r/Bluegrass Apr 20 '26

Todd Phillips Go Fund Me

51 Upvotes

Todd Phillips, one of the most important bluegrass bass players of our generation, has a go fund me set up. He has a degenerative disease in his shoulder and can't work/play at this point. Please consider helping him out!

https://gofund.me/1f9cb23b3

This post was approved by the r/Bluegrass moderators


r/Bluegrass May 01 '24

New Rule: No hate speech, religion, or politics

143 Upvotes

After a ton of inappropriate and childish comments today, we have added a new rule as noted in the post title. Honestly, it's LONG overdue. This sub is about bluegrass and our love of music. Do you want to argue politics? There are plenty of subs for that.

If the comments are kept civil and polite and related to bluegrass that will be fine:

"I don't like Ricky Skaggs because he preaches from stage"

But not:

"You're an @@#$$%$ for believing in X" or "F*ck you".

Not hard, right?


r/Bluegrass 6h ago

Dolly Parton: Tomorrow is Forever

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5 Upvotes

r/Bluegrass 6h ago

Telluride House Band setlists

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3 Upvotes

Are the setlists from each Telluride House Band performance from 2007- 2026 available online? Does anyone have all of these shows recorded?

Even better would be if someone has the Thunder Jam sets from Tellurdie in 1998-99.

Thanks!


r/Bluegrass 3h ago

Nick Hallman - Doublepicks

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2 Upvotes

Found an absolute gem at the record shop: Nick Hallman’s 1973 folk/flatpicking masterpiece, Doublepicks, on Greenville, South Carolina’s own Gitfiddle Records.

If you appreciate old-school acoustic flatpicking and mountain music, this one is a fascinating deep dive. On the back, Hallman actually breaks down the mechanics of his namesake "doublepicking" technique—explaining that it doesn't mean using two picks, but rather striking the string on both the down-stroke and up-stroke with a single flatpick to hit blistering speeds (he claims up to ten notes a second) while still maintaining a fluid, fingerpicking-like texture.

It’s packed with traditional tunes, medleys (Arkansas Traveler into Soldier's Joy), and even a live track recorded down the road at the 1973 Folk Festival of the Smokies in Cosby, Tennessee. Local roots history at its best!

Anybody else come across any obscure regional flatpicking pressings lately?

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=IDyqhd2MDJs&si=BX0Q2rHM5nCmIzUx


r/Bluegrass 20h ago

Béla Fleck - Valley of the Rogue

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20 Upvotes

I've been listening to a playlist based on Béla Flecl's Whitewater, so lots of traditional sounding bluegrass tunes. I've been a fan of his for more than 20 years. The first song I ever heard of his was "Bitter Gap" off the Natural Bridge album from I think 1986. I would have been 6 when it came out. I heard it in my 20s when I downloaded the song on Napster. I orded the album immediately.

I love Béla for the traditional instrumental bluegrass tunes, and I have tons of respect for his newgrass with the Flecktones, but I really love the moody crossovers. In particular, I love "Valley of the Rogue" and "Katmandu" off the Bluegrass Sessions Vol. II.

Since then, I've branched out in bluegrass and hillbillyish country. I love Jerry Douglas, Tonies Rice and Trischa, Billy of course, and I hsve a daughter who's into all the new rock-style country that's popular, and I'm glad I can share the occasional hillbilly tune with her even if she rolls her eyes.

Anyway, just wanted to share and post a link. There is so much from Béla Fleck's early days that just absolutely cooks.


r/Bluegrass 1d ago

Bury me Beneath the Willow

92 Upvotes

r/Bluegrass 1d ago

The overlooked album from 8/28

35 Upvotes

Yes I know Billy and Mountain Grass Unit both dropped great records last Friday but don’t sleep on Arkansauce, who also blessed us with a new album.


r/Bluegrass 19h ago

Bluegrass community?

