by Christine | Feb 24, 2011 | Welcome Column
Every year about this time when it’s snowing and cold as a wedge, I’m always reminded of the time that we played a show with Rose Maddox in the little mountain town of Camino, Calif. We being the Vern Wiliams Band, with our good buddy Ray Park playing the...
by Christine | Jul 30, 2012 | Welcome Column
This is the story of how learning a new tune can sometimes lead to a very profound insight. Every musician knows, when we learn new tunes, they can have the power change our brains. By the process of learning the new tune, we become more proficient at our instrument....
by Christine | Apr 6, 2020 | Welcome Column
Is the movement of “country” music to actual country music real? If anybody is wondering why I bring up this question now, it is because Chris Stapleton won best new artist and other awards at the most recent Country Music Awards. But sadly, this is much less of a...
by Christine | Nov 24, 2017 | Welcome Column
On behalf of the California Bluegrass Association I’d like to wish all a Happy Thanksgiving.Over the years, and especially in recent years, I’ve had a growing conviction that we bluegrassers have an extra reason to feel gratitude about our lives. Sure,...
by Christine | Dec 7, 2014 | Welcome Column
The fine mist floated a half meter above the damp pampas earth. The sun had not quite lifted its sleepy brow above far off mountains that formed a crooked line at the extent of the plain. Octavio de Ponferrada Suarez Scarambolli sat in the wooden folding chair; the...
by Christine | Jan 29, 2011 | Welcome Column
Bill Wilheim I don’t think they make them like that anymore In this land of plenty Where gold is an albatross that hangs around the neck of the ungrateful Where we think our good fortune falls from trees Instead of from the storehouse of the creator And it annoys us...
