‘If You Can’t Play, Get Off The Stage’ Book Documents Bluegrass History

Garret K. Woodward, an arts/entertainment editor for The Smoky Mountain News, has penned a book that dives into the rich, vibrant and controversial history of bluegrass music. If You Can’t Play, Get Off The Stage: Bluegrass In Western North Carolina & Beyond features interviews, profiles, quotes and conversations with some of the biggest names in the genre.

Garret Woodward interviewed Andy Hall of the Infamous Stringdusters, Del McCoury, Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass and Peter Rowan for the book. If You Can’t Play, Get Off The Stage also includes interviews with Balsam Range, Billy Strings, Bobby Osborne, Claire Lynch, Dave Johnston (Yonder Mountain String Band), David Grisman, David Holt, Doyle Lawson, Eric Gibson, Frank Solivan, Graham Sharp (The Steep Canyon Rangers), Jeff Austin, Jesse McReynolds, John Cowan, Larry Sparks, Marty Stuart, Raymond Fairchild, Rhiannon Giddens, Rhonda Vincent, Ricky Skaggs, Ronnie Reno, Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien and many more.

Woodward crisscrossed America for several years as a music journalist after graduating from Quinnipiac University in 2007. He found a home in Waynesville, North Carolina since 2012, where he has been the arts/entertainment editor for The Smoky Mountain News. In addition, Garret was recently named the music editor for Smoky Mountain Living magazine.

Over his time putting the book together, Garret won first place in the North Carolina Press Association awards for “Arts & Entertainment Reporting” for his cover story, “Bless You Heart – The State Of Women In Bluegrass.” Last year, he was nominated for “Bluegrass Print/Media Person Of The Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Head here to learn more about the book or to place an order.