Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road at the 2025 Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies – photo © Bill Warren

Lorraine Jordan was thrilled with the largest turnout of her 13 year run at the 2025 Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival, held in the convention center in Gatlinburg, TN. 

The promoter and host expressed, “We were totally sold out at this festival for the first time ever! I’m so excited. We get close some years, but we’ve never completely done it. It was packed and everyone had a great time! We had the best weather, the best bands, the best seating, the best sound, and the best festival ever! It was wonderful!”

The numbers don’t lie. Over 25 states were represented, plus three Canadian provinces. The festival featured seventeen different acts over three days, and each day presented different and unique performances.

Thursday opened with Williamson Branch presenting a mixture of Christmas and bluegrass tunes. After an afternoon and evening of acoustic music, the first day closed with the Lonesome River Band performing some of their most well-known tunes, with a little Telecaster guitar thrown in at the close of their set.

Friday offered a surprise special guest. Bluegrass legend, Paul Williams, took the stage to sing a couple of his well-known songs that he penned, Prayer Bells of Heaven and Fraulein, that he made famous with his brother-in-law, Jimmy Martin. Williams was backed by a powerful ensemble of pickers: Warren Blair on fiddle, Allen Dyer on guitar, Garrett Newton on banjo, Anthony Howell on mandolin, and Edgar Loudermilk on bass.

After receiving a standing ovation for Williams’ performance, Jordan stressed, “You never know what we’re going to do! How do you like Gatlinburg now?” The audience responded in thunderous applause.

Williams was followed by another legend, Larry Sparks, who has spent over 62 years in the music industry. He performed many of his hit songs including Blue Virginia Blue, John Deere Tractor, and Tennessee 1949, plus Sparks’ current single, Way Back When.

Rhonda Vincent closed out Friday featuring many holiday classics that will comprise part of the Rage’s month-long, three-show-a-day sets at Silver Dollar City in Branson. A crowd favorite was a bluegrass rendition of Maria Carey’s All I Want For Christmas, performed by young Rage guitarist, Zack Arnold, who Rhonda fondly referred to as “Zachariah Carey”.

Saturday ranged from bluegrass gospel with the Gospel Plowboys to classic country and comedy with the Malpass Brothers. Carolina Road presented their annual tribute to veterans. Each service person in attendance was presented with a monogrammed hand towel. Four Fender guitars were given away raffle-style for hose who signed up for 2026 advanced tickets. All winners were present to receive their guitars.

There were somber moments, too. Lorraine read a dedication to the memory of Ruth Bruno, a devoted volunteer and supporter of the festival. Everyone felt the loss for fiddler, Adam Burrows, whose mother passed while they were in Gatlinburg before he could perform with Larry Efaw. Carolina Road’s lead guitarist, Wayne Morris, announced that he would be stepping down from the band to take more responsibility with his church. His presence will be sorely missed.

Lorraine’s 95-year old dad, Royce Jordan, and HWY 40’s Doug Whitley served as MCs throughout the weekend of music. David and Traci Chichester of GBS Productions provided excellent audio. There were plenty of vendors in the foyer of the auditorium, including Ami Ricci’s Bluegrass Road Trip and merchandise from all the performers. Each performer received Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies wares.

Jordan concluded, “Folks, if you want to come with us next year at Bluegrass Christmas in Smokies, I’d go ahead and get a reserved seat and be ready. We’ll be back here next November 2026.”

Dates are set for November 19-21, 2026. The holiday-themed bluegrass festival will return to the Mills Auditorium in the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Bands already booked include Authentic Unlimited, Junior Sisk, the Tennessee Bluegrass Band, Danny Paisley & Southern Grass, the Larry Stephenson Band, Williamson Branch, and many others, with Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road once again serving as host band.

For ticket info, call 919-609-6740, email them, or visit Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival online.

The post 2025 Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies: A reflection appeared first on Bluegrass Today.

Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys at Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies – photo © Bill Warren

Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies has completed its first full day of a three-day festival at WL Mills Auditorium in the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Tennessee.

The festival began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Promoter Lorraine Jordan welcomed the filled auditorium, saying “We sold out of reserved seats!”

The Lady of Tradition was obviously joyful as she invited her husband, Tom Worley, to join her on the stage. She reminded attendees that last year, he proposed to her at the festival and they were married in April.

“I love this man and he helps me,” Lorraine stressed.

