Prescription Bluegrass Blog

Tony Rice makes guest appearance on new single by Brandon Lee Adams

2012-02-29T09:13:00.001-07:00

Listen for “I Long For Seventeen” next week on Prescription Bluegrass!

Brandon Lee Adams sent us a note last week announcing the new single, saying; “I have a new single out now called ‘I Long for Seventeen.’ it was recorded live with me and my friend and hero Tony Rice. It has been mixed and mastered. Just two guitars and my vocal.

It’s been done before – adding a little “star power” to your recording so as to use the star’s name recognition and reputation to garner some notice from the industry and the public for one’s own work.

Country Music’s Suzy Bogguss did it with her first LP when she asked renowned fiddler Vassar Clements to play on it. The Grascals asked Dolly Parton to sing on their first CD. It’s a proven winner formula for success if the first artist has their own talent and uniqueness. It’s a kind of jump-start into the business.

We first heard of Brandon Lee Adams after the release of his first CD “Hardest Kind Of Memories” over a year ago and since that time he’s managed to gain some high-powered notoriety on his own. He was included on the IBMA award winning album “Celebration of Life” for Skaggs Family Records and his album was featured in the March/April issues of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine.

Now Brandon Lee Adams is adding the frosting on the cake for us. He’s boosting his chances for success by enlisting the aid of guitar guru Tony Rice for his latest single release “I Long For Seventeen.” Not that he really needed it – Brandon is very capable of handling the guitar parts on his own as is evidenced in a very low-key home video shot horizontally on an android phone camera and posted on You Tube. It’s the only example of Brandon’s work we could find on You Tube.

Brandon added that the song is available to radio programmers through the AirplayDirect Download site.

Prescription Bluegrass will add the song to the upcoming radio broadcast which will air on affiliate stations the week beginning Saturday, March 3rd through Friday, March 9th. Click here for stations and times. Many stations repeat the program numerous times throughout the week so listeners will have about 25 chances to hear Brandon’s song and it’s a sure bet that many other radio programs from bluegrass to country to roots to Americana formats will also be giving Brandon Lee Adams multiple spins on the air. “We tested the song with our focus group and the response was ‘this song is destined to be a classic,'” said program host Brian McNeal.

The sound Brandon has made his own is certain to gain interest from across the world. The development of his unique style is the result of a lifetime of musical influences exposing him to a wealth of music. He grew up listening to Hank Sr., Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe and Tony Rice.

His first foray into learning an instrument himself came when he started to play the guitar at the age of eight when his grandfather Robert Adams put his old Martin D-28 in his grandson’s hands saying, “Learn G,C and D. You’re playing in church this weekend.” After learning the chords and putting many grueling hours into his practice, he got his hungry hands on Tony Rice’s “Church Street Blues” album. This was the start of Brandon’s career.
To Brandon, it was not just playing the guitar, it was the song, the words, the vocal. His musical journey began while trying to learn Tony Rice’s works who had a profound influence on the direction his musical journey would take. Brandon started hanging around jam sessions demanding other musicians to teach him things he did not already know. He entered his first guitar contest at the age of sixteen at “The Vandalia.” Coming in sixth place, he referred to that day as an eye opening day.

Born in Charlestown West Virginia, Brandon spent his school week there but his weekends, holidays and summer breaks were spent working on a farm in Webbville Kentucky where he developed his musical tastes and interests. After realizing that making music was his main goal, he began to venture into various venues listening to Eric Clapton’s “Unplugged” album. He tuned into Vince Gill. New Grass Revival, and gained much respect for Alison Krauss. He also sparked an interest in Larry Spark’s “John Deer Tractor” album. One of his biggest inspirations as an entertainer was Jerry Reed while Tim O’Brien’s album “Odd Mann Out” made a huge impact on Brandon’s life. In Brandon’s words; “From that point on I knew I wanted to play and sing songs like Tony, but I wanted to write like Tim.”
At the age of seventeen, Brandon began to showcase his talents after winning a local talent contest which catapulted a milestone allowing him to perform at the Ryman Auditorium. Brandon knew this was where he wanted to be.

After High school and a job hanging dry wall, Brandon joined the Army giving four years of his life to serve his country. Afterwards, he came home and went to school for a while. His love for the guitar and his music won him yet another local contest. His talent with a variety of genre’s only added to his appeal and his unique sound started to find an appreciative audience while working and travelling playing in venues in Ireland and Canada. As his musical ambition began to grow, he got to meet and share the stage with such heroes as JD Crowe and Scott Vestal. And as if that wasn’t enough, Brandon took it upon himself to venture out on his own where he began to work on his first album, “Hardest Kind Of Memories.” From this album he wrote nine out of the eleven songs. He sang lead and did the entire guitar work as he produced his own album which was featured in the March/April issues of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine.

The song “Hardest Kind Of Memories” was voted a top ten hit for new country artists by Outstage. Later, he was on the IBMA award winning album “Celebration of Life” for Skaggs Family Records.

Finally, after honing his unique sound over recent years, his goal is to take his music around the world to every corner that will listen until he can play no more. The satisfaction he gets from indulging in his passion has certainly reflected through his music while sharing the stage with Scott Vestal, JD Crowe, Randy Kohrs, Don Rigsby, Art Stamper, Ernie Thacker, Dave Evans and many more. He’s recorded with Tony Rice, Scott Vestal, Jesse Cobb, Randy Kohrs, and Luke Bulla. With a rhythmic undercurrent that bears testament to his unique playing, this artist is punctuated with passion to deliver what the heart wants to convey.

Ronny Cox, Actor, Director, Singer and Songwriter said; “Songwriting from the heart and masterful playing.”

Glenn Elvig, Artist, Songwriter, and Musician said, “When I first heard Brandon Adam’s music, it knocked me out! Clean, solid and honest! As a musician, I am in awe of Brandon’s talent. As a show promoter, I look forward to getting Brandon up to Minnesota to do a show! Top shelf music, staying power and timeless!

Dan Miller Editor, Publisher of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine wrote in the March/April issue, “Brandon is a triple threat.”

Lonesome River Celebrates 30 Years with Three Mini-CDs, One for Each Decade!

2012-02-28T08:30:00.001-07:00

First of Three Albums Commemorating Band’s 30th Anniversary

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce today's new album release, CHRONOLOGY, VOLUME ONE by the award-winning LONESOME RIVER BAND. The album is the first of three 8 song EPS releasing this year commemorating the band’s thirty year milestone. “Lonesome River Band has done what few bands have done, continuously reinvented itself through the years, staying both popular and relevant,” said Keith Lawrence (Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer and Bluegrass Notes Reviewer).

The CHRONOLOGY series features updated versions of many of the Lonesome River Band’s most popular songs during each decade with the talents of Virginia Country Music Hall of Famer and four-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, Sammy Shelor(Banjo); Brandon Rickman (Harmony Vocal, Guitar); Mike Hartgrove (Fiddle); Barry Reed (Harmony Vocal, Bass); and Randy Jones (Lead Vocal, Mandolin).CHRONOLOGY, VOLUME ONE was produced by Lonesome River Band and includes the tracks:

1.       Close the Door Lightly When You Go (E. Anderson) – first single release
2.       The Old Man In the Shanty (John Michael Green)
3.       Laura Jean (Jim Burns)
4.       The Game Is Over (David Carroll)
5.       Mary Ann (Johnny Stills, Lonnie Treat)
6.       I’m Afraid To Love You Anymore (Jimmie Skinner)
7.       Hobo Blues (Billy Smith)
8.       Angeline The Baker (instrumental)

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements regarding CHRONOLOGY Volumes Two and Three including details on a big event celebration scheduled for later this year. For more information on the Lonesome River Band including upcoming tour dates, please visit LonesomeRiverBand.com.

New CD From Sweet Potato Pie

2012-02-28T08:11:00.001-07:00

Mountain Fever Records is proud to announce the release of Brand New Day, the latest CD from North Carolina-based Sweet Potato Pie.

Sweet Potato Pie has been entertaining audiences for over a decade with their classy blend of bluegrass, country and gospel music mixed together in a style called “sweetgrass”.

Comprised of Sonya Stead on guitar; Chrystal Richardson on banjo; Katie Springer on fiddle; and Sandy Whitley on bass; this all female band has carved out a place for themselves among the bluegrass community with their own toe-tapping original tunes, driving instrumentals and classic songs from Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe, the Judds and many more.

Their unique sound revolves around their sparkling three-part harmony and infectious personalities that resonate with audiences everywhere they go. Sponsored by the North Carolina Sweet Potato Association, this band takes their music and their message seriously; promoting local farmers, good health and great music throughout the country.

Brand New Day is the sixth release from the group and while their music is presented with the typical instruments found in a 4-piece bluegrass ensemble, Sweet Potato Pie has elected to include a few more country-tinged songs for this project. "Quite honestly, we are all fans of the older country music," explained Sonya Stead. "We started realizing that our kids had never heard of some of the music that we grew up listening to such as Tanya Tucker, Randy Travis and even Ernest Tubb, so we thought it was about time we introduce them to the great songs that we've loved for so long and maybe put our own 'sweet-grass' style to it." As a result, Brand New Day offers several songs that were first made popular by artists such as Tanya Tucker ("Delta Dawn"), The Judds ("Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain") and Ernest Tubb ("Walking The Floor").

Even so, no Sweet Potato Pie record would be complete without a generous helping of new music and this project offers six original songs; three from the pen of Sonya Stead, one from Crystal Richardson and two written by former Pie band member, Missy Payne. Mountain Fever Records executive Mark Hodges could not be more pleased with the project. "When the ladies arrived at our studios to start recording this project, they were motivated, prepared, and just shined when the red light came on. We are thrilled to present Brand New Day to bluegrass and traditional country music fans alike."

