On this date in 1924, the giant of the bluegrass banjo, Earl Scruggs, was born. here's his classic song, FMB. youtube.com/watch?v=yQIJuu…

On this date in 1926, Don Reno was born. His influence on bluegrass banjo music is still alive today. youtube.com/watch?v=BupVRG…

Doc Watson was born on this date in 1923. His amazing music will live on forever. Here's some of his greatest hits. youtube.com/watch?v=ihc2n0…

On this date of Phil Leadbetter's birth, here's a video of him playing at Joe Val with Claire Lynch and the Bluegrass All-stars. youtube.com/watch?v=KfPV_k…

Merle Haggard was born on the this date in 1937. Here's his classic song, Okie from Muskogee. youtube.com/watch?v=68cbjl…

On this date in 1951, Tony Rice was born. He was a giant of bluegrass guitar. We all miss his skill. Here's a video of his All-Stars (with a very young Jerry Douglas) playing the classic, Nine Pound Hammer youtube.com/watch?v=_u964a…

This would have been Lester Flatt's 116 birthday! Here'e a fun video of him playing with a very young Marty Stuart Lester Flatt was born on this date in 1914. Here's a video of him singing with the Nashville Grass, and a very young Marty Stuart youtube.com/watch?v=omEiAb…

Happy Birthday, Rhonda Vincent. youtube.com/watch?v=Da0TCZ…

On this date in 1911, the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe was born. Here is one of his most famous songs, Blue Moon of Kentucky. youtube.com/watch?v=4syA9a…

The BBU is pleased to announce the JamVal "non-festival" event in Feb, 2024. We will have jamming, classes, and a Special Consensus performance. We wish that it could be a full Joe Val festival, but we expect that to come back in 2025. Please join us for this fun event.

We recently announced a JamVal "non-festival" coming in Feb, 2024. It won't be a full Joe Val, but there will be classes, jamming, and more jamming all weekend. Here's the details: bbu.org/events/jamval/

Here's a nice article in Bluegrass Today about the upcoming JamVal festival. bluegrasstoday.com/joe-val-festiv…

Today would have been Earl Scruggs' 100th birthday. He revolutionized banjo playing and became the model for what every bluegrass banjo player strives to be. Here is a video of him playing his signature song, Foggy Mountain Breakdown. youtu.be/yQIJuu3N5EY

Happy Birthday, @tonytrishka. Thanks for many years of great banjo music. youtube.com/watch?v=Yx3u5O…

JamVal 2024 was a great success! We hope everybody enjoyed it as much as we did. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making it such a success. We'll see you next year at Joe Val 2025!

Happy Birthday to Claire Lynch! She has appeared at Joe Val several times and is always a big hit. Here's one of her most popular songs. youtube.com/watch?v=Oh8Af5…

Rest in Peace, Ben Eldridge, and thank you for all the great banjo music.

Joe Val was born on this date in 1926. He left us way too soon. But, his legacy lives on in the popular Joe Val Bluegrass Festival.

Happy Birthday, Ricky Skaggs Here's his set at the CMAs. Thanks for many years of amazing bluegrass music. youtube.com/watch?v=-vg17K…

Happy Birthday, Alison Krauss. Here's one of her most beautiful songs.... youtube.com/watch?v=wmzVEP…