“It’s good to be here,” Tom said while greeting the crowd. “Bluegrass people wear smiles on their faces.”

The weekend of live music that serves to officially launch the bluegrass holiday season then began its 13th run. MCs Royce Jordan (Lorraine’s dad) and Doug Whitley (HWY 40 Bluegrass radio DJ) got the show in motion.

Doug acknowledged the senior Jordan. “He’s 95 in ’25!”

Royce responded, “I was told I wouldn’t be here, but here I am!”

First to perform was Williamson Branch, who have performed at all 13 of the festivals. 

“Bluegrass and Christmas is the way to go on your set list,” shared Melody Williamson Keyes, who reminded everyone that last year she was pregnant. Nine-month-old Aiden was in attendance with his parents.

Their show featured a mix of music, including holiday tunes. Kevin Williamson stated that there are all kinds of Christmas songs that celebrate the reason for the season – Christ’s birth, love songs, and shopping songs, but nothing for rednecks. He then launched into a humorous number about Grandpa’s revenge for Grandma getting run over by a reindeer with the refrain, “Rudolph’s head is hanging on our wall.”

During the family’s portion of the show, sixteen-year-old Caroline Williamson descended the stage to sit on Royce’s lap and sing Tennessee Waltz especially to him. Melody also welcomed her sister Cadance’s in-laws to the festival who are missionaries and are visiting from Latvia.

Following their performance, Royce admitted, “If my daughter didn’t have a band, Williamson Branch would be my favorite.”

Then Lorraine and her elves presented the band with Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies merchandise. They followed suit, giving each performer of the evening festival t-shirts.

Next Nothin’ Fancy took to the stage. Founding member and mando man, Mike Andes, began with a twinkle in his eye, “Just wanted y’all to know this is real, not AI.”

They were followed by Ralph Stanley II & the Clinch Mountain Boys. Brian Davison is their new bassist. Special guests were Adam Justice on banjo and Guy Mitchell on guitar.

Lorraine’s Country Grass band was next. The latter part of their show they featured singer/songwriter Larry Cordle, who performed some of his crossover hits such as Murder on Music Row and Highway 40 Blues.

Lorraine’s record label, Pinecastle, was represented by its owner, Lonnie Lassiter. He and Lorraine are excited for the upcoming release of their Country Grass 2 project with guest artists such as: Michael Martin Murphy, T Graham Brown, and the Malpass Brothers.

Lorraine was presented a bouquet of flowers by Jerusalem Ridge’s Dennis Cooke in appreciation for all her hard work promoting bluegrass music. In turn, Lorraine recognized all of her festival volunteers, calling them to the front, and gifting them personalized hoodies.

The evening concluded with a high energy set by the Lonesome River Band with special guest, Rod Riley, on the Telecaster.

The weekend of music continues with Rhonda Vincent, Larry Sparks, Larry Efaw, Mountain Highway, and the Alaskan Sunnyside Sisters, along with host band, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, on Friday. Saturday’s show features the Malpass Brothers, Gospel Plowboys, Blue Ridge Thunder, Billy & the Kids, and Davis Bradley.

Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies is located in the Gatlinburg Convention Center’s Mills Auditorium, located at 234 Historic Nature Trail, Gatlinburg, TN. General admission tickets are still available.

The post 2025 Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies day 1 report appeared first on Bluegrass Today.

Next Tuesday, November 25, Little Roy & Lizzy will host the 50th anniversary of their annual Thanksgiving Pickin’ in Lincolnton, GA. Now held at Smith Hardware, the open jam has been hosted at various locations over the past few years.

Little Roy explained…

“It started at a hunting club, then moved to other places including a clubhouse, the old high school auditorium, a store, and a cafe. After that, we moved to Smith Hardware. That’s where we have it now.  

They move all the feed and everything out for us so we have plenty of room. We could seat 1,000. You can’t never tell who’s gonna show up. People come from as far away as North Carolina and Alabama. They set up a PA system.

Oh, it’s good. It’s fun!”

Lizzy shared her history with their hometown jam.

“This is the first jam I ever attended when I started. Those original pickers helped me more than anything: Jimmy Adkins, Emory Ware, Jimmy Phillips, Steve Snider, Terrie Campbell, Doug Flowers, and many others, and of course, Lil Pap [Little Roy].

It has been something to see pickers get started just like myself through this jam.”

