The Rural Blog

A digest of events, trends, issues, ideas and journalism from and about rural America, by the Institute for Rural Journalism, based at the University of Kentucky. Links may expire, require subscription or go behind pay walls. Please send news and knowledge you think would be useful to benjy.hamm@uky.edu.

The Rural Blog

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Bluegrass-music innovator Bobby Osborne dies at 91, little more than a month after last Grand Ole Opry appearance

'I've endured.' Eastern Kentucky musicians rebuild after the floods with hope and resilience

J.D. Crowe dead at 84; 'none finer on the five-string banjo'

Sonny Osborne of the Osborne Brothers, music greats with Ky. roots who broke out Tennessee's 'Rocky Top,' dies at 83

Tyler Childers drops a surprise album meant to raise money for Appalachia and raise awareness about racial injustice

Quick hits, from Appalachia to Mississippi to Colorado to Minnesota to Canada

Friday PBS documentary traces history of bluegrass music

Bluegrass legend Dean Webb, influence on many, dies at 81

Leon Russell, who played classical, rock, country, blues, soul, gospel, jazz and more, dies at 74

'Americana' music gains popularity and recognition

How often is your state named in popular songs?

Don Parmley, a bluegrass legend, has passed

Kaine used old-time harmonica skills to appeal to rural Virginia, may do likewise as VP nominee

Ralph Stanley's race is run: Oh, come, Angel Band

Jam bands serving up bluegrass music and a side of corny jokes in Appalachian fast-food joints

PBS documentary, new album detail Loretta Lynn's Appalachian roots; she is 83

The Crooked Road links rural music communities in Virginia, generated $13M in 2008

Judge allows Tenn. town to change its name a second time, to Rocky Top, at developer's behest

Internet radio station gives worldwide exposure to aspiring musicians of Appalachia

Tennessee songwriting festival renews this week