Mandolin Cafe Front Page Archive

If you missed something from the Mandolin Cafe front page you'll find it here. Since some of the information we link to is external please understand that as these links go bad they will be removed.

Previous years: 2012 | 2011 | 2010

2012 Front Page Highlights

May 22

Read more, post less: Come Hither to Go Yonder: Playing Bluegrass With Bill Monroe published this date 2005.
Applause: for the three year anniversary of an epic recording that should be a part of your collection: Mike Marshall and Caterina Lichtenberg.
$2.99 at amazon Kindle: Gifted, by Pam Warren, a mandolin novel.

May 16

Must have recording: Sarah Jarosz's Follow Me Down, released two years ago. Highly recommended.
John Reischman, Ben Winship and more at NimbleFingers Bluegrass and Old Time Workshops and Festival.
No mandolins mentioned but Trevor Moyle from The Acoustic Music Co. is featured in the article Sound Sensation.
Published this date two years ago, one of our favorite historical books: Bean Blossom: The Brown County Jamboree and Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Festivals.
In our thoughts: builder Ray Dearstone who just underwent triple bypass surgery. Be well soon.
Possibly all the mandolin chords you may ever need, right with your morning coffee. Lab tested and certified to be sound for surfing the Cafe and all other web sites while getting your caffeine! Available only at the CafePress Mandolin Cafe store online. Two sizes, large and regular.
Our friends at Ellis add a small page devoted to the new Pava mandolin.
Got world class-ical instruction? Caterina Lichtenberg Accepting Students Through Sepember 15.
August 4-10: looking for a world class camp? We're big on the Swannanoa Gathering Mando & Banjo Week.

May 12

New music from Tom Watts on the Cafe MP3 page. Subscribe to our MP3 podcast and get over 320 free mandolin cuts in iTunes. Video tutorial.
Sound advice for those in the business: 9 Things YouTube Recommends Musicians Do, That You're Probably Missing.
A self-serving commercial advertisement from the the Mandolin Cafe: got a Property of Mandolin Cafe MAS t-shirt?
Music you should be listening to: it's the two-year anniversary of Sleep With One Eye Open from Chris Thile & Michael Daves.
From Hyperbot, Music and Technology: 20 Tips For A Kickass Musician's Facebook Page.
Like YouTube? So do we. Ever wonder how they make money with all that free information? Another solid article from Hyperbot, Music, Technology & the Music Business: YouTube: Go To Discovery Source, Important Revenue Stream.
The brilliant producing work of the late Butch Baldassari with some of Nashville's best studio cats makes the 12th anniversary of its release worth a re-listen: Dawg Tales - The Acoustic Tribute to David Grisman. Highly recommended.
Want to know more about the hottest spot on the web for obtaining personalized and individual instruction? One year ago we published Mike Marshall's ArtistWorks School of Mandolin Interview. » Subscribe to the school.
Some spectacular new straight ahead bluegrass that should be a part of your collection: It's Just A Road from The Boxcars, Adam Steffey on mandolin.
Overheard: a follow-up planned for Mandolin For Dummies to be called Mandolin Exercises For Dummies. Who says so? The book's author.

May 6

Published five years ago today, Sierra Hull's blockbuster Secrets. In 2008 writer Bill Graham featured her in Beautiful Music: Sierra Just Is.
Brazilian bandolim master Hamilton de Holanda has released yet another brilliant project entitled Trio with support from Thiago da Serrinha on percussion and André Vasconcellos on bass. Read about it. Purchase: amazon.com | iTunes. Reviewed by JazzMando.com.
Probably not overheard at a bluegrass festival: "get out the fake book and lets blow through some tunes..." Two years ago Matt Flinner's The Real Bluegrass Book from Hal Leonard published.
Chris Thile and Punch Brothers now become available on iTunes: How To Grow A Band.
... and now JustStrings.com is offering the same special: three sets of D'Addario EXP for the price of two.
Glad they're not writing about mandolins. From Time Magazine: How the Banjo Made It Big.
New from Mel Bay Publications, Fretboard Studies for the Improvising Mandolinist by Todd Collins. Read about it | Purchase
New music from Duo Pizzicato on the Mandolin Cafe MP3 page from their CD Old Time Italian Music.

