Watch The Gibson Brothers on BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND Beginning This Week!

Word from Eric Gibson comes today with news that the brother's appearance on the PBS BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND program will begin airing in some markets this week.

Steve Martin-Steep Canyon Rangers-Edie Brickell TV Special and New Live Recording!

Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, fresh off their 2014 GRAMMY win (Best American Roots Song) are set for their first-ever live concert television broadcast as PBS’ Great Performances premieres "Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell Live" March 4th, 2014 on WNET.

(Check local listings for airings in your area).

In addition, on March 11th, 2014, Rounder Records will release a deluxe two-disc CD/DVD package documenting this special event. Highlighting Martin’s unique blend of comedy and bluegrass, this extraordinary live performance was taped in stunning HD and recorded in crystal clear 5.1 audio at the historic Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, California in the fall of 2013.

Randy Waller and Carolina Road to Perform on Song of the Mountains!

A very diversified lineup of musicians will take the stage at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia on Saturday, September 7^th.

The occasion is for another public television taping of the award winning “Song of the Mountains” concert series.  The show starts at 7:00 pm  local time.  Bluegrass enthusiasts will enjoy the music of Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road as well as the music of Randy Waller.

Clock Is Ticking on PBS Show

LAST CHANCE TO HELP IS NOW!

Tim White, host of the PBS series, Song of the Mountains  has sent a last plea for help.

In his message, White says, “We are in our final week of our "Kickstarter" campaign and are only at 25% of our goal to help keep our concert series funded and on public television. If you have already pledged we "thank you". If you have meant to pledge and have forgotten please go to our website and click on the lime green Kickstarter logo and pledge immediately.”

Kickstarter campaign goals must be fully met in order for the project to get any of the pledges received so far.   If the goal is not met or exceeded by the deadline, Kickstarter.com does not charge any of the credit cards of potential donors and the project is lost.

To help out with a donation, click here or contact Tim White at:

Tim White
Executive Coordinator & Host
Song of the Mountains
P.O. Box 750
Blountville, TN 37617

2012 Bluegrass Awards To Be Broadcast LIVE

More than one suggestion has been made over the years to the IBMA directors to find a way to share the annual awards program to members and fans who cannot attend in person due to geographic, financial or any other consideration.   The year 2012 will go down in bluegrass history as the year they made it happen.  

The International Bluegrass Music Award have been recognized throughout the music industry as one of the highest-quality live music award shows in the nation and thanks to VisitRaleigh.com and BluegrassToday who will share the sponsorship roles, bluegrass fans around the world will be able to share the experience that previously they could only read about after it was all over.

60 DAYS TO SAVE THE TV SHOW - Song Of The Mountains!

 Bluegrass and Old Time Music television show shown on PBS needs your help to fund 24 episodes for the next season recorded during 2012

Song of the Mountains is asking for support from our fans to guarantee we will have complete funding for the upcoming season of the Song of the Mountains television show.  We've been filming some amazing performances throughout this 2012 season that we know you won't want to miss! 

So we'd be grateful if you'd pay a visit to Kickstarter.com and show your love for Song of the Mountains by making a pledge and becoming a backer to help us meet our goal.  We only get the funds if we meet our goal so it is critical that we get your pledge asap

Pa's Fiddle: The Music Of America Now Available on DVD/CD

(Nashville, TN) Live concert DVD release featuring The Roys, Randy Travis,  Ronnie Milsap, Natalie Grant, and more singing the music of the Little House on the Prairie available in stores today.

In January 2012, some of country music’s biggest stars gathered to bring the traditional American folk songs written about by Laura Ingalls Wilder in her internationally best-selling series Little House on the Prairie to life.

Song of the Mountains Fundraising Concert Set for June 30th

Marion, VA- The Award Winning Song of the Mountains Concert Series will present a fundraising concert at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia on Saturday, June 30^th at 7:00 pm.

“Our concert series is in our eighth season of tapings”, says Tim White the executive coordinator and host. “We are a non-profit organization and we are always searching for funding to keep our concert series on public television across America.” says White. “We receive absolutely no funding from PBS as some people might think. We really depend on the support of bluegrass, old time, gospel, classic country and Americana music fans to step forward and make donations anytime they can. We hope many will come to our exciting fundraising concert on June 30^th and enjoy a wonderful show.”

