Editor’s Note The Grascals Jamie Johnson was kind enough to share one of his favorite Christmas memories with us. It’s presented below.

“One of my favorite times in life was Christmas time when I was just a little fella… around 4 or 5 years old.

Burlington, MA – Bluegrass mandolin phenom Sierra Hull has announced the lineup for her touring band, Sierra Hull & Highway 111, for 2009. The band will be touring extensively in the coming year, at festivals, clubs and performing arts centers across the U.S. The band will consist of Jacob Eller, formerly with the bluegrass band No Speed Limit, on bass; Clay Hess, formerly with the band Mountain Heart, on guitar; and Sierra’s longtime friend and band mate Cory Walker on banjo.

Nashville, Tenn. — The McCoury clan — that would be Del and the boys — is getting in on the Christmas act with a special on CDs from the McCoury Music Store.

“We’re going to make one very simple offer for all of our friends — 20 percent off of all CDs in the McCoury Music Store from now until Christmas,” said a company publicist.

Mel Bay Publications of Pacific, Mo., has just added the publication, “Joe Carr’s School of Mandolin: Basic Chords and Soloing” as part of its new “School Of” series.