Raleigh Convention Center roof on fire (12/1/25) – photo from Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters

The Raleigh Convention Center, home to IBMA’s World of Bluegrass convention from 2013 through 2024, caught fire last night, resulting in a 2-alarm fire call downtown.

Many readers will have happy memories of time spent here over the past decade, where seminars, workshops, and concerts were held each year, along with meals. It was also the site of the exhibit hall, and featured prominently during the weekend festival, IBMA Bluegrass Live! Many memories were made during the two years that hurricanes visited Raleigh during IBMA week, when all planned outdoor activities over the weekend had to moved into the convention center.

According to the Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association, the fire department responded to multiple reports of smoke and fire on the roof of the convention center around 9:30 p.m. Fortunately, a fire station is close by downtown, and they were on the scene in short order.

The fire, believed to have been ignited through faulty natural gas equipment, was extinguished within 40 minutes with no injuries reported. City officials are visiting the fire scene today to determine the extent of damage to the building, and an announcement later today about necessary repairs is expected.

The photos below were shared by the Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association.

Construction has been set to begin soon on a major expansion of the center, expected to double its available space.

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Samantha and Josh Berry on their wedding day (11/22/25) – photo © Shelby Lynn Photography

Samantha Snyder, former fiddler and vocalist with Darin & Brooke Aldridge, and Josh Berry, former bass player with Appalachian Road Show, were married this past weekend in North Carolina.

Their wedding was held November 22 at the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Morganton, NC, which is their home church. Samantha tells us that since they are both musicians, singers, and songwriters, they performed a “first song” at their reception, in lieu of a first dance. That was followed by a jam session with their friends.

She also said that while they are both off the road now while they get settled in, they do play churches and revivals in the area, and are doing some songwriting with The Contenders. But the newlyweds do plan to be back to the music circuit soon.

That is certainly great news.

A lot of bluegrass fans will also remember Samantha from performing with her family group, The Snyder Family, alongside her brother, guitar master Zeb Snyder, now with Appalachian Road Show.

Many congratulations to Samantha and Josh!

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Evan Dickerson and The Carl Bentley Band

We written several times here about Evan Dickerson, a young man from Ohio with a passion and love for bluegrass music as big as the world is wide. A regular at most of the bluegrass events in the central US, Evan has been involved with bluegrass radio and podcasting, and has now added artist representation to his skill set.

Autism prevents him from working a traditional job, but assisted by his father, Evan can do a great many things well. Making calls and handling arrangements for bluegrass bands is something they think he can achieve, and so Dickerson Bluegrass Bookings was born.

From his home base in Howard, OH, Dickerson is already taking dates for Mark Whitt & The True Bluegrass Band, The Carl Bentley Band, and Hunter Skeens & The Forerunners. Whitt and Bentley both specialize in traditional bluegrass, while Skeens leans more into the jamgrass sound.

Evan encourages other groups in need of representation to reach out to him through his Facebook page to discuss whether his services are a good fit for them.

Likewise, event producers looking for some quality bluegrass music.

Best of luck, Evan!

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Caleb Shifflett, former guitarist with Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys, and Reagan Hagy, whose family runs the Bristol Bluegrass Spring Fest in Bristol, VA, were married on November 15. The wedding was held at the Middle Fork Barn in Abingdon, VA.

The newlyweds first met at Bristol Bluegrass Spring Fest in 2022. If that isn’t bluegrass cute, I don’t know what is.

The Shiffletts will make their home in Orange, VA, near Charlottesville.

Many congratulations to Caleb and Reagan!

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D’Addario has introduced a new product that could prove useful and valuable to acoustic and bluegrass performers, especially those who work on stage without a sound engineer.

Their IR Mic Mute is a noise gate/muting attachment that mounts easily between any XLR connector microphone and a standard mic cable. The small device contains an infrared sensor that will mute the microphone anytime the performer moves more than 24 inches away from it, unmuting it whenever they approach the mic again.

It’s phantom powered, so no batteries are required, and nearly every sound console or powered mixer supports this method of providing power to microphones and devices.

Audio pros could also find a use for the IR Mic Mute in live music, public address, or theatrical applications.

The only drawback to quick utilization by semi-pro bluegrass bands may be its price tag of $99.00 per unit.

