Preserving The Tradition of Bluegrass Into The Future

It’s been six years since Chance McCoy last traveled as a member of the Grammy Award–winning band Old Crow Medicine Show. Leaving on good terms, he’s back—bracing for the long road ahead. “You’d think you’ve hit the jackpot—you’re on a tour bus, and everything’s gravy. But it’s far from it. It’s intense,” McCoy admits during an interview. Leaving The Old Crow Medicine Show to pursue his own creative path in 2019, McCoy once again rejoins the band as a multi-instrumentalist. “

In a world filled with so much phoniness, simple and honest things often shine. For bluegrass musician and festival creator Caleb Bailey, his new endeavor already shows ample evidence of being one of those rare things. It’s 100-percent genuine. It’s no B.S. The “No Bull…Just Bluegrass Festival” – now in its second year – tells you in its title that it’s about genuine, down-home fun. Bailey and his band – Paine’s Run – host this music fest that will be held this year on July 2

Red, White & Bluegrass—Capital Celebrations Merry Semiquincentennial! I can’t believe it’s been that long since “The Mighty Quinn” topped the British airplay charts! Wait, I’m getting an update. Here in the former colonies, “semiquincentennial” is the much-too-formal way that some folks talk about our nation’s 250th anniversary. But any Independence Day is a real reason to celebrate. According to President John Adams, the nation’s birthday “ought to be solemnized with Pomp an

In true Molly Tuttle style, it was wig-off and full tilt as she played to an appreciative crowd at the iconic music venue Tipitina’s in New Orleans. The show in early May was a stop along her ambitious tour that will stretch into the late fall, followed by a Cayamo cruise out of Miami February 26-March 5, 2027. With a new band and a GRAMMY-nominated album, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, Molly is taking her dynamic roots music blend of bluegrass, Americana, pop, and rock to ven

It’s pretty cool to be the son of an icon. When your dad was a pioneering figure in the evolution of a music genre, it’s not hard to come out of that without at least a little bit of inspiration. It’s almost impossible, perhaps, not to try yourself to pick up an instrument and do some pickin’ and strummin’. That’s exactly what happened to Ralph Stanley II, son of one of the patriarchs of the bluegrass sound. As the son of the late Dr. Ralph Stanley, he couldn’t resist learnin

For some people, finding true friends and gaining acceptance is just a little bit harder. According to Bluegrass Pride Vice Chair of the Board Scott Justus, the perennial issue of “fitting in” is even harder for those who identify as LGBTQ+. Bluegrass is known for its ability to bridge social, cultural and demographic divides, but to Justus and the other board members of Bluegrass Pride, people of more diverse backgrounds and identities need a separate place where they can ta

Bluegrass continues to prove fertile ground for artists like Izaak Atlas Schwartz, whose debut album, Black Oak Ridge, is creating a buzz—not just for its virtuosity but also for its originality. A classically trained musician from Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, Schwartz first cut his teeth at the Wind Gap Bluegrass Festivals. “I started learning bluegrass at the youth academy,” the fifteen-year-old recalls. He discovered The Ruta Beggars. “When I saw them play, I really like

Despite starting on the violin at an early age, having a bluegrass-loving father, playing in a family bluegrass band, and then touring with a national act, Ellie Hakanson didn’t set out to be a full-time musician. But things happen. Such as layoffs, lockdowns, and the chance to spend cherished time with a music-loving grandmother, who remains an inspiration. “I wasn't really planning on the professional bluegrass thing. But I'm happy it worked out that way,” Hakanson says.

Decoding the secret to social media success is something many content creators struggle with, but for Tennessee native Matt Heldman, what started as a Facebook page for teaching bluegrass has become a full-on fan page that’s growing by leaps and bounds. “I was at 87 followers in January of this year, and I think I’m now at almost 125,000,” Heldman told The Bluegrass Standard. Born East of the Tennessee River, Heldman leads Murphy’s Ridge, a family bluegrass and gospel band. E

Ever had a string of worrisome things hit in an orchestrated dance? Well, maybe a better visual would be an Olympic track, the biggest there is where all these hurdles are set up in intervals. You come out prancing to music and a roaring crowd, and you’ve had a great night’s sleep, lots of training, and you can’t wait for folks to see your shiny outfit! The starter gun fires, and you’re off at a breakneck pace; in fact, you’re leading. The first hurdle is easy-peasy, and as y