April 30

"The doctor will now see you." Martin Guitars undergo X-rays to recapture old sounds.
Interesting discussion from our forum if you're mandolin shopping: Killer deal on Kentucky KM 900 Master Model A.
April 27, 2004, Acoustic Disc released one of their all-time best sellers: Been All Around This World featuring David Grisman and Jerry Garcia.
A simply great collection of acoustic music released 13 years ago (officially) by Acoustic Disc: The Pizza Tapes.
Happy 75th birthday Roland White. In 2010 he provided one of our all-time favorite interviews: The Roland White Interview.
Released two years ago, a must own book for Gibson fans that changed us all: Spann's Guide To Gibson 1902-1941.
ArtistWorks and the Mandolin Cafe held a live online workshop with Tony Trischka and Mike Marshall on April 23, 2013. Watch the replay. Get an ArtistWorks Subscription.

April 20

A marvelous new recording from Greece's ATTIKA Plucked String Orchestra, their first, in a project that combines poetry and great classics: Musica Poetica.
Now online for browsing, the contents of the Spring issue of Mandolin Magazine featuring Brian Oberlin. » Subscribe
Favorite: Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza, released on this date 1999 on Acoustic Disc.
A sound practice every musician should pay attention to: hearing protection, an article from JazzMando.com.
The organizers at this year's Swannanoa Mando & Banjo Week have announced their all-star line-up of instructors for their second annual version of this camp.
From this past Wintergrass: David Grisman & Kenny Smith Tone Poems Live.
Really interesting instruments: get a load of this 1916 Gibson Style U Harp Guitar that also just hit the Classifieds.

April 15

Homespun best-seller released one year ago today: Caterina Lichtenberg's Basic Techniques of Classical Mandolin.
Poking fun at odd faces mandolin players make. This amusing photo begs a quote.
Title has little to nothing do with the content but amuses us greatly: How Bluegrass Music Destroyed My Life, by the guitarist John Fahey.
New music from Don Julin & Billy Strings new project Rock of Ages on the Cafe MP3 page.
Digging the excellent music and technology articles from the web site Hyperbot. Every musician should read and take note of Do You Make THIS Music Publicity Mistake?
The fifth annual River of the West Mandolin Camp will be held June 6-9, 2013, 20 miles east of Portland, Oregon featuring Don Stiernberg, Carlo Aonzo, Radim Zenkl, and Brian Oberlin.

April 9

Congratulations to builder Andrew Mowry, featured in the current issue of American Lutherie Magazine.
From Oxford Press, published on this date in 1992 by James Tyler and Paul Sparks, a real tome: The Early Mandolin: The Mandolino and the Neapolitan Mandoline.
Time to gaze upon the lovely lasses and lads that make up our vintage postcard collection.
John McGann passed away exactly a year ago today (Apriil 6). Catch a glimpse of what made him a treasure to those who knew him in our feature interview 10 Questions For John McGann.
Hear preview cuts of Bibey/Benson's The Mandolin Chronicles on the Cafe MP3 page. Get it: iTunes | amazon.
Our April Fool's fun: CNN has announced a major shake-up in the 2014 Kentucky Senate race with Sam Bush announcing his candidacy for the position currently held by U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
What better way to waste some time on a Friday than blogging? What didn't make the Cafe's April Fool's cut.

April 4

Wishing we'd thought of it. New product launch from G7th Capos comes the G7th Vocal Capo. Ouch! Hilarious.
A self-playing mandolin you say? That's no good! How are people going to argue about one properly on a forum? Courtesy of Google Patents, 1902. Was it ever in tune?
New content just added to the Mandolin Magazine web site: feature articles on Andra Faye and Steve Sorensen. » Subscribe
A long running discussion that surfaces on occasion, always enjoyable: forum members show off their mandolin tattoos.
You might also like to revist our April Fool's efforts the past two years: An All-Star Mandolin Tribute To Lady Gaga and The Collings Fretless Bass Mandolin.
From two years ago, one of our favorite interviews with Scotland's Dagger Gordon, author of The Scottish Mandolin Tutor.
Our congratulations to Avi Avital, just named New Artist of the Month at Musical America Worldwide.
New from the folks at Music Link, Inc., an unexpected twist to their marketing: The Loar "Unsigned" Series mandolins.

April 1

Rest in peace. Sorry to hear about the passing of Mike Butler, Indianapolis organizer and the man behind CD tributes to Yank Rachell and Bill Monroe.
A fantastic new book being discussed on our forum: Yoga Chords for Mandolin from JazzMando.com.
Our thanks to Flatpicking Guitar Magazine's for providing this feature interview with Joe Carr.
"Play ball!" Digging the upcoming baseball season opener? Like mandolins? Then you'll love this NPR piece from 2008.
From This Day In History: on this date, March 30, 1976, Kenny Baker was in the studio recording arguably the finest bluegrass fiddle recording ever made.
So far: all of the information we can find out about Chris Thile's new solo recording Partitas, Vol. I, merely a mention.
The California Bluegrass Association has launched their CBA Youth Program web site and we're proud to be listed as one of their sponsors.
From JazzMando.com: what's new from builder Austin Clark, including a new jazz mandolin and soprano guitar.
Wishing every working musician would read and adhere to this sound advice: Musicians: Marketing Is Part Of Everything You Do. From Hyperbot, the music and technology web site.

