Bluegrass – World Music Central

Conferences Events

Folk Alliance International Announces 140-Plus Artists for 2027 Chicago Conference

Folk Alliance International has announced the Official Showcase artists for its 39th annual conference, set for Jan. 27-31, 2027, in Chicago. The roster includes more…

Tanasi — Tanasi cover artwork. A watercolor-style landscape of layered mountains beneath an orange sunset, with a colorful winding river flowing toward the foreground and a small bird in flight. “TANASI” appears prominently across the top in large gold lettering.

Album reviews

Tanasi, Masters of Sensational, Enduring Worldgrass

Angel Romero August 10, 2026 No Comments Anya Hinkle Billy Cardine Bluegrass Mary Lucey old time Tanasi world fusion world music worldgrass

Tanasi — Tanasi (Self-Released, 2026) Tanasi’s self-titled debut album presents a flavorful musical exchange led by dobro player Billy Cardine, guitarist Anya Hinkle, and banjo…

Jaelee Roberts Memories on the Moon cover artwork. A moonlit bedroom fills the scene, with an unmade bed beside a large window framing a full moon and drifting clouds.

Music videos

Jaelee Roberts Finds Hope in Heartache on “Memories on the Moon”

World Music Central News Room July 26, 2026 No Comments Alan Bartram Bluegrass Jaelee Roberts Justin Moses Ron Stewart Tony Wray world music Zack Arnold

“Memories on the Moon” is the latest single from Jaelee Roberts, “The lyrics hit me immediately,” Roberts said of the bluegrass ballad. She drew inspiration…

An album cover featuring pale limestone boulders beside still water, with weathered tree stumps rising from the shoreline and reflected in the dark surface below.

Album reviews

Matthew Payne Presents Debut Album ‘Better Times’

Ryan Emmert July 23, 2026 No Comments Americana Bluegrass country country music Matthew Payne

Matthew Payne — Better Times (self-released, 2026) Austin, Texas songwriter Matthew Payne recorded his first full-length album, Better Times, in a stripped-back, warm, acoustic setting,…

A cover with a worn Vietnam Veteran cap, military dog tags, an Airborne patch, and a brown beer bottle in a crumpled paper bag on a weathered wooden surface.

Music videos

Junior Sisk Focuses on Veterans’ Hidden Struggles on “The Dreams I Dream”

World Music Central News Room July 21, 2026 No Comments Bluegrass Junior Sisk world music

Junior Sisk has released “The Dreams I Dream” (Turnberry Records), a bluegrass single that focuses on the lasting effects of war and the challenges many…

The Larry Stephenson Band - Lizzie Lou cover artwork. The design features a white background with the band name at the top, a row of illustrated bottles (wine, whiskey, gin, and vodka) alongside a small hula dancer figurine in the center, and the album title handwritten near the bottom.

Music videos

The Larry Stephenson Band Revisits Bluegrass Favorite “Lizzie Lou”

World Music Central News Room July 19, 2026 No Comments Bluegrass Boudleaux Bryant Felice Bryant Larry Stephenson The Larry Stephenson Band The Osborne Brothers world music

The Larry Stephenson Band has released a new rendition of “Lizzie Lou” (Turnberry Records). The Osborne Brothers first recorded “Lizzie Lou,” which was written by…

Po’ Ramblin’ Boys Coachella Moon cover artwork. A large moon and red sky over a western United States desert landscape.

Music videos

The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys Explore Fleeting Romance On “Coachella Moon”

World Music Central News Room July 17, 2026 No Comments Bluegrass C.J. Lewandowski Jasper Lorentzen Jereme Brown John Gooding Keith Burhans Max Silverstein The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys world music

The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys examine longing, chance, and a brief desert romance on “Coachella Moon,” released through Turnberry Records. Inspired by a real-life experience, the…

Appalachian Smoke Running from the Moon cover artwork. An image that shows the front left of a car and the left mirror driving on an empty mountain road with the sun setting or rising in the horizon.

Music videos

Appalachian Smoke Unveils New Single “Running from the Moon”

World Music Central News Room July 12, 2026 No Comments Appalachian Smoke Bluegrass world music

Appalachian Smoke have rolled out their emotive new single, “Running from the Moon.” This is a deeply personal and emotionally charged story about family, sacrifice,…

Lonesome River Band -Summertime. An image of a watermelon cut in half.

Music videos

Lonesome River Band Celebrates Summer Nostalgia on New Single “Summertime”

World Music Central News Room July 7, 2026 No Comments Bluegrass Lonesome River Band Sammy Shelor summertime world music

Lonesome River Band has released “Summertime” (Mountain Home Music Company), a song focused on childhood memories and the traditions of summer. “‘Summertime’ was sent to…

Black Banjo Renaissance Symposium artists: (left to right) Brandi Waller-Pace, Lillian Werbin and Dom Flemons.

Events

Black Banjo Renaissance Symposium and Concert in Washington, DC in July 2026

World Music Central News Room July 7, 2026 1 Comment American folk music banjo Black Banjo Renaissance Bluegrass Brandi Waller-Pace Dom Flemons Lillian Werbin string band music world music

The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress will celebrate the Black Banjo Renaissance with a free, public symposium and concert on July 21st.…