Mountain Fever Records is proud to announce the official release of Sweet Potato Pie's Brand New Day to radio and consumers worldwide. Radio programmers may download the new project via AirplayDirect or directly from Mountain Fever Records by emailing radio@mountainfever.com.

For more information on Sweet Potato Pie, visit www.sweet-potato-pie.com or www.MountainFever.com.

Rangers Enter Dead Covers Project

2012-02-27T10:06:00.001-07:00

Song Originates from 1928! – Watch Video

The Steep Canyon Rangers have been honoring the Grateful Dead for some time with a very authentic yet still very bluegrass version of “Don’t Ease Me In”

Now they’ve created a video of the tune for entry into a contest sponsored by the website Dead.net called the Dead Covers Project.

The rules are simple - all video submissions must contain a song either written by or recorded by the Dead. How that song is interpreted, however, is entirely up to the performing artist.

While browsing through some of the project entries we happened to notice a few viewer comments critical of anyone attempting to do “Dead” material.

Apparently the reasoning behind the criticism is that no one can replace the Grateful Dead so why bother with what they were terming “Poor Imitations”.

It occurred to us that even the Dead borrowed material from other groups and arranged it to suit their own style and the times.

Even the song the Rangers have chosen is not a Grateful Dead original. “Don’t Ease Me In” was first recorded by black blues musician Henry Thomas who enjoyed a brief but notable recording career in the late 1920s. The Tune was covered by the Grateful Dead on their album Go to Heaven; and Thomas's vintage recording of "Don't Ease Me In" is included on the compilation album The Music Never Stopped: Roots of the Grateful Dead.

We’ve played the Rangers’ version on the radio program several times and even once included a snippet of the Henry Thomas original.

Now that the Rangers have brought the tune out once again for this project, we thought we’d post three versions of the song here for comparison.

First the Rangers with their project version, then the Grateful Dead from the 1970 “Festival Express” Tour in Toronto, Canada and finally, the 1928 version by Henry Thomas.

Becky Buller Graces the Cover of Fiddler Magazine!

2012-02-26T16:03:00.001-07:00

Becky Buller can now see her “Smilin’ Face on the Cover of the….Fiddler Magazine.

Becky says, “Thanks to Matt Merta for a great job on the article and Rebekah Long and David Tousley for the lovely photos.”

For those who don’t subscribe to the magazine, excerpts will be added to the magazine’s website asap! (Fiddler Magazine)

Founded in 1994, Fiddler Magazine is an informative, educational, and entertaining resource for fiddlers, accompanists, and appreciative listeners. Each quarterly issue (now approx. 60 pages each) features a variety of different styles of fiddling, as well as plenty of other articles and columns. Regular columns include: Bluegrass Fiddling, “The Practicing Fiddler,” Fiddle Tune History,

The Spring 2012 issue also contains a story on The SteelDrivers’ Tammy Rogers.

Spring Creek Update

2012-02-25T11:25:00.001-07:00

What does the future hold for the individual members of Spring Creek after the announcement that this will be the last year for the band as a unit?

Chris Elliott has joined Blue Canyon Boys and is gigging with them full time all over the front range of Colorado. Check out the Blue Canyon Boys Here!

Alex Johnstone has joined forces with Finnders & Youngberg on the fiddle and is tearing it up with those bluegrassers now. Former Rockygrass Fiddle Champ Ryan Drickey is off in Sweden studying Swedish folk music so they were in need of a fiddler, and Alex happily obliged. [Editor’s note: We got a message from bass player Erin Youngberg not to long ago announcing the band’s decision to ad the extra “N” in the name Finnders after so much effort had been put into getting their fans and the public to pronounce it correctly when there was only the one “N”. – correct pronunciation FIN (as in Shark Fin) DERS.] Check out Finnders and Youngberg Here!

And finally, Taylor Sims has joined his wife's band, Bonnie and the Clydes, as the electric guitar player and provide additional vocals as well.

Check out Bonnie and the Clydes Here!

New Guitar Picker for Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen

2012-02-24T17:50:00.001-07:00

Chris Luquette, formerly with Seattle based Northern Departure will be handling the six-string duties for Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. You can learn more about Chris on his Facebook Page

The band made the official announcement last night from the stage at Wintergrass. Besides Frank on mandolin, the band’s new lineup now includes Danny Booth on the bass and Mike Munford on banjo.

Podunk Festival Moves Down The Road

2012-02-24T08:43:00.012-07:00

We heard from Podunk President Mike Wilcox who wanted us to help spread the word about a change in location for the Podunk Festival

Podunk will move out of East Hartford, CT (our home for 16 years) to:
Dodd Stadium in Norwich CT.
Same dates (August 2-5, 2012 and lineup).

After 16 years at Martin Park, the four-day festival, which was named the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 2009 “Event of the Year,” is moving down the road to Dodd Stadium in Norwich. The move to Norwich was predicated by the former East Hartford Parks and Recreation Director and Podunk Festival promoter, Roger Moss’ job change to Norwich.

In a recent interview with the Norwich Bulletin, Moss was asked if he felt Norwich can sustain an event like the Podunk Bluegrass Festival you helped run in East Hartford? He answered, “I do. An event like that isn’t necessarily for the residents of East Hartford or Norwich only. The purpose is to bring people from outside the region to our city and spend dollars here. We’d be looking to bring people from every nook and cranny of the United States to Norwich. It’s great when you can build it up so you have volunteers that are local, and they can see the pride in their city as the event is happening. Sustainability-wise, Norwich is ready, especially at a place like Dodd Stadium.”

After a meeting in January 2012 with East Hartford, Connecticut's mayor, the Podunk Executive Board felt strongly that searching for a new home was in the best interest of Podunk Music Festival, ultimately resulting in the move to Dodd Stadium in Norwich. Long time Podunk Festival Producer, Roger Moss said, “Bluegrass, like baseball, is an American pastime so we are moving everything from the ball field at Martin Park to the diamond at Dodd.”

Dodd Stadium offers several wonderful amenities that includes plenty of easy access day and handicapped parking. The stadium layout will allow covered but open air space for vendor displays with a view of the stage. Attendees will still be able to set up lawn chairs on the field in front of the bands as in years past. Seating in the stadium will be open to all as well. Dodd Stadium will also welcome campers on site as there are two large areas set aside for weekend camping, offering more space than what has been available in years past. It is level, dry and has a fine gravel base that is easy to maneuver. These spots are only occasionally used for overflow parking during baseball games and have begun sprouting a grassy cover with disuse. Each one is surrounded by a tree line which allows for a potentially good place for tents. Podunk will bring in a water tank truck for the weekend. There will be access to free showers in the team’s locker rooms. Rosewood Sound will continue to provide artists and music fans the same high standard of listening excellence.

In the five months ahead, the organizers of The Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival will brainstorm to gather and implement ideas that will make this year at Dodd Stadium unique and remarkable. As a group, the board members have years of experience planning the Podunk weekend and take great pride in fine tuning the details to give attendees many reasons to return to Podunk year after year. This year's event offers an unprecedented lineup of talent including Dailey & Vincent, Dale Ann Bradley, Lonesome River Band, Special Consensus, The Grascals, Eddie & Martha Adcock with Tom Gray, The Roys, The Spinney Brothers, The Hillbenders, NewTown, Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters, Travers Chandler & Avery County, Belfry Fellows, The Original New Coon Creek Girls and previously unannounced Grammy-winning singer Kathy Mattea! As always there will be plenty of campground pickin’, kid and adult academies, band and songwriter competitions and workshops galore including one especially for songwriters. Tickets are available now and if ordered prior to July 1st, offer deep discounts. For more information on the Podunk Music Festival, please visit www.PodunkBluegrass.com.

FESTIVAL WEBSITE

Mountain Fever Records Releases New Single From Upcoming CD By The Spinney Brothers

2012-02-24T08:13:00.001-07:00

CD - Memories To Be Released March 13th

Mountain Fever Records is releasing the debut single from the upcoming CD by Canada's international bluegrass band, The Spinney Brothers. "Memories", the single and also the title cut from the project, has been shipped and will be in the hands of programmers this week.

"Memories"

From the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada, brothers Allan Spinney on guitar and vocals and Rick Spinney on banjo and vocals debuted their band in 1992, featuring a tight brother duet vocal style that was immediately recognized for its energetic and distinctive sound. Since that time, the band has released 8 CDs independently and are recipients of many Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards including 3-time Vocal Group of the Year.

In 2010, The Spinney Brothers were inducted into the Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame. Joined by Gary Dalrymple on mandolin and Darryl Hebb on bass, The Spinney Brothers have performed professionally all over Canada and in the United States from California to Maine making them "Canada's International Bluegrass Band".

It was just last year during IBMA's World of Bluegrass conference in Nashville, TN that The Spinney Brothers and Mark Hodges of Mountain Fever Records were first united. "I had been made aware of The Spinney Brothers through a friend who suggested I give them a listen," stated Hodges. "I watched their progress as a band for about a year and when I discovered they would be in Nashville, I made a point to attend one of their late-night showcases. I was really pleased with what I saw and heard and their enthusiasm was also a big factor in our decision to sign them to Mountain Fever Records. We are really hoping to bring nationwide attention here in the U.S. to this great Canadian band."

The Spinney Brothers' debut CD for Mountain Fever Records, Memories, is due for release March 13th. The project produced by Ron Stewart includes music from notable songwriters such as Marshall Warwick, Carl Jackson, David Cooper, and Dave Lindsey as well as original music from Rick Spinney. The brother duo takes great pride in the song selection for this project. "The traditions of great songs in the past is a big part of what music was built upon," states Rick Spinney. "And great songs now and for the future are what we believe will sustain and elevate the music." The first single, "Memories", was written by Marshall Warwick, a very well established songwriter who has penned numerous songs recorded by such artists as Marty Raybon, Pine Mountain Railroad and Larry Sparks including the very popular duet with Sparks and Rhonda Vincent, "1-800-Do-U-Care".