March 26

Chris Henry has a new recording out as a free download with an option to pay for it.
Still on the fence about the new John Reischman album Walk Along John? Sample cuts available on the Cafe MP3 page.
A beautiful Skaggs recording released March 25, 2008: Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass, Tribute To 1946 and 1947.
Everyone should watch this wonderful cartoon that first aired this week in 1931: Lady Play Your Mandolin!
Music and video that gets us excited: original footage from the 1987 verion of the Scotland based band The Easy Club.
Can't speak for the sound, but no denying the C.F. Martin company from 1953 dead nailed a perfect sunburst on this A model mandolin.
Got a mandolin you're not using and like to donate it? Here are a few ideas being discussed on our forum.
You have to like a mandolin orchestra whose main performance venue is a microbrewery.

March 20

One year ago we published one of our most heavily read and responded to feature interviews: Great Vintage Mandolins Under $1,000. Advice that's still as good today as it was a year ago!
A new release from bluegrass legend Doyle Lawson: Roads Well Traveled. Purchase it: Elderly | amazon.
A very happy birthday and congratulations to JazzMando.com on 10 years of bringing mandolin goodness to the internet!
Get a brand new Martin D-45V Guitar for $25? Well, it's possible if you enter the New World Youth Orchestra raffle in support of their organization.
Now 16 years since Chris Thile released his second recording: Stealing Second.
From JazzMando.com, for St. Patrick's Day and better than drinking bad green beer: Actually, it is easy being green.
Preview Bibey/Benson Mandolin Chronicles the MP3 page. Get it: iTunes | amazon.com | Pinecastle
Mike Marshall's Mandolin Mashup via Google Hangouts celebrating Mike Marshall's School of Mandolin was held March 6. Watch it. Forum member comments.

March 13

Austin's Standard Magazine recently featured Collings Guitars and Mandolins.
Seems like 20 years in Sierra Hull time: two years ago was the release of her spectacular Daybreak, a Mandolin Cafe favorite.
Worth a revisit: the remarkable images from the University of Iowa Digital Library where a search for Lloyd Loar returns marvelous images of histime in the Fisher Shipp Concert Company.
An enjoyable article from the Anchorage Press on Avi Avital's March 9 appearance there.
You know you want it, you know you need it: the music to Stonehenge on the 29th anniversary of the release of the great mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap.
Meet actor Alex Harvey. You know, the guy in the Geico commercial. He really does play mandolin.

March 1

The new Fender Mando-Strat reviewed by JazzMando.com. Order one: Musician's Friend | Guitar Center | Music123 | amazon.com.
Cute: From country music star Lee Ann Womack's fan group: apparently there are still some sane parents in this world.
Rightly proud, as he should be. Don Julin pointed out to us that his Mandolin For Dummies is the top hit for "mandolin books" (or book) on amazon.com, a statement about its popularity in sales.
A new start-up retail business we're following with interest: Carter Vintage of Nashville just launched a fan page on Facebook. Their web site.

February 25

Meet Virgil Bisagno. Previously unidentified, he's now known to be the original owner of Chris Thile's Lloyd Loar mandolin #75316. See the Thile interview in question.
A great recording captured on this date in 2001, the David Grisman Quintet 25th Year Reunion Concert. Uh huh, they can still do it!
One of the greatest recordings re-released after being out of print, lit the acoustic music world on fire 30 years ago: David Grisman Quintet '80.
John Reischman's much anticipated new solo release Walk Along John is now available for purchase. An all-star cast delivers a polished performance and fans of John's brilliant playing and writing will not be disappointed at the outstanding result.
Awhile back we announced the launch of The Pava Mandolin line out of the Ellis Mandolin shop. Here's the first suburst model we've seen in retail.
Appears the Mandolin Magazine web site has applied a fresh coat of paint, the first in about 14 years.
New original bluegrass music from Nick Amodeo on the Cafe MP3 page. Get this and hundreds of other tunes via our MP3 podcast. See our video tutorial on how to subscribe.

