From Sara Watkins and Amanda Shaw to Alasdair Fraser and Tom Rigney, here are ten of the best current fiddle players.
Want a swimming pool in your backyard, but don't want the expense and hassle of a built-in one? An above-ground pool may be worth considering.
Country artists began to rebel against formulaic convention in the early 1970s. This led to the development of "outlaw country," a genre popularized by '70s country singers like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.
Did you know that "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, "Gentle on My Mind" by Glen Campbell, and "The Tide Is High" by Blondie are all covers? Read on to find out more.
I'm of the "classic rock" generation, but music is too important for me to spend the rest of my life listening only to songs from 40 or 50 years ago. There is still plenty of great music being created today.
While the rest of the country was getting into disco in the mid-'70s, I was listening to records by America, the Grateful Dead, the Eagles, Marshall Tucker, and more.
This list of oldies road trippin' songs was made with baby boomers in mind.
Celebrating 11 love songs from the 1970s where artists shared intense emotions with the world, including iconic tracks like "Moondance" by Van Morrison, "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker, and "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel.
From "Landslide" by Smashing Pumpkins to "The Sound of Silence" by Disturbed to "Wish You Were Here" by Avenged Sevenfold, here are ten classic '60s and '70s songs being passed on to a new generation.
From "Video Killed the Radio Star" to "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," here are 11 of my favorite early MTV videos, which changed both music and television.
"At Last" by Etta James, "Will Still Love You Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles, and "In My Life" by The Beatles are among the love songs from the '60s that offer something special to people of every generation.
Classic rock artists like Paul McCarntey, Mick Fleetwood, Van Morrison, and John Mayall are still making new music.
Fill out your fiery playlist with this list of songs about burning, songs with burning in the lyrics, or songs with burn in the title, including "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys, "Set Fire to the Rain" by Adele, and "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel.
We are experiencing a resurgence of women in blues music. Here are ten of my favorite modern female blues singers, including Anna Popović, Ruthie Foster, and Susan Tedeschi.
This is a compilation of 10 powerful vintage songs having to do with the wind literally or as a metaphor.
Rivers have the power to move mountains, touch our hearts, and renew our spirits. Here are 11 iconic songs about rivers, including “Moon River" by Andy Williams, “Whiskey River” by Willie Nelson, and “Down in the River to Pray” by Alison Krauss.
If you are living in a leaky old house, closing up the spaces that let in the wind and cold can make a big difference in how warm you are this winter. This article will break down some tips for weatherproofing an old house on a shoestring budget.
If you're a baby boomer and you're looking for some music to get you in the mood for Halloween, look no further. Here is the perfect creepy classic rock Halloween playlist.
The late '60s and early '70s were a time of a rebirth of music in America and Europe. It was a time of freedom and experimentation. Much of the music that was made during that time has disappeared from the airwaves. Let us not forget.
"I'm a Wanderer" by Dion, "Gentle on My Mind" by Glen Campbell, and "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd are songs about wandering that offer something special to people of every generation.
This is an eclectic list of older and newer songs about money, including “Do Re Mi” by Woody Guthrie, “Money” by Pink Floyd, and "Billionaire" by Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars.
A closed fireplace can be a decorating challenge, but just think of it as a blank canvas. In my home, I had several closed fireplaces to deal with. Here are the creative solutions I came up with.
Willie Nelson's career has taken some crazy turns. He's written and sung some insane songs, and he was part of the "outlaw country" movement that changed the face of country music. It changed the trajectory of his career too.
For some of us older folks, new music is hard to get into. One of the ways we can be exposed to new music incidentally is to hear it on TV.
2017 was a great year for the blues. As it draws to a close, here are my picks for the best blues albums that came out. It's wonderful to see artists old and new putting out great music.
Here is my top 10 list of all-time favorite break-up songs. If my love left me, this is what I'd be playing.
The blues isn't just a music of the past. The genre is alive and well thanks to the efforts of younger blues musicians like Aynsley Lister, Keb' Mo', Coco Montoya, and others.
Murder ballads are a longstanding tradition in country and bluegrass music. Here are a few of my favorites, including "El Paso" by Marty Robbins, "Delia's Gone" by Johnny Cash, and "Pretty Polly" by Ralph Stanley and Patty Loveless.
Drinking alcohol is a popular pastime, and a popular topic for a song. This is not everybody's drinking song list. It is an eclectic group, crossing genres and generations.
Rain and flooding are common themes in the blues, from "Texas Flood" by Stevie Ray Vaughan to "Louisiana 1927" by Marcia Ball to "Hurricane Betsy" by Lightnin' Hopkins.
Music is a big part of the Christmas season, but when you get tired of the usual syrupy Christmas carols, take a break with some Christmas blues, including songs by Otis Redding, Eric Clapton, and Elvis Presley.
Here are ten songs that contemplate the past and celebrate a life well-lived, like "A Song for You" by Leon Russell, "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day, and "Ripple" by the Grateful Dead.
