Celebration of Life Held for Al Batten Today!

Alton Tharse Batten, age 68, of Selma, NC, died November, 20th 2016, after an extended illness. Better known in the bluegrass world as Al Batten, he was a founding member of the bluegrass band, Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion.

Performing was his passion, with a stage show as memorable for comedy as it was for music. For over forty years, Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion toured much of the eastern United States and visited Ireland twice to perform for the International Bluegrass and Folk Festival in Omagh.

We Mourn the Loss of Bluegrass Pioneer Melvin Goins

Over the years and the various Bluegrass radio programs we've produced, it's unmountable just how many times Melvin Goins' was on the air.

Radio personalities get to feeling like we know those artists we play frequently.  We get to thinking of them as close friends.

And so it was that after many years, I finally got the chance to meet Melvin in person.  He lived up to every one of my expectations.  The Melvin I'd come to know through his music was the same Melvin I met standing in the lobby of the Nashville Convention Center.

Melvin and his late brother, Ray were inducted into the Kentucky Hall of Fame in 2011.

Melvin Goins was 83 at death.  He entertained bluegrass fans for 65 years.

Man Who Helped Launch Vince Gill's Career Passes!

Bill G. Perry who at one time was the agent and road manager for a band known as Bluegrass Review has passed away at age 80.  The Bluegrass Review spawned the career  of Bluegrass and Country giant, Vince Gill.

Perry died Friday evening, November 13, 2015 in Oklahoma City.

Banjo Camp North's Mike Kropp Passes!

Some sad news for banjo enthusiasts was posted on the Banjo Camp North social pages:

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"We have some very sad news. Earlier today, Mike Kropp, one of the owners of Banjo Camp North, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Bluegrass Boy Bill Keith Passes!

The most recent honoree in the International Bluegrass Hall of Fame has left us.   Banjo pioneer (and one-time Bluegrass Boy with Bill Monroe), Bill Keith died yesterday, October 23rd, 2015.

From his personal Facebook page, his family notified his fans and the world saying:

Sue Cunningham Passes

Susan E. Cunningham passed away on September 3rd at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after a long illness.

She was 58.

A classically trained violinist, she played in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, but then turned her focus to her love of Bluegrass music.  She wrote and performed songs with her brothers Tom and Steve, as The Flying Cunninghams.

Pathway's Mark Freeman Passes!

Mark Roberson Freeman, a member of the bluegrass and Gospel group PATHWAY, passed away Wednesday night, September 2, 2015, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC

Freeman was born May 9, 1959, in Surry County, NC,  to Robert Eldridge and Georgia Johnson Freeman.  

Brooke Aldridge Remembers Country Star Lynn Anderson!

The music community lost another Country Music giant this week when Grammy-Winner, Lynn Anderson passed away on Thursday, July 30th.

With 12 charted number one hits, eighteen in the top 10 and more than 50 Top-40 hits, Anderson had an impact that was profound.   (She was named Billboard's Female Artist of the Decade from 1970–1980.)

Oregon Association Loses Founding Member from Heart Attack!

The Oregon bluegrass community has lost one of its best.  Steve Waller with the Sawtooth Mountain Boys passed away Friday, June 26th, of a heart attack.

The Oregon Bluegrass Association might not be if it had not been for Steve - he was one of the founding members.

Grand Ole Opry Member Jim Ed Brown Has Died!

Jim Ed Brown, a star of the Grand Ole Opry for more than fifty years and a newly elected member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, died Thursday, June 11th at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, TN after battling cancer.

Mr. Brown scored major country hits as a solo artist, as a duet singer, and as a member of The Browns with sisters Maxine and Bonnie. The Browns’ 1959 crossover smash “The Three Bells” topped Billboard’s country chart for ten consecutive weeks, and it spent four weeks atop Billboard’s all-genre singles chart.

The Passing of Ben Freed - Guest Article by James Reams!