In addition to being shipped to radio programmers as part of the Mountain Fever Records Hot Singles CD, "Memories" is also available to radio via digital download through AirplayDirect. The complete project will be released on March 13th. For more information on The Spinney Brothers, visit www.SpinneyBrothers.com or www.MountainFever.com.

Chocolate Drops Mentor, Joe Thompson Passes Away at Age 93

2012-02-21T14:06:00.001-07:00

We are sad to inform you of the death of one of North Carolina's most celebrated old-time musicians. Award winning fiddler and Carolina Chocolate Drops mentor Joe Thompson passed away last night in Alamance County. He was 93 years old.

From the North Carolina Arts Council's Tribute:
"Among the last African American fiddle players of his generation, he received a North Carolina Folk Heritage Award from the N.C. Arts Council in 1991 and a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2007.

“Probably more than anyone else, Joe was the inspiration for a national revival of stringband music among young generations of African American musicians,” said Wayne Martin, folklife director of the N.C. Arts Council. “He will be sorely missed.” In recent years, Thompson mentored the Grammy Award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Born in 1918 and raised on a farm near the Alamance and Orange County line north of Mebane, Thompson grew up helping his family tend crops and watched his father, Walter Arch Thompson, play fiddle at square dances after the work was done. Thompson started playing with his dad at age seven. He performed for years with his cousin, Odell, a banjo player who also received a 1991 Folk Heritage Award."

Photo credit: Marshall Wyatt, via NC Arts Council

Read the obituary from the Time-News

Read the News & Observer obituary

PineCone's tribute to Joe Thompson

The Story with Dick Gordon profile of Joe Thompson

Our State Magazine profile of Joe Thompson

Rolling Stone Magazine Shows Interest in Steve Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers

2012-02-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers newest video premiers today exclusively on Rollling Stone Magazine.

..."I was impressed with David Hackett Fischer's book, Paul Revere's Ride, which gave the facts of a story that had been twisted throughout history. . . I was happy to write a song that told the truth of his ride, and tell the little-known story of what happened to Revere's horse that night." -Steve Martin...

The video is about the story of Paul Revere's horse.

This is the same song Martin wrote especially for the band's appearance last summer on the Washington Mall for the PBS special "A Capitol Fourth" and the same song the got millions of folks clapping and foot stomping around the world.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers performed the song for the intimately shot video in front of a small group of fans in a tightly packed Williamsburg, Brooklyn loft.

The video also has exclusive interview footage of the band discussing their first interactions with Steve Martin.

Martin also celebrates the release of his new book today "The Ten, Make That Nine, Habits of Very Organized People. Make That Ten." Martin will appear on Good Morning America and Tavis Smiley on Feb, 22 in support of the book.

Bluegrass Fever authenticates epidemic of same name!

2012-02-21T13:04:00.001-07:00

According to Bob Johns with the band Bluegrass Fever, the epidemic “Bluegrass Fever” has become so widespread that a song had to be written about it and he sent us a video.

Bluegrass Fever (the song) performed by Bluegrass Fever (the band) at the Chemainus Bluegrass Festival on July 16, 2011.

Bluegrass Fever is one of the most popular and busiest bluegrass bands on Vancouver Island, consisting of; Guy Langlois (upright bass and harmonies), Barrie Hemmings (banjo and vocals), Kim Turner (mandolin, fiddle and vocals), Bob Johns (guitar and vocals). The song was written and sung by Bob Johns. http://www.bluegrassfever.ca

Prescription Bluegrass treats “Bluegrass Fever” wherever it’s found with Auditory Therapy consisting of 100% Pure “Prescription Bluegrass” and apparently so does the band Bluegrass Fever.

Thanks for sending the video!

NewFolkRadio.com Launches Online Interactive Folk and Bluegrass Radio Station

2012-02-21T10:12:00.001-07:00

(PORTLAND, OR -- February 21, 2012) -- A new composite Internet radio station has launched online and it's titled NewFolkRadio.com. The station, based in Portland, Oregon, plays roots, traditional folk, new folk, and bluegrass 24/7., without subscription fees.

What makes the station fall into the category of composite is its split personality: on the desktop or laptop, you can create your own playlist from the station's large library of songs, and on your smartphone or tablet, you can listen to NewFolkRadio as a streaming broadcast, or with one click you can transfer your own playlist to a mobile player for on the go listening.

NewFolkRadio.com is the first Internet station to feature custom playlists for listeners on the go. With just one click, a listener can save a custom playlist and have it available on any mobile device, such as smartphones and tablets.

The founder of NewFolkRadio.com, John Hart, has been involved with folk, roots and bluegrass music since the early 60's when he learned to play 5-string banjo by slowing down the vinyl records of Flatt & Scruggs. "In today's marketplace, it's frustrating to listen to folk, roots and bluegrass music that I want to hear without paying a subscription fee, so I started NewFolkRadio, and it will always be free. It's an advertising business model," he said.

NewFolkRadio.com launched on January 3, 2012, and already has hundreds of listeners, 53% of whom are repeat listeners (stats provided by Google Analytics), according to Hart. "I really want to promote local bands in each city who are in the process of recording a CD or already have a CD but have little exposure yet," Hart said. He added, "Northwest bands have already started to jump on board, but I'm anxious to have undiscovered bands around the world on our station."

NewFolkRadio.com is an organizational member of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), and a signatory to ASCAP and BMI. NewFolkRadio requires Adobe's free Shockwave player for desktop or laptop performance, but not for smartphones or tablets

High-Profile Performances & Heavy Media Exposure Keeps Spotlight On The Roys

2012-02-21T07:47:00.001-07:00

The Brother/Sister duo, The Roys, will be featured in the upcoming PBS Television show, Music Voyager: Tennessee, which premieres worldwide on February 24. The episode is part of the Music Voyager international music and travel series, and takes viewers to various destinations around the world.

Lee and Elaine appear in EPISODE 1, Eastern Tennessee: Cradle of Country Music.

Host Jacob Edgar caught up with The Roys at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop where they chatted aboard E.T.’s touring bus and performed their previous hit single, Coal Minin’ Man.

Music Voyager: Tennessee, put together in part by the support of the Tennessee Dept. of Tourist Development, will make its way into 170 million homes in 140 countries and broadcast in 33 languages, upping The Roys' exposure exponentially. To learn more about the popular series, go to musicvoyager.com.

Additionally, Country Music USA Radio Network will air an exclusive interview with Lee and Elaine this week. The show is Europe's most-listened to syndicated Country FM radio program, reaching 10 million listeners in 74 countries and territories around the world, including: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, West Indies, Mayotte and Reunion Island. The show streams live and will be archived for 30 days at http://spotfm.free.fr.

Just coming back from their tour Down Under, The Roys are staying on top of the extra exposure with live performances. The following is their schedule for the next few months.

After this week's Country Radio Seminar, the duo hits the road for upcoming shows:

02.23-24          Memphis, TN – 2012 Folk Alliance Convention (four showcases)
02.24               Waldo, FL – Dixieland Spring Bluegrass Festival
02.26               North Miami Beach, FL – Everglades Bluegrass Festival
03.03               Argyle, TX – Argyle Bluegrass Festival
03.07               Nashville, TN – Music City Roots
03.09               Mountain View, AR – Mountain View Spring Bluegrass Festival
03.23               Shelby, NC – The Don Gibson Theater (w/ Janie Fricke)
03.24               Wheeling, WV – Wheeling Jamboree (w/ Janie Fricke)
03.30-31          Brooksville, FL – Sertoma Spring Bluegrass Festival
04.05-06          Perry, FL – Florida State Bluegrass Festival
04.07                Nashville, TN – Midnight Jamboree / Ernest Tubb Record Shop (w/ Janie Fricke)
04.12-15           Florence, AZ – Country Thunder
04.14                Florence, AZ – Country Thunder – Main Stage Performance
05.01                Woodlands, TX – Real Life, Real Music (w/ Janie Fricke)
05.05                Green Island, IA – Mooney Hollow Barn (w/ Janie Fricke)
05.12                Denton, NC – Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival – Denton Farm Park
05.25                Hesston, KS – Prairie Window Concert Series – Dyck Arboretum of the Plains
05.26-28           Branson, MO – BG & BBQ Festival – Silver Dollar City – Riverfront Theater
05.30-31           Pigeon Forge, TN – Dollywood’s Show Street Theatre
06.02                Marion, VA – Song of the Mountains – The Lincoln Theatre – PBS TV Taping
06.09                Lexington, KY – Festival of the Bluegrass – Kentucky Horse Park Campground
06.16                Lanexa, VA – Rockahock Bluegrass Festival – Rockahock Campground
06.23                Charlotte, MI – Wilder Bluegrass Festival – Eaton County Fairgrounds
06.28-29           Benton, PA – OATS Bluegrass Festival – Benton Rodeo Grounds
07.03                Morganton, NC – Red, White & Bluegrass – Catawba Meadows Park
07.05                Nashville, TN – Bluegrass Night at the Ryman – Ryman Auditorium
07.10                St. Cloud, MN – Paramount Theatre (w/ Janie Fricke)
07.12-15           Craven, Saskatchewan CANADA – The Craven Country Jamboree Festival
07.17                Anita, IA – Oak Tree Opry
07.19-21           Twin Lakes, WI – Country Thunder
07.22                Twin Lakes, WI – Country Thunder – Main Stage Performance @ 1 PM
07.23                Hiawassee, GA – GA Mountain Fair – Anderson Music Hall (w/ Janie Fricke)

Catch up with Lee and Elaine at their website

Lansing Band Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys Look for Funding To Record 2nd CD

2012-02-20T14:12:00.004-07:00

...Hailing from all corners of the Great Lakes State of Michigan, Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys are giving a nod to American traditional music, while boldy taking their own songs in new directions. The group focuses on the original tunes of Lindsay Lou Rilko, which include true-life tales, and celebrations of love, life, and nature....

