This is my “Pete’s-eye view” feature on this site, with reports on interesting people and events I encounter in my travels.

Remembering the Great Ukrainian-American Musician Peter Ostroushko — and Ukrainian Country Star Hank Chenko
Like many of you, I’m watching the situation in Ukraine with dismay, while deeply inspired by the spirit of the Ukrainian people. Last month marked ... Read More

Banjorama at MerleFest
The April, 2014 edition of Merlefest included a special event Friday called the BanjoRama. Festival talent coordinator Steve Johnson had thrown an interesting assignment my ... Read More

The Wernicks in Russia
Pete and Joan Wernick and Justin Hoffenberg have returned from headlining the first-ever Russia-America Bluegrass Jamboree. The event took place July 20 and 21, 2010 ... Read More

Tsunami in Kauai
Pete and Joan weather tsunami threat in Kauai! Today was “tsunami day” here in Hawaii. We got a call from the mainland that woke us ... Read More

Hot Rize for Public Consumption
I am lucky to have had some neat opportunities in music these days. Along with three banjo camps and six or seven jam camps a ... Read More

Red Rocks Report
"It was a thrill and a challenge to lead so many people. We had a lot of guitars and mandolins, some banjos, a few saxophones, ... Read More

MerleFest 2008 Report
This was my 20th Merlefest, having missed only the first one, back in 1988. What an amazing event. I heard some of the most beautiful ... Read More

Hot Rize Plays Steve Martin’s Wedding
It’s been hard to keep this under my hat, but now it can be told: Hot Rize performed July 28 at the wedding of Steve ... Read More

Pete Recalls Time Spent with Jerry Garcia
Notes From The Road: This is my “Pete’s-eye view” feature on this site, with reports on interesting people and events I encounter in my travels ... Read More

Louise Scruggs Funeral
Louise and Earl Scruggs first met at the Ryman Auditorium in 1946, and in the years to follow, thanks to her steadfast efforts as his ... Read More

Reflections on Letterman Show: Part 2
Our TV appearance got all sorts of interesting reactions in the month after we were on. In emails and at the IBMA conference in particular, ... Read More

Reflections on Letterman Show 1
Well, we did it! Five banjos, two guitars, one mandolin, and a piano, playing Foggy Mt. Breakdown at top speed for three and a half ... Read More

Ireland 2004
This was our third time returning to the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival, and each time has been more fun than the last. The unique aspect ... Read More

Walnut Valley Festival 2004
Notes From The Road: This is my “Pete’s-eye view” feature on this site, with reports on interesting people and events I encounter in my travels ... Read More

Gettysburg 2004
Joan and I spent almost two weeks in Gettysburg this summer, mostly at the Granite Hill Campground east of town. We were the only duet ... Read More

Brookdale CA 2004
This past March, for the second year in a row, Joan and I spent early March in beautiful California. Both times, events centered around a ... Read More

Picking with Tony Rice at RockyGrass
Notes From The Road: This is my “Pete’s-eye view” feature on this site, with reports on interesting people and events I encounter in my travels ... Read More

Back East May 2003
Notes From The Road: This is my “Pete’s-eye view” feature on this site, with reports on interesting people and events I encounter in my travels ... Read More

Pete Helps String Cheese Incident Go Bluegrass
Every so often, I get called to play with a rock band that wants some five-string banjo picking. It’s been quite interesting to take the ... Read More

Visit to John Hartford Grave
When in Nashville, I recommend you visit this special place in the Springhill Cemetery in Madison near the Cumberland River, I have been there three ... Read More

Banjos in Ireland
I write this while flying high over the Atlantic as Joan and I return from a wonderful time in Italy and Ireland. The trip was ... Read More

Hot Rize Returns
After three years of no Hot Rize, Tim, Nick, and I decided to bring the band back to life. Since Charles Sawtelle's death in March, ... Read More

Bluegrass Music Camps Spring 2002
Notes From The Road: This is my “Pete’s-eye view” feature on this site, with reports on interesting people and events I encounter in my travels ... Read More

Leftover Salmon Extravaganza for Mark Vann
A fellow banjo player's plight brings together some very special events. As many of you know, Mark, who plays banjo with Leftover Salmon, has been ... Read More

Roanoke Bluegrass Weekend
I had been anticipating this one eagerly for a good while. John Lawless (Mr. AcuTab) and Dan and Mariann Miller (Mr. and Mrs. Flatpicking Guitar ... Read More

NashCamp Fall Banjo Retreat with Sonny Osborne and Bill Evans
This was a very special first-time event. Working with Sonny and Bill, and our excellent coordinator, Cindy Sinclair, was one of the highlights of the ... Read More

IMBA World of Bluegrass 2000
The World of Bluegrass convention in Louisville was, as always, an exciting and draining week. It’s a great experience to be part of this amazing ... Read More

Charles Sawtelle Tribute
Over two years after the death of my Hot Rize cohort Charles Sawtelle in March, 1999, his only solo album finally appeared, thanks to the ... Read More

RockyGrass 2001
This outstanding event happens only 20 minutes from my home, and I feel privileged to have been part of all ten RockyGrass festivals to date ... Read More

Wernicks Hit Europe June 2001
To celebrate our son Will’s high school graduation, our family traveled to five countries, with Pete & Joan making our European debut at festivals in ... Read More

Banjo Camp North May 2001
As I mention elsewhere on the site, after teaching about 70 week-long programs to date, usually working alone, I’ve decided to try some teaching at ... Read More

Last Visit With John Hartford
John Hartford is one of my dearest long-term friends, as well as a great influence and inspiration. We met about 30 years ago and have ... Read More

MerleFest April 2001
Often when I get back from Merlefest, people ask me, “How was it?” Lately, just to be different, I’ve taken to saying, “Sheer hell.” They ... Read More

Wernicks Hit the Big Isalnd
Our long-awaited Hawaii trip was all we’d hoped, but was over just a little too soon. Traveling long distances can be jarring at times, but ... Read More

Dr. Banjo Goes to Jam Fest
The weekend of Sept. 9 and 10 was an interesting and exciting one out at the Planet Bluegrass headquarters in Lyons, Colorado. Local "polyethnic cajun ... Read More