Music We Like: "Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass - Tribute to 1946 and 1947" by Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Bluegrass

Bluegrass is linked in my mind with Sunday afternoons in a Wisconsin country bar, listening to live music, dancing, and drinking cold beer to quash a dance-driven thirst.

Put some great bluegrass into your weekend with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder's CD, Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass - Tribute to 1946 and 1947. The disc is Mr. Skaggs tribute to Bill Monroe and his "Original Bluegrass Band", the founders of what is known today as bluegrass music. It's absolutely great listening.

Imagine a lazy Saturday afternoon with hot weather, cold beer, and great bluegrass music. Bring on summer.

Holiday Music: Yo-Yo Ma

Someone recently asked what is my favorite holiday music. My instant answer was Bing Crosby's White Christmas, an album we listened to throughout the holidays when I was a kid.

My new answer is Songs of Joy and Peace by Yo-Yo Ma and Friends. On this CD the outstanding Yo-Yo Ma is joined by Alison Krauss, Spanish guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad, Cuban saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera and others. Great music.

I still love to sing along with Bing, but there is something about a cello . . .