Kickstarter.com has proven to be a very successful way for independent musicians, artists and others with a project to obtain funding from multiple sources at anywhere from small to very large amounts.

Now a Lansing, Michigan area band, Lindsay Lou and The Flatbellys are jumping on board to help fund their 2nd independent CD.

The group has put all their efforts into a new batch of original tunes. Lou-Grass at it's finest! The songs are arranged, studio dates scheduled and ducks are in order...

"But in order to bring this project to completion, we need help with the cost of studio time for recording, mixing/editing, and mastering; the cost of CD production; and the cost of promoting the album upon its release."

This Kickstarter is their way of asking fellow music lovers to be a crucial part of the creation process.

On the creative side, the group has come up with some very clever incentives to help you decide just how much you wish to contribute. For instance, at the $200 level, they say you'll get:

The Grand Scramble with Black Coffee - Lindsay Lou will also write and make a home recording of a song on the topic or personal story of your choosing. You’ll get a copy of the recording sent to you once it’s finished for you to listen to and name. (If the song is used on a future album it’ll appear under the name you give it!) …Plus everything that’s in The Grand Scramble.

...And for just another $100 you can get a home video of the song and the notes Lindsay Lou uses to write the song. There's more, but rather than read about it here, check out the group's video pitch and the campaign donation site.

Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time Coming To Old Rock School.

2012-02-20T13:44:00.001-07:00

We received a request to let you know about an upcoming show for Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time and are happy to oblige.

Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time
Old Rock School - Valdese, NC
March 9, 2012 - 7:00 pm
Tickets $18 presale, $20 door
For Tickets, call: 828-879-2129

For more performance dates, check out the artist’s website

Prescription Bluegrass Reviews Two New CDs

2012-02-20T09:15:00.001-07:00

With two reviewers it was bound to happen sometime and we’re tickled that it didn’t take long. This week we have two excellent CD Reviews posted; Dale Ann Bradley’s “Somewhere South of Crazy” is reviewed by Dan King and Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa’s “It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Day” was written by W.J. Hallock

“Dale Ann Bradley is quite the shiny object. She possesses a wonderfully expressive voice that evokes echoes of some of the grand dames of bluegrass and country music. …The tunes on this recording are a nice combination of Dale Ann’s originals, some old classics, and even an old Seals and Crofts tune that Dale Ann manages to make her own.”

“He also has the credentials…… playing for four Presidents and with the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. He’s been all over the world with his music. . .In his liner notes, Wayne stated that they wanted to stay true to the bluegrass genre, and they stuck close to that vision.”

Read both of these reviews on the Prescription Bluegrass CD Review Page

The “Darling Look” on PBS!

2012-02-20T08:30:00.001-07:00

Darling Boy to Appear on Song of the Mountains March 3rd

He was one of the Darling Boys on the 1960s "Andy Griffith Show" and he is going to tape an episode of Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia on Saturday, March 3^rd.

Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band will headline the concert on March 3^rd which will also include musical performances by the "Close Kin Project" and "Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition".

Rodney Dillard has had a long varied career.

2 Grammy Nominations, induction into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, a well known acting stint on the Andy Griffith Show, many other movie, commercials and TV appearances, recipient of The Outstanding Missourian Award, and worldwide acclaim for his over 50 yrs. of recording both traditional Bluegrass and his own brand of ‘DILLARDGRASS’. Rodney Dillard as founding member of the legendary group, ‘THE DILLARDS’ (aka the Darlings) is seen nearly everyday somewhere in the world thanks to the still enormous popularity of The ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW reruns.

By the late 1960′s Rodney had transformed the Dillards into the driving force creating new sounds in the West Coast music environment. Later, called "The Father of Country Rock", Rodney was among the first Bluegrass musicians to "electrify" traditional Bluegrass instruments while also adding drums, steel guitar, and orchestra. The band’s unique flare for song writing and arrangement affected a broad range of important future musicians in the Bluegrass and Pop music world alike. Rodney is credited with helping set the stage for the "Country Rock" movement and burgeoning progressive sounds of Bluegrass. Albums such as "Wheatstraw Suites" and "Copperfields" remain legendary paradigm shifters and influenced many musicians who are now household names. Groups and performers as diverse as The Byrds, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Eagles, Elton John and Ricky Skaggs have all expressed appreciation for what Rodney　 accomplished musically

The Close Kin Project on Mountain Roads Recordings has brought together over 20 veteran bluegrass and old time musicians to create a fantastic recorded project and live show. Whether you’re a fan of bluegrass or old-time music, 29 artists from both sides of the aisle have come together to create a truly unique recording that combines these two musical genres and their bold styles.

The Appalachian Highlands region of Northeast Tennessee, Northwestern North Carolina, Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Kentucky is home to the origins of both bluegrass and old-time string band music. This music has been enjoyed for generations in kitchens and back porches, school auditoriums and music festivals and venues. Many times bluegrass and old-time artists can be heard jamming off stage at festivals before or after shows or even late into the night after the crowds have gone home. Amazing sounds are created when these styles are blended together as their heritage intended and rarely heard by the fans. Close Kin brings these sounds to the fans. Artists included on the Close Kin Project are Johnny & Jeanette Williams, Adam & Tina Steffey, the VW Boys, the Wolf Brothers, the Snyder Family, Scott & Mark Freeman, Jim Lloyd and others.

Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition is one of the busiest and best-known local bluegrass bands in Western North Carolina. The band was formed in 2003 and has played continuously since then throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. They have recorded four studio CD’s as a band, plus two solo projects by Bobby and Phil as well as contributing to a Christmas compilation CD produced by K&K Recording in 2005. Their "I Live for Him" CD was voted by listeners as one of the top 50 bluegrass CD’s of 2010 on WNCW. The band consists of Bobby Anderson on banjo, Jim Turpin on mandolin, Gene Burns on guitar, Phil Preston on bass and Rich Inman on fiddle. In 2011, the band won first place in the bluegrass band competition at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair. Individually, Bobby won first place in banjo, Jim won first place in mandolin and vocals, Phil won first place in bass and Rich won second place in fiddle. This was a tremendous honor for one band to receive this many awards and a testament to their hard work. When they play for you this evening, you’ll see why they won these awards. Please make welcome Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition.

Song of the Mountains features bluegrass, old time, Celtic and Americana Music and is currently airing on over 190 Public Television outlets across the United States. Tim White hosts the series. Tickets for the Saturday, March 3rd concert at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia are $25. Reserved tickets may be purchased at the Lincoln Theatre Box Office in Marion, VA or online at www.songofthemountains.org. The concert begins at 7:00 pm. For information or tickets by phone call 276-783-6093.

Song of the Mountains is underwritten for public television by Alpha Natural Resources, Mountain States Health Alliance www.msha.com, Bryant Label Co. of Blountville, TN, TEDS, the General Francis Marion Hotel in Marion, VA, Blue Ridge Country 98.1 FM, The Bank of Marion and Emory & Henry College. Special support from Marion, and Smyth County, VA.

Memberships and Song of the Mountains merchandise are available at the website and your purchases help support the concert series.

Song of the Mountains/The Lincoln Theatre is a non-profit organization.

IBMA Problems In the Light

2012-02-20T07:58:00.001-07:00

Every week in our newsletter to subscribers we publish a little editorial comment about something topical from the week’s news or events. This week however, we feel that this topic is so important to the bluegrass community at large that we’ve decided to reprint it here.

Thoughts on The IBMA !

It was with great interest that I read David Morris' article this week: IBMA at the Crossroads. I encourage every IBMA member and bluegrass fan to read it. It is well researched and well written regardless of whether you agree with the points made inside the text or not.

So, too, are the points and suggestions made in the numerous comments David's article has generated. Whether or not you agree with the individual commentators, the fact remains that we're struggling and almost fighting amongst ourselves over what we are as an organization and what we want to be – what Bluegrass Music was, is and will be. Is is going to take an Abe Lincoln to keep this Union together?

Reading between the lines in David's article one has to come up with numerous questions that still go unanswered. The first question should be, “how did we as an organization get in such bad shape financially and how did we erode so much over the first 25 years of the organization's life without anyone knowing it?” The next question should be, “who was minding the store?”

On the surface, I still have great hopes for the current IBMA leadership. On the surface that leadership looks good. It seems as if someone is minding the store. IBMA leadership has continuously surveyed members and non-members and published the results. However, I don't see evidence of change created by those survey results which makes me wonder just what is lurking beneath the surface.

The IBMA has continuously asked for suggestions and set up mechanisms to receive them. However, I wonder if all of the suggestions received are met with the same level of enthusiasm as those I've submitted. Each suggestion submitted by me was met with polite indifference. “That's a great suggestion, but here's why we can not do that” is basically what I've been told each time. Now I don't suppose to have all the answers and I know a few suggestions don't add up to a “quick-fix” but it seems to me that what we need most is a leadership with a CAN-DO attitude rather than what we seem to have now.

Is the IBMA leadership like the patrol car parked on the side of the road with the mannequin behind the wheel – making us THINK someone is there? You know once the public discovers the truth behind the dummy officer in the car the speeders are no longer deterred. As long as we think someone is in control at IBMA we happily go forward at the speed of choice – until we get a summons in the mail from the photo sensor.

That's pretty much what David's article is. It's that summons that says we have to appear and show cause. The next step is that we have to go before the judge, plead our case and take our sentence.

In this case the judge will be the public. It's not what WE want that is going to make the difference in the bluegrass world. It's what the public will buy and how much of it they'll buy. When no one is buying widgets anymore, only a fool would profess that widgets are the end-all, be-all while he slowly starves to death from lack of sales.

What I haven't seen from the public is a clear direction of what they want. And the public is fickle. What they want today may be totally different tomorrow. There's an old adage that says, “What the People Want is Not Always Right and What is Right is Not Always What the People Want.”

