Author: Sandy Hatley

Jerry Salley, Billy Blue Records’ Creative/A&R Director, is a thankful man. "Billy Blue Records just celebrated its four year anniversary, and I am extremely grateful that, in my opinion, we have built one of the best rosters in bluegrass music. Not

Olivia Jo & The MVPs kicked off opening day of the 52nd Southeast Old Threshers’ Reunion at the Denton FarmPark in Denton, NC on Thursday, June 30. The rising young bluegrass vocalist from Stuart, VA debuted her new powerhouse band.

Gary Saunders, a beloved western North Carolina musician who passed away in 2020, was remembered last Saturday at Whippoorwill Academy and Village in Ferguson, NC. The multi-instrumentalist was celebrated with picking, grinning, and storytelling, "We had the most wonderful day for

Sunset at the 2022 Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival - photo by Doug Whitley Always held Father's Day weekend, the Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival in Roxboro, NC continues to grow, and celebrated its largest turnout this year despite the absence of promoter,

The Kody Norris Show at the Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival (6/16/22) - photo by Gary Hatley Willow Oak Bluegrass Festival in Roxboro, NC, is successfully in full swing despite overcoming numerous hurdles. Promoter, Mike Wilson, suffered a heart attack and underwent

Dave Osborne, 75, of Greensboro, NC, passed away on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. He served in the U.S. Army and performed in a traveling show that entertained the troops during the Vietnam War.  As a young professional musician, Osborne played with

Gary Saunders, a beloved western North Carolina musician who passed away in 2020, will be remembered and celebrated with picking, grinning, and storytelling on Saturday, June 18, 3:00-5:00 p.m., at Whippoorwill Academy and Village in Ferguson, NC. A Dr. Banjo

Paul Brewster with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder at The Bijou Theater in Knoxville - photo by Dr. Teresa Ellis Veteran bluegrasser and high tenor singer Paul Brewster was recognized for his accomplishments in the bluegrass industry last Friday night (May

The grass is back! Feed & Seed, a popular live music venue in western North Carolina near Asheville, has reopened after having been on pause due to the global pandemic. The historic building offers bands a place to play, and

Randy Smith, beloved banjo picker from Monroe, North Carolina, is a grateful man. The picker of the five-string who has played with Pinecastle recording artists, Gentlemen of Bluegrass, plus numerous regional bands, is recovering from triple bypass surgery last week. Smith