The D’Addario IR Mic Mute is available from the larger music gear retailers, both in store and online, from Amazon, or directly from the company. See full details online.

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Chris Jones, peripatetic world traveler, radio host, and regular columnist here at Bluegrass Today, has been on tour in Europe with Paolo Ercoli this past few weeks, set to return home at the end of this one.

But it seems that he has been pretty seriously injured in Germany, based on this report he has shared on Facebook, referencing the two photos posted above.

“It went from this to this awfully quickly, one quiet morning in Bavaria. I was reluctant to post anything but I also didn’t want rumors to spread: right in the middle of my European tour with Paolo Ercoli, I took a bad fall on a staircase and broke multiple ribs. I also punctured my spleen and went immediately into emergency surgery for that. They managed to save the spleen and made another internal repair. Now in ICU in stable condition which is improving. Thanks to Paolo Ercoli, Herta and Thomas Kärner, and all the caring medical professionals for all they’ve done. Thanks to my beloved family, and thanks to the understanding people along the way, as the remaining dates on the tour are now cancelled, sad to say. I will update.”

We will update as we learn more, but for now let’s all send thoughts and prayers his way.

Chris was due for a new column on Wednesday, but we certainly don’t expect to see one now.

Get well, and get home, soon!

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To celebrate their founding in 1975, Deering Banjos has created a highly ornate, 50th Anniversary Limited Edition model banjo.

It’s a strikingly beautiful instrument, made of high-grade curly maple with a bound ebony fingerboard and delicate, intricate fretboard inlays. Of course it’s gold plated and finished with Deering’s distinctive Sepia Burst stain. The rim is made from three-ply violin-grade maple with their 20 hole bell bronze tone ring installed. The resonator is also figured curly maple.

Only ten of these fine hand-crafted banjos will be made, selling for $9,999.

A few selected Deering dealers will have them in stock, sold with Deering’s limited lifetime warranty.

See further details online.

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For her birthday this month, perennial bluegrass hitmaker Irene Kelley thought that a bike ride through Cade’s Cove in east Tennessee sounded like a perfect day out. Lovely fall scenery, and a near certainty of encountering deer in quantity, was all that she had planed for the day.

Irene left from her cabin in Gatlinburg, the one she named “Hills of Home” after a song she wrote with Ronnie Bowman, with three others expecting a scenic and invigorating day out.

Unfortunately, while riding her folding e-bike, it unfolded on its own, sending Irene to the road bed, face first. She tells us that the right side of her face was pretty banged up, including a black eye, and she broke her right arm and elbow, requiring surgery that left her with a plate and pins in her arm.

Kelley says it was a disaster, especially on her birthday.

“I was riding my folding electric bike at Cade‘s Cove, my favorite spot in the Smokies, when my handlebars folded out from under me slamming me down to the road. I was with three friends, thankfully, and a retired medic happened to be driving by, and she drove me to the Blount County hospital like a roadside Angel. She was really incredible.

There’s probably a song in that, and I’m hoping maybe my new bionic arm will get me just a little bit closer to playing like Tony Rice (lol).”

Irene expects the cast on her arm to be removed this week, but physical therapy will be required afterward, with no guitar playing in her immediate future.

For an artist accustomed to accompanying herself on guitar, this is more than a minor inconvenience. But fortunately, she has family and friends to assist while she recovers, and it’s the slow time of the year.

“I have a gig on November 7, and my friend Scot Neubert is going to play guitar for me. Then I’ve got another weekend coming up soon where my daughter Justyna is going to play for me. After that I’m going to try to get well enough to be able to start playing on my own.”

Best of luck, Irene, and get well soon!

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Rick Faris, Shawn Horn, and Horn #1 – photo © Kylee Jones

At the children’s tent during the 2025 Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival, The Horn Family, Edmond, OK bluegrass band, were entertaining about 100 children from local schools, when Shawn Horn began to talk about his guitar. For some time, Shawn’s children had been giving their Dad parts and pieces to custom build his ultimate guitar.

Shawn shared why the neck of his guitar had his name, Horn, inlaid on the headstock. A few seconds in one breath, Horn relayed that he had traveled to Kentucky to have Rick Faris build his very own guitar. This is where being at the right place at the right time begins.  Strolling down the Cottonwood flat gravel road which turned into a dirt road, there underneath a canopy gathered in a circle of musicians were Rick Faris and Shawn Horn and his guitar.