When gold was discovered in California in 1848, men from every profession and every part of the world responded to its allure. Of those who took part in the California Gold Rush, many knew very little about mining, and few struck it rich.
For some people in my family, stockings are the best part of Christmas morning. My kids loved them when they were little, and that's still the first thing they look for now that they are grown.
A pre-fab gingerbread kit looks easy, but they can be challenging. Here are a few useful tips, and a little humor, to help you get through the experience. If this article helps one person, my work here is done
There was something really magical happening with music in the '60s and early '70s. Psychedelic rock music gave voice to the dreams of an idealistic (if unrealistic) generation.
In search of nature in the Bay Area? Here are five state and national parks within a two-hour drive of San Francisco at which to camp or hike.
There are few things in life more devastating than the death of a parent. This is true even for adults when they lose a parent. For a child, it is a truly life-altering experience.
Vintage radios are beautiful. They're pleasing to the eye as well as the ear. A radio was made like fine furniture—a treasured possession that brought the family together.
Make unique Halloween decorations by upcycling plastic milk jugs into glowing Jack-O-Lanterns. A great way to reuse something that would normally be considered trash.
The '60s was a new era for TV. Here are some popular shows young people watched in the 1960s, including "Lost in Space."
Brilliant, but very different modern blues artists like Joe Bonamassa, Robert Cray, and Susan Tedeschi showcase the great energy and diversity of styles within contemporary blues.
After traveling on a motorcycle and camping for over 30 years, I've learned a few things about what to take when motorcycle camping. I hope my list is helpful.
These plants are hardy and easy to care for, require little water, and are distasteful to deer. From shasta daisies to purple coneflowers, here are low-maintenance plants for sunny areas.
By doing a White Elephant Gift Exchange, you can save money and make your holiday party less stressful and more fun and memorable.
Making hand-crafted Christmas ornaments is a fun way to spend time with your family and get in to the holiday spirit. These ornaments are simple to make, and kids will love to see them on your tree.
When you are in the middle of a coughing spasm, and you can't seem to catch your breath, it's easy to panic. This method helps calm your breathing and get the coughing under control so you can rest.
Symbrachydactyly is a congenital hand malformation that occurs in 1 in 32,000 births. I was born with this condition, and this is my story.
It can be very frustrating when you have UTI symptoms but lab tests show no bacteria. You may have bladder spasm, or overactive bladder syndrome. There is no easy solution. However, there are ways to cope. This is my personal journey to wellness.
Buying used furniture can be a good way to save money, and you may even end up getting better-quality furniture than you could afford if you bought new.
With a little organization and consistency, you can clean your house a lot faster and with a lot less effort. Here is my seven-step method, along with a few additional tips from a former "pro."
In 1851, at a time when there were only 25 women in a booming mining camp of 5000 men, one of those women was accused of murder. She became the only woman in California ever to be unlawfully hanged.
Highway 101—The Redwood Highway in Northern California offers many fun and family-friendly roadside attractions among the stately and serene giant redwoods.
This is an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to installing your new peel-and-stick vinyl tile flooring yourself, no matter what your skill level. I did it, and so can you!
Old objects that have been discarded can be re-purposed as yard art. Here's some unique yard art that proves one man's junk is truly another man's treasure.
By shopping sales and buying in bulk, you can save money and still eat better. Building a stockpile can save you money and help you be prepared for any natural or man-made disaster or economic crisis.
Learn how to make beautiful, non-traditional Easter egg decorations that last long after all the jelly beans are gone. Get instructions for blowing out the eggs, silk dyeing, hand painting, and making decoupage hanging egg ornaments.
This spectacular ruby-colored, early-American pattern glass can add beauty and interest to your decor, and it is fun and affordable to find and collect.
Modern farming methods rely heavily on the European Honey Bee for pollination, but the honey bee population is in peril and the cause of the problem is not well understood. Modern farming methods do not currently support adequate pollination by native species of bees.
Simple and detailed step-by-step instructions, with photos, on how to make a homemade apple pie. Instructions for the pie crust and a crumb topping, from scratch, are included. No experience necessary!
With a little time and patience, you can teach your cat-chasing dog to accept (and even enjoy) having a kitten as a member of the household.
We depend on electricity for more than light and TV. We would be in big trouble if the power grid went down for too long.
Taking too many OTC medicines together can make you feel worse, not better. To avoid that weird feeling, choose the medicine that is most appropriate for your symptoms.
We rode the '47 Knucklehead to the Redwood Run up in Humboldt County California every year from 1984 to 1999. Those were some great times.
This is a description (with pictures) of my experience with my dog Chopper. He is a "pugsund," or "daug"—a dachshund-pug hybrid dog. I describe his physical traits, his character, and personality.
This is my honest, unsolicited opinion of my personal experience with Genie Bra and Pajama Jeans.
This is a simple Christmas craft project for kids. These cute reindeer were made from wooden clothespins. They can be as plain or fancy as you like.