No. 279, March 2016

On the Cover: Texan Robert Earl Keen takes a detour into bluegrass; plus, more on Texas bluegrass pioneers and events.

Songs:

• Traditional - “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” 
• Traditional - “O the Wind and Rain”
• Tommy Emmanuel - “Ruby’s Eyes”

Features: A look back at the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s enduring classic album, Will the Circle Be Unbroken; Slash talks about the now-famous Honduran mahogany tree that produced his acoustic guitar; Peggy Seeger revisits her historic collection of Child Ballads; custom luthier Linda Manzer.

Lessons:

• How to be a better accompanist
• Unlock I-IV-V progressions
• 3 variations on 'Pete's Barrelhouse Rag'

Gear Reviews:

• Martin’s vintage-looking 00-15E
• Taylor 326e baritone
• Blueridge modern jumbo 1500E

CD Reviews: The Allman Bros. Idlewild South reissue, and discs by Eric Bibb and the Punch Brothers.