The California Bluegrass Reunion band comes out of a show that Peghead Nation banjo instructor Bill Evans curated for many years, the California Banjo Extravaganza, which toured throughout Northern California and featured an all-star band that has included many familiar faces from the Peghead Nation instructor ranks. California Bluegrass Reunion has expanded its reach, touring extensively in 2022, with acclaimed shows at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Conference and Festival and at shows on the East Coast and in California. The band features Bill and his fellow Peghead Nation instructors Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with fiddle master Darol Anger and guitar master Jim Nunally.

In this video from an October 2022 soundcheck at The Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, California, the band plays Bill’s tune “Petersburg Gal,” which Bill recorded on his album Bill Evans Plays Banjo, with John Reischman on that recording. Great stuff from true masters of their instruments and the music.

Join us for Bill’s 8-session live Zoom workshop, The Banjo Style of J.D. Crowe!

Learn mandolin with Sharon Gilchrist in her Beginning Mandolin, Intermediate Bluegrass Mandolin, Bluegrass Mandolin Fingerboard Method, and Melodic Embellishment courses.

Learn mandolin with John Reischman in his courses Old-Time Mandolin and Melodic Mandolin Tunes

Learn fiddle with Chad Manning in his Beginning Bluegrass and Old-Time Fiddle, Intermediate Bluegrass and Old-Time Fiddle, and Advanced Bluegrass Fiddle courses, as well as Theory for Mandolin and Fiddle.

Learn banjo with Bill Evans in his Beginning Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, Earl Scruggs: A Player’s Guide, Melodic and Single String Banjo, and The Banjo Style of J.D. Crowe courses on Peghead Nation.

Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway: “Crooked Tree” The flatpicker, songwriter, and singer performs the title track to her Grammy-winning album at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California. Read More

John Reischman, Bill Evans, and Friends: “Suzanne’s Journey” John Reischman plays his tune “Suzanne’s Journey” at Great Lakes Music Camp 2023 with Bill Evans, Ethan Setiawan Jeremy Kittel, Hayes Griffin, and Todd Phillips. Read More

California Bluegrass Reunion: “Suzanne’s Journey” All-star band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play one of John’s new original tunes. Read More

California Bluegrass Reunion: “Roll On Buddy, Roll On” Powerhouse band of Peghead Nation instructors Bill Evans, Chad Manning, Sharon Gilchrist, and John Reischman, along with Darol Anger and Jim Nunally, play a bluegrass classic. Read More

California Banjo Extravaganza: “Chinquapin Hunting” A performance from a Peghead-packed band of Bill Evans, Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More

Ned Luberecki: “Take Five” | California Banjo Extravaganza A performance of the jazz classic by the 2018 IBMA Banjo Player of Year, with Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More

California Banjo Extravaganza: “Angeline the Baker” A performance from Bill Evans, Chris Coole, and Ned Luberecki, with a Peghead-packed band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More

Bill Evans, John Reischman, and Kenny Smith: “Studebaker” Flatpicking master Kenny Smith plays one of his original tunes with Peghead Nation banjo and mandolin instructors, along with bassist Max Schwartz and fiddler Nate Lee. Read More

Bill Evans, John Reischman, and Kenny Smith: “Petersburg Gal” Peghead Nation banjo and mandolin instructors play Bill Evans’ original tune with flatpicking guru Kenny Smith, bassist Max Schwartz, and fiddler Nate Lee at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse. Read More

California Banjo Extravaganza: “Train 45 / Reuben’s Train” A performance from Bill Evans, Joe Newberry, and Danny Barnes, with an all-star band of Sharon Gilchrist, Chad Manning, John Reischman, and Jim Nunally. Read More