The June 30^th concert will not be taped for broadcast but will be presented to the public for fundraising efforts.

Pa’s Fiddle On PBS this Month! The Music of Laura Ingles Wilder!

In January 2012, some of country music’s biggest stars gathered to bring the traditional American folk songs written about by Laura Ingalls Wilder in her internationally best-selling series Little House on the Prairie to life. For the first time in concert, this music was performed in front of a rapt, intimate audience at the Loveless Barn in Nashville and filmed for broadcast. The concert will be aired nationwide on PBS throughout June with additional broadcasts scheduled for Fall 2012 and beyond.   WATCH THE VIDEO TRAILER HERE!

Big TV Taping Day for Roys Fans–Two Shows This Saturday!

Bluegrass stars THE ROYS make two national TV appearances this Saturday, June 2, as they are guests on both RFD-TV's Reno's Old Time Music Festival and the PBS Special, Pa's Fiddle: America's Music.

Reno's Old Time Music Festival, hosted by Bluegrass legend Ronnie Reno, features THE ROYS singing five songs from their current CD, LONESOME WHISTLE.

The “Darling Look” on PBS!

Darling Boy to Appear on Song of the Mountains March 3rd

He was one of the Darling Boys on the 1960s "Andy Griffith Show" and he is going to tape an episode of Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia on Saturday, March 3^rd.

Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band will headline the concert on March 3^rd which will also include musical performances by the "Close Kin Project" and "Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition".

Rodney Dillard has had a long varied career.

2 Grammy Nominations, induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, a well known acting stint on the Andy Griffith Show, many other movie, commercials and TV appearances, recipient of The Outstanding Missourian Award, and worldwide acclaim for his over 50 yrs. of recording both traditional Bluegrass and his own brand of ‘DILLARDGRASS’. Rodney Dillard as founding member of the legendary group, ‘THE DILLARDS’ (aka the Darlings) is seen nearly everyday somewhere in the world thanks to the still enormous popularity of The ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW reruns.

Opry Star Bobby Osborne to Perform on PBS Show-Song of the Mountains

Marion, VA – Grand Ole Opry legend Bobby Osborne and his band the Rocky Top X-press will be in concert for a taping of Song of the Mountains on Saturday, February 4^th at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia.

It is very difficult to fit into one paragraph a biography of Bobby Osborne. He has been many places and done many things in his sixty-plus years as a professional entertainer. He worked for a time with Larry Richardson in the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, and with the Stanley Brothers in the early part of his career.

However, the Korean War cut his stint with the Stanley Brothers short. After returning home with a Purple Heart for his service as a marine, he joined with his brother Sonny to form the famous Osborne Brothers that have recorded hits such as Ruby, Roll Muddy River, Kentucky, and of course Rocky Top.

Song Of The Mountains Cries Out For HELP !

In an open letter to Bluegrass and Acoustic Music Supporters, Song Of The Mountains TV Host, Tim White Expresses URGENCY!

Bluegrass & Americana Music Friends,

We are still struggling tremendously to keep Song of the Mountains funded and on the air on public television. I am disappointed in the response to our pleas presented to our fan base up to this point for help with donations. Everywhere I go people tell me how much they look forward to seeing SOTM on television each week. When I tell them we need financial support and even a small donation will add up to help if enough fans in bluegrass and old time music will step up and help us then this would be our salvation to our funding problems.

Our potential reach across America in 146 million people per year. We have a quality bluegrass and Americana program that serves our fan base like no other....ever. I know our bluegrass fans and family love our show but if they continue to sit on their hands and do nothing we have no choice but to end production.

Pa's Fiddle Project Comes to PBS

New Album to be Released June 5th to Commemorate Occasion

This Friday, January 6th, a concert based on the music written about in the Little House on the Prairie series of books by author Laura Ingalls Wilder, will be filmed at the Loveless Barn in Franklin, TN before a live audience, for broadcast by the PBS television network.  Pa's Fiddle: America's Music will broadcast first during the June pledge-drive season on PBS stations throughout the nation, and be available to those stations for broadcast over the next two years. 

Artists performing include award-winning musician and musical director Randy Scruggs and an all-star string band featuring Matt Combs, Dennis Crouch, Chad Cromwell, Hoot Hester and Shad Cobb, along with featured artists Randy Travis, Rodney Atkins,Ronnie Milsap, Ashton Shepherd, The Roys, Natalie Grant and Committed (NBC Sing Off Champions).

