Can you believe it is almost time for Carolina in the Fall? If you haven’t heard, festival organizers have moved the festival dates around this year and the Seventh Annual Carolina in the Fall Festival will be held September 25, 26, 27, 2009 on the Shepherd Farm in North Wilkesboro , NC. Although many details of the festival have stayed the same…

Small Cherokee Bluegrass Festival has a big lineup
Kruger Brothers bring unique sound to Old Fort
First Lippincott Bluegrass Festival in Wallkill, NY
Updated 8-22-2009 @ 10:30am CST – The Lippincott Bluegrass Festival in Wallkill has been postponed today (Aug 22) due to the national weather service severe weather alert. It has been rescheduled for October 10, 2009.

North Wilkesboro, NC — The Carolina in the Fall Bluegrass Festival hosted by Robert and Brenda Shepherd and The Kruger Brothers has been recognized by the North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events for the sixth consecutive year. The festival was the winner of five Excellence Awards this year, making it one of the most recognized festivals in North and South Carolina….

Boston, MA — The Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU) is proud to present the 24th annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, Presidents Day Weekend, February 13 – 15, 2009, at the Sheraton Framingham, Framingham, MA. This beloved winter tradition boasts a full weekend of top-notch bluegrass entertainment, including performances by some of the best national and regional bands, over forty master classes and workshops, the BBU’s acclaimed Academy for Kids, directed slow jams, a thriving vendor floor with a great array of bluegrass-related merchandise (including instruments, CDs, memorabilia, and more), round-the-clock picking, and more….

I’m a bit amazed, perhaps even overwhelmed, at the number of high-quality bluegrass CDs hitting the market these days.

I’m talking about the good stuff here, albums that truly do perk up the ears, the ones you just keep in your player because they’re so good, so polished, some so unique you just can’t stop listening.

That’s how I’m gauging my Top 5 Bluegrass CDs of 2008, selecting the ones I just can’t file away and forget. I’d venture a bet that come this time next year, some of my 2008 favorites might be filed away (but not forgotten and definitely not doomed to silence) as the avalanche of quality recorded material just keeps rolling in.

Here are my picks: