Friends & Fans Salute Jay Ungar & Molly Mason and Celebrate 50 Years of Outdoor Education

For 50 years, Ashokan has introduced children to the natural world. Through compassionate group learning, music, and dance, young people develop a connection with nature that will help them make informed decisions and responsible choices towards improving the quality of life on our planet.

Jay and Molly played a pivotal role in saving Ashokan when the land went up for sale and the end of these valuable programs was imminent.

More Funds Raised By Bluegrass Bands to Aid Smokie Mountain Fire Victims!

So far, the current amount raised exceeds $16,000!

Nu-Blu is giving back in a big way, after recently teaming up with The Buck Stove Company of Spruce Pine, NC  to organize a special event this past weekend to benefit Dolly Parton's My People Fund.*

Appropriately titled, Christmas for the Smokies, the event was held on December 18, and also featured performances from the Garrett Newton Band with Lorraine Jordan, Darrin & Brooke Aldridge, and Tim Shelton & Rob Baker.

Newton & Thomas Song Honors "Great American Heroes"!

Newton & Thomas are proud to announce the new single release, “Great American Heroes”  written by the award-winning songwriter, Mark “Brink” Brinkman.

All proceeds from the sale of  this inspirational and patriotic new tune will benefit the American Security Council Foundation - a non-profit organization promoting the Strategy of Peace Through Strength.

Detour Continues Support of Homeless Veterans!

Detour is proud to announce they have presented additional funds to Goodwill’s Patriot Place Project from proceeds of the sale of their songs "Soldier’s Sorrow" and "Homeless of the Brave." Yesterday, band member Jeff Rose presented Kathleen Arndt, Patriot Place Program Director, a check in the amount of $2,000.

An additional $3,000 in matching funds will also be donated from Detour’s fans along with future donations from the band's record label, Mountain Fever Records.

Rick Bartley & Wife Devastated In Total Loss House Fire - Benefit Planned!

We received the following from Shayne Bartley and are only too happy to post it for everyone and encourage sharing to the max!   Shayne wrote:

Nearly 3/4 Million Dollars Raised by Bluegrass Jammers

On the last Saturday in February, jammers from the most novice to the most experienced in FOUR COUNTRIES and in cities all across America gathered together for  MUSIC and ART  help others in their time of need.

The Marathon Jam, an annual event which began in Chapel Hill, NC  six years ago by bluegrass musician and author, John Santa, has grown to international status and has provided not only much needed funding but also incalculable amounts of international exposure for their favorite charity, Fisher Houses.

A Night for Tony Rice!

It wasn't too long ago that the bluegrass world poured out to support a benefit held on behalf of Steve Thomas, now Steve is quick to pay back the kindness.

He and his duet partner Mark Newton have announced their intentions to perform at a special night for bluegrass guitar virtuoso Tony Rice to be held at 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill, 818 3rd Ave. S. in Nashville on Tuesday, March 25.

Vintage Stringed Instrument Auction To Benefit Blue Ridge Acoustic Uprising!

The Blue Ridge Acoustic Uprising will present a musical instrument and vintage musical instrument auction on Saturday, April 12^th at 5:00 pm as part of this event at the Wytheville Meeting Center.

This auction will be for stringed instruments such as guitars, mandolins, fiddles, banjos, or any instruments generally used in bluegrass, country and old time music.

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Colorado Flood Relief CD/Download Available from Festival.net!

Festival Link dot Net has put together 14 tracks from the Colorado Bands Together concert held just two weeks after the massive flooding in Boulder County last fall.

All proceeds from downloads or CD purchases will go two different funds for Colorado flood relief.

Jetts Creek, Nightflyer, Badly Bent and More Contribute to Cancer Victim Benefit!

Most every benefit is given for a good cause and the guys in Nightflyer really love helping out where they can as do all of the other bands participating this weekend.