The sad news is Ben Freed passed away, a long time stalwart of the Northeast banjo, bluegrass scene, he influenced many banjo players. He played on the soundtrack for the Coen brothers feature film “Raising Arizona” Ben had a number of widely praised CD’s, Bluegrass Unlimited called Speed of Sound “ both infectious and very creative…” Dr. Banjo, Peter Wernick, called Ben’s CD Suite for Bluegrass Banjo “ one of the best banjo records ever.” Ben was an amazing individual, family man and community builder. He will be missed by that community. Banjo Ben

Tex Logan Passes!

Benjamin Franklin "Tex" Logan Jr. passed away Friday April 24th after an emergency hospitalization and subsequent rehabilitation from which he never was able to recover.

His health had been teetering for more than a year.  His latest trip to the emergency room was due to a condition known as hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood) due to a kidney disease.

Dobro Legend, Tut Taylor Passes

The legendary dobro player and Grammy winner, Robert Arthur "Tut" Taylor, Sr. passed away today (April 9th, 2015)

His daughter in law, Kerri Taylor,  spoke for the family saying:

Julia Mainer, Wife of Bluegrass Icon Wade Mainer, Passes!

Bluegrass lost another one of its most treasured pioneers this week.

Singer and guitarist Julia Mainer died on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at age 95.

Bluegrass Songwriter Dixie Hall Dies After Lengthy Illness!

A great friend to Bluegrass Music, Dixie Hall has passed away.  She was 80 years old.

Dixie Hall was a bluegrass patriot and music supporter long before she became the wife of Country Music legend, Tom T. Hall, to whom she was married for 46 years.

Mason City, Iowa Bluegrass Broadcaster Passes!

Fredrick Alan Younger, 60, of Nora Springs, Iowa passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, Dec. 27, 2014.

Fred loved bluegrass music and playing mandolin, especially with his son,Cole, at church and other area events.

Successful Bluegrass Songwriter and Former Sunny Mountain Boy, Paul Craft, Is Gone!

USA TODAY is reporting the death of one of Country Music's most successful songwriters. According to the publication, Paul Craft died Saturday morning at age 76.

His song "Keep Me From Blowing Away" was originally recorded by the The Seldom Scene on their 1973 album Act II and was then recorded by Linda Ronstadt on her 1974 album "Heart Like a Wheel", and has since been recorded by Moe Bandy, T. Graham Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis and Willie Nelson. His song "Midnight Flyer" was recorded by the Eagles. His song "Dropkick Me, Jesus" was a number 17 country hit for Bobby Bare in 1976.

Johnny Vincent Passes

Prescription Bluegrass has learned of the passing of Johnny Vincent, father of Rhonda Vincent  and Darrin Vincent (Dailey & Vincent).

Rhonda's message on her social page simply says:

"Daddy passed away at 8am this morning. I've never known a deeper hurt. My heart aches with sadness. We take comfort in knowing he was so very loved, will suffer no more, and has reached his heavenly home. Rest in Sweet Peace Daddy ! Services for Johnny Vincent will be held at Sally Mountain Park in Queen City, Missouri - 10am on Wednesday, October 8, 2014."

Pinecastle Founder, Tom Riggs, Passes

The staff at Pinecastle Records are saddened to announce that Pinecastle's founder and former owner Thomas W. Riggs died on Saturday August 30^th, 2014 at the age of 78.

Tom left an indelible mark on the bluegrass music industry and will be remembered not only for the way he conducted business but for the many artists that he encouraged and helped establish.

A private service will be held in his hometown of Louisville, KY.

British Bluegrass Founding Member Phillip Morley Passes

Obituary Notices:

The following was posted by the British Bluegrass Music Association this morning.

On behalf of the BBMA Committee, it is with great sadness that we have to report the sad news we received a short while ago, that founding member of the BBMA, Phill Morley, passed away in hospital this morning. Phill was a great banjo player, teacher, tireless promoter of bluegrass and friend to so many, he will be missed by the whole bluegrass community. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends as this sad time.