Is Bluegrass Dead?

Posted: 9/19/2009 5:44:23 AM EDT

In general? On ARFcom anyway? Some days I still pull out some old Johnson Mountain Boys, Country Gentlemen, Stanley Brothers or Seldom Scene to name a couple, and pop them in the CD player. Yes, btw you can still get them on something besides 8 track. When I am out working in the shop it helps relax me.

Now I know we have a lot of younger guys on here, so my expectations aren't high. But it is an acquired taste and I know quite a few folk even here around DC who still love to listen.

So what say you ARFcom? Thumbs up or GTFO? Also this will be my first attempt at a poll so be patient for I know not what I am doing. Here's a little number from a group I used to go see as a boy to help those who are saying what the hell is blue grass?

Here's a little hi speed number from some fella's that are about as talented as they come. You ought to listen and watch.

Here's a plug for ya Superreverb. Seldom Scene....ruling the scene for a long time. Live at the Cellar Door is a MUST have!

Posted: 9/19/2009 5:51:44 AM EDT

[#1]

My guess is that most of Arfcom makes fun of bluegrass.

Posted: 9/19/2009 5:55:17 AM EDT

[#2]

I'm not a big fan of Bluegrass, I do listen to some of it.
It's not dead in the town where I live.
Several of the guys I work with play in BG bands.
Every year our town hosts a huge Bluegrass festival with several bands - brings in thousands of people.

Posted: 9/19/2009 5:57:44 AM EDT

[#3]

The Lovell Sisters are going to single handedly make bluegrass interesting to an entire generation of young men in the coming years. They're just starting to break big.

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:00:00 AM EDT

[#4]

My hillbilly cousins from Hillsville Virginia do a lot of competitions in kentucky and have won each year for about the last 8 years. They call themselves 'the mcclains'. They just havn't gone big because they all focus on their family lives more and have to work.

They have some CD's out but I have a hard time finding them.

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:07:01 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
The Lovell Sisters are going to single handedly make bluegrass interesting to an entire generation of young men in the coming years. They're just starting to break big.

+1 on the Lovell Sisters.

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:07:14 AM EDT

[#6]

Its popularity is beginning to explode. It's changing, which irritates the old-timers.

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:08:46 AM EDT

[#7]

Still alive around Louisiana. My brother plays bass.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:16:05 AM EDT

[#8]

Lots of good Bluegrass HERE

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:19:13 AM EDT

[#9]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdLRCSOZ7wo

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:20:02 AM EDT

[#10]

Most certainly not dead. Hell, I wouldn't even say it's an acquired taste. I'm in my 20's and I dig bluegrass.

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:22:00 AM EDT

[#11]

Most folks here say they enjoy it, when I play it on Subnet Radio.

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:24:20 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
The Lovell Sisters are going to single handedly make bluegrass interesting to an entire generation of young men in the coming years. They're just starting to break big.

Lawd A'mighty......

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:25:57 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Still alive around Louisiana. My brother plays bass.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Does mama play fiddle?

I love some bluegrass

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:29:10 AM EDT

[#14]

Fox On The Run

I love bluegrass

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:40:10 AM EDT

[#15]

I like old school bluegrass but also listen to some of the new stuff.

Some of the best bands I have ever heard are local pickers that don't do any venues. Kind of the way it all really started back in the day with front porch pickers!

VA PBS has a series on that is called Song of the Mountains from Marion, VA that has some really good pickers on.

Video from Song of the Mountains

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:46:24 AM EDT

[#16]

Some days I still pull out some old Johnson Mountain Boys, Country Gentlemen, Stanley Brothers or Seldom Scene to name a couple,

The Scene is still alive and kicking. In fact. we're playing a show today down in Fredericksburg. I see that the OP is in Maryland. If you're anywhere near Frederick, MD, we're playing The Weinberg Center on Oct. 17th with Darren Beachley and Legends of the Potomac (which features Mike Auldridge and Tom Gray from the original Scene line-up).

If you go, stop by the console during The Scene's set and say hello!!

Regards - Ed (FOH for The Seldom Scene)

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:52:04 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

Some days I still pull out some old Johnson Mountain Boys, Country Gentlemen, Stanley Brothers or Seldom Scene to name a couple,

The Scene is still alive and kicking. In fact. we're playing a show today down in Fredericksburg. I see that the OP is in Maryland. If you're anywhere near Frederick, MD, we're playing The Weinberg Center on Oct. 17th with Darren Beachley and Legends of the Potomac (which features Mike Auldridge and Tom Gray from the original Scene line-up).

If you go, stop by the console during The Scene's set and say hello!!

Regards - Ed (FOH for The Seldom Scene)

I'll be there!!!!!!!!!!! RIP big John, we miss you!

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:54:43 AM EDT

[#18]

Bluegrass is far from dead and probably healthier and more popular than it ever has been.

Posted: 9/19/2009 6:58:07 AM EDT

[#19]

I think "O Brother Where Art Thou?" did alot to bring the scene back. If you look hard enough, there are a few really good (and young) bluegrass acts surviving quite nicely. Nickel Creek is one of my favorites...

When You Come Back Down
This Side
The Lighthouse's Tale

Bluegrass Journey

Posted: 9/19/2009 7:06:34 AM EDT

[#20]

It is coming back, I believe mostly due to being available on XM and Sirius radio channels. A younger and middle aged audience is finding it.

Posted: 9/19/2009 7:10:23 AM EDT

[#21]

There are a lot of bluegrass bands signed to major labels right now and it is becoming quite popular again, especially in Europe. Although, modern bluegrass is becoming a fusion of other styles like country, western swing, roots, southern rock, etc. The young guys are taking the bluegrass instruments and music their dads taught them and adding other styles of the music they like.

Posted: 9/19/2009 7:16:24 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
There are a lot of bluegrass bands signed to major labels right now and it is becoming quite popular again, especially in Europe. Although, modern bluegrass is becoming a fusion of other styles like country, western swing, roots, southern rock, etc. The young guys are taking the bluegrass instruments and music their dads taught them and adding other styles of the music they like.

Very true. I think it's a healthy progression.
Rock n' Roll isn't what it was even 10 years ago.
For bluegrass to survive, I think it has to evolve.
A good example of this are the Nickel Creek links I posted above.

Posted: 9/19/2009 7:24:59 AM EDT

[#23]

Blue Grass will never die.

Posted: 9/19/2009 7:25:11 AM EDT

[#24]

28 years old here.
Love Bluegrass.
Then again, I grew up listing to it just about every weekend, and during the summer having my great aunts and uncles playing it around the camp fire.