However, it is what WE want in an organization that makes the difference and when the collective WE can't seem to agree on what the IBMA is or should be we have the classic Mexican Stand-Off or in other words, a NO-WIN situation. The leadership I want in my IBMA is the one that stands up and LEADS rather than follows – first this way, then that based upon what this week's survey results reveal.

Growth is change. Without it – sure death. But change for the sake of change can lead to the death of an organization as well. I don't want a steady diet of Bill Monroe's “Uncle Pen”. Too much of anything can cause a burn-out and eventually a dis-like. But neither do I want to see a degradation of the music because of waffling over what is or isn't “Bluegrass” and the eventual wearing-down of the soldiers attempting to “hold the fort”.

IBMA leaders, I urge you to take a stand - one way or the other, but get off the fence. We can't survive by trying to be all things to all people.

Hat's off to David Morris for opening the door to shed some light. Hats off, too, to the IBMA for taking any positive steps toward solving this dilemma. But shame on the board for letting it get this far in the first place.

Have A Great Week!

-Brian McNeal

Eddie Adcock and Tom Gray to be Honored in Washington!

2012-02-17T07:37:00.001-07:00

Eddie Adcock and Tom Gray are this year's winners of the Washington Monument Award from the D.C. Bluegrass Union, honoring them for their trailblazing days with the Country Gentlemen in the 1960s and their continuing influence and excellence. "[They] have made enormous contributions to bluegrass as we know it today," said DCBU President Randy Barrett.

They'll pick up the award and perform with Martha Adcock at the 3rd annual D.C. Bluegrass Festival on Feb. 24 & 25 in Silver Spring MD. Both Eddie and Tom are members of IBMA's Hall of Fame.

Bill Emerson and Hazel Dickens are previous recipients of the Washington Monument Award, which recognizes individuals who have made outstanding regional and national contributions to bluegrass.

Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals – PLUS – The Johnson Mountain Boys Reunited for Herschel and Joyce Sizemore Benefit!

2012-02-15T12:43:00.001-07:00

Change of Venue for This Weekend’s Herschel & Joyce Sizemore Benefit Festival

This concert is to benefit both Herschel and Joyce Sizemore with mounting medical bills after both were diagnosed with cancer.

Due to the incredible demand for seats at this event, the show will be moving from the Scottish Rite theater into the Roanoke Civic Center Auditorium! Over 2000 comfortable seats, premium sound by Dewey Peters and Wayne Weikel of Catawba Sound, and the second floor mezzanine grille & bar WILL BE OPEN for food, drinks, and ABC! So come early, plan to spend the day, and help us to raise a ton for Herschel & Joyce!

Artists scheduled to appear include The Seldom Scene, Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice, Grasstowne, The Travelers, Acoustic Endeavors, Springfield Exit w/Sammy Shelor, Johnny & Jeanette Williams, The Stacy Grubb Band, Republik Steele, The Bluegrass Brothers, Kevin Baucom & Bandwagon and Del McCoury & the Dixie Pals Reunion.

February 19, 2012
11am-10pm Eastern Time
Roanoke Civic Center Auditorium
710 Williamson Road
Roanoke, VA 24016
Tickets: $20 advance, $25 door

More information: www.sizemorebenefit.blogspot.com

TWO REUNION SHOWS PLANNED FOR THE WEEKEND

As if it weren't already pretty exciting to have Del McCoury & The Dixie Pals Reunion (Del, Jerry McCoury, Dick Smith, Herschel Sizemore, Jon Glik) at this show on February 19, you’ll also be treated to a Johnson Mountain Boys Reunion as well! Dudley Connell, David McLaughlin, and Marshall Wilborn will be joined by David & Linda Lay, and Sammy Shelor on banjo for a revival of some old JMB tunes. Yet another rare and exceptional performance on the show…..as of this posting, it looks fairly good that the Punch Brothers will appear as well. The benefit’s Facebook page is promoting; “Chris Thile and four of his best friends will make an appearance on Sunday afternoon”

Peter Rowan Film Documentary Nears Completion but Needs Help!

2012-02-15T11:54:00.001-07:00

The Tao of Bluegrass - A Portrait of Peter Rowan

Considered a cult figure among current and progressive bluegrass fans, Peter Rowan is a one of a kind singer with an astonishing vocal range and an instantly recognizable voice.

He has indulged in, led or participated in a vast and impressive array of bands, musical collaborations, studio recordings, tours, workshops and festivals since breaking onto the scene in 1964 as guitarist and lead singer with Bill Monroe.

Now a film documentary in progress about this Bluegrass Icon is seeking donations to finish the film. A Kickstarter® fundraising campaign has been launched by the film’s producer, Christine Funk.

The upcoming late 2012 documentary, The Tao of Bluegrass, weaves together what Peter learned from Bill Monroe and how the spiritual side of Peter has created space to absorb other cultures creating new sounds. Musicians he has played with over the years will be talking about his talent for songwriting, singing and guitar playing.

“I have known about this project for a number of years now, and am so happy that it is reaching the final phases. There is some incredibly great footage of this singular, creative and iconic presence in bluegrass. You owe it to yourself to help see this project through to completion.” –Laurie Lewis

Watch video

Also highlighted throughout the documentary are geographical locations that have inspired many of Peter’s songs.

Interviews for the film include:

Vassar Clements, Tony Rice, Billy Bright, Sally Truitt (Planet Bluegrass), Sandy Monroe, Chris and Lorin Rowan, Manose (Nepali flute player), Rimpoche, Fully Fullerton, Tony Chin, David Nelson, Drew Emmitt, Hot Buttered Rum, Richard Greene, Laurie Lewis, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Earle, Tim O’Brien, Wavy Gravy, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Sharon Gilchrist, David Grisman, Bryn Davies, David Rawlings, Jack Casady, Jody Stecher, Sam Bush and Larry Atamanuik...plus maybe a few more.

Thanks so much for watching and we are excited to edit and release this film for all of Peter's fans as well as educating the folks that don't know his music. His storytelling will inspire your imagination.

“I feel it is very important to record and document our American musical history, especially music that comes from our roots like bluegrass. Peter has evolved over his many years with his music away from and back to bluegrass. I feel his place in history is important to share with the next generation.” -Christine Funk

The film’s producers are ready to edit and need your support to make it happen - questions to Christine Funk at christine@south40films.com

To get more information about this documentary or to make a donation, click here

___________

New Florida Festival Set for March

2012-02-15T08:54:00.001-07:00

JUPITER, FL—Businesswoman Kelly Bozeman is combining her passion for bluegrass music with her entrepreneurship to launch the first ever South Florida Music Fest.

The two day festival features bluegrass lovers’ favorites including headliner Marty Raybon and Full Circle.

Also on the talent line-up, The Rodney Dillard Band, Donna Ulisse and The Poor Mountain Boys, Rockin’ Acoustic Circus, Monroeville and more.

The nationwide audience of bluegrass fans has increased an astounding 75% and there are now more than 17 million fans across the U.S. Businesses can benefit by sponsoring the event.

Sponsorship packages range from $1,000-$5,000 and include advertising on website, promotional materials,festival passes, and more.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Healing Touch Buddies,Inc., a breast cancer support service.

More info at: at www.southfloridamusicfest.info Sponsor inquires should be sent to Kelly Bozeman at: Kelly@southfloridamusicfest.info

Win Tickets To Summerdog’s 30 Year Reunion Barn Dance–Sign Up Here

2012-02-15T00:01:00.003-07:00

A ll across the Southwest and beyond, Summerdog fans from the 1970’s are coming out of the woodwork and migrating to Tucson, Arizona for the first-ever Summerdog Reunion Barn Dance in 30 Years!

Prescription Bluegrass and Summerdog are giving you the chance to *win a pair of tickets be a part of the excitement.

Just tell us your FAVORITE SUMMERDOG SONG.

~ SIGN UP HERE ~

One Entry Per Person Please

*FULL CONTEST RULES POSTED ON THE SIGNUP LINK

On Thursday, March 1st, we’ll draw several names at random from among all the entries. Each name drawn will win a Pair Of Tickets to see Summerdog at Tucson’s El Casino Ballroom.

The event is scheduled for April 14th, 2012 (see the full story here)

Virginia Restaurant with Celebrity Ties Begins Hosting Live Music!

2012-02-14T11:27:00.001-07:00

Legends 2, in Pennington Gap, Virginia opened last October and has been serving home cooked meals that have made this one of the most popular new restaurants in the area.

The restaurant is now hosting live music including the upcoming February 25, 2012 concert with Dale Ann Bradley and Steve Gulley beginning at 8:00 pm.

Legends 2 is owned and operated by Chastity Dean and her husband, Jamie Dean, band member of the hot new group CUMBERLAND RIVER who will also be performing that evening.

Legends 2 is located at 8426 US Highway 421 in Pennington Gap, VA. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door.

Dale Ann Bradley is four-time winner of the International

Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Female Vocalist of the Year Award. She has recently teamed up with singer, guitarist, songwriter and friend Steve Gulley. "We grew up together," Bradley notes. "Steve and me—we each know what the other one's going to do."

Cumberland River is celebrating a new music video release of “Justified” - a song featured on their current Rural Rhythm Records album THE LIFE WE LIVE.

For more information Legends 2, please visit them at Facebook

PHOTO: Opening Night Crew (L-R) Kara Napier,Beth Perkins, Felicia Clark, Tammy Bolton-Howard, Vickie Jones Earley.

Rural Rhythm Announces Several New Releases Coming Soon!

2012-02-14T09:13:00.001-07:00

Upcoming Album Releases

2/28/12	CHRONOLOGY, VOLUME ONE	Lonesome River Band
3/27/12	HAND TO THE PLOW	Marty Raybon
3/27/12	LIFE GOES ON	Musicians Against Childhood Cancer” Various Artists
3/27/12	STAY TUNED	Brand New Strings
4/10/12	SOUTHERN ROOTS AND BRANCHES (Yesterday & Today)	Marty Raybon
4/24/12	**THE DISTANCE THE DISTANCE**	Carrie Hassler

A.K & UNION STATION MAKE GRAMMY HISTORY!

