Category Archives: Bluegrass

I am a bluegrass music nut!

Remembering Merle

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Wayne Rice

Merle Haggard turned 79 today and then died. He had been ill for a good while although he was planning to fulfill some concert dates in the near future. Today was also my father’s birthday, who would have turned 95 … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass, Personal | Tagged , | 1 Comment

40 Years on KSON!

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Wayne Rice

It was on March 7, 1976 that my radio show, The Bluegrass Special, went on the air for the first time.  I can’t remember a time in my life when I have been more nervous.  When the clock hit 6 … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass, KSON's Bluegrass Special, Personal | 1 Comment

Best Bluegrass Albums of 2015

Posted on December 27, 2015 by Wayne Rice

It’s time to make a list of the top 30 bluegrass albums of 2015, as heard on KSON’s Bluegrass Special December 27. If you missed it, you can listen at kson.com/bluegrass through the end of January. This list doesn’t mean that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass, KSON's Bluegrass Special | Leave a comment

Remembering Bill Keith

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Wayne Rice

Bill Keith, newest member of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, died on October 23, less than a month after being inducted into the IBMA’s prestigious Hall of Fame. Bill accepted the honor in person at ceremonies held in Raleigh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass, Personal | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

A Celebration of Bill Monroe’s Birthday

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Wayne Rice

The “Father of Bluegrass Music” is Bill Monroe, the first recording artist to incorporate into his band the five acoustic instruments (mandolin, 5-string banjo played three-finger style, fiddle, guitar and string bass) that make up a classic bluegrass ensemble. He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass, KSON's Bluegrass Special | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Punch Brothers: Something Special Indeed

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Wayne Rice

The Punch Brothers played the North Park Theater on Wednesday night and I just had to write about the experience, because that’s what it was for me—an experience, not just another concert. The Punch Brothers are at first glance a … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

39 Years on KSON!

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Wayne Rice

KSON’s Bluegrass Special went on the air for the first time on March 7, 1976 from 6-8 PM. The first few programs were aired on KSON-FM 97.3 which at that time was called “Country 97” and honestly had very few … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass, KSON's Bluegrass Special | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Robert Earl Keen Records Bluegrassy “Happy Prisoner”

Posted on January 27, 2015 by Wayne Rice

You may or not be familiar with Texan Robert Earl Keen as he has never been a mainstream country or pop artist, preferring instead to stay on the fringes and record his own brand of folk, roots, blues, protest, outlaw, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass, KSON's Bluegrass Special | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Another Banner Year for Bluegrass Music

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Wayne Rice

Once again I had a tough time choosing the top bluegrass albums of the year. There were simply too many good ones to choose from. But I made my choices, based primarily on what gets played the most on my … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass, KSON's Bluegrass Special | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Christmas Time’s a Comin!

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Wayne Rice

Hey everybody, I’ll be leading bluegrass-style Christmas carols for the San Diego Bluegrass Society at their regular 4th Tuesday of the month event (November 25) which is held at the Boll Weevil Restaurant, 9330 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. in San Diego. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bluegrass | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment