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Video: “When You Say Nothing At All” by The Petersens

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A while back I posted some videos featuring The Petersens Family Bluegrass Band, and they ended up being quite well received.

In the weeks since I posted the last one several folks have requested that I feature them again, and so I am…

The late Keith Whitley had a major Country hit with the song “When You Say Nothing At All”.

Not long after Keith’s single made its way up the charts, Alison Kraus followed it up with a wildly successful Bluegrass-inspired Country version of it as well.

Now, the Petersen siblings have put their very own pure Bluegrass spin on it, and I think it’s great.  [Read more…]

Video: Watch this kid burn up the ivories on a piano in Costco

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As a music lover I really enjoy watching someone spontaneously start to play an instrument in a place where I’m not expecting to see it.

And it’s even better when the surprise musician is an extremely talented child.

Lots of public places have a piano available for passers-by to play, but who would have thought you’d ever see something like this at Costco?

Watch, and enjoy…  [Read more…]

Q&A: Did Hank Williams write “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”?

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Living (and loving) Life

Hank Williams, Sr

Question from Karen:  I love the song “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” by Willie Nelson.

My friend and I heard it on the radio the other day and he said that song was written by Hank Williams.

I told him I believe Willie wrote it himself. Which one of us is right?  [Read more…]

“Fiddlin’ Carson Peters” switches several gears to take on “The Voice”

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Like many from my local area, I had the pleasure of watching Carson Peters grow up singing and playing his trademark sizzling fiddle.

The first time I saw this young man perform was in nearby Bristol, Virginia on the stage of a local Bluegrass Music show called The Pickin’ Porch.

He was all of 8 years old, but he played that fiddle like he was already a seasoned veteran – and in a very real way, he was.

[Read more…]

Ten Questions with Jana Jae: Hee-Haw’s “Girl With the Magic Blue Fiddle”

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Jana Jae – “The girl with the magic blue fiddle”

Living (and loving) Life

Do you happen to enjoy classic country music?

If so, you’re surely familiar with Jana Jae, the award-winning musician whose superb mastery of the fiddle prompted country music icon Buck Owens to invite her to join his band as the very first female Buckaroo.

Jana performed with Buck and many other top-tier singers and musicians over the years, most notably as a member of the cast of the ultra-popular Country music variety show Hee-Haw.

Never one to sit idle while the world passes her by, Jana is still hard at work playing her iconic blue fiddle in concerts both here in the U.S. and all around the world.

And when time permits she also loves teaching and mentoring aspiring musicians of all ages.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Jana about her long and successful career and her abounding love of music.

Here are ten questions and answers with Jana Jae…

[Read more…]