2012-02-13T13:37:00.001-07:00

The Grammys® are not usually a big night for Bluegrass. The genre is just too small compared to all the others and this year with everything being overshadowed by the tragic news of Whitney Houston’s premature death just the night before, this little historical significance almost went unnoticed.

Rounder Records is pleased to announce that Alison Krauss & Union Station won two Grammy® Awards at last night’s 54th Annual Grammy® Awards ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. This latest accomplishment brings the band’s total Grammy® award count to 13 and is the 27^th personal win for Alison Krauss.

Thanks to Alison Krauss and Union Station, the little genre most often relegated to the back pages when it comes to Grammy® reporting is now front page news.

Krauss and Union Station accepted the 2012 Grammy® Awards for 'Best Bluegrass Album' for “Paper Airplane” and the 'Best Engineered Album, Non Classical' category for the work with Mike Shipley, Neal Cappellino and Brad Blackwood on Paper Airplane.

Since signing with Rounder Records at the age of 14, Krauss has sold in excess of 12 million albums and garnered 27 Grammy® Awards, making her the most awarded singer, the most awarded female artist and tied second for the most awarded artist overall in Grammy® history.

Krauss and Union Station saw some stiff competition, including that from IBMA Entertainers of The Year Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, who were nominated for Rare Bird Alert. Martin later tweeted his congratulations to Krauss, joking that she had beaten "a field of incredible nominees".

At the time of her first award, in 1991, she was the second youngest winner ever.

Prescription Bluegrass Blog To Give Away Summerdog Reunion Tickets!

2012-02-13T09:37:00.001-07:00

It’s been 30 years in the making and Summerdog fans around the Southwestern United States are getting more anxious by the day. The 30th Anniversary Reunion Barn Dance and the first ever Reunion for this premier bluegrass band of the 1970 is set for April 14th at Tucson, Arizona’s El Casino Ballroom.

By special arrangement with the band, The Prescription Bluegrass Blog has arranged to secure several pairs of tickets to give away.

Beginning Wednesday this week (Feb. 15th) you can sign up to win. All we’ll need besides the standard information about you is the name of your favorite Summerdog Song. You can also tell us about any favorite Summerdog experiences you have. Entry forms will be collected through Wednesday, February, 29th and several winners will be announced on Thursday, March 1st - here on this blog. Each Winner will receive a pair of coveted tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime event. No purchase is necessary but only one entry per person will be accepted. (See full contest rules posted on the signup form) Sign Up Here.

To view more old photos of the band, check out their Facebook page

Prescription Bluegrass Reviews Missy Werner–Three Kinds Of Lonesome

2012-02-11T15:02:00.001-07:00

The most important decision Missy made was bringing Jon Weisberger on board as Producer. His expertise, talent and input were invaluable to the result. As a song writer, he co-wrote four of the songs used and made sure the remaining ten songs were just as meaningful and powerful as his own. Using the absolute best songs one can find, regardless of who wrote them, should always be priority number one….. and Missy and Jon did just that on this CD. There’s not a “filler” or “clunker” track to be found here.

READ THE FULL REVIEW ON THE PRESCRIPTION BLUEGRASS CD REVIEW PAGE

Expect New Robin and Linda Williams CD this Spring!

2012-02-11T08:20:00.001-07:00

Robin and Linda Williams have just finished recording their 22nd CD.

According to Linda, “it was intense work made all the more so by Robin getting sick at the beginning of the week. But he "iron-manned" it through and we came up with a CD that we're pleased with.”

The CD was recorded in Nashville with such top quality musicians as Al Perkins, Todd Phillips and Chris Brashear. Jim Rooney was the producer and Mark Howard the engineer

Seven of the album’s 12 songs are Robin and Linda originals. Look for the CD to be released on Red House Records in the late spring or early summer.

As well as the personnel mentioned above, the duo was lucky enough to "fly" in harmony performances on a couple of songs by long time friends Jim Watson and Garrison Keillor.

Legendary Stoneman Family & McPeak Brothers Honored at 16th Annual Leon Kiser Memorial Tribute

2012-02-10T08:12:00.001-07:00

The Appalachian Cultural Music Association will present their 16th Annual Leon Kiser Memorial Tribute Concert at the Paramount Theatre in Bristol, Tennessee on Saturday, February 25th. The concert is named in memory of the late Leon Kiser who was bandleader of his group the Holston Mountain Boys for over thirty years. Kiser was also a local legend who not only performed bluegrass music but also was a promoter of the music as well in the regions of East Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia.

The concert is presented each year by the ACMA and showcases local, regional and national artists who volunteer their talents to honor musicians and contributors who help further bluegrass and old time music in the southern Appalachian Region.

Honorees this year will be the legendary Stoneman Family who were originally from Galax, Virginia. Patsy, Donna and Roni Stoneman are the surviving children of the late Ernest V. and Hattie Stoneman. Ralph Peer and the Victor Company recorded Ernest and Hattie Stoneman at the famous Bristol Sessions of 1927 and Ernest is credited for urging Peer to come to Bristol for these legendary recordings. Stoneman’s surviving daughters Patsy, Donna and Roni will be honored along with their famous family and they will perform on the show as well.

Also being honored at this year’s concert will be the McPeak Brothers from Wytheville, Virginia. The McPeaks have been performing and writing bluegrass music for over 40 years and are legendary in the bluegrass music world. Dewey, Larry and Mike McPeak will be honored at the concert along with their late brother Udell who originally helped form the band back in the 1960s. The McPeaks are scheduled to perform on the show also.

Emily Spencer is another honoree this year. Emily is best known for her decades of work and music making with the White Top Mountain Band. She is also been very giving of her time and talents by teaching others how to play and sing old time music. The White Top Mountain Band will perform on the concert on February 25th as well.

The Vanover Sisters played music for over six decades in the Tri-Cities Region with a career going back to the Farm and Fun Time Show on WCYB Radio in the 1950s. Monet and Estelle Vanover who were originally from Southwestern Virginia performed classic country music for countless audiences over the years. Estelle passed away last year. Monet will be on hand for the concert and will perform on stage with Robby Spencer on the February 25th concert.

The final honoree at this year’s concert will be Harry Esenwine. Esenwine will be awarded the “Award of Merit” by the ACMA for his contributions and support of the region’s music. Esenwine retired a few years ago as manager of the Bristol Mall but back in 1998 gave the Mountain Music Museum their first home. The ACMA supports and operates the Mountain Music Museum at the Bristol Mall which still thrives there today thanks in large part to Harry Esenwine’s vision and support. Esenwine still lives in Bristol since his retirement four years ago.

The concert will feature many talented bands and musicians including the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band, the Stonemans, McPeak Brothers, Holston Mountain Boys, Kiser Family, Kody Norris, Morehead State University with Raymond McLain and their Mountain Music Ambassadors, Lightnin’ Charlie, Monet Vanover with Robby Spencer, Breaking Tradition and Duty Free. Tim White who hosts the popular television concert series “Song of the Mountains” will emcee the concert.

The 16th Annual Leon Kiser Memorial Tribute Show will begin at 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 25th. Tickets are available at the Paramount Theatre in Bristol, Tennessee. For tickets and information call 423-274-8920 or visit www.theparamountcenter.com. Information is also available at www.mountainmusicmuseum.org or www.pickinporch.org.

Proceeds from this concert go to benefit the Benny Sims and the ACMA’s Leon Kiser Scholarships at East Tennessee State University.

The concert is sponsored by Bryant Label Company, Arrington, Schelin & Herrell, P.C., Toyota of Kingsport, Kiser Supply, Johnson City Honda, The Tim White Bluegrass Show, Rock 102.5 in Marion, Virginia, News5 WCYB, News Channel 11, Eddie’s Trophies, Charter Media and WPWT 870 am Top Gun Country.

Picture 1: Patsy, Donna and Roni Stoneman Inset: Ernest V. and Hattie Stoneman

Picture 2: The McPeak Brothers

Picture 3: Emily Spencer

Songwriters Learn Tips from Some of the Best in Tucson!

2012-02-09T12:33:00.001-07:00

Former National Flatpicking Guitar champion Peter McLaughlin and Chris Brashear who have recorded, performed and written songs together since 1992 will be hosting a special 2-hour Songwriting workshop in Tucson this weekend.

The event is sponsored by Desert Bluegrass Association, this Saturday, February 11 from 2:00 to 4:00 at the 17th Street Market in Tucson.

The duo will also touch on singing duet harmonies according to the association’s flyer.

The 17th Street Market is a family-owned Tucson business celebrating their 18th year. They sell only top quality groceries and produce and also have the largest selection of Seafood and Organic Produce in town. If you’ve never been to The Market, you’re in for a treat.

What will surprise you? Inside 17th Street Market, you’ll find a really cool Music Shop - 17th Street Music, Musical Instruments and CD’s too.

17th Street Music – A music store that stocks guitars, drums, percussion, hundreds of CDs, and all types of world musical instruments and accessories. The store carries a full line of acoustic and electric guitars and basses, drums and percussion, flutes, harmonicas, world musical instruments, strings, picks, accessories and a lot of other interesting stuff.

17th Street Market is located in Tucson’s Warehouse district, just East of Downtown.

Because of the Railroad tracks, they’re a little hard to find.

Take a look at their homemade video (http://www.seventeenthstreetmarket.com/17th_Street_Market/Location.html), or call them at 792.2588 and they’ll be happy to provide directions.

Congress Says Musical Instruments On Planes–OK

2012-02-09T11:30:00.001-07:00

MUSIC TO THE EARS FOR TRAVELING MUSICIANS!

The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) applauds the passage of the FAA Bill that sets a consistent national policy allowing musical instruments on airplanes!

