Remembering Bobbie Martin (April 12, 1957 – April 13, 2016), one of the more recognizable personalities at bluegrass festivals in Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina, known to jammers across the south as “The Bluegrass Drummer,” and despite the conflict of terms, Bobby was indeed a bluegrass drummer, but one welcomed at jam sessions by both
Remembering Porter Church, (April 17, 1934 – August 18, 1995) was a well-know banjo player in the DC area back in the 60’s and 70’s. For a short while he played banjo with the Stoneman Family and with Red Allen and Frank Wakefield on some old recordings. Porter Church played on the David Grisman “Home
Mike Dillard Photos: RIP Rose Maddox … My son was born on her birthday Aug. 15th. Remembering Roselea Arbana “Rose” Maddox, (August 15, 1925 – April 15, 1998), was an American country singer-songwriter and fiddle player, who was the lead singer with the Maddox Brothers and Rose before a successful solo career. Her musical styles
Remembering Vallie Cain (b. Vallie R. Cave, July 19, 1927 – April 15, 1993; guitar, vocals) and Benny Cain (b. James Bennett Cain, May 21, 1921, harmonica, mandolin, vocals) were a husband-and-wife duo who were active first in traditional country, but later in bluegrass music, for over four decades. Benny Cain, who grew up in
Remembering Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives (June 14, 1909 – April 14, 1995) was an American folk singer and actor of stage, screen, radio and television. He began as an itinerant singer and banjoist, and launched his own radio show The Wayfaring Stranger, which popularized traditional folk-songs. In the 1960s he successfully crossed over into country
Remembering Jody Rainwater aka Little Jody Rainwater (born Charles Edward Johnson, Surry County, North Carolina, April 14, 1929 — died Richmond, Virginia, December 24, 2011) was an American bluegrass musician and radio personality. He was well known for having played bass with The Foggy Mountain Boys. Jody joined the group on their Saturday night slot
Remembering Lyman Enloe (March 14, 1906 – April 12, 1997) was born on March 14, 1906, in Cole County, Missouri, on the northern edge of the Ozarks. He grew up in a musical family. His father, Elijah “Lige” Enloe, was a renowned fiddler who played for square dances throughout the region. Lyman got his training
Remembering Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith (April 10, 1898 – February 28, 1971) was an American old time fiddler and a major influence on the old time and bluegrass music genres. Smith was born and raised on a farm near Bold Springs, Tennessee. He learned to play the fiddle at an early age, his first influence being
Remembering George Shuffler (April 11, 1925 – April 7, 2014) was an American bluegrass guitar player and an early practitioner of the crosspicking style. During his career Shuffler played with The Bailey Brothers, The Stanley Brothers and Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys. He was a 2007 recipient of the North Carolina Heritage Award and in
Remembering Jerry Williamson (July 13, 1940 – April 6, 2015), long time bluegrass musician and noted audio engineer. A WV native, he had been part of several popular bands, including Red Wing and Outdoor Plumbing Company. Jerry began running sound at bluegrass festivals and has been heralded as an important figure in bringing high quality