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

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
/ merlefest
Banjorama at MerleFest

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
/ pete and joan
The Wernicks in Russia

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
/ pete and joan
Tsunami in Kauai

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
/ banjo tab, hot rize
Hot Rize for Public Consumption

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

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
/ doc watson, flexigrass, merlefest
MerleFest 2008 Report

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, steve martin
Hot Rize Plays Steve Martin's Wedding

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
/ jerry garcia, remembrances
Pete Recalls Time Spent with Jerry Garcia

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
/ earl scruggs, remembrances
Louise Scruggs Funeral

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
/ earl scruggs, steve martin
Reflections on Letterman Show: Part 2

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
/ earl scruggs, steve martin
Reflections on Letterman Show 1

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
/ earl scruggs, flexigrass, pete and joan
Ireland 2004

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
/ flexigrass
Walnut Valley Festival 2004

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
/ jam camp
Gettysburg 2004

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

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
/ tony rice
Picking with Tony Rice at RockyGrass

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

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

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

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

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
Hot Rize Returns

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
/ flexigrass, jam camp, merlefest
Bluegrass Music Camps Spring 2002

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

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

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
/ banjo camp
NashCamp Fall Banjo Retreat with Sonny Osborne and Bill Evans

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
/ ibma
IMBA World of Bluegrass 2000

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

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

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

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
Banjo Camp North May 2001

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
/ remembrances
Last Visit With John Hartford

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
MerleFest April 2001

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
/ pete and joan
Wernicks Hit the Big Isalnd

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
/ electric banjo, flexigrass, gear
Banjo newsletter

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