After five years and 23 short-term extensions, the U.S. Congress has passed legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next four years. Included in the bill are provisions that create a uniform national policy regarding musical instruments on airplanes.

Any instrument that can be safely stored in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat may be brought on board as carry-on luggage.

Additionally, the bill sets standard weight and size requirements for checked instruments, and permits musicians to purchase a seat for oversized instruments, such as cellos, that are too delicate to be checked.

Existing law allowed each airline to set their own policy regarding musical instruments, and size requirements varied widely for both carry-on and checked baggage. The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has been lobbying Congress to enact such a policy for nearly a decade.

"This is great news for professional musicians throughout the U.S. and Canada who carry the tools of our trade – our instruments – aboard commercial aircraft," said AFM President Ray Hair. "Ending the confusion over musical instruments as carry-on baggage has been a top legislative priority for nearly a decade. I am proud of our Government Relations Director, Hal Ponder and his assistant Laura Brigandi in our Washington legislative office for seeing the effort through. Musicians can now fly in friendlier skies."

The FAA reauthorization was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday, February 3 by a 248-169 vote. It subsequently passed the Senate on Monday, February 6, 75-20. The President is expected to sign the bill into law.

Heather Berry Unofficially Adopted Into The Carter Family With Release of New CD!

2012-02-09T10:54:00.001-07:00

Heather Berry and husband Tony Mabe are living the dream. The husband and wife duo along with pal Jamie Collins on bass have formed The Heather Berry & Tony Mabe Show.

Their debut CD is set to be released on February 14th.

Half-way around the world in Australia, one of the nicest people on the planet, Mr. Geoff Morris joined in the scheme to have him host the world premier of the HB&TMS record. It was presented during the second hour of his show on World Wide Bluegrass.com this past Monday night. According to Mountain Fever Records’ press release, the chat room was packed with people and listeners from around the world enjoyed not only the music but also an interview that Geoff had recorded this past year after he ran into Heather and Tony at IBMA in Nashville.

Heather has had quite a bit of good fortune come her way of late. She has caught the ear of some pretty big names in the music business. She and Tony performed for Tom T. Hall when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Some of you may have heard the story of Dailey and Vincent hearing her sing and then inviting her to join them on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville. So, it only made sense that Heather would perform two of Tom T.'s songs on this new recording and also invite Darrin Vincent to join her on another song.

Here is what a few people have said about this fine group.

“Heather Berry’s pure, angelic voice brought us to our knees the first time we heard her sing. She has been uniquely blessed with a pure talent and love for acoustic roots music that will endear anyone who hears her.” ~ Laura & John Carter Cash

“In the music business, we spend a lot of time talking about purity, beauty, tone, pitch and heart. Then Heather Berry sings and we just shut up and listen.” ~ Peter Cooper, Senior Music Writer, The Tennessean, Americana artist, Grammy nominee

“Her guitar and autoharp playing and singing is so Carter Family like she should’ve been born a Carter. As far as I’m concerned she is one.” ~Dale Jett, son of Janette Carter, grandson of Sara & AP Carter

“I’m hoping to see more of Heather Berry & Tony in the Americana genre.” ~Joyce Ziehli, Publisher, Americana Gazette

“She’s pure good; an engineer’s dream.” ~ Rebekah Long, Recording Engineer

We’re proud of you Heather & Tony. Thanks for recording our songs. Walk Slow! ~ Dixie Hall

The CD will be available for sale on the artists website at http://www.heatherberrymusic.com

and all the regular retail stores and digital download sites like iTunes, Amazon.com and cdbaby.

FREE Seminar For Musicians Who Want To Use Social Media Better!

2012-02-08T18:04:00.001-07:00

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
CYBER PR’s Music Success Teleseminar Series!

Each month Ariel Publicity and Cyber PR will bring you an in depth conversation with one of Ariel’s most trusted and favorite peers in the business.

Ariel will be kicking it off with the wonderful Corey Denis next Wed Feb 15th at 8 Pm

This FREE teleseminar will teach the basic principles needed to set yourself up for online success.

In this call:

What Musicians Do Online vs. What Expert Marketers Do Online and How You Can Become an Expert Marketer Quickly
Who is Currently Using Social Media and What Drives Them
WWW = What Went Wrong: Common Mistakes Being Made By Musicians Online
Marketing Basics 101. You’ll be Surprised as What Really Works
How to REALLY Use Facebook and Twitter to Effectively Promote Your Music and Brand
Top 5 Social Media Sites Every Musician Should Be On

Click here to register for the FREE teleseminar

About Corey Denis:

Corey Denis is a digital strategist at Toolshed, a boutique firm for Media, Tech, and Entertainment companies looking for online strategy services, online promotion, social network marketing, direct-to-fan marketing and campaign design, digital music service licensing. Toolshed has handled online audio and video marketing campaigns for artists as diverse as Kate Bush, Ani DiFranco, Martin Sexton, Peggy Sue, John Wesley Harding, Spoon, XTC, The Arcade Fire, Aimee Mann, Jeff Buckley, Sufjan Stevens.

Click here to register for the FREE teleseminar

13th Annual San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival Kicks Off This Weekend

2012-02-08T10:24:00.001-07:00

The eclectic blend of events booked for the 13th annual San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival (SFBOT) will raise up a bluegrass ruckus, create some old-time fun and guarantee some “fandango fun” through music performances, dances and workshops.

The 10-day festival runs from Feb. 10-19 and comprises more than 30 shows at numerous small clubs around the Bay Area featuring some of the most talented musicians on the Americana and Roots music scene today.

Highlights of this year’s festival includes Bay Area favorites such as The Brothers Comatose, The Crooked Jades, Earl White String Band and the Kathy Kallick Quartet.

Also featured are out-of-town bands; Foghorn Stringband, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, and making their SFBOT debut, The Deadly Gentlemen (epic folk and grasscore out of Boston!).

The Deadly Gentlemen consists of band members: Greg Liszt on banjo (from Crooked Still), Mike Barnett (from David Grisman Quintet/toured w/Jesse McReynolds) on fiddle, Dominick Leslie on mandolin, Stash Wyslouch on guitar and Sam Grisman on upright bass (son of mandolinist David Grisman).

For the first time the festival will feature a band contest which will bring out some of the up-and-coming new Northern California Bluegrass and Old-Time bands. There is a lot of excitement about this contest and it is expected to be a regular addition to the festival.

In addition to shows, the festival aims to provide rich experiences for Bay Area residents through workshops, jam sessions, kids shows, Bluegrass and Old-Time in the Schools and the Saturday night old-time square dance (always a sell-out with over 220 attendees)! Each year the Festival showcases the best in rising acts from the West Coast and beyond, with a special spotlight on the immense amount of local talent located right here in the Bay Area.

Thanks to a generous investment from the Chris and Warren Hellman Foundation, the festival committee continues its commitment to the Bluegrass and Old-time in the Schools program. The program aims to expose elementary and high school students to the worlds of bluegrass and old-time music and continue the legacy of this important music. Schools interested in bringing performers to their Bay Area location should contact: sfbotf.volunteer.coordinator@gmail.com.

Unlike any other festival in the country, the San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival is a grass-roots, non-profit, volunteer-run festival dedicated to keeping the tradition of bluegrass and old-time music alive. For more information on the festival,visit the website OR Facebook:

Confirmed 2012 Acts

Foghorn Stringband, Jeff Kazor & Lisa Berman, Anne and Pete Sibley, Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, The Brothers Comatose, Emily Bonn and The Vivants, Water Tower Bucket Boys, BrownChicken BrownCow StringBand, The Bee Eaters, Cahalen Morrison and Eli West, Stairwell Sisters, Water Tower Bucket Boys, Erik Clampitt, The New Five Cents, Squirrelly Stringband, Evie Ladin, The Juncos, Houston Jones, Susie Glaze and the Hilonesome Band, Family Lines, Kathy Kallick Band Quartet, Taco Jam, Anne & Pete Sibley, The Trespassers, Windy Hill, Snap Jackson & the Knock On Wood Players, Kleptograss, Knuckle Knockers, The Alhambra Valley Band , Redwing, The ONs, Misisipi Mike & the Midnight Gamblers, Mad Cow String Band, Misisipi Rider, Sweetback Sisters, James Nash and the Nomads, SUPERMULE, Belle Monroe and Her Brewglass Boys, Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally, Misner & Smith, Jeanie and Chuck Poling, The Earl Brothers, Henhouse Prowlers, Cahalen Morrison and Eli West, Gayle Schmitt and the Toodala Ramblers, Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack, Evie Ladin, The Blushin' Roulettes, Earl White Stringband, Black Crown Stringband, Jordan Ruyle, Pine Box Boys, The Jugtown Pirates, Hang Jones, Dark Hollow, The Crooked Jades, The Deadly Gentlemen

2012 Schedule

Friday, February 10
SF Live Arts at Cyprian's SFBOT Kickoff -- Foghorn Stringband, Jeff Kazor & Lisa Berman, Anne and Pete Sibley 7:30 pm at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 2097 Turk Street, San Francisco -- $16 adv/$18 doors
Big Ass Hillbilly Show -- Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, The Brothers Comatose, Emily Bonn and The Vivants 9:00 pm at Slim's, 333 11th Street, San Francisco -- $15
Down From the Mountain to Marin -- Water Tower Bucket Boys, BrownChicken BrownCow StringBand 8:00 pm at Studio 55 Marin, 1455-A East Francisco Blvd, San Rafael -- $12
The Bee Eaters, Cahalen Morrison and Eli West 8:00 pm at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley-- $20.50 adv / $22.50 doors

Saturday, February 11
Stairwell Sisters 8:00 pm at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley -- $20.50 adv / $22.50 doors
Portland Invasion -- Water Tower Bucket Boys, Erik Clampitt, The New Five Cents 9:00 pm at Cafe du Nord, 2174 Market Street, San Francisco -- $13 adv / $15 doors

