THOUGHTS I’m a bluegrass musician, but I am also an elected local official. In the latter capacity I get access to the latest information from our state government about the virus. Two world-class virus experts are constituents living in my community with whom I regularly interact. I also sit on committees at UCSD Medical School, […]
• Special Consensus out of Chicago rocked the house in late January with one of the largest SDBS crowds ever attending its concert at the PB Baptist Church. This is one fine band delivering top notch vocals and instrumentation presenting traditional bluegrass music. Long time band leader, ex-IBMA board chair, ex-Foundation for Bluegrass Music chair, […]
We had a wonderful time at the great 48 jam session! Every year, the California Bluegrass Association hosts concerts, workshops, showcases, and jam sessions in downtown Bakersfield. This year’s event just ended. Called “The Great 48,” folks from all of the western states come together for a weekend of full-time bluegrass. Our local San Diego […]
Wow—it’s a new year already! I hope everyone had an excellent holiday with lots of bluegrass music and is raring to go for a great new year. Let’s peek at some of what’s coming. SPECIAL CONSENSUS COMING TO SAN DIEGO Special Consensus is one great, long-running band. Formed in 1973 in Chicago, Special C has […]
Bluegrass music, for sure, is characterized by high intensity, virtuosic musicianship on all the acoustic instruments—banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin, sometimes Dobro, and upright bass. But, the gold standard bluegrass product (think Bill Monroe or Flatt and Scruggs) also involves harmony singing of a particular style. Let’s take a look at what it is and where […]
The gold standard bluegrass band is comprised of a banjo, a fiddle, an upright bass, an acoustic guitar, and a mandolin. A significant, but not required, instrument in a bluegrass band is a Dobro. Rare, and sometimes frowned upon by purists, one may find a harmonica, an electric bass, or even drums. But a mandolin […]
The San Diego bluegrass community is still savoring the great 2019 Summergrass Festival, which took place in Vista in August. Rather than yammer on about it, here is a photo run down of some of the action, courtesy of photographer extraordinaire David Cupp. Ramona Bluegrass Festival. The 10th annual Ramona Bluegrass Festival is coming up […]
Perfect weather, great music, jamming at all hours, top talent, good friends. What’s not to love about Summergrass 2019, which marks its 17th year? As I complete this column Summergrass is still going. Look for a full report with photos next month. Bluegrass Music’s Trajectory—a music in motion. Surprisingly to many, bluegrass music is relatively […]
The annual Summergrass Bluegrass Festival will be held August 16-18. Plan to come out and join the festivities at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista. There will be top concerts featuring national recording artists as well as a great selection of the top local and regional Bluegrass bands. The Line Up: The […]
