u/KrutKurre

The acclaimed banjoist, Bill Emerson is the composer of several great instrumentals... Sweet Dixie, Cowboys & Indians, Theme Time, Welcome to New York to mention just a few.

Here is a short interview with the iconic instrumentalist done in 1984 by one of bluegrass music's most important profiles, Pete Kuykendall.

This is what violin elegance looks like...

Eight songs performed by an 18 year old Lefty Frizzell in 1946.

Peter Rowan sharing some thoughts on the 1960's ''folk clubs'' and his first encounter with the Kentucky Colonels...

After a busy MerleFest 2026, Pete took time to sit down with me and David Tate and talk about various music related topics. In this short segment, the iconic poet, singer, philosopher gives an account of his initial meeting with the Kentucky Colonels

Peter Rowan sharing some thoughts on the 1960's ''folk clubs'' and his first encounter with the Kentucky Colonels...

After a busy MerleFest 2026, Pete took time to sit down with me and David Tate and talk about various music related topics. In this short segment, the iconic poet, singer, philosopher gives an account of his initial meeting with the Kentucky Colonels..

Lost & Found, Middletown, OH, Dec 11, 1993
Opening by Traditional Grass

One of the most important and impactful individuals in the history of bluegrass music, the preeminent, Pete Kuykendall taped these sets. Pete's knowledge and deep insights into all aspects of bluegrass, which he generously shared, made him a mentor to all of us who got to be in his presence.

First of all, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the generous
people who have all contributed with the audio from the 2nd annual
Indian Springs BG Festival, June 1-3, 1973.

The lineage of this 50 year old recording is as follow:
Pete Kuykendall - Etsuo Eito - Steve Pottier - Sandy Rothman - John Arms

Prior to the appearance at the second annual Indian Springs BG Festival,
that took place June 1 - 3, 1973, the White Brothers had spent the month of
May touring Europe with a busy schedule with performances in the Netherlands, The UK and Sweden. Herb Pederson played banjo with the brothers during the first part of the tour until he had to honor a commitment, that he had previously made to join Country Rocker Johnny Rivers’ band. He was replaced by the excellent, Alan Munde.

‘’When the European tour was over, the New Kentucky Colonels flew into Washington D.C., and their friend John Kaparakis (1937–2020) drove them to Indian Springs, Maryland. There they played at a large bluegrass festival on June 2. It was the first and last bluegrass festival Clarence ever played.’’
(Quote from "Mandolin Man: The Bluegrass Life of Roland White
pg 23 by Black, Bob, Champaign : University of Illinois Press, 2022).

Since the White Brothers didn't have a regular banjo player, for the Indian Springs festival they borrowed the eminent, Jack Hicks, who at the time was the five stringer with Bill Monroe. They also added their good friend, John Kaparakis on the rhythm guitar.

Clarence White – guitar
Roland White - mandolin
Eric White - bass
Jack Hicks - banjo
John Kaparakis – rhythm guita

Donna Stoneman's passing in June, 2026 meant the end of a musical legacy and a family tradition that began in 1924 under patriarch Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman and his wife Hattie. During the 1920s, Pop found early commercial recording success. However, the onset of the Great Depression wiped out his royalties. In 1932, the family relocated to Washington, D.C.. They endured severe poverty while raising their children in the slums. Pop kept the family focused on traditional Appalachian music.
The Stoneman Family band consisted of Patsy (vocals/guitar)Scotty (champion fiddler)Donna (mandolin)Jimmy (bass)Roni (banjo)Van (guitar)...