Category Archives: bluegrass

Rex McGee- Banjo Playing Enigma

I first became aware of Rex McGee somewhere in the early 1990s at the first Merlefest that I ever attended.  At the time the festival was pretty small but it was packed to the gills with music and workshops.  These … Continue reading

Posted in bluegrass, music | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Banjo Construction Photos- Form vs. Function

I like banjos. There….I said it.  I guarantee that is a true statement too.  I like to play them, I like to hear them, I like to learn about them and I just plain like to look at them sometimes. … Continue reading

Posted in bluegrass, McConnell Highlights, music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Banjo Masters Interview Series

For the past two years, our Archives department has been conducting interviews of master banjo players and builders.  As of now we have published interviews of Butch Robins, Sammy Shelor, Jens Kruger, and Tom Nechville.  This is a fascinating and … Continue reading

Posted in bluegrass, McConnell Highlights, music, people | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New Interview- Tom Nechville- Banjo Building’s Mad Scientist

  Tom Nechville- Banjo Building’s Mad Scientist https://vimeo.com/173492693 A few years ago when I came up with the idea to interview various banjo masters, I intended to focus on both players and builders that I felt were innovative, influential, and … Continue reading

Posted in bluegrass, McConnell Highlights, music, people | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Jens Kruger Interview

(Photograph ©John Hildreth 2014 and used with permission.) I can remember the first time I ever heard The Kruger Brothers’ music.  I had heard the name Kruger Brothers and was aware that Jens was an amazing player but that was as … Continue reading

Posted in bluegrass, McConnell Highlights, music, people | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Fred Robbins- Preserving Bluegrass History

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

Posted in bluegrass, music, people | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Sammy Shelor Talks about Life, Music, and Banjos.

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

Posted in bluegrass, music, people | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

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

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

Posted in bluegrass, Local events, music, New River Valley, people | Tagged , | 29 Comments

Butch Robins presents the history of Blue Grass Music- Preview

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

Posted in bluegrass, music, New River Valley, people | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Bela Fleck

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

Posted in bluegrass, McConnell Highlights, music, people | Tagged , , | Leave a comment