Broaden Your Horizons with Bluegrass

More sites are biting the dust. This month I'll update you on the latest demises as well as introduce you to a Bluegrass group that has been around for some time in various incarnations, but is introducing a new CD and rereleasing an old one.

Platinum Entertainment

Platinum Entertainment was releasing its entire catalog of music on HeardOn.Com. First introduced and reviewed in an article in January 2000, this site was bucking the trend among record labels. Several months ago, I reminded you of the rich collection of MP3 music tracks that were available for download, free of charge. I'm not sure what happened, but when I went out in mid-February to see what new tracks were available, the site had been discontinued. I don't know if the record label has folded or if they just couldn't justify putting the music online any longer. This is too bad. If you've been following the Napster suit, it seems that once the Record Labels put Napster out of business, they'll move in with new ways to put their hands in your pocket. What is more disturbing is the press reports about new technologies that may take away existing consumer rights over music purchases.

I have never been a real fan of Bluegrass music, but with the trend toward the pop-style of so-called "New Country," I've been revisiting more traditional styles of the broad Country & Western genre. Acoustic Endeavors is a group that's been around in various incarnations since 1992 when founders Warren Amberson and Kelly Green initially formed the group. Now headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, they've had their roots in Tennessee. Their current schedule reflects their Virginia location. The web page reflects a smattering of dates between mid-February (now past) to early June. One can only hope that the schedule will be filled in with additional concert opportunities.

They have a new CD that has just been released (hopefully my copy is on the way) titled, Sneak Preview. It features seven new songs performed by the present group of talented musicians. It is available online through a link to AcuTab Publications for $10 (plus shipping & handling). The page describing the new album has both RealAudio and MP3 sound clips of each track. You can even listen to a compilation of the clips in a single file. I think you'll find the music very enjoyable. Once I receive my copy, I hope to have a review posted somewhere.

Go To Page: 1 2