by Bert Daniel | Jan 26, 2022 | Welcome Column
Most people know what ginseng is. It’s an herb, prized for centuries by the Chinese and you see it all the time these days as an ingredient in tea, energy drinks and cold remedies. What many people do not know is that ginseng grows all over the northern hemisphere,...
by Bert Daniel | Jan 22, 2022 | Welcome Column
A certain time eventually comes in the life of any string musician when it’s time to change your strings. Unless you have a good reason to change your strings, like an upcoming gig or event, you probably avoid the chore just like I do. It might still be fun to noodle...
by Bert Daniel | Jan 22, 2022 | Welcome Column
A little over ten years ago we lost one of the finest bluegrass musicians of all time. Kenny Baker, who fiddled for Bill Monroe on and off for a quarter century, died of a stroke at age 85. One could argue forever about who is the best bluegrass fiddler of all time....
by Bruce Campbell | Jan 19, 2022 | Welcome Column
Nobody loves gear and instruments more than I, and I have often waxed poetically on the joys of fine guitars, banjos, fiddle, basses and the like. That love burns strong. The recent find of a Lloyd Loar mandolin in some old barn was fascinating – can you...
by Bert Daniel | Jan 16, 2022 | Welcome Column
We all face crossroads in our lives, important junctures where we could take one path or a different one. It may be a decision about which direction is better or it might be a choice about which is the lesser evil. The crossroad can be a powerful image for music...
by Bruce Campbell | Jan 12, 2022 | Welcome Column
I like playing music. I bet a lot of you like doing it too. And, nine times out of ten, it’s a no brainer. You grab your instrument and attend a jam or a gig. Piece of cake, right? Not so fast! Evil forces are at work, conspiring to keep you from the musical...