The Archives

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine November 1981, Volume 16, Number 5 According to Webster’s: FLUX —to become fluid; a substance used to promote fusion. Put Jerry Douglas and his Dobro into a band—and you know how he got his nickname. Constantly complementing vocals and other soloists, or ripping off one of the dazzling breaks he…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 1972—Volume 7, Number 2 I. Why The Louvin Brothers? Not only because they played with a full bluegrass band for a year, and not only because of their deep roots in old-time duet singing, but because of the firm impression their songs and style have had on bluegrass music….

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine October 2005, Volume 40, Number 4 It has taken two decades, but bass player maestro Missy Raines is finally ready. “It’s terrifying,” the five-time IBMA Bass Player Of The Year confesses of her bold move to transition from bandmember to bandleader. “I have always wanted to do this, for twenty…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 1980, Volume 15, Number 2 Don Reno, whose middle name could easily be “Banjo” spoken with a bluegrass accent, recently marked his 40th anniversary in the entertaining business. Fans of his distinctive style (“I just pick it,” he says.) will be happy to know that thoughts of any kind…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine August 1983, Volume 18, Number 2 When is a bluegrass band not a band but an “ensemble”? What is the difference? Some people may think that “ensemble” is only a fancy name for a group —a word used in publicity material sent out to secure the more elite gigs like…

Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine May 1973, Volume 7, Number 11 The sprawling, desolate Texas plains have never been the spawning ground of bluegrass talent that the Appalachians have. Involved for years with its own gift of genius to American music Western Swing Texas has made bluegrass music fight hard for a toehold out there,…