Billings, Mont. — Special Consensus headlines a December 5 performance for the Yellowstone Bluegrass Association in Billings Montana. The show, held at the Venture Theatre, 2319 Montana Avenue, begins at 8:00 P.M. Tickets, available at the door, are $12 with children under twelve free with adult.

Bristol, Tenn. — Seven time International Bluegrass Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver return to the Paramount Center Stage in Bristol, Tenn. on December 6. Showtime is 7:00 P.M. and tickets are $22.00 and available online through e-tix.

There’s still a couple days left to enter the Gift Basket Giveaway from The Grascals & Mayberry’s finest. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on November 20, 2008 and 3 winners will be drawn at random on November 21, 2008.

Danny Roberts, The Grascals‘ mandolin player, finally owns a Lloyd Loar Gibson F5 mandolin. It was an instrument he had pursued for quite a while before becoming its owner. But this isn’t the only Loar Roberts has chased. Or, at least, he thought he was chasing a Loar at the time.

Nashville Tenn. — Rural Rhythm recording artist, Carrie Hassler will be honored by her hometown of Pikeville, Tenn. when Mayor, Greg Johnson presents her with the Key to the City of Pikeville and proclaims “Carrie Hassler Day.” The event takes place, December 5, 2008 with a reception from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at the Perfect Light Gallery located at 421 Spring Street, Pikeville, TN.

Alison Brown, award-winning banjo player and co-founder of Compass Records, has released a holiday album, Evergreen, a 10-track collection that includes “fun and imaginative re-workings of festive favorites,” according to the artist.

Joe Craven, fiddler, mandolinist and percussionist and an alumnus of the David Grisman Quintet, is the special guest throughout.