Earl Scruggs News

Last week, in addition to premiering the track on People.com, the dynamic duo had the distinct pleasure of delivering the first performance of the song along with Billy Ray during their debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry.

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced that American rock guitarist, pianist, singer and songwriter JOHN HIATT will play the historic Pantages Theatre.

Jimmy, who was born in Kings Mountain (Cleveland County), is a former foster kid turned award-winning country recording artist and New York Times bestselling author, whose songs and story highlight his mission to raise awareness for children in foster care.

Multi-award-winning Bluegrass and Americana artist, Lizzy Long, recently released her sophomore album, Dreaming Again, a diverse mix of traditional bluegrass tunes with a modern twist. Long co-wrote five of the songs on the album and puts her own unique spin on covers of popular songs, such as Queen's “Keep Yourself Alive,” as well as Broadway hits “Memory” from Cats and “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” from Phantom Of The Opera. Dreaming Again is produced by Wayne Haun and released as the debut project from Vine Records.

Today, Raleigh, NC's Chatham County Line share the lyric video for the title track of their forthcoming ninth studio album, Strange Fascination, and announce they have moved up the release date to April 24 (originally May 15). A staple of the North Carolina music scene for two decades, the band Introduce a new sound and line up with Strange Fascination, which is now available for pre-order.

World-renowned banjoist Béla Fleck and accomplished Malian kora master Toumani Diabaté debut a new song today (2/21), titled 'Kauonding Sissoko,” off their upcoming new duo album The Ripple Effect. Available March 27th from Craft Recordings, The Ripple Effect will be available as a 180-gram 2-LP gatefold vinyl and also as part of a 3-CD/1-DVD collection, titled Throw Down Your Heart: The Complete Africa Sessions, which documents Béla's remarkable journey across Africa to explore the banjo's roots.

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III brings Surviving Twin a scripted, one man show to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, March 5th at 8pm, in an evening of music and memories many years in the making. This 'posthumous collaboration' with his writer father, explores the question: What lives on between father and son? This event is part of the Doyle Coffin Architecture Singer Songwriter Series and Northern Trust Broadway & Cabaret Series with support from Teed & Brown. Visit TerraSole (3 Big Shop Lane, Ridgefield) for dinner before the show and get a free glass of house wine or dessert with your entrée when you present your tickets! Media partner for this event is WSHU - Connecticut Public Radio.

Joe's Pub has released its schedule for Feb 12-22! Brown Girls Burlesque: Love Got Game - Valentine's Edition (Feb. 12), Isaac Oliver Is Your Valentine (Feb. 13), and Lea DeLaria: f**k Love and more will take to the stage!

Art enthusiasts gathered last night (May 22) at Montalvo Arts Center for an exclusive members-only unveiling of its 2019-2020 Carriage House Theatre Concert Series line-up. The historic Silicon Valley venue announced a thrilling roster of performers from Meow Meow to The Second City, from Pablo Cruise to Loudon Wainwright III, tributes to The Beatles, Cream, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and an appearance by NPR's hit radio show and podcast "Selected Shorts." The season launches in October, offering a stellar line-up of theatre, comedy, magic, Grammy Award nominees/winners performing jazz, bluegrass, pop, rock, classical, new age, folk, Hawaiian music, and more. Tickets are now available to Montalvo members, and go on-sale to the general public beginning May 30. For more information or to purchase tickets, the public can visit montalvoarts.org or call 408-961-5858.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has officially come to a close, but not without a number of electric collaborations, spontaneous sit-ins, and world-class performances. Wynonna & The Big Noise, Amos Lee, Tyler Childers, Sam Bush Band, Brandi Carlile, and The Avett Brothers all brought extra MerleFest energy to the Watson Stage, marking another successful year for the long-running festival. Early estimates show that from its start on Thursday, April 25, to its close on Sunday, April 28, participation over the festival's four days exceeded 75,000 attendees and artists from across the world. MerleFest, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College, is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, which funds scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

Now that MerleFest, presented by Window World, is only one week away, annual festival-goers have surely begun planning their weekends. For those who have not, however, here are five sure-to-be epic experiences that shouldn't be missed. Make a note or two and join a welcoming legion of music fans in Wilkesboro, N.C., from April 25th to 28th at MerleFest.

As the world of Bluegrass continues to evolve, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers have taken advantage of the creative environment that keeps the tenets of tradition next to those of individual expression. The result is The Choosing Road, an album of refined dynamics, themes informed by personal growth and some of the most intimate songwriting to date.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce new artist additions for MerleFest 2019: Amos Lee, The Milk Carton Kids, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Del McCoury Band, The Casey Kristofferson Band, and David Holt. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, April 25-28. MerleFest is pleased to welcome these six distinguished acts to the 2019 lineup:

BWW Review: THE DEAD SOUTH Charms North America and Europe With Bluegrass, Banjo, Guitar and Grit

Arden, North Carolina (January 29, 2019) - From the deep Ozark hollows of Cane Spur, Arkansas, The Cleverlys have been plucked from obscurity and landed in the studio to produce their first national label release, Blue, available March 22 from Mountain Home Music Company. With songs like Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable,' LMFAO's 'Party Rock Anthem,' Justin Bieber's 'Baby' and The Zombies' 'She's Not (Ain't) There,' this music would be at the edge of being full camp if it weren't for the obvious vocal talent and stellar picking that holds up to any of today's progressive acoustic bands.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the initial lineup for MerleFest 2019, which will be held April 25-28. The annual homecoming of musicians and music fans returns to the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The complete lineup for MerleFest 2019 will be announced over the next few months. Today's lineup announcement includes Wynonna & The Big Noise, Keb' Mo', The Earls of Leicester, Sam Bush, Tyler Childers, Peter Rowan and The Free Mexican Air Force, and many more. The 2019 Late Night Jam on Saturday, April 27th will start at 10:30 p.m. and run well past midnight, hosted by Chatham County Line. This very popular after-hours hootenanny in the Walker Center gathers many performers from the festival for impromptu artistic collaborations and one-of-a-kind superstar jams that have become legendary in the festival's history. Ticket sales for both the festival and Late Night Jam begin at 10 a.m. EST on Nov. 13th.

Béla Fleck (banjo), Zakir Hussain (tabla), and Edgar Meyer (double bass) have combined the bluegrass, classical, and South Asian musical traditions into a one-of-a-kind sound, familiar but with a global resonance. In fact, their extraordinary interaction often suggests a sui generis jazz trio, not only improvising on set melodies, harmonies, and rhythms but also on musical genres, taking them to unlikely, unexpected musical places.

Celebrated bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer and comedian Paul Shaffer along with his talented full band, The Shaf-Shifters, will perform an exclusive three-week engagement at the iconic Cleopatra's Barge at Caesars Palace on select dates in December 2017 and January 2018.

Leftover Salmon with High Country Horns, featuring Jennifer Hartswick and Skerik, along with Grant Farm (11/24) and The Drunken Hearts (11/25), and Cu Denver Bluegrass Ensemble (both Nights), will take over the Boulder Theatertoday, November 24, and Saturday, November 25, 2017.

Celebrated bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer and comedian Paul Shaffer along with his talented full band, The Shaf-Shifters, will perform an exclusive three-week engagement at the iconic Cleopatra's Barge at Caesars Palace on select dates in December 2017 and January 2018.