Smith Hardware is located on 655 Elm Street in downtown Lincolnton, Georgia. The event is free to the public and all pickers are welcome. Food and drink are available with donation. The festivities get underway at 7:00 p.m.

The post 50th anniversary Thanksgiving Pickin’ with Little Roy & Lizzy appeared first on Bluegrass Today.

That Road Back to You is a new single just released by the Shiloh Creek Girls. The project features the all girl band from Ramseur, NC. The family ensemble is comprised of the Gaines sisters and their mother: Kylie on mandolin, Katie on guitar, Karrie on fiddle, Kassie on banjo, and mama, Lynette, on bass. The original tune was written by Kylie who does the lead vocals.

It is always impressive to see an all-girl band, especiallly when it is family. These ladies have been active in the bluegrass scene, playing the Youth Stage and High Lonesome Strings’ Street Stage during IBMA’s run in Raleigh, as well as playing at Bluegrass First Class in Asheville. 

The recording is clean and allows the strength of the vocals to come through well. There is a lot of potential here in their songwriting, singing, and arrangements.

The project was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Eastwood Studio in Cana, Virginia. Engineer was Wesley Easter and producer Johnny Williams.

The single is now available on Spotify and other streaming sites. A complete album, Down Our Road, by the Shiloh Creek Girls is set to release soon.

The post The Road Back To You from The Shiloh Creek Girls appeared first on Bluegrass Today.

Cotton Pickin’ Kids sign with ATS Records at World of Bluegrass 2025

Cotton Pickin’ Kids have signed a recording contract with ATS Records in Knoxville, TN. The actual signing took place during IBMA World Of Bluegrass in Chattanooga on September 18, and the Kids performed on the Paige Capo Showcase Stage that day as ATS’ most recently signed artists.

ATS stands for All Things Strings. The record label’s team consists of Milton Harkey, Bill and Vicky Hutchens, and Lewell Molen. 

Cotton Pickin’ Kids is comprised of the six Cipollari siblings from Alabama: Savio on mandolin, Therese on fiddle, Cecilia on guitar, Rosalinda on bass, Gianluca on banjo, and Giovanni on reso-guitar. Formed in 2017, the family band has appeared on the WoodSongs Old-TIme Radio Hour, and performed at such notable venues as Dollywood, the IBMA Youth Stage, Bluegrass First Class, and the Tennessee State Fair. Their YouTube channel features videos of their music, with several that have received over 4 million views.

Of the ATS signing, Therese says…

“I’m so excited to be working with ATS Records. Not only is it a step up in our music career, but also the ATS family are incredible people to work with. 16-year-old me could have never imagined an opportunity like this would happen just because I started posting our band on social media years ago.

I’m so incredibly proud of my siblings and myself on how far we have come in our musical careers, and the dedication and hard work it took us to get where we are today! I’m so beyond grateful for ATS recognizing our talents and hard work, and can’t wait to see what the future holds working together!”

Her brother, Savio, shared his excitement and aspirations.

“Signing with ATS Records is a huge step for us, and we’re honestly so excited for this new chapter. Our goal is to become the biggest family bluegrass band in the world and play the Grand Ole Opry.

We’re especially excited to be part of all these new young bands and artists coming up. It’s super cool to see the next generation of bluegrass pushing boundaries.

Our biggest goal is to travel and share bluegrass around the world, bringing this music to as many people as possible.”

The label is happy to have them.

“We pride ourselves in being able to provide our artists with the highest quality recordings possible. We believe that the best music is created through collaboration, and we work closely with our artists to bring their vision to life.

We are excited to have Cotton Pickin’ Kids as part of our family here at ATS Records. Be on the lookout for a new release coming soon.”

Find out more bout the Kids online.

The post ATS Records signs Cotton Pickin’ Kids appeared first on Bluegrass Today.

Big Lick Bluegrass Festival, one of the first outdoor music events of the year in central North Carolina, welcomes a new host band, Authentic Unlimited. The award winning group will be replacing Sideline who served as the festival’s headliner since 2023, but has retired from the road.

Festival promoter, Jeff Branch, expressed…

“First of all, I would like to thank Steve Dilling and Sideline for all their hard work over the years hosting the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival. Steve and I have celebrated our birthdays the same day and our friendship will always continue.

