Tim Raybon’s musical trek began early, as he played with his dad and brothers in the family band The American Bluegrass Express, starting at age eleven. With Central Florida as its base, the band met with great success throughout the South during the mid-1970s, affording Tim the opportunity to sharpen his skills by playing festivals and concerts where he shared ...

In 1965 a young film maker from New York named David Hoffman had an idea for a documentary. David grew up like a lot of lads from that era listening to the radio for entertainment. One of the programs he enjoyed was broadcast out of Nashville, TN on Saturday nights. “A whole bunch of us kids on Long Island would ...

In the May/June 2007 issue of Americana Rhythm, we profiled Mac Wiseman an artist whose musical life transcends time. Born locally in Crimora, VA, but known internationally, Mr. Wiseman, now 91 years old, is still recording and maintains a large following of fans. After our 2007 story, it had been a while since I heard anything new about Mac Wiseman, ...

Bluegrass bands form for all sorts of reasons but most often it’s because a group of folks enjoy picking together; they feel the chemistry is right, and decide to give it a run. South Carolina’s Wilson Banjo Company has a slightly different beginning. Steve Wilson grew up like a lot of musicians, learning to appreciate and play music with his ...

The longer I cruise the edges of this genre of Americana string music that folks now call bluegrass, the more I hear folks make reference to Jimmy Martin. I freely admit he is a personality of which I know less about than I should. Even though I remember the golden radio days when there was plenty of Appalachian string music ...

As a singer/songwriter, Chris Jones has been referred to as, “The wandering musician peddling tunes from town to town, sharing tales old and new.” If you haven’t had the opportunity to hear him live along with his band, The Night Drivers, perhaps you know his as one of the hosts heard on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction. The now Alberta Canada resident ...

By Edward Tutwiler – All God’s creations have voice. The mountain speaks in silent grander, the flower in radiant beauty, and folks sing and shout. Stringed musical instruments have voice as well. The fiddle cries, the mandolin rings, and the guitar hums with soul. But the banjo, oh the banjo—he is so filled with joy he can’t help but laugh. ...

As the genre’ of string music continues to morph and evolve, musicians will continue to find new ways to craft sounds that are distinct and original. One such group is the California based band Front Country. A chance encounter with this touring ensemble at the Red Wing Roots Festival (a rich and diverse musical experience held each July in Virginia) ...

Ricky Skaggs (Eleven-time IBMA award winner) and his band Kentucky Thunder will be one of the featured performers for this years Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, scheduled for downtown Raleigh, NC, Friday September 30th – Saturday October 1st. Wide Open Bluegrass is just a part of the IBMA’s conference which gets under way on Tuesday, September 27th. The street fest is ...