Rick Faris, the outstanding bluegrass musician, has another chapter tucked away in his life’s repertoire. He has also established himself as a distinguished figure in the world of guitar making, renowned for his commitment to craftsmanship and innovative designs. With a rich background, Faris has cultivated a unique approach that blends traditional luthiery techniques with modern sensibilities. His guitars are not only instruments but also works of art, reflecting the passion and dedication that he pours into every creation. He also offers instruction for those interested in learning to build guitars.

With a unique blend of artistry and craftsmanship, Faris has spent decades perfecting the art of crafting guitars that musicians adore. From custom builds to vintage-inspired designs, his instruments echo both innovation and tradition.

Born into a family that appreciated music, when Rick Faris initially picked up a guitar a spark was ignited to fulfill a lifelong passion for stringed instruments. Growing up messing with old wooden furniture and picking bluegrass, he soon realized that part of his true calling lay in merging these two passions. Influences from legendary guitar makers and musicians shaped his vision, leading him to explore the intricate relationship between sound and craftsmanship.

After years of honing his skills, Rick finally took the plunge and established his workshop—a cozy haven for creativity and craftsmanship. Nestled in a convenient locale (far enough from distractions, but close enough for pizza delivery), his workshop has become a sanctuary where dreams are transformed into reality. With each corner lined with tools and woods, and walls adorned with inspirations, the workshop buzzes with the sweet sounds of ingenuity.

When it comes to his craft, Rick’s motto can be summed up in two words: “No shortcuts.” From the precise measurements to the final polish, each step is executed with meticulous care. He believes that the magic lies within the details, whether it’s selecting the right grain pattern or ensuring that every fret is perfectly aligned.

The Horn guitar was set into motion, simply from a phone call of interest to talk to Faris. Shawn headed to Kentucky, wood and parts tucked safely away. Horn, a retired firefighter, wanted the Maltese cross insignia inlaid on the fingerboard. Faris was happy to oblige as the duo designed the crosses of mother pearl. On the headstock of the guitar, was HORN, not Faris, as Rick likes for his students to name their own instrument. On the inside of the guitar, was a signature and the number “1.”  

In an age of mass production, Rick remains firmly rooted in hand-built techniques, believing that there’s a soul in handmade guitars that machines simply can’t replicate. His skilled hands shape and carve each piece along with the student. Together they create unique instruments that resonate with character and individuality. Every strum tells a story, a testament to the painstaking process that goes into each one.

To create the perfect sound, Rick knows that the right materials are essential. With a discerning eye and a love for quality, he sources only the finest woods and materials, ensuring that his guitars not only sound incredible but look stunning too.

Rick Faris approaches wood selection like a fine chef selecting ingredients. He hunts for rare and beautiful woods, from the resonant depths of mahogany to the bright harmonics of spruce. Each type of wood is chosen not only for its aesthetic appeal but for its acoustic properties, allowing for a vibrant and rich sound that resonates with musicians worldwide.

While holding fast to handmade traditions, innovation is also at the heart of Rick’s methods. He combines time-tested techniques with modern science, exploring audio dynamics to enhance his designs. Whether it’s experimenting with bracing patterns or applying unique finishes, each guitar reflects his ongoing quest for excellence. Faris isn’t afraid to push boundaries, making sure that every guitar surprises players with its responsiveness and sound quality.

These designs have evolved considerably over time, and mirror his growth as an artist and his response to the changing landscape of music.

At the core of Rick’s designs is a philosophy that marries functionality with beauty. He believes that a guitar should be a joy to play, in terms of sound, aesthetics, and the art of technique. This philosophy leads him to create instruments that not only excel in performance but also serve as visual masterpieces that musicians are proud to showcase.

One of the most alluring aspects of Rick Faris guitars is the wide range of customization options available. Musicians can choose from a variety of woods, finishes, and even inlays. Want a striking abalone rosette? Done. Prefer a matte finish over gloss? No problem! Faris also offers personalized neck profiles and pickup configurations, allowing players to tailor their guitar to their exact specifications. It’s like having a bespoke suit, but for your music!

