Category Archives: bluegrass

Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Farewell My Home

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Bud Bennett

Some years ago electronic and rock musician Brian Eno recorded a series of albums he referred to as ambient music.  In the liner notes he mentioned that he tried to make music as enjoyable as it was ignorable.  I liked … Continue reading →

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"Give Me the Banjo" on PBS Nov 4

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Bud Bennett

There has been a documentary in the works for quite a while now and it is apparently finished and will air Nov 4 at 9:00-pm on PBS. The Banjo Project has a very nice website talking about this documentary and … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday Bill Monroe!

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Bud Bennett

Today would mark Bill Monroe’s 100th birthday.   He did a lot for music in his lifetime (which stretched from September 13, 1911 to September 9, 1996) by inventing what he called Bluegrass Music and by teaching it to so many … Continue reading →

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Billy Jim's Fiddle

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Bud Bennett

There is a poem by Stephen Vincent Benet that I have loved since the very first time I heard it.  In fact, it made such an impression on me I tried to memorize it.  I got pretty far with that, … Continue reading →

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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- Replay

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Bud Bennett

(Used with permission from Darcy Whiteside, photographer) Not all of the music I am highlighting is strictly or traditionally Appalachian music.  Appalachia is a big place and its inhabitants are varied and have many interests and influences.  The album I … Continue reading →

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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- The Seldom Scene

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Bud Bennett

The Seldom Scene was a progressive bluegrass band that started in 1971.  I say “was” because even though the band technically still exists, it only has one original member and I think is no longer leading the way for other … Continue reading →

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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- Throw Down Your Heart

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Bud Bennett

This pick is different from the others I have made so far, this one isn’t Appalachian music at all- in fact it’s not even all music, it’s a DVD.  I picked this one because it concerns one of America’s most … Continue reading →

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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- Grass Roots: The Best of New Grass Revival

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Bud Bennett

I usually really dislike greatest hits albums, I don’t know why, maybe I don’t like somebody deciding for me what a band’s best work is, maybe my taste runs counter to the general public, maybe I’m just disagreeable, who knows…  … Continue reading →

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25th Annual Folk Arts Festival- Saturday Oct 2

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Bud Bennett

Back in the 1970s a wonderful series of books came out that really either reminded us (or informed us) of several of the wonderful traditions of Appalachian culture.  These books contained interviews and photos and instructions on how to do … Continue reading →

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Bluegrass and Old-time jams

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Bud Bennett

One of the nice things about bluegrass and old-time music is that it is pretty easy to see it live and that is really something that is almost a core value of the music.  Those of us who play this … Continue reading →

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