History
J. D. Crowe – Train 45 = James Dee Crowe (August 27, 1937 – December 24, 2021), an American banjo player and bluegrass bandleader. He first became known during his four-year stint with Jimmy Martin in the 1950s. Crowe was the leader of the bluegrass group New South from 1971 until his death in 2021. Crowe was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His […]
On this date, October 28, 1947, the original Bluegrass Boys’ final Columbia recordings were made. At that time, the band consisted of Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, Chubby Wise and Cedric Rainwater. The 28 songs recorded by the Blue Grass Boys for Columbia Records in 1946 and 1947 soon became classics of the genre, […]
The Seldom Scene The Seldom Scene is a groundbreaking bluegrass band that has been entertaining fans for over four decades. The band was formed on November 1, 1971, by John Duffey after leaving the Country Gentlemen. John Duffey(mandolin), John Starling (guitar and lead vocals), Ben Eldridge (banjo), Mike Auldridge (Dobro™), and Tom Gray (bass) made […]
The story of Tom Dooley is based on the true story of Tom Dula. In 1868, Tom Dula was convicted for the murder of Laura Foster and sentenced to death by hanging. When he was executed in Wilkes County, North Carolina, many people believed that he was not guilty and that his death had been a […]
By Wayne Erbsen There are many ways to close out a bluegrass show, but I always favor ending an evening’s entertainment with a rousing version of I’ll Fly Away. This song is the perfect choice because everybody knows it and they love to sing along. Recently, I started digging into the origins of I’ll Fly Away, and […]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][sayit] Folks, August 27, 2021, marked what would have been the 96th birthday for my father, Carter Stanley. For many people, their birthdays are a cause for celebration. I can only hope that my Daddy found some small comfort at those times. I know he had to be lonely for his mother and wife that […]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] by Wayne Erbsen [sayit] They didn’t call her Mother Maybelle for nuthin.’ Nope. In addition to being the mother of three girls (Helen, Valerie June, and Anita), Maybelle Carter certainly earned the title of Mother of Bluegrass Guitar. Starting in 1927, her lead and rhythm guitar playing laid the foundation that was built upon […]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [sayit]Bluegrass hero Lester Flatt had a lot to be proud of. One of his most lasting achievements was the G run that bears his name. You can hear this distinctive guitar run in practically every traditional bluegrass song that can be played on the guitar using a G shape chord. In its original form, […]
Vern Williams (December 9, 1930– June 6, 2006) Vern was a singer and mandolin player who wasinstrumental in introducing Bluegrass music to the West Coastof the United States. Williams was born in Newton County, Arkansas (or Bullfrog Valley, Pope County, Arkansas), as part of a musical family, that played either the fiddle, the guitar, or […]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][sayit] The Orange Blossom Special was a deluxe passenger train which inspired the tune by the same name. The song was written and copyrighted by Ervin T. Rouse in 1938 and the first recording took place in 1939 by Ervin and Gordon Rouse. There has been a bit of controversy as to the original composer […]
