The Cousins pause mid-set, from left to right: Ward, Hughes, Riley, Damrel and Goldsmith. By Shanece Brent, Staff Writer Published in print Sept. 17, 2014 On Wednesday night, the members of Yer Crooked Cousins tuned their instruments in a comfortably dim living room on Fulton Street. Led by accomplished fiddler Holly Riley, the band consists of Jason Hughes on banjo, Brooke Ward on mandolin, Nate … Continue reading From music school to living rooms, Greensboro bluegrass thrives

By Shanece Brent, Staff Writer Published in print Sept. 3, 2014 On Saturday, August 30, patrons of The Blind Tiger were treated to a fantastic show celebrating Greensboro musician Laila Nur’s 27th birthday and the release of her new album, “Pocket Change”. The show began a little after 9pm, with Nur welcoming Americana band Amelia’s Mechanics to the stage, who played several acoustic numbers before … Continue reading Laila Nur’s Love Riot

By Shanece Brent, Staff Writer Published in print Aug. 27, 2014 In the back area of Greensboro’s Scuppernong Books on South Elm Street, Laurie Lake White stood in front of a tall white window set in a rustic brick wall in preparation for her first formal book talk. Around her, several members of the Greensboro community gathered, including Ann Saab, former director of UNCG’s history … Continue reading UNCG alum releases first novel