by Christine | May 27, 2011 | Welcome Column
While it’s probably old news to many of you by now, I hope you took the chance to read banjo player Chris Pandolfi’s April 2011 blog, titled “Bluegrass?” (if you haven’t read it yet, check it out by linking to http://chrispandolfi.com/?p=567). Chris’ essay arrived at...
by Christine | Jul 22, 2018 | Welcome Column
Some may know this, others may not, but my middle name is Duffey. Martin Duffey Varner. I like the name in principle more than how it rolls off the tongue because it’s always served as a reminder of one of the greatest performers, instrumentalists, vocalists, and...
by Christine | Jul 28, 2012 | Welcome Column
I’m thankful that it’s been such a busy summer this year. I’ve been lucky to teach at some of the best music camps around, like Banjo Camp North in Massachusetts; the Midwest Banjo Camp in Michigan; Camp Bluegrass at South Plains College in Texas and, coming up next...
by Christine | Sep 15, 2012 | Welcome Column
“Is the jamming any good?” “Will I have to hike out for food?” “What kind of a bluegrass festival is it anyway?” “What’s the volunteering like?” Ah, yes, friends, these are the great unknowns of an untried festival venue. So, here’s a take on a recent festival...
by Christine | Mar 19, 2016 | Welcome Column
If you’re on Facebook you probably know how sometimes it throws you a “memory,” a post from your past, usually with a photo of a previous Facebook post. So today when Akira Otsuka (of Bluegrass 45) showed up in a smiling pose with 17 year-old me at Wintergrass in...