February 15

Released a year ago today, only $5.99 as an MP3 set on amazon right now: the Punch Brothers' Who's Feeling Young Now.
The 10th annual ROMP Festival from The International Bluegrass Music Museum will be held June 27-29 in Owensboro.
Mando Blow-out: who's at ROMP this year? Thile and Punch Brothers, Sam Bush, The David Grisman Sextet, Doyle Lawson & Quicksliver and dozens of more acts.
JazzMando.com reviews the Girouard A-body mandolin, the creation of a husband/wife building team based in New Hampshire.
Mando Blow-out: who's at ROMP this year? Thile and Punch Brothers, Sam Bush, The David Grisman Sextet, Doyle Lawson & Quicksliver and dozens of more acts.
For Valentine's: sign up for an ArtistWorks School (like, mandolin!) and get 20% off a gift certificate for a friend or loved one for a subscription. You needed an excuse, right?
Impressive: D'Addario announces the launch of www.BuildAPick.com, a sharp self customization site for ordering custom picks. Tried it out and we're impressed with the programming. More...

February 9

A tip of the hat to the Steep Canyon Rangers for winning a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album. Check out our 2011 interview with mandolinist Mike Guggino of the group.
Congratulations to Thile, Meyer, Duncan and Ma for Goat Rodeo Sessions, Grammy winners of Best Folk Album!
From February 10, 2010, our Mike Marshall Interview, packed with a lot of great information that includes an introduction written by Chris Thile.
The Modern Mandolin Quartet's Americana is in the running for for three Grammy awards. In celebration of their success we bring you our Modern Mandolin Quartet Grammy Interview.
From the Marin Independent Journal in advance of the Grammy Awards: Spotlight shines on the Modern Mandolin Quartet.
A must-own project re-released with alternate takes this date in 2005: Tiny Moore & Jethro Burns, Back To Back.
Today: the Berklee College of Music Mandolin Mashup to honor the life and work of John McGann. An all-star line-up. You can watch it live via Concert Window.
One of our more interesting interviews of the past several years was authored by Dan Beimborn and published a year ago: Chris Thile in London Interview.
One of the finest mandolin camps announced: Mandolin Camp North 2013. Compton, Gilchrist, Mitterhoff & more.
Calton Cases UK is stating on their web site that the owner is looking to transition the business and would like to talk to interested parties.

February 3

One of the single greatest bluegrass recordings ever, released on February 3, 1981: Bill Monroe - Master of Bluegrass.
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry Live - the interview. Purchase: From artist | amazon.com | iTunes | CDBaby | Elderly.
From the new instrument videos being produced online by The Mandolin Store, this week it's a turn for a great sounding Gibson Fern F-5.
Our favorite mandolin playing UPS truck driver Johnny Staats is out with a new band project entitled Time Moves On.
New music from the Portland based mandolin duet Jack Dwyer & Tim Connell, a project that has our heart (and ears): Mando Planet. Purchase: amazon | CDBaby.
Make plans now the 3rd annual Jim Richter Mandolin Camp for the Rest of Us, a rock/blues/azz weekend sponsored in part by the Mandolin Cafe.
Bet you've never seen it: the Cafe MP3 podcast hosted by iTunes. Here's our video tutorial on how to add over 300 free mandolin tracks to your iTunes library.
From the series that featured Mike Marshall and Caterina Lichtenberg in 2012, the Santa Cruz Baroque Festival presents Mandolino Barocco in concert February 9.
Three reasons to own at least one Mandolin Cafe ball cap, besides the fact that it makes you more attractive and improves mandolin playing.
New music from Jack Dwyer & Tim Connell on the MP3 page from their new project Mando Planet. News release about the recording here tomorrow.

January 31

Coming Sunday: our exclusive interview with the Modern Mandolin Quartet about their Grammy nominated blockbuster recording Americana, one of finest collections in recent years (our opinion).
Registration is now open for the 13th annual Carlo Aonzo Mandolin Workshop, one of the premier mandolin educational experiences of the year. Workshop convenes April 5-7 in New York City.
Hal Leonard Corporation has announced the publication of Celtic - Mandolin Play-Along Vol. 2, a Book/CD combination.
Our good friends in the Uptown Mandolin Quartet are celebrating 40 years of music together with a free concert Tuesday.
Don't hesitate. Get to this page, get the music started, then take the hands off the keyboard and just stay there. Must get to the March Mandolin Festival where this all happened.
The contents of the Winter 2012/2-13 issue of Mandolin Magazine featuring blues mandolinist Andra Faye and builder Steve Sorenson. Subscribe.
Hal Leonard Corporation has announced the publication of Bluegrass - Mandolin Play-Along Vol. 1, a Book/CD combination.
Pictures from the 2013 NAMM show in Los Angeles currently in session.
Here it is, the return of the Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin with a retail of $299. Jethro would be mighty proud.
New videos of the Northfield "S" series that are now shipping.
New music from Paul Duff and Bluegrass Parkway on the MP3 page.