I am excited to have Authentic Unlimited as host for  this festival. I got started with their old boss, Doyle Lawson, being his MC at Denton. Now his former band mates are circling back and working with me on my own festival.”

Steve Dilling responded….

“We took our job seriously as a host band for the festival. We did everything within our power to entertain the audience whether we were on stage playing, or off stage hosting activities. Thanks to Jeff Branch and all the staff for being so good to us. We are happy to hear that Authentic Unlimited is going to take over as host of the Big Lick festival. We wish them well; I’m sure they will be fantastic!”

Skip Cherryholmes, Sideline lead guitarist and Dilling’s son-in-law, added…

“Most of a bluegrass entertainer’s life is spent traveling from one city to the next, night after night. Having a multi-day festival so close to home – surrounded by friends and family – made us feel so embraced and loved, and pushed us to give it our all.

I’m thankful to all of our fans that traveled from the far corners of the earth to join us at Big Lick and be a part of something special! I want to thank our many Sideline brothers and band mates that joined us in working hard for our fans!

Thank you to Jeff for his commitment to producing excellent entertainment in North Carolina for so many years, and for always making us feel welcome and at home!”

Authentic Unlimited is excited to carry on the tradition set by Sideline.

AU’s banjoist, Eli Johnston, said…

“What an honor and a privilege to be asked to host Big Lick bluegrass festival. We cherish our friendship with promoter Jeff Branch who has always been a huge supporter of our group. Y’all better get ready for a big weekend in Oakboro. We love you, North Carolina!!!”

Big Lick Bluegrass Festival near Oakboro, NC, is slated for April 16-18, 2026. In addition to Authentic Unlimited, the festival will include such great performers as the Lonesome River Band, the Grascals, the Seldom Scene, and Southern Legacy to name a few.

Big Lick Bluegrass Festival is located at 722 South Oakridge Road in Oakboro, NC. Camping reservations open on February 1, 2026. For more information, visit their website.

The post Big Lick Bluegrass Festival welcomes Authentic Unlimited as host band appeared first on Bluegrass Today.

My Cabin in Caroline was the first song recorded by Flatt & Scruggs after they left Bill Monroe and formed their own band in 1948. Though the tune is credited to Lester Flatt, it was written by John Ralph Pennington who sold it to Flatt for $50.

Pennington’s daughter, Vivian Pennington Hopkins, has made it her mission to share her late father’s legacy. Earlier this year, she released a project, Back to the Cabin in Caroline – A Tribute to Bluegrass Pioneer, John Ralph Pennington, that featured Herb Pedersen and host of top notch North Carolina pickers and singers.

Ralph was not only a songwriter, he was a multi-instrumentalist and luthier, and Vivian has sought to give long overdue credit to her daddy’s talents with the album. Since its release, she has been busy in the creation of two music videos from that album. One is her dad’s My Cabin in Caroline, and the other is her own composition, a sequel tune, Back to the Cabin in Caroline.

“In producing these videos, I hope along with recording the album, I have done justice to my dad’s memory, and it is an honor to pay tribute to him,” Vivian shared.

Visible in both music videos is the cabin in the western North Carolina community of Hays in Wilkes County, the home place of Vivian’s mother, and inspiration for both the initial tune penned by Ralph, and the latter one by his daughter. 

Hopkins is grateful that the project has come to fruition. “Tim Vogel of Lancer Films did a phenomenal job in creating these videos. He went above my expectations and created magic especially on My Cabin in Caroline. I couldn’t be more proud of these videos and I can’t say thank you enough to all of the musicians and individuals that came together to make it all happen.”

She elaborated on how the first video came to be.

“With the production and filming of My Cabin in Caroline, I had to find that Studebaker from the original picture of my dad that was taken in the yard of the farmhouse/cabin. Charlie King, the car’s owner, was so gracious to let us use it. That was an important piece of the video.

My son, Shaun, colorized the original photo of my dad and his Studebaker. Not long after that photo of my dad with his car was taken, our family was hit head-on in a crash on the highway. My dad saved my life because I hit the windshield along with his fist. I was standing in the seat between him and my mom when the crash happened. I was hospitalized, but recovered from the accident.”

For the second video, Back to the Cabin in Caroline, Vivian concluded, “It is a nostalgic return to My Cabin in Caroline to find my own blue-eyed darling.”

She offered special thanks to the musicians who appeared in each video. In My Cabin in Caroline, the pickers on the original cabin’s porch are Danny Bowers on fiddle, John Marler on guitar, Tim Perry on mandolin, Travis Brady on bass, Tom Hyatt on banjo, and Pennington’s nephew, Joe Couch, on vocals. Members of the youth band, Carolina Detour, Lake Carver and Cooper Eades, appear as a young Ralph and Ruby Felts Pennington. Vivian and her cousin, Debbie, are seen sitting on the cabin porch beside the band snapping green beans.

In the second video, musicians seen with Vivian, who is singing lead, are Greg Blake on guitar, Jonah Chaney on mandolin, Tom Hyatt on banjo, Lake Carver on fiddle, and Daniel Schronce on bass. The picking portion was filmed inside the historic EH Montgomery Store in Gold Hill, NC where Vivian hosts jams each Friday night.

Each video is a pure work of art by Vogel, and Hopkins has surely achieved her desire to shine a light on her father, a true bluegrass pioneer.

For information on the album and the videos, visit CabinInCaroline.com.

The post My Cabin in Caroline and Back to the Cabin in Caroline videos appeared first on Bluegrass Today.

Milton Harkey and Jan Johansson at the Granite Quarry Fiddlers’ Convention – photo © Sandy Hatley

Jan Johansson was honored at the 59th annual Granite Quarry Fiddlers’ Convention on Saturday, October 11, at East Rowan High School, near Salisbury, NC. The event included competition in two band categories, bluegrass and bluegrass gospel, as well as individual youth and adult instrument and vocal competitions. 

Since 1970, the Granite Quarry Civitan Club has honored individuals who have made a substantial contribution to the promotion and preservation of traditional old time and bluegrass music. This year’s honoree was Jan Johansson. 

Born and raised in Sweden, Mr. Johansson relocated to the United States in the ’80s to pursue his fascination with bluegrass music. He eventually settled in the Raleigh area and became a performer, instructor, historian, collector, and friend to many of the movers and shakers within the industry. He is also a survivor who dealt with serious heart issues before receiving a heart transplant In 2011.

Vivian Pennington Hopkins started the proceedings at the rostrum.

“We are doing a special presentation. We honor someone each year that has had a significant impact in bluegrass and old-time traditional music throughout our region, North Carolina, and beyond.

I am honored to be included in Jan’s vast circle of friends. He is so talented and humble. The library of interviews and music that he continues to build is immense and so important. I am thrilled to be honoring him and have hopes that this is just a springboard for further recognition.

This year is a very special one. Normally, I do this, but this year I brought a dear, special friend who is going to tell you more about Jan Johansson than I ever knew. He has been a leader in bluegrass throughout the industry for so many years. This gentleman is our presenter for Jan Johansson. Please make welcome to Granite Quarry, Mr. Milton Harkey.”

Milton related…

“I’m glad to be here tonight and talk a little bit about Jan Johansson. I met Jan in 1986 when he came over from Sweden. I was jamming with Audie Blalock at a bluegrass festival. Jan came up and Audie asked him if he wanted to play and what he played. Jan said, ‘I play anything Monroe.’ He got to playing with us and he was no joke. He had really learned a lot in Sweden from listening to albums and songs. 

He ended up in Asheville and he stayed at my house for six or eight months. He got a job at the Bluegrass Center there and he’s been teaching music ever since I’ve known him. From 1986 until now, that’s almost 40 years. 

Jan got involved with some bands and teaching. I think he has probably taught somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,000 people. He’s taught them to play fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. 

He’s known pretty well in the bluegrass industry and I’m proud to have called him my friend for a long, long time. He’ll talk to anyone about bluegrass music and fiddle playing. He knows all those songs. I’m proud for all the work that he has done for bluegrass musicians and the fans. I appreciate him and I know you will, too.”

Vivian then read the plaque.

“In appreciation to Jan Johansson for outstanding service to the bluegrass and old-time music industry from the Granite Quarry Fiddlers’ Convention, October 11, 2025. Thank you, Jan.”

Jan was visibly moved.

“It is quite an honor. My road to the bluegrass has been long. I don’t want to take up a lot of time talking about it. Thank you very much.”

MC Big T Lassiter shared…

“There’s nobody in the world that knows bluegrass music more than Jan Johansson. He’s a great teacher and a great friend and he’s got an all-star band with him.”