Rick Faris is more than just a guitar maker; he’s a cultural ambassador for luthiery. Through workshops and demonstrations, Faris promotes the art of guitar making as not only a craft but a vital part of the music community, encouraging musicians to appreciate the artistry behind each instrument, and that’s not even touching his talent as a bluegrass singer/songwriter with multiple IBMA titles.

Taking on the mantle of mentor with ease, Rick is nurturing the next generation of luthiers with grace and humor. By offering apprenticeships and sharing his wealth of knowledge through seminars, he’s shaping the future of guitar making, one aspiring luthier at a time. Many of his mentees now carry forward his philosophies, emphasizing the importance of meticulous craftsmanship and a deep respect for the music they help create.

Shawn Horn raves about his guitar, citing the impeccable sound quality and playability as reasons. “Playing a Faris is like finding an old friend—comfortable, reliable, and always ready to bring out your best,” says Shawn. Horn also noted the attention to detail and unique tonal qualities as a reason to own a Faris guitar. “It’s more than just a guitar; it’s a conversation starter.”

As Faris’s reputation grows, so will the value of his instruments, with some models becoming coveted items that collectors can’t resist adding to their troves. At this point, only 52 exist in total.

As we talked, Faris teased some exciting upcoming projects, including a limited edition line. Plus, he has collaborations in the works that promise to merge artistry and technology in ways that will leave guitar enthusiasts buzzing.

He envisions a future where guitar making is accessible to all, fostering a deep appreciation for craftsmanship within the music community. He’s advocating for educational programs that teach both the technical and artistic aspects of luthiery, ensuring that the craft continues to thrive. With a commitment to sustainability and quality, Rick Faris aims to redefine what it means to be a guitar maker in the modern age, one string at a time.

At the end of this interview, Faris picked up #1 Horn, and picked a few as all those around were mesmerized by the rhythmic sounds.  

In conclusion, Rick Faris stands as a testament to the enduring art of guitar making, merging tradition with innovation to create instruments that resonate with musicians everywhere. His unwavering dedication to quality and craftsmanship has left an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring both aspiring luthiers and seasoned players alike. As he continues to evolve and push the boundaries of his craft, the future looks bright for Rick Faris and the legacy of his exceptional guitars.

Find out more about Rick and Faris Guitars online.

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One of the best things about small town America, and something well worth preserving, is the quaint downtowns or city centers that still exist in small communities all across the country. Even when big box stores and online retailers have taken a large share of the market, downtown areas of even a few blocks will have charming antique stores, homemade ice cream shops, and enticing restaurants where locals meet and neighbors become friends.

You’ll even find a few holdouts who try to compete as a small grocery or hardware store downtown, though it’s tough to go up against the big guys with their massive buying power and national advertising. It takes a special kind of person to fight that fight, and the small town communities are the better for the effort, as long as people continue to support them.

When Siler City, NC was about to lose a local landmark, Sawyer’s Hardware and Supply, a pair of bluegrass entertainers stepped in to purchase and revitalize the business. Daniel and Carolyn Routh of Nu-Blu have purchased the store and recently reopened it after the retirement of previous owner, Dennis Sawyer.

The Rouths both have business experience, coming from families that have operated successful restaurants in town over multiple generations. Carolyn and her sons still run Johnson’s Drive In, which has been in their family since 1946.

Sawyer’s closed in February, and hadn’t been able to find a buyer that wanted to keep it as it was.

Daniel said they bought the business in July, and reopened in August after some refurbishment.

“Dennis Sawyer has been a family friend, and he had interest from other buyers, but they did not intend to preserve the location as a hardware store. We want to preserve the hardware store and maintain a vibrant community.”

For Carolyn, the hometown appeal is everything.

“Revitalizing Sawyer’s Hardware is part of a larger vision for our town. We want to offer something that appeals to everyone—whether you’re a longtime resident or someone visiting for the first time. Our hearts are here, and we’re excited to see how the store can evolve to meet the needs of the community, while maintaining its legacy.”

For the near term, the Rouths are looking to expand the offerings in the store, while ensuring that they maintain the inventory that local contractors and homeowners depend on. They may also look for ways to incorporate musical events at Sawyers.

And Nu-Blu will still be on the road. They have rehired most of the staff that had been working at Sawyer’s when it closed, so they have a capable crew running things day to day.

Congratulations to Daniel and Carolyn Routh on their new project, and to Siler City for keeping their downtown hardware store!

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