

Since 2005, BMP has dedicated their November/December issue to the ladies, with both feature articles and regular columns focusing on the contributions of female bluegrass artists and personalities.

The cover article by Deborah Wilbrink follows the familiar BMP interview format. An example…

BMP: What are your two favorite bluegrass songs?

DALE ANN BRADLEY: John Deere Tractor remains one of my very favorite songs. Larry Sparks had a hit with it, and The Judds recorded it. I love One Way Track, it’s been a mainstay for Boone Creek, one of the songs that progressed bluegrass. Ricky [Skaggs] has recorded it too in recent times, both of those are standards for a generation.

Also found in the new issue:

• Rhonda Vincent – Christmas Memories
• Claire Lynch and Alecia Nugent – Bluegrass Favorites
• Frances Mooney – Shop Talk
• Carrie Hassler – Bluegrass Poster
• Jennifer Strickland – Songwriter Profile
• Bertie Sullivan – Promoter Profile
• Erica Brady – DJ Profile

Subscription and single-issue details can be found online.

Rural Rhythm Records signed cowboy crooner – and recent bluegrass convert – Michael Martin Murphey to a multi-album contract during last week’s IBMA convention in Nashville.

Murphey was in town to perform with a number of Rural Rhythm artists at IBMA, and to showcase two new singles from his next RR CD, Buckaroo Blue Grass 2, due in February 2010. The first is a remake of Wildfire, his 1975 radio hit, sung as a duet with Carrie Hassler, and the other a new MMM song, Running Gun, which tells a classic western story done up bluegrass style.

Michael and Carrie are especially stoked about getting to perform the new version of Wildfire during halftime at the SMU-Navy game in Dallas on October 17. Look for it to be released for digital download around the 17th.

Bluegrass folks seemed to warmly embrace Murphey at IBMA, and he returned the favor posing for photos and signing autographs for fans. He did a cameo during Audie Blaylok & Redline’s main stage showcase set where he was met with enthusiastic applause.

Buckaroo Blue Grass 2 will  feature a who’s who cast of bluegrass pickers, including Sam Bush, Charlie Cushman, Troy Engle, Pat Flynn, Andy Hall, Rob Ickes, Andy Leftwich among them.

Here are sneak peek samples of the two new singles.

Wildfire – Listen Now    

Running Gun – Listen Now    

Carrie Hassler and her fine young band have been touring in France this past week, and are blogging about their Gallic adventures online. They have already posted a bunch of photos and several videos with more to come before they head home.

They report that the trip has gone well, performing before 15,000 (with 2 encores) at the Country Rendez-Vous Festival in Crappone-Sur-Arzon, but it hasn’t been all fun and games.

Visit the Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain blog to see all the highlights from their French trip.

Banjo player Zach Gilmer has signed on with Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain, taking the spot recently vacated by Josh Miller.

The 17 year old from Charlottesville, VA has won first place trophies at a number of regional competitions, as well as the Virginia state banjo championship. Zach has also performed as a member of Gold Heart, and with other groups in central VA.

You can find Carrie’s tour schedule on the band’s web site, and on her MySpace page, for a chance to catch Carrie live with her hot new banjo boy.