Views LEAF in Black Mountain and Critters Buggin at Stella Blue; Saturday, Oct. 16. Every town has its little bits of Jekyll and Hyde, the social nuances that can paint a community as well rounded and diverse, but also expose it for being polarized and divided. Here in the Land of the Sky, we see […]

“Everybody’s scrambling a little bit, trying to be on the cutting edge — but the edge is pretty dull right now,” says String Cheese Incident keyboard player Kyle Hollingsworth, offering his views on the shifting structure of the music industry. In wary contrast to SCI’s typically sunny, bluegrass-sprinkled technical proficiency, Hollingsworth’s prediction outlines nothing less […]

As if the String Cheese Incident and the 60 employees of their management firm and business affiliate, Madison House, didn’t do enough multitasking, both band and Madison House also remain consistently active for political and social change. Both are members of the Head Count voter-registration organization, and Madison House teamed with Mother Jones magazine in […]

It should come as no surprise that the String Cheese Incident’s stalwart independent spirit would eventually lead to a direct confrontation, as it did in August 2003 when the band sued Ticketmaster. Ticket pricing and concert promotion are complex issues, and as the resident 800-pound gorilla, Ticketmaster is inevitably in the thick of the conflict. […]

There’s an old country song that sings out “Fire in the mountain, run boys run” — but this October, the fire’s not from burning trees but the friction of many feet hitting the boards. America’s Clogging Hall of Fame is bringing dancers from all over the country to participate in the organization’s Annual Grand Championship […]

News By all accounts, the Blue Rags‘ recent re-reunion show came off like a well-greased prom dress after a six pack of Mickey’s Big Mouths in the back of Daddy’s Buick. But despite the apparently fruitful union, don’t expect too much from the Rags, at least in their classic lineup, any time soon — bassist […]

When Billy Jonas closes Lake Eden Arts Festival this Sunday, as is his tradition, the found-percussion specialist will help sound out a burgeoning new tradition — that of local schoolchildren playing alongside professional musicians. It’s part of LEAF getting the younger generation involved in the creative expression of music, through its non-profit LEAF in Schools […]

“Slower than molasses.” The McMurrys of Acoustic Syndicate often use this timeworn country phrase. It fits the lengthy process of making molasses and making good records. Which is appropriate, since they do both — and with similar dedication and success. Brothers Fitz Jr. and Bryon and cousin Steve form the foundation of Acoustic Syndicate, who’ll […]