Demise of Bluegrassbox

Colin Henry reports:

Just learnt that the Bluegrassbox web site is closing down. This was the file-sharing site that allowed downloads of live bluegrass performances. It was, as far as I know, and as far as possible, a legal site that had artist approval. In particular such artists as Tim O'Brien were major supporters and providers of taped live material.

There had of late been a lively debate on Bluegrassblog regarding the ethics of such sites. For myself, I found this site to be an absolute goldmine of material; and, far from making me avoid buying the artists' commercial recordings, it encouraged me to buy material I might not have thought of purchasing or at least to investigate different acts. I for one will miss the access to live performances that we just don't get that often over here.