John Lawless

Roanoke

Online Editor at Bluegrass Today

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Articles

Kiss My Bluegrass Goodbye from Kevin Denney

5 days ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

Turnberry Records’ new single for veteran singer/songwriter Kevin Denney is a clever song about a bluegrass man leaving a faithless lover called Kiss My Bluegrass Goodbye. Written with Tom Botkin and Jimmy Fortune, which at first glance may sound like a forgettable “song about the music,” that merely rehashes the names of popular and historical artists to get a positive response from a partisan audience.
Bluegrass University opens in Winchester, KY

5 days ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

The Leeds Center for the Arts in Winchester, KY has announced the launch of a new instructional program they are calling Bluegrass University, which will assist middle and high school students become more proficient bluegrass players. It is set to start in August, in tandem with the school semester, and will begin with a once weekly format, one evening each week.
Matt Wright returns to the Larry Stephenson Band

5 days ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

Matt Wright with Larry Stephenson at SPBGMA – photo © Dream Bee Art PhotographyBluegrass veteran Larry Stephenson has announced the return of bassist Matt Wright to his touring band. Matt had previously held this role from June 2014 through October 2018. Stephenson says that he is delighted to have Wright back with the band. “We are extremely happy about his return and that he’s able to fit playing with us again, along with his busy schedule at home in Waynesville, NC.
Station Inn coffee table book now available

1 week ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

Nashville’s iconic Station Inn, the home of bluegrass in Music City for more than 50 years, is the subject of an elegant new coffee table-style book that relays its history, replete with dozens of photographs. Titled The World Famous Station Inn, the book was written by Alisa Murphy, and published by the author in cooperation with the current owner of the Station Inn, Joshua Ulbrich.
Two new singles from Carl Bentley

1 week ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

Indiana bluegrass singer and songwriter Carl Bentley has a pair of singles to share, taken from his current album, New Brand of Misery. That’s a mighty lonesome title, and Carl has the story to go along with it. Raised in eastern Kentucky, he found his love for bluegrass music, began singing while still a teen, and started performing around his home during his high school years.
Button Bender debuts for reso-guitar and banjo

1 week ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

Scotty Cockerham, a Florida bluegrass picker and entrepreneur, has introduced a new product for banjo, reso-guitar, and tailpiece guitar that allows the user to mimic pedal steel bends using a simple, palm activated device behind the bridge. Called the Button Bender, it can be installed quickly, removed just as easily, and tuned in a few seconds to depress or release the second string by a half or whole step.
Sheila Porter of Orange Army Bluegrass passes

1 week ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

Sheila Porter, the inspiration and impetus behind the formation of the Orange Army Bluegrass Festival in Olive Hill, KY, died on June 12 at her home from the cancer that had defined her life this past three years. She passed quietly at home, surrounded by family, at 51 years of age. The Orange Army sprung up in response to Sheila’s cancer diagnosis.
Phil Rosenthal is Still Here

1 week ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

Still Here is the title of a new album from bluegrass singing and songwriting veteran Phil Rosenthal, a tongue-in-cheek answer to the presumed question, “What ever happened to Phil Rosenthal?”Phil first came to prominence in bluegrass as the writer of Muddy Water, recorded by The Seldom Scene for their 1973 album, Act III. Sung by John Starling, it was a bluesy rendition of a frightful story about a family who lost everything when the river rose and wiped out everything they had.
Winter Comin' On from Bryan McDowell

1 week ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

Bluegrass fiddler and vocalist Bryan McDowell, Mountain Fever Records’ most recent signee, has released a second single from what will be his label debut project. Winter Comin’ On is one Bryan wrote and sings, also adding his fiddle to this track of a song the portrays the dreary, barren feeling of a frosty day. It may seem an odd choice to release during the summer’s heat, but where many of us live, a cold wind might seem like blessed relief just now.
IBMA announces 2025 Bluegrass Ramble showcase artists

1 week ago | bluegrasstoday.com | John Lawless

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced today the artists officially invited to showcase during what they call the Bluegrass Ramble at this year’s World of Bluegrass convention in Chattanooga, TN. They refer to it as a ramble, as convention attendees and/or anyone who obtains a Bluegrass Ramble ticket, can visit a variety of venues in downtown Chattanooga to see these acts who have been selected to participate, including the convention center where the event is based.