Lists

BGS Class of 2025: Books

Our picks from the many excellent roots music books released over the past year.

Interview

Among Bluegrass Diehards, Red Camel Collective Stands Out

They started as Junior Sisk’s backing band. Now they’re IBMA’s New Artist of the Year.

5+5

BGS 5+5: Ocie Elliott

Spend some time with Canadian indie-folk duo Ocie Elliott with a 5+5 interview – five songs and five questions.

Modern Old-Time Sounds From Canada

The Lonesome Ace Stringband spotlights old-time artists, songs, and sounds from the Great White North with their playlist.

Shooter Jennings’ Heartfelt Tribute to His Legendary Father

Songbird is just the first of three posthumous Waylon Jennings albums to be crafted by his prolific son.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Valerie June, Bryan Sutton, and More

You always need new roots music, right? Right! That’s why we collect the best new tracks, videos, singles, and releases each week on BGS.

Chris Thile Infuses Himself Into Bach’s Partitas and Sonatas

12 years on, Vol. 2 of Thile’s renditions of Bach’s iconic violin compositions contain even more of his own personality and perspective.

2026 International Folk Music Awards Reveal Nominees, Recipients

Folk Alliance International has announced the Best of 2025 nominees, Lifetime Achievement Awardees, Folk Radio Hall of Fame inductions, and more.

How-dee! And Happy 100 to the Grand Ole Opry

What began as a barn dance promoting insurance has become a musical and cultural powerhouse across multiple generations.

Jake Owen Started Bro Country. His New Album is Anything But

Dreams to Dream, produced by Shooter Jennings, is a sonic left turn for an artist who epitomizes 2000s mainstream country.

Our McCoury & Douglas Family Pickin’ Party Playlist

Start getting excited for this one-of-a-kind bluegrass camp event by jumping into our BGS playlist.

BGS 5+5: Bryan McDowell

Bluegrass fiddler, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter Bryan McDowell shares songs and stories in a BGS 5+5 interview.

Laurel Premo’s Songs of Grief and Opening

The songs of this playlist all have the power to help bring a glimpse or a full serving of transformation. This is music to guide us to enter ourselves.

You Gotta Hear This: New Music From Gena Britt, Sammy Brue, and More

Fridays mean it’s time for our new music round-up! This time, enjoy bluegrass, acoustic guitar, Americana, and more.

Be Part of Our Winter Readers’ Collection

For the holiday season, BGS wants to publish your stories, writings, and traditions found at the crossroads of food and music.

Technology and Tradition Combine on Sierra Hull’s Signature Gibson Mandolins

Just like her music, the two brand new signature model instruments combine bluegrass roots with cutting edge innovation.

Briscoe Hit The Road and Wrote a Country Album

“We are very proud to be part of the greater Texas subgenre of Americana, folk, and country music… that’s where we’re always going to want to be.”

BGS 5+5: Liam Kazar

Get to know singer-songwriter-musician Liam Kazar with five songs and five questions.

Watch Steve Martin & Alison Brown Perform on The Tonight Show

Two of the best contemporary banjo players brought music from their brand new duo album to late night television.

Artist of the Month: Opry 100

A century of the Grand Ole Opry’s foundational, record-setting live radio show is well worth a month-long celebration.

You Gotta Hear This: Red Camel Collective, Wood Box Heroes, and More

Bluegrass, old-time, and Americana come together in our weekly collection of brand new music and videos.

The Glittering Golden Grass of The Brothers Comatose

A brand new album by the rockin’ Bay Area bluegrass band may be their most diverse yet – and it features a new band member, too.