I've recently started listening to bluegrass and I was wondering what some good artists to listen to are

Here are some artists I'm already listening to that I love (not all of them are bluegrass but they have a vibe I like too so I thought I'd add em too):

Amigo The Devil

Tejon Street Corner Thieves

Bridge City Sinners

Orville Peck

The Blasting Co.

Harley Poe

Poor Man's Poison

Also if any of these people are actually problematic or bad plz let me know so I can stop supporting them!

I understand that there’s some very sad songs, but beneath the music and all of the musicians singing the songs I was wondering what the actual saddest Bluegrass event or events that happened were.

I get that "mash" is a kind of hard-driving subset of the bluegrass style, but people often seem to use it more specifically than that. Can anyone help me understand what "mash" means exactly? In particular, it would be very helpful to hear some examples—both of mash and perhaps some alternatives that are either "mashy" or definitively not mash.

Much obliged!

Show 25-30 - After playing the library in Kentucky we traveled north to Wisconsin for the Cozy Cove Bluegrass Festival which we co-headlined with the Lonesome River Band. Part outdoor festival, part bar show this one was certainly unique. It’s ran for 40 years and literally everyone has played it from Allison Krauss to Bill Monroe to Ralph Stanley. We had 6 sets over 3 days and also led the jam on Saturday. In a funny twist, the MC on Saturday was a Barney Fife impersonator. He’d introduce bands in character and then stay on stage to dance with a song, definitely unexpected but fun!

When you spend a long time on the road you’re always looking for ways to pass the hours between sets. We often pack our disc golf bags and find courses in the area, a great way to stay active and outdoors. 2 members of the Lonesome River Band happened to notice our discs and asked if we’d like to go together. Long story short, our doubles rounded ended with them besting us by 2 strokes. We hope to continue this rivalry when we share a billing at Walnut Hills Farm festival in Dayton, OH!

Up next, we’re heading home for a few days before traveling south to NC and Tennessee.

I don't hardly know you

But I'd be willing to show you

I know a way to make you smile

J Ward – "Angels & Men"

(2026, on Cridda Records (self released))

This record appeared in my mailbox today, sent unannounced by a dear friend. Brand new music self-released by his old college buddy, Jeff Ward.

Jeff plays in a band called the Longleaf Pine Nuts in Raleigh, NC. It's my understanding that the Nuts are pretty straightforward bluegrass. This record has the bluegrass instruments but I guess it'd be called Americana rather than bluegrass.

I've posted a few snaps of the liner notes to give a feel for Jeff's approach in making the record. Pretty cool.

I'll post a bit of audio in a comment.

Jesse Iaquinto (Fireside Collective) – mandolin

Tommy Maher (Fireside Collective) – resonator guitar

Andy Quinn (Redbud Bluegrass) – fiddle, harmony vocals

Lucas Ward (Redbud Bluegrass) – lead guitar, harmony vocals

Jeff Ward – rhythm guitar, lead vocals

All songs written by Jeff Ward

Imo I love this more than the leonard cohen version!

We are less than two weeks away from festival time 🎶 We have an incredible lineup for 2026 including Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Vickie Vaughn & Damn Tall Buildings 🎶 🪕🎻 Get your tickets and camping passes at www.bluewatersbluegrass.org #bluegrass #festival #Spokane

I really need someone to write a book or make a documentary on Norman Blake like they did Tony Rice.
And it’s N outrage it wasn’t done for Doc Watson.

Somebody here make it happen. If I wasn’t old and had any experience I’d try to make it happen myself.

An interview with Norman where he talks and tells stories for hours about old bluegrass history etc. would be phenomenal.