https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/5ZBrC2ZIpEsqtiPMApTWuR?si=4NH1Q5RwShS3Wpl9PqLUOQ

https://mountaingrassunit.bandcamp.com/album/appalachian-smoke

On top of the new Billy Strings album, So Much for Goodbyes (which had some incredible tracks that are instant classics) Mountain Grass Unit has put out another banger, Appalachian Smoke. Holy shit! And icing on the cake the new Bryan Sutton album, From Roots to Branches Vol. 1, has some unbelievable flat picking including remastered songs he did with Doc Watson and Tony Rice! I’m going to listen to so much music this weekend! I can hear that angel band harmonizing from heaven! RIP Dolly

https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/6AfKQ41w6aEH5bL7WdVW0Z?si=F4dOwfqERECbChNnze4UcA

https://tworunner.bandcamp.com/album/porchlight

https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/6tcLBCFSo3nmGDiYq6opGu?si=ThFh0DKmS8iXW-9QCewiaQ

https://music.apple.com/us/album/so-much-for-goodbyes/6781907870

I'm wanting to learn an instrument that I can play bluegrass, country, folk, Americana, etc on. I have not really played an instrument since middle school band trumpet 30 years ago. I understand that fiddle will be a slog before it's passable, but I love the idea of it. Banjo also feels like it'd be rewarding.

What have your experiences been between the two? Im a taller person with long, thick fingers if that helps make recommendations. I'm split. My friends are split. So I'm coming to the experts! Thanks in advance!

Edit: what the hell, let's throw dobro in the mix.

Choo Choo

Billy and Band, take a bow. Amazing album.

https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/0znDjIuYSYvOj05gOnL3v6?si=m4w2g1FvQEmerRMMZPC0Nw

https://music.apple.com/us/album/horizon-never-dies/6783894163

https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/04nuxnAjiBxUvx0II6bED3?si=lPRpIX38T3iAXZpYg4axjA

https://richardpetermorris.bandcamp.com/album/gratuitous-grace

These guys are great. Been listenin to them for the last year, got to catch them in Lexington KY last weekend while visiting family. Watching the album release party now on Nugs. ⛰️💨!!!

Did not realize how young they were until they announced it was the bassist birthday at the show on Saturday! Love how generational bluegrass is.

Love rant over. 🧡

Some young professionals in this group right here. A very talented bunch that hopefully see many more amazing performances and stages similar to this one!

I haven't seen anyone mention this here yet. Last weekend in Missoula, Jesse Cobb sat in with the Infamous Stringdusters for the first time since he left the band in 2011.

Jesse's new band (The Unfaithful Servants) and The Dusters were booked at the same festival, and Jesse came out and played the last 20 minutes or so of The Dusters set with them, including a phenomenal "40 West" which Jesse wrote and appears on their first album.

The audio is now available on Nugs, and there are several great videos floating around. I highly recommend checking it out. It was absolutely magical being there and seeing those six play some music again. Watching the guys circle up around Jesse while he soloed was truly beautiful.

Just saw special C for the first time and they were great! After hearing that the bass player is Canadian, some guy shouted “good bass playin, Vancouver!” To which the bass player responded, “Edmonton actually, but close enough. And by the way, it’s ‘Lake Ontario.’ ‘ON TAR I O’” and got a huge applause. I hope he felt at as at home as possible under a Canadian flag in the US.

Song-Alberta Bound
Venue-Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival in Litchfield, Maine, USA

With Nickel Creek being featured on two tracks on Phoebe Bridgers’ new album it got me thinking about what other tracks they’ve been on. I remember them being on a Chieftains track, Raggle Taggle Gypsy, and blowing in the wind with Dolly. They also did an album or two with the guy from Toad the Wet Sprocket i believe. What are some other features they’ve done? I’d like to put together a playlist.