Billy Strings new album, Me and Dad, due out November 18

 Bluegrass sensation Billy Strings has announced the release of his new album, Me and Dad, due out November 18, 2022.  

Interview: Yonder Mountain String Band’s Adam Aijala on getting outside

 It was great to catch up with my man Adam Aijala from Yonder Mountain String Band to chat about their new album 'Get Yourself Outside.' Swing by AmericanaUK to check it out.

"A few short months later the world shut down due to COVID. The band was undeterred and sent out to write a new album in this odd new world. The result is the stunning ‘Get Yourself Outside’. An album that exemplifies the best of Yonder with their forward-thinking approach to bluegrass, while at the same time finding new sonic ground upon which to explore, as well as highlighting the recent addition of Nick Piccininni."

Interview: Yonder Mountain String Band’s Adam Aijala on getting outside

Chris Castino & Fresh Pickles

It has been such a treat to listen to my man Chris Castino's new album "Fresh Pickles." Chris set out with Wisconsin based bluegrass outfit CHICKEN WIRE EMPIRE to re-imagine tunes from his deep The Big Wu catalog. The result is the stunning “Fresh Pickles,” which is both comfortable and eye-opening at the same time.

“Fresh Pickles” represents a complete reinvention of classic Wu/ Castino tunes – there’s new life and soul breathed into each song. I have been listening to the music of the Big Wu nearly 25 years and this album has rediscovered new avenues upon which to explore each song. Its like hearing all of them again for the first time.

Swing by Slide & Banjo to see what we talked about then go check out the album.

CHRIS CASTINO: FRESH PICKLES, CHICKEN WIRE EMPIRE, AND THE SOUL OF JACKSON COUNTY

Bluegrass in Baltimore: The Hard Drivin' Sound and Its Legacy

Show all your bluegrass loving friends and family how much you love them by getting them a copy of Bluegrass in Baltimore: The Hard Drivin' Sound and Its Legacy for them this holiday season. It is the gift that keeps on giving!

Order directly from the publisher.

Order from Amazon.

Bluegrass in Baltimore release show live clips

As I prepare for the announcement of my newest book, Leftover Salmon: Thirty Years of Festival!, I wanted to take a moment and share some of the highlights of the release show for my previous book, Bluegrass in Baltimore: The Hard Drivin' Sound & its Legacy.  I was lucky enough to have some of Baltimore's best musicians, Caleb Stine, Cris Jacobs, Patrick McAvinue, Mike Munford, and Bluestone, join me for a night of amazing music at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore to celebrate the release of the book.

You can check out all their performances below, as well as the show ending group jam that featured  an impromptu 45-minute jam session.

New album from David Benedict - The Golden Angle

Due to be released October 26, by mandolinist David Benedict from Mile Twelve, is a new solo album of all original bluegrass instrumentals titled, The Golden Angle.

The Golden Angle is produced by Grammy-Nominated mandolinist Matt Flinner, and presents an original body of instrumental string band music. The album, recorded four years after Benedict's last solo release Into the True Country, displays a new level of musical maturity and individuality. With an emphasis on virtuoso instrumental interplay and memorable melodies, the record weaves a complex yet compelling soundscape, featuring collaborations with a host of celebrated and award-winning bluegrass musicians including David Grier (guitar), Mike Barnett (fiddle), Missy Raines (bass), Ross Martin (guitar), Stuart Duncan (fiddle), and Wes Corbett (banjo).

Listen to "Leaf by Niggle" from The Golden Angle:  "Leaf by Niggle"

For more information visit: https://www.davidbenedictmusic.com/

Charm City Bluegrass Documentary

I was recently asked to be part of a new documentary on the bluegrass scene in Baltimore.  It is an amazing look at Baltimore and its long distinguished history of bluegrass.

The filmmakers (Caplan & Green Productions)recently had this to say about my participation in the project.  I was humbled to be asked to be part of it, and even more humbled by their words.

Throwback to filming with the one and only Tim Newby, author of "Bluegrass In Baltimore: The Hard Drivin' Sound & It's Legacy." Working with @marcshapiromedia and @charmcitybluegrass to put together an amazing documentary afforded the opportunity to interview some amazingly talented artists and personalities, but Tim may have been one of the most interesting guys to put in front of the camera to date. He is well articulated, has an incredible ear for music, and understands the history of the Bluegrass music genre better than anyone. His knowledge is incredibly well-researched, and his delivery is charming. 

If you have not seen the documentary yet, do yourself a favor and watch it now.

Thoughts on Bluegrass in Baltimore: The Hard Drivin' Sound and its Legacy

A few years back I was asked by Live For Live Music to provide some thoughts on my inspiration for my book, Bluegrass in Baltimore: The Hard Drivin' Sound & Its Legacy.  Below is an excerpt from that piece, you can view the full article here.

“There was Nashville and then there was Baltimore,” explained bluegrass legend Del McCoury, “and Baltimore was really the hot town for bluegrass music back in the ‘50s and ‘60s.”  I was interviewing Del in January 2011 about his upcoming album with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Legacies, for an article that I was writing for Honest Tune Magazine. During our conversation, he became sidetracked and began to talk in length about his formative years as a musician playing in the rough and tumble bar scene in Baltimore in the 1950s and 60s.  As a Baltimore resident I was vaguely aware of the scene that had first flourished in the city as migrants from the Appalachian region moved north looking for work and had always been fascinated by this often overlooked musical scene that proved to be highly influential over the years. The story of this Baltimore scene was one that I felt needed to be told.

Bluegras in Baltimore on DC Library recommended reading list for Maryland Lore

It was great to have my first book, Bluegrass in Baltimore: The Hard Drivin' Sound & its Legacy, recently named as a recommended title on Maryland Lore by the DC Public Library.  You can view the full list at the link below.

Recommended reading on Maryland Lore

The Dirty Grass Players: Bluegrass with a rock 'n' roll soul

Baltimore has a long history of bluegrass music in the city and that tradition continues with a new generation of bands who are pushing forward that hard drivin' bluegrass sound that is home in Baltimore.  One of the leaders of this new generation of bands is The Dirty Grass Players, an innovative, forward thinking band who plays with bluegrass tradition, but delivers it with a rock 'n' roll swagger.

To find out more about The Dirty Grass Players check out a profile I wrote on them recently.

THE DIRTY GRASS PLAYERS: FORWARD-THINKING BLUEGRASS WITH A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SOUL