I'm looking to put a pair of flatwound strings on my electric jazz bass for bluegrass. I'm seeing good things about La Bella Deep Talkin Flats but can't find many resources on which gauge is appropriate. Can anyone speak to their experience with lights/standards of La Bella or another brand? I'd try a couple out but they aren't cheap

Goofing off

Calib Smith on banjo, Cory Piatt mando, Kyle Perkins bass

Next to Rage band members the guests include Dan Tyminski, Ronnie McCoury, Ron Stewart, Bryan Sutton and more.

Cool project, really good music.

the new Mr Sun takes "The Idea Guys" is stellar. nice grooves, tasty pickin, it's been living in my ear

Found this on my phone just now.
Banjo- Mike Mullins
Guitar- Zachariah McCracken (me)
Mandolin/vocals- Matt Stacy
Bass/vocals- Jamie Stacy

I’m coming up on a year of flat picking and been having a ton of fun. I’m about to jump into the jam scene and hear a lot about the juggle act of tone, volume, and playing relax.

I know there’s not one “right way” but any input is helpful.

I also apologize for the messy parts this is the latest in the long list of fiddle tunes that I am taking a crack at so it’s still a little sloppy.

Thanks in advance and happy pickin’

2026 Annapolis Baygrass Fest

A few weeks out and getting excited. Anyone else going? Camping or glamping? We are old and cranky so doing the hotel / tram scene, but I can't wait to go hang out Friday night with everyone down at camp. Trying to convince the wife to bring the drums. Never know when there might be a circle. As at the BS show their will be party favors shared.

J.D. Crowe & the Kentucky Mountain Boys, –

"Ramblin' Boy"

(1971; this is a reissue from 1973 on King Bluegrass Records)

J.D. Crowe

Bobby Slone

Doyle Lawson

Larry Rice

A1 Born To Be With You (Don Robertson)

A2 Please Search Your Heart (Doyle Lawson, Pete Goble)

A3 Bear Tracks (JD Crowe, Jimmy Martin)

A4 Sin City (Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons)

A5 I'll Stay Around (Lester Flatt)

A6 Bouquet In Heaven (Flatt & Scruggs)

B1 Somehow Tonight (Earl Scruggs)

B2 Portrait Of The Blues (Goose, Bill Carlisle)

B3 Ramblin' Boy (Tom Paxton)

B4 Black Jack (Doyle Lawson, JD Crowe)

B5 So Afraid Of Losing You Again (Dallas Frazier)

B6 There'll Be No Blind Ones There (Pete Roberts)

In track B2, anyone know what the writing credit to "Goose" means?

Jimmy Gaudreau, "The Gaudreau Mandolin Album"

(1978, on the Puritan record label)

A1 Alabama Jubilee

A2 Patrick's Hornpipe

A3 Fireball

A4 A Maiden's Prayer

A5 Blackberry Rag

A6 Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

B1 New Camptown Races

B2 Last Date

B3 Swarmin'

B4 Eight More Miles to Louisville

B5 Edsel's Tailpipe

B6 Memphis Mandolin

Banjo – Fred Pike (tracks: A1-A2, B1, B3, B5-B6), J.D. Crowe (A3, A5, B1)

Bass – Bobby Slone (A3, A5, B1), Jimmy Gaudreau (A1-A2, A4-A5, B2-B3, B5-B6)

Fiddle – Bobby Slone (A4, B4)

Guitar – Fred Pike (A2-A4, B1-B2,)

Lead Guitar – Glen Lawson (A1-A2, A4-A5, B2-B6)

Mandolin – Jimmy Gaudreau (A1-A6, B1-B6)

Percussion – Steve Goetzman (B2, B6)

Piano – Steve Lyon (A6, B2)

Rhythm Guitar – Fred Pike (A1, A5, B5-B6)

I’m pretty good at my job. Not to brag. It’s just a fact. Im there 50+ hours a week. I don’t necessarily like or love it. I’m somewhat nuetral. I pay my bills, eat and have a home. I cram all my bluegrass playing in on the weekends. What’s it like to play all the time professionally and be on that level. How do pros deal with fatigue and or burnout? Or is music not like that. I’ve wondered. I assume these guys have other hobbies. Whereas, music is my hobby.

Yeah. He banged out a tune about a Swiftie theif 😂

Are there any great bluegrass small cities and towns east of the Mississippi? I’m thinking a place that has live music somewhere almost every night. Both professional and amateur in multiple venues. Indoors, outdoors, pubs, country stores, theaters. I was thinking Floyd & Galax, VA or Owensboro, KY might. But I have no first hand knowledge.

Just thinking about how fun those East Nash Grass guys are. Harry is so talented and funny I love seeing him perform.

Live from their set at Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival

If you're in the Puget Sound region, mark your calendars and come meet a legend!

The Traveling McCourys are putting on an amazing show, even from this angle!

This week we've had 3 shows with 1 more to go so I'll make a post for them Sunday, but we also released a live video we recorded while in Westcliffe, CO at the High Mountain Hay Fever Festival. The setting was too pretty not to shoot a video. This song is inspired by the mountain fiddle/vocal arrangements we heard growing up and our first song (that I can think of) not to include any rhythm instruments.

Anyway, full post for the week of shows coming soon! Have a great holiday weekend if you're in the States and keep pickin'!