This Sunday's benefit for Vicki Lewis is a little nearer and dearer than most. Vicki is a local bluegrass musician, but is also the mother of Nightflyer's own Angel Lewis.

Donations Sought For Fire Victim Steve Thomas!

Fireworks on New Years Eve was not the plan that Steve Thomas and his wife Janet had in mind for a celebration.

The couple's home was almost totally destroyed due to a faulty electrical outlet.  Although the couple were home at the time of the fire and managed to save themselves,  family pets and musical instruments most of the remainder of the home's contents including some newly recorded bluegrass tracks Steve had taken home to work on in his home studio are surely lost - if not from the fire and smoke damage then most likely from water damage caused by fire department efforts to extinguish the blaze.

Bluegrass Museum Benefit Concert Series Kicks Off with John Hartford Tribute!

The folks in Owensboro, KY at the International Bluegrass Music Museum are giving folks a chance to shake the snow off their boots.  They're bringing  back the summer, steamboats, and dance boards.

Celebrate the music and dance of John Hartford at the International Bluegrass Music Museum on the banks of the Ohio River in Owensboro, the river he traversed so often and loved so well.

Ricky Skaggs To Perform For National Press Club Luncheon!

14-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs will share memories from his 50-year bluegrass and country career at a National Press Club luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 19. 

During the luncheon, Skaggs will break out his guitar to perform some of his best known hits.

Bluegrass Radio Listeners to Raise Funds for Injured Military Veterans

December 12th, 2013 marks the second annual Bluegrass Music Appreciation Day (BMAD) for bluegrass enthusiasts, musicians, promoters and all of the sorts.

The Bluegrass Jamboree Internet Radio Station in conjunction with Bluegrass Life are adding to the appreciation by dedicating their airtime on that day to benefit injured veterans who require a specially adapted home due to injuries sustained while defending our country.

Bluegrass for Hospice Celebrates 5th Year With Double Headliners!

Bluegrass for Hospice-2013, on Saturday October 26th, will be celebrating its 5th year and headliner, Larry Sparks is celebrating his 50th year in Bluegrass music.

This year will be bigger and better than ever with two headliners and the rest of the day filled with local entertainment.

Alongside of Rebel Recording Artist Larry Sparks, will also be the 2013 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Male Vocalist of the year, Junior Sisk along with his band Ramblers Choice who record for the same record label. It will be a Rebel Bluegrass day!

Benefit for Florida Woman with ALS!

In mid-August Marianne Zebedee was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).

Marianne & her husband Graham Zebedee have both been positive, hard working members of Jupiter, Florida community for years.

Newton & Thomas to Perform At Benefit for Wounded Warriors!

Mark Newton & Steve Thomas will perform at the 1st Annual  18 Fore Military Families Golf Tournament at the Governors Club  in Brentwood, TN on Monday, September 9th.

The inaugural event will not only include the 18-hole golf tournament, but also lunch, cocktails, silent auction, live auction, ceremony, buffet dinner and awards.

Jim VanCleve Says Thank You

“Jimmy Jam” was the name of the benefit concert put together in support of Mountain Heart’s Jim Van Cleve.

Jim suffered a near fatal illness from mosquito bites while performing in St. Croix. (See the story here).

Food Bank Benefits from Free Bluegrass Event

Freudenthal Home Health announces Bluegrass Battles Hunger 2013, a 2-day concert event to support the Second Harvest Community Food Bank in St. Joseph, MO.

The event is free and open to the public.  However patrons are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and cash donations for the Second Harvest Community Food Bank, which supports hunger relief agencies in Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas.

Huber Banjos Auctions “Wade Mainer Tribute Replica Banjo” For Bluegrass Heritage Foundation

Huber Banjos and the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation have announced they are auctioning off a special edition VRB-G Custom "Wade Mainer Tribute" banjo on eBay.

A portion of the proceeds from this auction will go to support the Foundation’s Play It Forward Instrument Lending Program for kids!