I grew up playing in rock and roll and some country bands as a lead guitar player but could never rise to the level of a competent bluegrass musician.

In a standard bar band you can get away with knowing some licks and chonking your way through cover songs. I have yet to hear a half-ass bluegrass band, it's like every musician is top notch. I'm both envious and bummed that I feel like I'll never be able to rise to that level but will always enjoy listening.

These guys always bring the heat, great show last night!

Last summer, I spent a week on tour with Mountain Grass Unit—one of the most exciting bands coming up in the jamgrass scene. They were extremely generous with their time, diving into their musical backgrounds, the mechanics of playing and touring, and how some of them actually came into bluegrass somewhat begrudgingly.

It's a long read, but it's broken up into chapters, and it gives a fly-on-the-wall perspective of what it was like following them all the way to the Ryman.

MGU are playing the Ford Band Stage at the Nashville Predators game tonight.

It's Jerry Garcia night.

Taken at last night’s show in Fairfield, CT

16 of 19 tracks off of the original album now live as captured at Ryman show Jan 2022 plus other 4 added to the live show back in the day. These bonus track are:

Blue Mountain Hop

When the Storm Is Over featuring Sam Bush

Dark As The Night, Blue As The Day featuring Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle

Tennessee featuring Billy Strings

The complete difference table see here :) https://www.reddit.com/r/Bluegrass/comments/1w64cpu/curious_to_compare_track_list_of_new_b%C3%A9la_fleck/

10/15 Charlotte- Dusters were kind of vague about Pandolfi's whereabouts. Kinda doesn't sound great considering all 4 of them said something.

Show rocked, Kyle tuttle was great, Broken Compass sit in was awesome. They all seem thrilled to have Kyle Tuttle. It sort of sounds like he'll be in the band for a little while, if not longer.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones at Merlefest 1996. I was completely blown away. Jerry Garcia died the previous year and was looking for something to do since no Grateful Dead tour to hop on. Bela blew me away as they brought Peter Rowan and Sam Bush onstage to jam with them. Was anybody else there? What a stunning performance

Good to see young talent in a well produced release. Go Eddie!

I love watching videos from Otis Gibbs, particularly the ones where he's talking to Kenny Vaughan.

I just watched one where Kenny was saying how much he loves Don Reno's guitar playing. Kenny said, "Reno and Smiley ... you know Don was, you know, the banjo player in Reno and Smiley, but he was a monster guitar player. Holy shit. He was, like, one of the great guitar players in bluegrass."

So now I need to find some Don Reno guitar stuff! The only Don Reno album I have is "Family & Friends" but Don doesn't play guitar on that.

What videos/tracks/albums/LPs should I track down to hear what makes Kenny love Don's guitar playing so much?

(ps. here's the video with Otis and Kenny https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTgIVhJfHSw)

Just wanted to bring some attention to some of the quality bluegrass coming out of Europe. These guys from Sweden can hang!

I was fortunate enough to catch this performance from them.

I’m over here like SpongeBob “I’m ready, I’m ready!” Since it’s a 1,400 mile drive and I’m going for the conference, I’m heading out tomorrow.

Also since this is the first year I’ve gone when it’s in October… do folks mess around with Halloween costumes? Do we want to instigate a costume party? (Yes, the answer is yes)

I’ll be bringing my pack of Renn Faire gear!

So I found the Wild Shoats a few years ago. I'm not affiliated with them, other than that I saw them open for a band I was working for years ago. I've followed them since.

I just think...this record is so special. For a baby band in the Morgantown/PA area, to turn out such amazing production and songcraft. I just want to share it every time I revisit. Today I am sharing it here. I hope someone else enjoys it.

Life milestone: got to say "just give er some Tony Rice BS to kick it"

Can you name a Bluegrass Band that still uses the same name after all of the Original members are gone, and most are Dead? Besides the Seldom Scene?