BGS Class of 2025: Books
Our picks from the many excellent roots music books released over the past year.
Artist of the Month
100 Years of Grand Ole Opry
Makes a Mighty Book
We spoke to author Craig Shelburne about distilling a century of the world’s longest running radio show into a brand new volume.
5+5
BGS 5+5: Frank Evans
Get to know Canadian bluegrass and old-time banjo player Frank Evans with five questions and five songs.
Cover Story
How Courtney Hartman
Made With You
The songwriter-guitarist’s excellent new album is defined by groundedness, parenthood, and community.
Features
Joshua Ray Walker Has Got the Stuff
A cancer diagnosis changed how the country singer-songwriter viewed his earthly belongings – and a new album was born.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ed Helms Chats With Steve Martin & Alison Brown About Their New Album
Three renowned banjo players sit down for a funny and insightful conversation about Martin & Brown’s LP, Safe, Sensible and Sane.
Singer-Songwriter Madi Diaz is Metal as Hell
Full of brooding tension and jubilant release, Fatal Optimist listens like a clenched fist slowly but surely letting go.
BGS 5+5: The Prickly Pair
Get to know Nashville-based “Angsty Americana” duo the Prickly Pair with five songs and five questions.
Lydia Luce’s Feet in the Grass, Head in the Clouds Playlist
A collection of songs celebrating nature and the outdoors – and Luce’s new album, Mammoth, too.
These Days, Tommy Emmanuel is Living In The Light
After falling and breaking a couple of ribs last year, the Certified Guitar Player crafted his fantastic, joyful new album while recuperating at home.