High Lonesome Sound

09/05/2025

https://youtu.be/43TtbOEaABE?si=As86el6Igt4MSJ40

John does Gentle on my Mind onDavids Wacky Morning Show before Dave became a big time Loser and got Ugly -

09/03/2025

09/01/2025

John practically grew up attending the Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festivals in Missouri so for us to get to play here is extra special! If you are looking for the perfect bluegrass festival for you and your family to attend - this is it! Join us Saturday, September 20th in Conway, MO!

Mo Pitney John Meyer

08/23/2025

Happy birthday to one great banjo picker, Charlie Cushman!

08/20/2025

Don’t forget the Bluegrass Sing-Along Saturday night. We hope you are able to join us!

08/18/2025

**ATTENTION**

OPENING DAY FOR EARLY CAMPING IS AUGUST 23RD!!

08/18/2025

Remembering Vassar Clements who we lost 20 years ago today!

Vassar Clements was an American fiddle virtuoso whose genre-defying career left an indelible mark on bluegrass, country, jazz, and beyond. Born Vassar Carlton Clements on April 25, 1928, in Kinard, Florida, Clements grew up in the musical heart of the American South, picking up the fiddle at age seven. By the time he was a teenager, his natural talent was unmistakable, and he was soon performing with local bands.

At just 21, Clements joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, the group widely credited with founding bluegrass music. His time with Monroe (1949–1956) was formative, helping him hone a fluid, improvisational style that distinguished him from his peers. His approach to the fiddle was revolutionary: blending bluegrass roots with touches of jazz, swing, and blues, he pushed the boundaries of traditional string music.

After a period of struggle in the 1960s, including battles with alcoholism and personal hardship, Clements experienced a major career revival in the 1970s. He became a sought-after session musician in Nashville, playing on hundreds of recordings. Notably, he appeared on the groundbreaking Will the Circle Be Unbroken album (1972) by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which introduced him to a wider audience and cemented his status as a pioneer of what would later be called “progressive bluegrass” or “newgrass.”

Clements' collaborations were incredibly diverse. He recorded with artists like the Grateful Dead, Jimmy Buffett, Linda Ronstadt, and Paul McCartney, among others. His own albums, such as Crossing the Catskills and Hillbilly Jazz, showcased his ability to blur genre lines, mixing traditional fiddle tunes with the improvisational spirit of jazz.

Throughout his career, Clements was known for his warm, easygoing stage presence and his belief that music should be fun and free-spirited. He often described his style as “hillbilly jazz,” reflecting his love for both the technical mastery of jazz and the homespun authenticity of Appalachian fiddle music.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Clements continued to tour and record, maintaining a loyal fan base. Even as he battled cancer in his later years, he remained active, performing into the early 2000s. He was nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to American music.

Vassar Clements died of lung cancer on August 16, 2005, in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, at the age of 77. His legacy endures not only through his extensive recordings but also in the countless musicians he inspired. Known as the “Father of Hillbilly Jazz,” Clements' adventurous spirit and virtuosic talent helped reshape the American musical landscape, proving that great music knows no boundaries.

April 25, 1928 – August 16, 2005

08/18/2025

FYI - hopefully they can reschedule a Columbia stop in the future.

08/11/2025

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/iowa-state-fair/2025/08/10/iowan-wins-iowa-state-fair-100th-fiddlers-contest-52-years-after-first-title/85599987007/

Keokuk native Kirk Brandenberger now owns two fiddlers' contest titles — one in 1973 as an under-18 participant, and one in 2025.

08/07/2025

Happy Birthday to friend and banjo-master, Alison Brown!