Louvin Brothers, part 2

Louvin Brothers, part 2

In the 2012 biography Satan Is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers, famed singer- songwriter Kris Kristofferson states “the legendary Louvin Brothers’ hauntingly beautiful Appalachian blood harmony is truly one of the treasures of American music”. In order to gain...
The Grand Reopening

The Grand Reopening

Dare I say it? It looks (cautiously) like the pandemic is winding down. Things definitely seem to be getting better in California, but that’s a very general term.  I’m excited about the possibilities, but I’m mindful of how many people have been so affected by this...
The Pentatonic Scale

The Pentatonic Scale

Most bluegrass fans are familiar with Lester Flatt’s classic G run on the guitar.  We hear that run over and over from guitarists at every bluegrass festival and it never gets stale.  Most people play the G run by starting with the root G note and then sliding up from...
Louvin Brothers, part 1

Louvin Brothers, part 1

(Editor’s note: It is a pleasure to introduce our newest welcome columnist, Aynsley Porchak. Many of you may remember seeing Aynsley at Grass Valley when she performed for us with her band Carolina Blue a couple of years ago.  She is not only a talented fiddler but...
Songs About Mother

Songs About Mother

For my money the best song ever written about Mother comes from Hazel Dickens. I like songs that tell a story, and this one about a young lady leaving home for the first time speaks to how a mother can strengthen and guide a child for their whole lifetime: I thought...