Bluegrass Country

Thistle and Shamrock - 07/04/2009
A Broader Canvas - We shift the spotlight away from Scottish and Irish music this week to illuminate the rich traditions of Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Galicia, Asturias, Wales and Brittany.

About Thistle and Shamrock

Sat. 6 p.m. ET

Host Fiona Ritchie explores the evolving Celtic musical traditions of Europe and North America, from the ancient tradition of reels, jigs, and ballads to the pulse of new music: an exuberant blend of rhythms, voices and instruments. Read more

If you are a fan of Thistle and Shamrock you may also enjoy: Traditions with Mary Cliff

Snowshoe Bluegrass Festival

Jen Hitt and Echo are at the Snowshoe Bluegrass Festival in West Virginia!

Technology Free Weekend!
Our laptop has busted , our cell phones don’t get reception in the interest of greater science, namely the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, which benefits from quiet skies. . But there is plenty of coffee…. oh and BLUEGRASS!!!
continue reading…

The weekend’s lineup will include 2008 International Bluegrass Music Awards Entertainer and Album of the Year recipients Dailey and Vincent, Grammy Nominated Dan Tyminski and local favorites Wilson Creek and the Hillbilly Gypsies. Saturday’s concert will be followed by a stunning mountaintop fireworks display celebrating Indepedence Day.

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Ticket Giveaway

Banjo Lesson From Reston Music

Enter to win one banjo lesson at Reston Music from an experienced Reston Music banjo teacher!

Continue reading for more details.

July 4th Programming!

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

2-5 p.m. ET LIVE broadcast from the 43rd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall. Bluegrass Country’s Mary Cliff, Lee Michael Demsey, and Hubie King broadcast with Frank Hennessey, host of Celtic Heartbeat on BBC radio Wales, to highlight traditional music, the Folklife Festival and the 4th of July.

More July 4th Programming…

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Happy Independence Day!

The Bluegrass Blog would like to wish a happy Independence Day to all our US readers - with a hearty “no hard feelings” to our friends in England. To help put everyone in a festive mood, here’s a video of Ross Nickerson performing a medley of patriotic songs on the five string banjo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpPB-5szmdM banjo, Bluegrass At Large
IBMA discounts end Wednesday

Just a quick reminder for anyone planning to attend the IBMA World of Bluegrass convention and Fan Fest this fall, but hasn’t yet registered (like me), that the $100 discount off the full registration fee ends on Tuesday (7/7) at midnight. You can register online 24/7, or call the office in Nashville during business hours (888-438-4262). See [...]
Ask Doyle, part 6

Learn the name of Doyle Lawson’s bus in this sixth episdoe of the Ask Doyle web series. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHU0R9b233M Doyle Lawson
Dixie Bee-Liners do Folk Alley

Dixie Bee-Liners were a guest on Tuesday’s edition of Folk Alley on NPR. Both audio and video from the show can be found on the Folk Alley page at NPR.org. The full 25 minute audio from their visit can be heard, which includes an interview with the band and a number of live performances of songs [...]
Thailand Country & Bluegrass festival 2009

The Thailand Country & Bluegrass festival that debuted last year is set for a repeat engagement in 2009. The event has been a labor of love for festival organizer Thanit Tanitapanee, who has worked hard to see this come to light. He tells us that a growing segment of the Thai people are interested in country [...]
Two new Sam Bush videos

Sam Bush has two new videos on YouTube, sharing what has been consuming much of his time this year so far. First up is a sneak peek at the recording of his upcoming Sugar Hill CD, which he has told us will be much more of an acoustic project than his last few albums. He won’t [...]
Brandon Rickman - Young Man, Old Soul

2009 has been kind to Lonesome River Band so far. Their latest CD, No Turning Back, has been lighting up the bluegrass charts, holding the current #1 spot on both the album and singles spots in the Bluegrass Unlimited July Bluegrass Survey. Seeing the value of their partnership with Rural Rhythm Records, LRB lead singer and [...]
New IBMA Board members announced

The seating of five newly-elected members of the Board of Directors for the International Bluegrass Music Association has just been announced. Three incumbent board members return to their seats along with two new members to fill the Board’s full complement of 17 members. From IBMA’s press release… Alison Brown, an executive with Compass Records and an award [...]
Grascals 2009 video report

The Grascals have put together an informal video to keep their fans up to date with all their comings and goings this year. Jamie Johnson, Terry Eldridge and Danny Roberts take turns interviewing each other as they talk about visiting the White House, recording with Hank Williams Jr., and performing for actor Steven Segal’s birthday [...]
Hillbilly Goddess winner announced

Alecia Nugent has announced the winner in her online Hillbilly Goddess contest where fans were invited to submit essays promoting the cause of their own better halves as the one, true Hillbilly Goddess. The contest was born of the lyrics to the title track to Alecia’s latest CD, a clever and quite funny song she wrote [...]

Bluegrass sites we like

Smithsonian Folkways

Supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound.
The D.C. Bluegrass Union

Since 2003, the DC Bluegrass Union has been a federally-recognized not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting Bluegrass music in the Washington DC and surrounding areas.
The Official California Bluegrass Association

The California Bluegrass Association (CBA) is a California Non-Profit Corporation which was founded in 1975 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The CBA is dedicated to the furtherance of Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Gospel Music in California.
International Bluegrass Music Museum

Located in the RiverPark Center Complex in Owensboro, KY, this state-of-the-art facility displays the history of bluegrass music through interpretive exhibits, films, recordings, photographs, posters, costumes and instruments.
International Bluegrass Association

IBMA: Working together for high standards of professionalism, a greater appreciation for our music, and the success of the worldwide bluegrass community.