Author Archives: Bud Bennett

Fred Robbins- Preserving Bluegrass History

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Bud Bennett

Musicians play music. Once a note is played it can not be reclaimed.  If a listener or would-be listener misses that note, too bad.  Nothing to be done about it. Photographers take pictures and make films.  When a photograph is … Continue reading →

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Sammy Shelor Talks about Life, Music, and Banjos.

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Bud Bennett

On my frequent trips to Meadows of Dan a few years ago, I would often see Sammy Shelor around.  It is a very small town after all, and Sammy and his family have lived there for a very long time. … Continue reading →

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Butch Robins Presents-Blue Grass Music, its Origin and Development as a Unique and Creative Art Form.

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Bud Bennett

Butch Robins presents- Blue Grass Music, its Origin and Development as a Unique and Creative Art Form. In this 5 part video series, Butch Robins explains the fascinating history of Blue Grass music. He uses both recorded and live music … Continue reading →

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Butch Robins presents the history of Blue Grass Music- Preview

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Bud Bennett

I have known Butch Robins for several years now and never tire of hearing him talk about music, life, or whatever he wants to talk about.  At times I would visit him and as soon as he got on a … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Bela Fleck

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Bud Bennett

Does anyone not recognize the name Bela Fleck? A show of hands? No one? OK good.  Bela Fleck has touched so many types of music and musicians in his 55 years of life that he is probably known throughout them … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- In the Pines

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Bud Bennett

One of my favorite pseudo-bluegrass songs is “In the Pines”.  As is the case with many songs like this, it isn’t a bluegrass song at all though, it is one of those songs of “indeterminate origin”.  Over the years it … Continue reading →

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The True Story of Molly and Tenbrooks

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Bud Bennett

Bill Monroe had a big hit in 1949 with the song Molly and Tenbrooks.  It was the B side of a record he cut in 1947 (the A side was I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky) for Columbia Records.  The … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- The Bristol Sessions

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Bud Bennett

In 1927, Texas fiddlers Eck Robertson and Henry Gilliland recorded a record for the Victor Talking Machine Company.  This was the first “country” record made and it ended up being very important, only the company dubbed the genre “hillbilly” music. … Continue reading →

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Rest in Peace Pete Seeger

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Bud Bennett

While driving to work this morning I heard the news that Pete Seeger died yesterday at the ripe old age of 94.  Pete Seeger was called a lot of things in life – among them musician, author, peace advocate, teacher, … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Tony Rice

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Bud Bennett

Anybody who listens to acoustic music knows the name Tony Rice.  For many years Tony has been a guitar icon to players of all ages and musical styles.  He has also written and/or sang songs that are firmly entrenched in … Continue reading →

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