Category Archives: Local events

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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Roger Sprung is Here

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Bud Bennett

When I think back the many years to the time when I went to the Galax Fiddlers Convention for the first time, one memory stands out.  People were everywhere, walking, talking, playing music; venders were selling vintage instruments, food, t-shirts … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Steve Martin

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Bud Bennett

(Used with permission from Roger Gupta, photographer) “Do you love to…..get small?” Back in the late 70s when anyone said that, most people in the room would start laughing and usually start reciting the entire comedy album called…. well it … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Butch Robins Part 2

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Bud Bennett

(Used with permission from Bud Bennett, photographer) I started the first part of the Butch Robins posting with a story about how and when I met Butch.  Since this is the second part of the posting I will now continue … 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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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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Corn Mazes

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Bud Bennett

A popular activity for folks at this time of year is wandering through corn mazes.  I was recently thinking about mazes and wondering whether or not they were an Appalachian tradition; I didn’t particularly think they were and I don’t … Continue reading →

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The Bland County History Archives

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Bud Bennett

A few weeks ago somebody told me about The Bland County History Archives website.  Since then I’ve visited it several times, sometimes for a short time and sometimes for a long time.  This website is the result of work by … 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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