Hot Rize was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame on September 18, 2025 as part of the 36th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards program at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Pete, Tim, Nick, and … Read More
by Pete Wernick What an honor for Hot Rize to be inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame! Since 1978, the band has been a major part of my life’s work as a musician, writer, producer, and teacher. I feel … Read More
Two old recordings from this wildly popular group from the 1970s and ’80s have been released. Mighty Mississippi, written by Kelly Harrell about a devastating flood in 1927, came to Hot Rize through the New Lost City Ramblers, and this version was recorded live at a Hot Rize show in 1989. Brown Eyed Rabbit is an old time number that Wernick brought to the 2014 sessions for the reunited band’s When I’m Free project with Bryan Sutton.… Read More
Pete is featured on a recently-released episode of the Southern Songs and Stories podcast, “Teaching the Art of the Bluegrass Jam: Pete Wernick”. The podcast, hosted by Joe Kendrick of public radio station WNCW from Spindale, NC is produced by WNCW and the Osiris Media Network.… Read More
In the summer of 2022, Hot Rize’s’s 45th year, the band received two special honors: induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, and a request to headline the 50th annual RockyGrass Festival… Read More
It’s been something of a shock to lose three of the most prominent and respected banjo players of all time, in a matter of a few months. Sonny Osborne, Bill Emerson, and J.D. Crowe. Every 5-string 3-finger player alive has to have been influenced by these enduring and legendary pickers.… Read More
I love to jam. Jamming is truly “bluegrass in its most natural habitat”… more than performing (in a circle you can really see and hear each other). Bluegrass Banjo Heaven-on-Earth is when you’re in a good bluegrass jam. The teamwork and spontaneity are fun — bluegrass at its essence.… Read More
I was honored to be featured in two podcasts in the spring of 2021 and I’m pleased with how they turned out. In April, Bluegrass Unlimited’s podcast featured me as part of their April Learn to Play themed issue, and in May, the Picky Fingers Banjo Podcast interviewed me for almost two hours!… Read More
The death of Tony Rice on 25 December 2020 was a huge loss for the music world. I feel very fortunate to have known Tony and to have performed with him several memorable times. … Read More
We have all struggled to keep music going during the past year. Some have managed outdoor jams, online jams with JamKazam, and even playing along with jam videos. But the in-person experience of a bluegrass camp or festival, where we can gather and play and learn together is one I have really missed this past year. I bet you have too!… Read More