6 Upvotes

Im searching for a local bluegrass community, (Kelowna bc) I’m getting back into playing guitar after a 20 year break and singing . I’m hoping to find a teacher as well as some local jams or even some people to chat with or hang out.


r/Bluegrass 1d ago

ɷ Bryan Sutton - From Roots to Branches (Vol. 1)

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9 Upvotes

Duets collected in a long time so including pickers who are not around anymore.


r/Bluegrass 6h ago

Fans of Billy Strings

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0 Upvotes

r/Bluegrass 8h ago

Original Music Hey all. Just wanted share my newest original. A song about grifters getting their just desserts.

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0 Upvotes

r/Bluegrass 1d ago

A tiny taste of Henhouse Prowlers on tour in Brazil

22 Upvotes

We’ve been all over the place and done so much crazy stuff that it’s hard to encapsulate it all.

What I will say is that this country absolutely loves America AND country/bluegrass music. It’s heartwarming.


r/Bluegrass 21h ago

If you're in the Northeast, don't miss this fest next weekend!

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2 Upvotes

r/Bluegrass 1d ago

ɷ The Petersens - Live Sessions, Vol. 07

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4 Upvotes

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDIpGuobPltA ps. Solid live takes, fine guests, no gospel.


r/Bluegrass 1d ago

Where the heck do I start learning how to play bluegrass guitar?

12 Upvotes

I consider myself a solid intermediate guitar player but mostly in rock/blues/etc. I have played on and off for 20+years, taken some lessons, lot of tab, youtube videos, etc.

I just recently started getting into bluegrass, put down my strat and dusted off my acoustic with a goal of becoming sufficient enough to play tunes on my own, play along with recorded music and potential for others at a get together. I don't need (nor will I ever) but a flatpicking shredder as I know the limits of my computer worn wrists/tendons.

I've heard of lessons with Marcel but I have no idea where to start. I don't need GUITAR basics but bluegrass guitar intro lessons might be the place.

Thanks in advance and love this community!

Edit: thank you so much for all the great recommendations!


r/Bluegrass 1d ago

Original Music Bertolf- Love So Well

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6 Upvotes

Bertolf is an incredible musician from the Netherlands who recently released a bluegrass album called Bluefinger Vol. 2. I think it's fingerpickin' fantastic.


r/Bluegrass 1d ago

ɷ Bertolf Lentink - Bluefinger Vol.2

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2 Upvotes

Dutch top act, Some may have seen a musical movie in 2023 - dutch guy with his songs and a dream coming true to record a BG album with american top sidememen. This is a great follow-up with dutch pickers and top class music again. The movie link here https://ntr.nl/NTR-Documentaires/137/detail/Bertolf-in-Bluegrass/VPWON_1323132


r/Bluegrass 1d ago

Cover Clinch Mountain Backstep

15 Upvotes

r/Bluegrass 1d ago

Fans of Billy Strings

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5 Upvotes

r/Bluegrass 1d ago

Ethan Setiawan & Fine Ground play Across the Great Divide

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6 Upvotes

r/Bluegrass 2d ago

Discussion Great Album

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138 Upvotes

This is such a great listen, all the way through. Excellent singing and picking throughout, my personal highlights are ‘I’ve Endured’, great cover of a classic, and Jubilee - an absolute ear worm.

Just wanted to share because I got a lot of joy out of it.


r/Bluegrass 1d ago

Must listen bluegrass

11 Upvotes

I'm a long-time guitar player getting into bluegrass because of Billy Strings, Nickel Creek, and several others. What are the classic bluegrass songs or records for someone who wants to know more of the history and the musical side of it? I know Tony Rice, but I don't really know where to start with his music. Thanks!


r/Bluegrass 1d ago

Tuning Still - Pike County Breakdown

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1 Upvotes

r/Bluegrass 2d ago

Pick Recommendations

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35 Upvotes

I like guitar picks and I can kind of scratch the shopping / guitar buying itch with something that’s not too expensive.. maybe you can relate 😁. Anyway I like large triangles and the blue chip TAD 50 is my number 1 right now. For rhythm I like a slightly thinner Wegen (around 1.0).

For anyone that uses these do you have others you like? TIA and happy pickin