It’s hard to believe how many musicians we’ve lost recently…Bowie, Prince, Merle Haggard. But this loss hits closer to home for me and many others. Dr. Ralph Stanley was a Virginian who carried on the tradition of mountain singing, penned creative songs that impacted many lives, created his own style of banjo picking, and was arguably the kindest gentleman in all the music world. I played on bills with him (festivals, concerts) throughout the years, and I just never wanted to be “that guy”–the one taking a photo with him–though now, honestly, I’m a little sad not to have said photo! This picture was taken at Poppy Mountain Festival in 2007, right after Dr. Ralph was kind enough to say hello to me backstage and tell me I sounded great. (Seriously? I couldn’t believe his courtesy). I’m sad to see him go, for so many reasons. The last of the first generation of bluegrass originators. RIP.

Rebecca, Stephen Mougin, Dancin’ Dave at guitar workshop

Frazier festie kids

…a.k.a. ROMP takes place in Kentucky each June, a stone’s throw from the birthplace of Bill Monroe. Cool honor: did guitar workshop with my pal Stephen Mougin this year, and man did I enjoy taking in the Kentucky vibes. Life moves on, too; it’s the first time I haven’t needed a sitter to watch the kids while I play. They just “hung out” at the picnic table beside the workshop. What?

15 years ago this spring, I was asked to co-found a vintage country and honky tonk band. We were The All Night Honky Tonk All Stars, and we were inspired by the songs and sounds of Merle Haggard, among others. RIP, and thank you for the music.

Roland White

Bluegrass Programs in colleges are rare. Yet Volunteer State offers a degree in bluegrass, with wise advisor Ben Graves leading the way. It was such an honor to be asked to perform and do a master class for their annual Sumner County Jamboree this weekend, alongside bluegrass legend Roland White and many others. Bluegrass is alive and well in these here parts.

Rebecca Frazier with Isaac Eicher

Ben Graves

Spring is here in in the South, big time. We performed some ‘grass at the Tennessee’s House annual homecoming and ate barbecue alongside Governor Haslam and other important people. Thanks again for having us! 

Music’s biggest night celebrated Nashville style. Congrats Brent Truitt, When We Fall producer and engineer, for his Grammy Award for best bluegrass album with The Steel Drivers. Other Nashville folks to congratulate: Bela Fleck & Abby Washburn, Chris Stapleton. <3 

It’s been said many times, many ways…So wait, I’ll sing it to you! Acoustic trio “The Christmas Song” a.k.a “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” In gratitude for a wonderful year of music, teamwork, laughter, joy on and off the road, and fantastic folkie bluegrass folks like you. God bless!

Doug Dangler Video/ Six String Concerts

Holiday spirit moved us Friday. We loved our beautiful Columbus, OH audience. Thanks to Six String Concerts for presenting this folky grassy trio!

Glad we were able to add Christmas music to our bag of bluegrass, jazz swing, honky tonk, old time and folk music. We even got Robert to pull out the ol’ fiddle! Thanks Joel Stein for the great pics. See ya down the road, Ohio!

Here are things that make us happy in the Fall-time. Chili simmering on the crock pot. Children jumping in a leaf pile. A jack o’lantern and a little boy who carved it. A life-size zombie of Marilyn Monroe (that now lives at our house). A winter jacket found at Goodwill for $9, for the fastest growing 3-year old girl on earth!

‘Twas an honor to be invited to be the “Featured Artist” for Berklee’s Alumni Songwriter Showcase here in Nashville. We met young, talented writers who are surely making Berklee proud. Thanks, Shantell Ogden, for being the heart and soul of this monthly gathering. I’m so glad I went to Berklee…albeit briefly!

Hard to believe Hit & Run is winding down for the year, but it has been such an amazing year of traveling all over this beautiful, inspiring country of ours. Thanks for showing us such warmth on the road! Here’s to gratitude, abundance, music, & friends. Cheers.