This week’s column looks at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) 2024 World of Bluegrass that was recently held in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was a multi-headed beast of a roots music festival that’s comprised of four components: 1) Conference […]
Has anyone noticed that, during the past few years, Appalachia has garnered a lot of national attention? So much so that it’s suddenly hip to be from, live in, or even visit the region. It certainly gives an artist an […]
To paraphrase Ernest Hemingway: If you are lucky enough to have experienced AMERICANAFEST, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for AMERICANAFEST is a moveable feast. This week’s column features three takes on […]
The fine folks at the Americana Music Association have curated another stellar lineup of roots artists for the the 24th annual AMERICANAFEST extravaganza in Nashville, September 17-21, 2024. As with previous years’ previews, most of the more recognizable performers are […]
This week’s column focuses on two festivals, Bumbershoot and Appaloosa Music Festival. While at opposite ends of the country, both are held on Labor Day weekend. Appaloosa is hosted by the band Scythian, which formed in 2002 after brothers Alexander […]
As we begin counting down the days to AMERICANAFEST and the onslaught of new roots music releases, this week’s column offers very short takes on five new albums that should not get lost in the shuffle. We also have an […]
After a one-year hiatus, the venerable Philadelphia Folk Festival returned home to the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, Pennsylvania, for its 61st edition Aug. 16-18. The one-year “pause” was necessary for the festival to reduce its financial debt, […]
This week’s column is dedicated to pickin’ in the backwoods, featuring two roots fests that are held in picturesque rural areas of their respective home states of Indiana and West Virginia. The inaugural Pickin’ in the Backwoods Music Festival was […]
It was a hot three days at this year’s Nelsonville Music Festival (July 25-28). But with plenty of free water and lots of shade trees and hospitality tents, there were many ways to escape the glaring afternoon sun. This […]
The 65th edition of the Newport Folk Festival was a humdinger. This year’s installment of the venerable fest that keeps renewing itself year after year featured poetry reading, impromptu dancing by fest grande dame Joan Baez and Rhiannon Giddens, […]
