by Christine | Aug 6, 2020 | Welcome Column
It is amazing to me how much music and technology are blending together in new ways. Certainly, there has been an ongoing connection through sound engineering and recording and of course through electrifying or amplifying your instrument or sound. However, it would...
by Christine | Feb 4, 2008 | Welcome Column
Dear friends, Y’all should be getting your February Breakdowns by now and you may have noticed that the CBA’s paper is missing our usual missive from “Bluegrass Folks” Bill Willhelm. He’s been having all kinds of adventures that got in the way of getting out that...
by Christine | Mar 30, 2021 | Welcome Column
(Editor’s note: Here’s one of Cameron’s early efforts. For me it captures the spirit of local bluegrass festivals we’d all like to get back to soon!) In the world of ice cream flavors, where Wintergrass is a ”Psychedelic Rainbow Buzz”, and Father’s Day Festival a...
by Christine | Mar 29, 2021 | Welcome Column
(Editor’s Note: Here’s a guest article Rick scored years ago from banjoist Lynwood Lunsford) “People will follow a bad example as quickly as they will follow a good one, if they don’t know the difference.” I heard this statement in a seminar that I...
by Christine | Mar 15, 2021 | Welcome Column
Last July I posted a welcome column called original material. It was all about how we should be open to new material when bluegrass bands perform on stage. At one time all bluegrass music was new material and we still need fresh voices to enrich the genre. Today I...
by Christine | May 15, 2014 | Welcome Column
Like most kids, I made up my own songs when I was little. My mom and dad would stand me up on the kitchen table and I would belt out my current masterpiece for anyone who would listen. I was probably about 5 when I wrote “Butter Boy,” basically because I loved butter...
by Christine | Mar 28, 2021 | Welcome Column
(Editor’s note: a reprise of Dave’s interview with Larry Chung from April of 2018) Larry Chung is no stranger to Bay Area bluegrass circles. He is a music teacher and plays most every instrument at virtually every venue and festival in the area. Whether jamming at...
by Christine | Mar 26, 2021 | Welcome Column
Given pandemic binging, I seem to have finished Netflix. So, I have been scouting out other things to watch. Thought I would look for some bluegrass videos. Searching Netflix for ‘bluegrass’ turns up videos featuring Brad Paisley, Bob Dylan, and George Ezra. All of...
by Christine | Dec 20, 2015 | Welcome Column
Great Googly Moogly: utterance of great surprise; common in blues songs; made more popular by Frank Zappa.My problem with the whole “Big Tent, Small Tent” debate over Bluegrass music is that I’m probably what could be called a musical polymath. And no, that...
by Christine | Mar 23, 2016 | Welcome Column
Being the audacious so-and-so that I am, I contacted a friend last week and said, “Hey, why don’t I come visit you – can you put together a jam?”This friend who lives a few hours away, graciously accepted the challenge and generously added a gourmet dinner...
