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!
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!