Alison Krauss Talks with Tavis Smiley on PBS Tonight!

UPDATE:   WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

The 26-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter discusses what she feels has recently attracted artists to bluegrass and performs music from her new CD, “Paper Airplane.”


Since becoming a music business pro at age 14, when she signed with Rounder Records as a fiddler, Alison Krauss has become the most recognized face in contemporary bluegrass. Not only has she helped expose the genre to a new audience, but she’s also earned a record-breaking 26 Grammys—as a solo artist and part of a duet, with her renowned backup band Union Station and as a record producer.
She’s made multiple guest appearances on other records and contributed to numerous film soundtracks. Krauss’ most recent album, “Paper Airplane,” is her first of all-new recordings with Union Station since 04.

Tune in to: Prescription Bluegrass Radio EVERY WEEK for the best in Bluegrass Music Check the "Clinic Locations" Tab at www.PrescriptionBluegrass.com for times and dates.

UPDATE: WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Bluegrass At The White House!

SIERRA HULL TO PERFORM WITH ALISON KRAUSS AND DAN TYMINSKI AT THE WHITE HOUSE PART OF PBS’S EMMY AWARD-NOMINATED SERIES “IN PERFORMANCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE,” AIRING NOVEMBER 23
20-year old mandolin virtuoso and Rounder recording artist Sierra Hull will be performing with label mates Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski as part of “Country Music: In Performance at the White House” –  a PBS music special in the East Room of the White House. 

President and Mrs. Obama will host the event tonight, November 21, in celebration of Country music.  Other performers include Lauren Alaina, The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, Darius Rucker and James Taylor.

Prescription Bluegrass Looks at: “Give Me The Banjo”

Prescription Bluegrass CD Reviewer, W.J. Hallock took a look at Tony Trischka’s Banjo Project Documentary aired under the title “Give Me The Banjo”  this evening on PBS and filed this review:  

PBS has done it again!   “Give Me The Banjo” had me glued to the TV!  What a marvelous history lesson….. AND one that you can tap your toes to.

Steve Martin, in the last two years, has done more for the banjo than we may ever know. He’s doing today what Pete Seeger did to influence banjo players in the ‘50’s. Just how many fine players will someday be remembering that this musical experience was the catalyst that made the banjo part of their life? From detailing it’s origins in Africa to it’s musical importance for the last two hundred years, this special is just that ….”Special!”  This is a must see, for banjo buffs and history fans.

_____________________

 "This film puts an end once and for all to all Banjo Jokes...the serious side of Steve Martin (a rare commodity) narrating this documentary directed by Emmy-Winning Marc Fields puts the Banjo in it's proper and respected place in American Music."

- Brian McNeal

 Prescription Bluegrass Radio

Song of the Mountains to Feature Darin and Brooke Aldridge and The Roys!

Song of the Mountains showcases the best talents in bluegrass and old-time music from the heart of the region where it all began! Live concerts are held monthly at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia with shows videotaped for our award winning Television Series which can be seen on 170 public television affiliates throughout the country. 

“Give Me The Banjo” Airs November 4th on PBS

T he Banjo Project: The Story of America’s Instrument is a trans-media cultural odyssey: "Give Me the Banjo," a major television documentary airing nationally on PBS in November 2011, a DVD with extra performances and scenes, a live stage/multi-media performance and a resource website that will chronicle the journey of America’s quintessential instrument—the banjo—from its African roots to the 21stcentury.
Narrated by Steve Martin, "Give Me the Banjo" brings together contemporary players in all styles—Earl Scruggs, Pete Seeger, Bela Fleck, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Mike Seeger, Don Vappie and Abigail Washburn, among many others—with folklorists, historians, instrument makers and passionate amateurs to tell the story of America’s instrument in all its richness and diversity.

Steve Martin to Narrate Banjo Film on PBS!

The PBS fall 2011 line-up will include The Banjo Project documentary, now known as Give Me the Banjo. It will be one episode in the new mini-series, “PBS Arts Fall Festival,” for national prime time broadcast. The banjo documentation’s PBS incarnation will be 82 minutes, with Steve Martin narrating and as many of the players and commentators as will fit. The DVD/home video is currently being negotiated.  The film will air on PBS TV November 4, 2011.