Stark Contrasts in Autumn

October provides some stark contrasts for the bluegrass world, at least for us CBA folks. Early October features (often simultaneously) the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco, and the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) signature...

Stand For Something, or Fall For Anything

We all have to make decisions every single day about what to do. You can’t do everything, so you have to choose this or that. You don’t even think you’re making a decision most of the time. Most of these little decisions are absurdly trivial: wear this pair of pants...

Starting to get it

From the moment that I first attended a bluegrass campout, I felt that my stars had finally lined up and all was correct with my universe. It was a cold, wet March, and I was oblivious to the elements. Basically, I was numb from the experience of being in the middle...

Staying Connected

Usually when I sit down to write my monthly welcome column, I have a topic in mind and make mental and “sticky” notes of things I want to include. This month happens to be the exception. I was waiting for an inspiration that never came until late this week. I had...