Music Links
Welcome to the Music Links page. This is a place to look for good links to bluegrass-related websites. I have spent nearly 40 years playing bluegrass, writing about it, and collecting the music. As such I hope to pass along some of my knowledge, including the good websites which cater to the bluegrass community. Check 'em out!
Publications
Bluegrass Unlimited This is the longstanding publication for news about bluegrass, nationally and internationally, and probably still the best. Editor Pete Kuykendall founded the publication in the 1960s and it is going strong today. I subscribed in 1971 and am still aboard! A good place to find profiles on musicians and groups, ads for festivals, music equipment, etc., and reviews of the latest releases. The editorial policy of this magazine has always been inclusive, featuring all styles and approaches. Since the magazine relies on freelance contributions the quality of the articles can very greatly, but overall it covers the genre very well.
Recordings and Recording Labels
County Sales Established in a small warehouse in Floyd, Virginia, in the 1960s, "County" has always been the most trusted source for bluegrass reviews, and their prices are lower than box store retail. If you're looking for bluegrass recordings this is the main place to go. I have been buying from them since the 1970s and rely heavilly on owner Dave Freeman's 6-times-a-year newsletter reviews, which are now available online, free of charge. I don't always agree with the reviews but have found them to be the most consistent and honest of any publication I have seen. He'll tell you if he doesn't like a recording, even if it's for sale there. If you're serious about bluegrass, you'll want to utilize this resource for purchasing recordings.
King of the hill here is Rounder Records based in Massachusetts. Founded as a "collective" in the 1970s Rounder has grown to be one of the significant "regional" labels in the country, covering a lot of top roots recordings including bluegrass and oldtime. Recording for Rounder is a feather in the cap of any bluegrass artist, and generally means the person or group has "arrived" or is about to arrive. Many of today's top bluegrass artists have recorded for Rounder and their quality level is consistent across musical forms.
Rebel Records Owned by County Sales proprietor, Dave Freeman, Rebel has been issuing top traditional bluegrass recordings since the 1960s. One of their main artists is the legendary Ralph Stanley.
Copper Creek Another regional label that got its start issuing obscure live recordings on a subscription basis. Owner Gary Reed is one of the foremost bluegrass authorities in the business, and probably the outstanding historian of the music of Ralph Stanley/Stanley Brothers.
Radio Stations
KBCS-FM This is a Bellevue, Washington station with an internet presence that programs bluegrass from 12-3pm (PT) every Sunday. I list it first because I was a host there for 16 years (1985-2001). DJs rotate each week so you get a variety of bluegrass programming.
WAMU-FM This is perhaps the best all-around bluegrass station in the country. They program bluegrass, or bluegrass-related programs extensively and at differing times. Notable is the host Eddie Stubbs, one of the most knowledgeable bluegrass hosts in the world, a renowned fiddler in his own right and former member of the legendary Johnson Mountain Boys. But the station has other hosts who are no slouches about the music either.
World Wide Bluegrass This station comes as advertised: a 24/7 bluegrass channel with rotating hosts from around the globe. I listen to Geoff Morris's show, which emanates from Australia. Geogg's an entertaining host with a thick, Aussie accent (Crikey!) who plays a diverse range of music with interviews and interactive chat. No worries on this one, mate!
Sirius Satellite and
XM Satellite:
Bluegrass Junction is a subscription radio bluegrass program that both of these networks appear to be carrying. As you might expect the programming covers a wide gamut of bluegrass styles.
KPFA-FM "Pig in a Pen" Host Ray Edlund has been doing this program for decades. Originating in the San Francisco Bay Area Ray had an outstanding understanding of bluegrass music and features live groups in many of his shows.