January 22

Interesting in building a mandolin? Siminoff Luthierie Camp has three dates listed for 2013 entitled "Pick Your Instrument Camp (F5, F4, H5, H4)."
Solid eye candy and sale items for your email inbox: the Bernunzio email newsletter (link to sign-up).
Nice interview with Vinni Smith, founder of V-Picks, one of our forum sponsors. According to the intervew Carlos Santana uses V-Picks.
What we're working on right now: annual update of the builder database.
A very short and quick interview with Erik Berry of the band Trampled By Turtles.
Good news. David Grisman tells us he recently obtained the rights to some of his early recordings. Coming soon, the great classic Quintet '80.
The brand new Fender MandoStrat Solidbody Electric Mandolin is now available for pre-order.
$30 for a mandolin lesson? How about hundreds of lessons per month with Mike Marshall for the same price?
New from Acoustic Oasis in their Hi-Def series: Hi-Def Tone Poems Deluxe Edition.

January 17

Information for budding bluegrass musicians from our blogs: Chop chords for new players.
A bit of fun: our lasting contribution to folks that can't resist a good cat picture on the internet, our nine-year running Post a pic of your cat sleeping in your case forum discussion.
New music from Spearman Brewers on the Cafe MP3 page. Subscribe to our MP3 podcast and get free tunes. Here's how.
A Berklee tribute to John McGann announcement. Event includes a live broadcast in Concert Window.
Fender announces their Mando-Strat electric mandolin, from JazzMando.com.
JustStrings.com has announced a site-wide sale on Planet Waves tuners.

January 11

FYI: The Mandolin Cafe has a dedicated Twitter feed for our Classifieds.
Acoustic Oasis has announced the release of Hi-Def Jazz Compilation.
James Condino reviews the Mike Marshall School of Mandolin. Article hosted by JazzMando.com.
Happy birthday to Dan Beimborn, creator of the Mandolin Archive. Check out our interview from 2011 with Dan.
Check out this exclusive Sarah Jarosz video of Ring Them Bells featured on the Paste Magazine web site. Spectacular octave mandolin back-up.
The Mandolin Store has started a video of the week. Sign up for notification at their web site.

January 6

Interesting: The Science of String Instruments, for those that wish to delve a little deeper.
The San Diego Classical Mandolin Camp led by Chris Acquavella and guest instructor Mari Fe Pavón will be held July 30 - August 4 at the beautiful Kona Kai Resort in San Diego.
OK, drop the meaningful New Year's resolution then. Just do the right thing for yourself by grabbing a subscription to Mike Marshall's School of Mandolin from ArtistWorks.
JazzMando.com's Ted Eschliman pays a visit to Mandolin Magazine columnist in The Pete Martin Interview.
Highly recommended: one year in print this week, Charlie Louvin's blockbuster Satan Is Real is hands down the best acoustic music book to appear in print in years that we've read.
From the Denver Post: Avi Avital brings his mandolin, and some Bach, to Denver.
An all-star lineup returns to Concord, NH for the 11th Annual March Mandolin Festival, March 1-3.
New in print: Easy Gospel Mandolin Solos Vol. 1-2. Get Vol 1: amazon | Elderly, Vol 2: amazon | Elderly.
What we're working on right now: a coming soon interview with the Modern Mandolin Quartet about their spectacular must own Grammy nominated recording Americana.
An all-star lineup returns to Concord, NH for the 11th Annual March Mandolin Festival, March 1-3.

January 1

The Mandolin Cafe welcomes Bernunzio Music as the newest supporter of our forum. Deadly eye candy!
Acoustic Oasis announces the release of Hi-Def Dawg Compilation, the fourth in a series of the highest quality sound format available. Read | Purchase
Rest in peace: the great Dobro man Mike Auldridge has passed away. Discussed on our forum.
The right time for a look back: Mandolin Cafe 2012 In Review.
Take a sneak peak at a couple of resources we're developing on amazon's ListMania: Jazz Mandolin Picks, an idea as a result of our Christmas List. Other genres to follow in the future.
Gruhn Guitars formally announces their new store location opening in 2013.