This time of year, you can’t skip a rock in the North Carolina mountains without accidentally hitting a musician or music venue. The region is chock full of bluegrass nights…
New Guide to NC Mountain Music
Got the Appalachian Blues?
You say mountain music, and I imagine the plingy-plang of a bluegrass band, but this relative newcomer is pre-dated by a slew of traditional Appalachian styles. We’ve got soaring Sunday…
Appalachian Influence: DC Bluegrass
What do you picture when you think about Washington, DC? Out of touch politicos? Conniving K Street lobbyists? CIA operatives coming up with wacky plans to free hostages in Iran?…
Grammy Award for Old Mountain Music?
I just noticed that the Grammys are tonight! Earlier, I posted a lovely from the Great Smoky Mountains Association, and I mentioned the organization’s surprise nomination for a Grammy award. Since the ceremony starts in a matter of hours, I thought you might like to learn more.
Melungeon Mystery Solved?
Nowadays, it seems that every other black-haired, mountain dweller claims Melungeon roots. The name refers to a specific set of families. Traditionally dark-featured and visibly different from their white, black…
An Appalachian Christmas: The Album
If you’re like me, you can’t even wait until the end of Thanksgiving Day to start playing Christmas music. I’m still cooking the bird when I crank up Elvis’ “Blue…
Hoedown on the High Seas
No need to drag your folding chairs to this hoedown. Mountain Song at Sea is the first ever floating bluegrass festival. It sails from Miami on February 1. The luxury ship Norwegian…
Big Easy Express
Remember Old Crow Medicine Show’s “tour of dreams?” This is their ride in vintage train cars from San Francisco to New Orleans. With two other alt-folkish bands–Mumford & Sons and…
New Songs for Your Summer Stories
While the celestial calendar tells us otherwise, it sure seems like summer starts on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. These long weekends are like bookends. Between them, you…
Zooey Deschanel: Woman Enough to Play Loretta Lynn
Y’all heard the news? TV star and indie music darling Zooey Deschanel will be playing Loretta on Broadway. I got this story straight from the good folks at LorettaLynn.com. *…