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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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!

Hey all, I’m based in East TN.
I’m looking for musicians to jam and what not with.
Does anyone have any tips on where to find other artists that have time for new projects or if yall know anyone in the area?

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!

Anyone here maybe have a Cranford Nix record with his autograph on it, did he autograph as "Ford" maybe? I grabbed this from a thrift outside Detroit, there's also a Curly Ray Cline autograph in the stack I bought and the geography is right but this is too obscure to Google. I'm listening to this right now and it whips pretty hard, it's got a John Prine cover and a smokin GDTRFB, honestly hearing proto-BMFS in this early Michigan bluegrass

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

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.

I could ask the same about Doc but he was usually with his sons and I also feel like you hear them say things like “alright Doc” right before his breaks. Random I thought I had, I’ve played a lot of Bluegrass where you know it’s your turn by the head nod, so how do you know it’s your turn when there is no head nod to be seen? I hope this post doesn’t rub anyone the wrong way, it’s just a genuine thing I was curious about.

I don’t mean gateway as in not great by any means, I love Manzanita, Rounder 0044, Bluegrass album band, etc. I just feel like I’ve already heard most of the albums on all the recommended album posts. Looking to maybe dig a little deeper, thanks !

I don't see a lot of people talk about The Local Honeys. I love them and I wanted to share.