Posted by endure32:
I have listened to country for years now, but I haven't really known the difference between country and bluegrass...I guess I haven't paid close enough attention to figure it out, but I was wondering if someone could explain what bluegrass is all about, what's it like and how's it different from country?
ClementofRome hit the nail on the head with his description. The only thing I might add, is that country is more "urban", and bluegrass is more "rural". Lot's of bluegrass came from the old fiddle tunes from Scotland (originally), but these days, new writers and artists are continuing the sound that Bill Monroe originally began, with more modern lyrics, phrasing, etc., thus adding to the "scottish influence".
Yea -- I pick! On other sites I am not "newbie", but I am known as a
Fiddlepicker. I pick fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass, dobro and banjo. Bluegrass is one of God's gifts to mankind. There isn't a better sound anywhere (well --cajun runs a close second!)
My "family" is a 1968 Martin D-35 guitar, 1962 Gibson Mastertone RB-250 banjo, a "no-name" fiddle from Illinois that sounds better than some that cost thousands of dollars, and a 1917 Gibson F-2 mandolin -that has the engraved tuning pegs with the gold wire, and pearl inlays in them.
Can you tell I'm on a "soapbox" here?
Bluegrass is in my blood. I grew up 20 miles from Bean Blossom, Indiana where Bill Monroe held his annual festival. I learned to pick there, learned to appreciate the music there, and now that I am 800 miles north of there, I still love it. There is no "musical medium" better than bluegrass to get the toes tapping, good thoughts flowing, energizing the soul and mind, keeping family inter-action alive, and on, and on.
I won't even try to mention all the good groups there out there, but you can't go wrong with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, III Thyme Out, Lonesome River Band, and Monroe Crossing for good bluegrass, and for good gospel.
Bluegrass is one of those rare entities found today that still "instills" family values into life, that has had havoc wreaked upon it by the world "as we know it today". The world hands us so much junk, and bluegrass offers the opposite. Family on the front porch with Mom and Dad picking and singing -- and there are the young one's trying to emulate, and pick along. Front porch / Music -- an important part of growing up. Kid's remember that sort of stuff, and given the way things are today -- it is a
good thing to remember.
I think I'd better shut up here, and go pick a tune or two!
