He bends over the old instrument, his eyes narrowed, the tortoise-shell pick in his right hand working rapid runs up and down a fretboard that’s as black as an old peat bog. The sounds are tuneful yet ...

In December 2010, a mysterious banjo tune popped up on a website devoted to early recordings. Even by that definition, this song stood out. It dated back to when Grover Cleveland occupied the White ...

Program and biographical notes by Charlie Faurot on container. "Old time banjo and fiddle tunes"; featuring Wade Ward, Fred Cockerham, George Stoneman and Kyle Creed, with instrumental ensemble.

Some music genres reward almost any innovation or improvisation. But impressing old-time fans with your unique arrangements of fiddle and banjo tunes can be harder than nailing Jell-O to a fence post.

WILLIS, Va.WILLIS, Va. — For just about all of her life, Rhoda Kemp has made beautiful music pour out of her banjo. But on a chilly day in March, the only sound her banjo made was the repetitive raspy ...

ALTON — Fiddlin’ Banjo Billy Mathews has been playing music since he was 8 years old when he started piano lessons. Around the age of 13, he added the guitar, and then picked up the banjo during his ...

WILLIS, Va. (AP) - For just about all of her life, Rhoda Kemp has made beautiful music pour out of her banjo. But on a chilly day in March, the only sound her banjo ...

ALTON — Fiddlin’ Banjo Billy Mathews has been playing music since he was 8 years old when he started piano lessons. Around the age of 13, he added the guitar, and then picked up the banjo during his ...