Following his award presentation, Johansson, who is a gifted multi-instrumentalist, took his place in front of the microphone with his fiddle. He was joined by a band of his hand-selected friends for a brief performance. His ensemble included guitarist Jeff Huffman (Jan had played with Jeff’s dad in Roby Huffman & the Bluegrass Cut-Ups), banjoist Barney Rogers (Jan’s neighbor), mandolinist Alexander Meredith (Jan’s former student), and bassist Adael Shinn (Jan’s longtime friend). 

“We’ll play some family-style bluegrass for you,” Jan stated after he introduced his band and then kicked off with the fiddle tune, Red Wing.

The band then played several classic instrumentals from Foggy Mountain Special to Monroe’s Old Dangerfield, and vocals like Walking After Midnight to Blue Ridge Cabin Home. Two of Jan’s young students, Alexander and Benjamin Ferranti, joined the ensemble on stage for the last tune for triple fiddles on Soldier’s Joy.

Jan expressed his gratitude with a written passage inside the convention’s program book.

“I am deeply honored to have been named this year’s honoree. It means a lot to me personally. When I was in high school in Sweden, we were asked to write a brief visionary paragraph about ‘where you see yourself in 30 years from now.’ I wrote: ‘I will hopefully be somewhere in the southern United States playing bluegrass music.’

My first encounter with bluegrass was one night when I woke to some banjo playing on the radio. I grabbed my 1970s-style cassette recorder and captured a couple of minutes. It was an amazing sound and I was immediately attracted to it. My advice to all, young and old, follow your dreams, if there is a will, there is a way.”

The post Jan Johansson receives Outstanding Contribution to Bluegrass Music Award appeared first on Bluegrass Today.

Skunk Hollow, 1st bluegrass band at the Granite Quarry Fiddlers Convention – photo © Sandy Hatley

The 59th annual Granite Quarry Fiddlers’ Convention was held this past Saturday, October 11, at East Rowan High School near Salisbury, NC. Sponsored by the Granite Quarry Civitan Club, the acoustic music contest is a direct spin-off of the original Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention. This year’s event featured 39 adult and 24 youth entries that included bands and individual competitors, plus an award presentation honoring Jan Johansson.

“It’s the biggest event, attendance and competition-wise, that we’ve had in years,” shared Vivian Pennington Hopkins, convention coordinator.

The competition began with the youth at 5:30 p.m., followed by the adults at 7:30. The special honoree award presentation was held at 8:30, followed by youth awards at 9:00. Once competition ended and adult prizes were presented, it was 12:30 am!

“That’s a wrap,” concluded convention MC, Big T Lassiter.

A spokesperson for the Granite Quarry Civitan Club posted, “Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Granite Quarry Civitan Club on Saturday night! We sold out of chicken dinners, and only had a few hotdogs and hamburgers left at the end of the evening. Thank you to all of our sponsors, and thank you to everyone who came out to compete or enjoy the music. Congratulations to all the winners!”

Winners for the 2025 Granite Quarry Fiddlers’ Convention were:

Youth

Bluegrass Band – Boo Grass

Bluegrass Gospel Band – 4 Walls

Fiddle

1. Shawn Ripple
2. Benjamin Ferranti
3. Charis Roth

Banjo

1. Cameron Edenfield
2. Ford Terry
3. Carley Hatley

Guitar

1. Gabe Webster
2. Parker Terry
3. Corban Walls

Mandolin

1. John Hatley
2. Sara Cornett
3. Sara Walls

Bass

1. Matthew Chaney
2. Newt Hopkins Teeter

Vocal

1. Chelsea Edenfield
2. Sara Walls

Don & Margaret Livengood Memorial Outstanding Youth Winner – Shawn Ripple

Adult

Bluegrass Band

1. Skunk Hollow
2. Cabarrus Station
3. Outlaw Bluegrass Band

Bluegrass Gospel Band

1. Crossroads
2. Gospel Medley
3. Harmony

Fiddle

1. Carrie Webster
2. Charlie Tolbert
3. Glen Alexander

Banjo

1. Ronnie Hatley
2. Dale Mills
3. Billy Ray Summerlin

Guitar

1. Isaiah Goforth
2. John Marler
3. Elliott Wallace

Mandolin

1. Tim Perry
2. Luke McCallister
3. Caroline Terry

Bass

1. Daniel Perry
2. Jeremy Nash
3. Ronnie Edwards

Dobro

1. James Murdock
2. Peden Williams
3. Sandy Hatley

Vocal

1. Payton Williams
2. Daniel Perry
3. Angel Paez

John Ralph Pennington Memorial Master Fiddler Award – Carrie Webster

Granite Quarry Fiddlers’ Convention Outstanding Contribution to Bluegrass Music Award – Jan Johansson

The post 2025 Granite Quarry Fiddlers Convention results appeared first on Bluegrass Today.

