Blueprint

Washington's Bluegrass Newspaper
Published between 1979 and 1983
A Collection of Cover Information


Bluepirnt – Washington’s Bluegrass Newspaper began in June of 1979 as the brain-child of local musician Robert Kyle, with help from the late Gary Oelze, former owner of the Birchmere Music Hall. They felt there was a need for a local publication that covered Washington area bluegrass, giving bands, clubs and venues a montly paper to advertise their upcoming shows. It also provided the Birchmere another vehicle to advertise upcoming appearances at the club. The newspaper became quite popular with the area's bluegrass community.

One of the contributing writers from the start was the late Les McIntyre, musician and radio host, who in February 1980 became the Associate Editor, however by January 1981, both he and Oelze moved on, leaving Kyle as both Publisher and Editor. In July of 1981, Kyle sold off the paper to Mike and Carol Pittard. Keeping with the paper's look and feel, the couple also wanted more feedback and contributions from a larger cross-section of the local bluegrass community.

In February 1982, the paper had an article about myself and Les starting the Bluegrass Overnight program on WAMU. In August 1982, I had my first article published in the paper, the start of my writing career which continues to this day in Bluegrass Unlimited. Unfortunatly in the spring of 1983, the Pittards decided to end the paper.

Below are sort of cover shots of each monthly issue, by year.
I do not have all the issues, but this is what I have. Enjoy!




Blueprint 1979

June: First Edition (Kyle,Oelze)

July: Ben Eldridge

Aug: Country Gents

Sept: John Starling

Nov: Bill Harrell

Dec: 70's Washington

















Blueprint 1980

Feb: Reunion Concert

March: Tony Rice

April: Bluegrass Cards

May: Spectrum

June: DC Old Time Music

July: Eddie & Martha

August: Akira Otsuka

Sept: Gordon Lightfoot

Dec: Johnson Mountain Boys










Blueprint 1981

Jan: Ralph Stanley

March: Carl Nelson

May: Festival Season

June: The Guitar in Bluegrass

Sept: Old Friends

Oct: Phil Rosenthal

Nov: Dry Branch Fire Squad

Dec: Country Gentlemen













Blueprint 1982/1983

Jan: Peter Rowan

Feb: Jimmy Arnold

March: Ed Ferris

July: Gary Henderson

Aug: The Dobro

Sept: Bluegrass Festivals

Oct: Fredericksberg

Nov: Southland

Dec: Cliff Waldron

April: Starling & Lynch