The 2025 Frankfort Bluegrass Festival once again proved why it's one of the most beloved grassroots gatherings in the Midwest. Held July 12–13 in the historic downtown square of Frankfort, IL, the all-ages, free festival continues to grow while maintaining its community spirit and bluegrass roots. With three stages, including the shaded beer garden stage at Old Plank Trail Tavern, the weekend offered nonstop music, local vendors, and warm hospitality around every corner.

The Frankfort Bluegrass Festival, a 100% not-for-profit celebration of America’s enduring musical tradition, will mark its 15th anniversary on July 12–13, 2025, in downtown Frankfort. Recognized as a premier music destination, this free two-day event has earned notable accolades, including being named the 2018 IBMA Event of the Year and “Best Event of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 2019.

The South Carolina Waterfowl Association’s Wildlife Education Center is the new home of BirdFest, a beloved bluegrass music festival, held on May 5-6, 2023 in Pinewood, South Carolina. This year’s BirdFest is headlined by the well-known bluegrass ensemble Steep Canyon Rangers on Friday and Saturday nights. Other acts include Town Mountain, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters, Seth Walker, and Henhouse Prowlers. Purchase tickets and learn more at BirdfestMusic.com.

Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley along with Compass Records are pleased to announce the release of their brand new full-length album, Living In A Song, available everywhere today. Known widely as six-string virtuosos—or “bluegrass aces” according to Rolling Stone—Ickes and Hensley made a conscious effort on this release to spotlight their songwriting chops by collaborating with and playing homage to some of Nashville’s finest songwriters.

Six-string virtuosos Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley just shared a brand new tune from their upcoming Compass Records release, Living In A Song; a spirited, full-band ode to America’s favorite clear liquor, “Moonshine Run.” While much of Living In A Song spotlights the duo's proficiency on acoustic guitar and dobro, “Moonshine Run” finds Ickes and Hensley ripping on lap steel and electric guitar in addition to their signature un-amplified instruments. “I had this song pieced together for a few years,” remembers Hensley.

American roots music has seen its fair share of beloved duos over the years—from The Monroe Brothers and Flatt & Scruggs to modern-day pairs like Milk Carton Kids and The War and Treaty—but few leave audiences as amazed as Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley. Built on the interplay of Ickes’s Dobro and Hensley’s six-string guitar, the only thing outshining the virtuosity of this group’s instrumental performances is their singing and songwriting prowess.

Mountain Song Productions and Brevard Music Center have announced the first annual North Carolina Guitar Celebration taking place at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium on June 4, 2022.

Fans of top-notch musicianship and bluesy roots music take note: The David Bromberg Quintet will be joined by Grammy-nominated duo Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley for two weeks of tour dates in the Southeast kicking off February 16, 2022 in Charlottesville, VA.