Asheville, NC — Veteran bluegrass performer, Claire Lynch and the Claire Lynch Band will be playing The Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC on Sunday April 19th, 2009. The general admission show will start at 8 PM with tickets going for $12.00 in advance or $15.00 the day of the show.

The Grey Eagle describes itself as a smoke free, live music venue with events for all ages. For tickets or more information call 1-828-232-5800 or visit them at www.thegreyeagle.com….

Auburn, Ala. — String wizard, John Mceuen will be playing an intimate solo set in Auburn, Alabama at the Strutting Duck Pub and Grill on April 19, 2009. The show will be one long set starting at 8:00pm. The Strutting Duck advertises itself as “the best place in Auburn for live music and great food”.

For more information, vistit their website at www.struttingduck.com, or call 334-821-7277….

It has been quite a while since I stepped outside the front door to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and this year was looking to be more of the same.

That changed when a close friend of mine convinced me I had to break the chains of New Year’s monotony and head to Knoxville, Tenn., to see the Hackensaw Boys. I had heard of the band and even watched a couple of rough YouTube videos, but other than that, I really knew very little about the group. I knew they had a loyal following out east, and from their videos, plenty of energy to burn.

Knoxville was ready to ring in the New Year. The Market Square district, located downtown, had a carnival-like feel. A huge stage was erected at one end of the square and featured a constant flow of entertainment. The middle contained an ice rink with couples gliding in the New Year. At the opposite end, food vendors and hucksters rounded out the holiday landscape.

But the real attractions came later, when a variety of bands brought in the New year at the several small restaurants and pubs that make up the square.

The Hackensaw Boys were performing at the Preservation Pub. It’s not a very large place, but what it lacks in size, it makes up in character, charm and hospitality.

Grammy award winning West Virginian, Tim O’Brien heads back to the home state to play Charleston’s Clay Center this Saturday, January 10th, 2009.

Tim O’Brien is a legendary singer/songwriter who plays a wide variety of instruments and blends several different music genres into his own unique sound. A decorated bluegrass veteran, Tim is also right at home playing folk, blues, swing, and old time music. O’Brien never disappoints on stage, whether solo or with a group, Tim will leave the crowd begging for more.

Nashville, Tenn. — The SteelDrivers, one of this year’s hottest bluegrass acts, is booked to ring in the New Year in Nashville, Tenn. at the landmark venue, the Station Inn, on December 31, 2008 to celebrate New Year’s Eve.