Lonesome River Band reunion at Blue Highway Fest ’25 – photo © Joshua T Moore

Friday was an extra special day in Big Stone Gap, VA for Sammy Shelor and Lonesome River Band fans. The award winning banjoist and longtime band leader celebrated his birthday with a reunion of former LRB bandmates Dan Tyminski, Don Rigsby, and Kenny Smith at Blue Highway Fest.

In the southwestern Virginia town’s Bullitt Park, a large crowd sat on the football field to enjoy the third day of the five-day music festival. Surrounded by picturesque mountains, Blue Highway Fest offered top notch entertainment on a large stage with a lovely backdrop, professional lighting, excellent audio, and two large video screens. Friday’s show began with Backline, the 2024 Blue Highway Fest Rising Stars winner. They were followed by Kenny & Amanda Smith, the Lonesome River Band, Blue Highway (the festival hosts), and the Cleverlys. Then it was time for Sammy’s birthday bash.

The celebration began with Annabelle Smith, Kenny & Amanda’s ten-year-old daughter, singing happy birthday to Shelor. Then the reunion concert took fans back into a more than thirty year musical journey.

Shelor shared, “I joined the Lonesome River Band in 1990. Well, the first time in 33 years that he [Dan] and I have played this stuff together. The first time in 24 years since Don and Kenny and I have played together. The Lonesome River Band is celebrating 43 years of music. Thank you for the birthday wishes, everybody.”

The band featured the birthday boy on banjo, Tyminski and Smith on guitars and Rigsby on mandolin. The quartet was joined by Mike Hartgrove on fiddle and Kameron Keller on bass. The ensemble then launched into LRB classics like Long Gone, Carolyn, the Teenage Queen, and Money in the Bank. During the latter, Tyminski swapped instruments with Rigsby to perform his signature mandolin kickoff.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve had one of these in my hands,” the Man of Constant Sorrow teased.

During this epic collaboration of outstanding musical artists, Sammy took time to reflect on his inaugural year with the Lonesome River Band.

“When I first joined the band in 1990, we had a 1979 Ford Econline van. It had two bench seats in it. I said, ‘Boys, let’s build us a bunk.’

First trip I went out with the Lonesome River Band, we left Ferrum, VA and drove to Grand Junction, CO. Then we went to Washington state, then up to Vancouver, back down the west coast doing a bunch of jobs, and then ended up in Arizona. We drove across to Mississippi then Florida and then home. That was an average bluegrass trip.

The van would foul out spark plugs every 500-600 miles and start skipping. In those old vans, they had a doghouse in them with the engine right beside the driver. We bought 10 sets of plugs before we left the house and had a wrench sitting beside us. When it’d start skipping, we’d just pull over, pull the doghouse back, change the plugs, put it back in, and never get out of the van. We did this every 500 or 600 miles on this whole trip. I think we had to stop and buy 10 more sets to get us home.

All of us would take turns sleeping in this little bunk in the back that I had built, and we would take turns changing spark plugs. That was our job. So that was life on the road in 1990.”

Once the magic ended. The audience demanded more with an exuberant standing ovation. The ensemble returned to the stage to perform their most requested song.

“This put Lonesome River Band on the map,” Sammy stated as the band encored with their rousing version of Sitting on Top of the World.

The day of first rate music concluded with a high energy performance by the Dan Tyminski Band.

Blue Highway Fest is to be commended for running such a well orchestrated festival. With numerous hardworking, friendly, and helpful volunteers, plenty of food vendors, clean restroom facilities, and a large tent area for festival merchandise, the event ran like a well-oiled machine. The mountain weather was beautiful with typical fall-like temperatures: a warm afternoon and cool, slightly chilly evening.

A job well done and happy birthday to Sammy Shelor!

The post Sammy Shelor’s birthday bash in Big Stone Gap appeared first on Bluegrass Today.