Category Archives: McConnell Highlights

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 →

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

Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Carolina Chocolate Drops

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Bud Bennett

I just heard that Dena Epstein died last week (11/14/13) at the age of 96.  I am going to assume that her name was not necessarily recognizeable to most people but I am pretty sure that the fruits of her life’s … Continue reading →

Posted in books, McConnell Highlights, old time, people | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Adam Hurt

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Bud Bennett

I was sitting here minding my own business listening to some music.  A patron of mine walked into my office to take care of some library business and then stayed a while to chat.  I noticed her looking at my … Continue reading →

Posted in McConnell Highlights, music, old time | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in bluegrass, Local events, McConnell Highlights, music, New River Valley | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Bela Fleck- Drive

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Bud Bennett

Bela Fleck is a darned good banjo player and seems to be a darned nice guy too (I have not spent much of any time with him to actually know that, but the little bit that I have spent with … Continue reading →

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

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 →

Posted in bluegrass, books, Local events, McConnell Highlights, music, New River Valley, people | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- John Hartford

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Bud Bennett

(Used with permission from C.L. Garvin, photographer.) When I was younger, I had a very good friend, Billy.  Billy was a lot older than me and he loved bluegrass music.  He would play and loan his bluegrass records to me, … Continue reading →

Posted in bluegrass, McConnell Highlights, music, old time, people | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Highlights of McConnel Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- John Balch

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Bud Bennett

Earworm.  The definition of that word from dictionary.com is “a tune or part of a song that repeats in one’s mind”.  I did not need to look that word up actually but I did anyway just to see if there … Continue reading →

Posted in McConnell Highlights, music, old time | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- JD Crowe

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Bud Bennett

   (Used with permission from Mark Harvell, photographer.) If you ask a roomful of bluegrass banjo players who their favorite 5 banjo players are, I’ll bet two names will be on most every list- Earl Scruggs and JD Crowe.  I … Continue reading →

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

Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Butch Robins PART 1

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Bud Bennett

This will be part 1 of a multi-part post on local legend Butch Robins. In 1981, while a student at VPI, I had a show at WUVT, the college radio station there.  The show was from 6:00-9:00 AM Monday mornings … Continue reading →

Posted in bluegrass, McConnell Highlights, music, New River Valley, people | Tagged , , | 5 Comments