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...
by Christine | Aug 19, 2018 | Welcome Column
There is a saying that is often attributed to be an old Chinese curse, which goes something like “may you live in interesting times”. An associated version of that curse is “may you live an interesting life” and it turns out neither of these has any apparent roots in...
