Our jams at festivals often have 3 guitars, with me doing rhythm and two good friends who often camp with us playing lead. One plays in the cross-picking style of Norman Blake and George Shuffler, and the other is a madman up and down the neck playing whatever inspires him and sounding like 3 people in one. After every verse, there's a break by whomever in the circle is willing and interested. It's awesome to hear these two fine guitarists, especially since their styles are so different from each other.

Whaddaya mean guitarists don't get to solo much, M. Ted? Sounds like the folks in your session don't know how to do it "the RIGHT way" to not coin a phrase.

And the creativity is phenomenal. We've done old traditional bluegrass, new progressive, old-timey (my husband plays wicked clawhammer), gospel, Beatles, even some home-grown stuff. Whatever we damn well please, and it often draws a crowd. They're not hanging around because the music is boring, or just like it's always been done.

Maybe the tone of our sessions is very different from the ones I hear described above. If you don't like the way they do it, don't play with them! (But don't blame it on bluegrass.)