With a banjo, a guitar, an upright bass and a mandolin — and four talented musicians to play them — Yonder Mountain String Band’s songs make you feel more like you’re spending a day in the Alabama woods rather than the Arizona desert.

Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and other community leaders gather at the Mesa Arts Center Saturday, Feb. 2 for an evening of music, appetizers cocktails and a live auction to raise money for children’s art education in Mesa.

Among common resolutions to eat better and exercise more are often pledges to improve the intellect — by reading more books, say.

The nationally known Mill Avenue New Year's Eve party in Tempe is making some changes and some cutbacks.

Seeking gift ideas for that music lover this holiday season, check out the following box set reviews from The Associated Press:

The Grammy-winning banjo player Béla Fleck performs with the Marcus Roberts Trio, creating a vibrant jazz-bluegrass sound.

After moving just a handful of years ago from his home state of Kentucky, singer Ryan Hunt found success in Arizona, and is preparing to release his new album nationwide on Tuesday.

Fall is arriving, and residents of the Valley are starting to enjoy the outdoors again. Mesa Arts and Crafts Festival, starting up in October, is a good way to enjoy the weather, take a stroll, indulge in tasty treats, listen to live music and shop for art, jewelry and crafts.

CANNES, France — Writing the Prohibition-era bootlegger crime film "Lawless" — his second realized script and largest movie production yet — taught Australian songwriter Nick Cave certain foundational lessons of Hollywood moviemaking.

A few years ago Dierks Bentley went hard against country music convention by releasing a rockin' bluegrass-roots album. He's decided to break the rules again.

The economic downturn that began in 2008 has continued to hurt businesses at every level. Few, if any, have made it through completely unscathed. Small businesses have closed their doors left and right — all the empty commercial space is evidence of that.

The economic downturn that began in 2008 has continued to hurt businesses at every level. Few, if any, have made it through completely unscathed. Small businesses have closed their doors left and right — all the empty commercial space is evidence of that.

The Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts in Wickenburg features a diverse lineup of programming during March, including bluegrass, a Broadway musical, contemporary jazz piano and circus. 

The Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts in Wickenburg features a diverse lineup of programming during March, including bluegrass, a Broadway musical, contemporary jazz piano and circus. 

Award-winning duo Dailey & Vincent will bring the music of the legendary Statler Brothers to the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts stage in Wickenburg at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The bluegrass artists and their band will feature their tight harmonies and musicianship in this tribute to one of the best-loved country music icons of all time.

This time last year, members of the Gilbert Lions Club were hoping enough people liked bluegrass music to turn out in respectable numbers for a concert.

Take a basket full of challenging ingredients, a difficult workspace and time on the clock, and you’ve got Food Network’s “Chopped.” Add cowboy boots, campfires and wagons, and you’ve got the Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-off — something akin to an Old West version of the TV cooking contest.

Take a basket full of challenging ingredients, a difficult workspace and time on the clock, and you’ve got Food Network’s “Chopped.” Add cowboy boots, campfires and wagons, and you’ve got the Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-off — something akin to an Old West version of the TV cooking contest.

Take a basket full of challenging ingredients, a difficult workspace and time on the clock, and you’ve got Food Network’s “Chopped.” Add cowboy boots, campfires and wagons, and you’ve got the Chandler Chuck Wagon Cook-off — something akin to an Old West version of the TV cooking contest.

You can’t accuse downtown Mesa of being sleepy or quiet when the Mohave Muleskinners come to town.

You can’t accuse downtown Mesa of being sleepy or quiet when the Mohave Muleskinners come to town.

You can’t accuse downtown Mesa of being sleepy or quiet when the Mohave Muleskinners come to town.

Now in its 11th season, the Webb Center is presenting some of the top performing artists in western, country and bluegrass music.