Sunday, February 12
Family Square Dance with Squirrelly Stringband & Evie Ladin -- Squirrelly Stringband, Evie Ladin 12:00 pm at North Oakland Community Charter School, 1000 42nd St., Oakland -- $5 kid / $10 adult / $25 family
The Juncos 4:30 pm at Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco -- $10 suggested donation
Folk Grass Fusion Marin -- Houston Jones, Susie Glaze and the Hilonesome Band, Family Lines 8:00 pm at Studio 55 Marin, 1455-A East Francisco Blvd, San Rafael -- $12

Monday, February 13
Kathy Kallick Band Quartet, Susie Glaze and the Hilonesome Band 8:00 pm at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley -- $20.50 adv / $22.50 doors
Taco Jam 8:00 pm at Baja Taqueria, 4070 Piedmont Ave, Oakland – Free

Tuesday, February 14
Valentine's Day Show in Marin -- Foghorn Stringband, Anne & Pete Sibley 8:00 pm at Studio 55 Marin, 1455-A East Francisco Blvd, San Rafael -- $12

Wednesday, February 15
Hump Day Bluegrass -- The Trespassers, Windy Hill, Snap Jackson & the Knock On Wood Players, BrownChicken BrownCow StringBand 8:00 pm at Cafe du Nord, 2174 Market Street, San Francisco -- $13 adv / $15 doors
Kleptograss 8:00 pm at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley -- $20.50 adv / $22.50 doors
Knuckle Knockers 8:00 pm at Iron Springs Pub and Brewery, 765 Center Blvd, Fairfax – Free

Thursday, February 16
The Alhambra Valley Band , Redwing, The ONs 7:00 pm at Armando's, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez -- $15
Honky-Tonk Showdown: The Country-Bluegrass Show -- Misisipi Mike & the Midnight Gamblers, Mad Cow String Band, Misisipi Rider, Sweetback Sisters 8:00 pm at Cafe du Nord, 2174 Market Street, San Francisco -- $13 adv / $15 doors
Blue Ribbon Showcase -- James Nash and the Nomads, Supermule 9:00 pm at Brick and Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission Street San Francisco -- $7 adv / $10 doors

Friday, February 17
Belle Monroe and Her Brewglass Boys 9:30 pm at The Starry Plough Pub, 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley -- $10-$15 sliding scale
Duo Night -- Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally, Misner & Smith, Jeanie and Chuck Poling 7:30 pm at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 2097 Turk Street, San Francisco -- $16 adv/$18 doors
Bluegrass Bonanza! -- The Earl Brothers, Henhouse Prowlers, Cahalen Morrison and Eli West 8:00 pm at Plough & Stars, 116 Clement Street, San Francisco -- $10-$15 sliding scale

Saturday, February 18
Kid's Show -- Gayle Schmitt and the Toodala Ramblers 2:00 pm at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 2097 Turk Street, San Francisco -- $9/adults; $6/kids under 12
Americana Angels -- Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack, Evie Ladin, The Blushin' Roulettes 7:30 pm at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, 2097 Turk Street, San Francisco -- $16 adv/$18 doors
Old-Time Square Dance -- Earl White Stringband, Black Crown Stringband, Jordan Ruyle 8:00 pm at Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market Street, San Francisco--$15.00
Alt-Bluegrass Show -- Pine Box Boys, The Jugtown Pirates, Hang Jones 9:00 pm at Cafe du Nord, 2174 Market Street, San Francisco -- $13 adv / $15 doors

Sunday, February 19
Dark Hollow 4:30 pm at Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 653 Chenery Street, San Francisco -- $10 suggested donation
Festival Closing Night -- The Crooked Jades, The Deadly Gentlemen 8:00 pm at Cafe du Nord, 2174 Market Street, San Francisco -- $15

Freeman and Williams Set Date for Release Party!

2012-02-07T17:34:00.001-07:00

Freeman and Williams self-titled CD Released February 7th; - Release Party Set for Saturday February 11th at Heartwood in Abingdon, VA

Freeman & Williams, a new fresh sound from award-winning veteran performers, Jeanette Williams, Johnny Williams and Scott Freeman. This trio comes together with an arsenal of talent... all are accomplished musicians, vocalists and songwriters and bring these talents together to create magical sounds that move from old-time straight through bluegrass to old-time country music. Each artist brings tremendous talent to the table but when combined, the result is incredible.

The group has completed their first recording for Mountain Roads Recordings, a self-titled release, Freeman & Williams hits stores today, February 7th, 2012. This album will showcase the group with original creations along with some well-known favorites and some not so well known classics.

Come join the CD Release Party on Saturday February 11, 2012 beginning at 6pm at Heartwood in Abingdon, Virginia. Heartwood, home of The Crooked Road, presents a perfect place to feature this great group and the music they make.

Come see Johnny & Scott as they join Jeanette, who was selected this past weekend as the 2012 Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year at the annual convention and awards show for the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA, pronounced spig-mah).

Jeanette Williams, vocalist, bass player and award-winning songwriter, began her singing career in 1989, with a local country band performing at amateur recreations of the Grand Ole Opry.

Since that time, she has been the recipient of a number of awards including holding the title of current 2012 SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year Award in the traditional category, a title she also held in 2009, she was named the Virginia Folk Music Association’s State Champion Female Vocalist, PICABO Entertainer of the Year (4 times), and PICABO Female Vocalist (4 times). She has garnered no less than 8 nominations for SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year and is a 2005 graduate of IBMA Leadership Bluegrass. Jeanette and Johnny have been fortunate to tour most of the USA, Canada and five foreign countries taking acoustic music around the world.

Jeanette has been featured in both Bluegrass Unlimited, Bluegrass Now magazines to name a few. She has recorded more than 10 projects, including the critically acclaimed 1999 Doobie Shea Records release, “Cherry Blossoms in the Springtime”, which spent 9 months on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Survey Album Chart.

Her latest solo project “Thank You For Caring” rated high on the National charts also. She is featured on the Daughters of Bluegrass, "Back To The Well” album that earned group the prestigious IBMA Recorded Event of the Year Award in 2006 and on the group's 2008 album, "Bluegrass Bouquet." Notable guest on Jeanette’s CD’s include George Jones, Tony Rice and Tim Stafford.

She has also appeared as guest on concerts with Alison Krause and Ralph Stanley!

Johnny Williams, a 2006 graduate of IBMA Leadership Bluegrass, plays guitar, shares vocal and emcee duties, and writes most of the band’s original material. An award winning singer and songwriter, he has been named Virginia State Champion Male Vocalist, PICABO Male Vocalist (twice), and PICABO Songwriter of the Year.

He was the bluegrass division winner of the prestigious Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest in 1998 & 1999. He penned three of the four songs that JWB recorded for “Bell Witch, The Movie” soundtrack. Rambler’s Choice, New Classic Grass, Larry Stephenson, Special Consensus, and Mark Newton have also recorded his songs. He has co-written with notable writers, such as Tom T. Hall and Dixie Hall. His 2009 solo release on Mountain Roads Recordings, Last Day of Galax, includes nine original compositions.

He was featured in Bluegrass Now Magazine in the July 2004 “State of the Union” column. Johnny was President of the Dan River Region Bluegrass Association for 5 years, and produces many local music events. Johnny has been included on vocal workshops with John Hartford, Gillian Welch, Jim Lauderdale, Louisa Branscomb and Guy Clark. He currently produces and records with bands in varied genres of music but primarily bluegrass.

Scott Freeman - Mandolin, Fiddle & Vocals. He plays, arranges and writes songs, which have been recorded by some of the top touring bands in acoustic music. He has recorded three solo projects, “Southern Souvenirs”, “Friends For The Journey”, and “Carolina Welcomes You”, each showcasing his varied musical tastes. Scott spends his time now teaching fiddle and mandolin. He also tours and conducts workshops for the NCTA and folk festivals.

Steep Canyon Rangers Announce Release of Upcoming CD!

2012-02-07T07:44:00.001-07:00

IBMA’s Entertainers of the Year The Steep Canyon Rangers announced the April 10 release of their Rounder Records solo band debut album, “Nobody Knows You”.

With this 5th album, the band – current Grammy® nominees for ‘Best Bluegrass Album’ for 2011’s Rare Bird Alert collaboration with Steve Martin – takes a giant step forward as songwriters and performers who continue to redefine both traditional and progressive approaches to the genre.

And with a 2012 schedule that features their most ambitious international theater, university and festival tour to date – including headlining the Winnipeg Festival in Winnipeg, Canada, the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California and the Rhythm and Roots Festival in Bristol, Tennessee – they remain the band bringing bluegrass to perhaps its biggest audience ever.

“The Steep Canyon Rangers, with whom I have had the great pleasure of touring and have shared the wonderful honor of IBMA’s Entertainer of the Year Award,“are not only great musicians who continue to explore both the new and old styles of bluegrass and bring a fresh energy to the traditions of American music, but they are also really fun on a bus.”- Steve Martin

“Nobody Knows You” is the next level for the North Carolina quintet – Mike Guggino (mandolin/vocals), Charles Humphrey III (bass/vocals), Woody Platt (guitar/lead vocals), Nicky Sanders (fiddle/vocals) and Graham Sharp (banjo/vocals) – known for forging their own distinct path within a famously traditional genre.

Having defied all notions of “déjà bluegrass” since their beginnings more than 12 years ago at UNC Chapel Hill, the new album – co-produced by the band and nine-time Grammy-winner Gary Paczosa – is fueled by deft musicianship, impeccable songwriting, distinctive vocals, and creative arrangements that eschew all formulas.

“We’ve made enough records by now that if we can’t just follow what we want to do,” says Graham Sharp, who wrote seven of the album’s dozen songs, “then what’s the point of us doing it?” The result – which blasts out of the box with the album’s buoyantly mold-breaking title track – is the most adventurous and fully realized accomplishment Steep Canyon Rangers have achieved to date, and the record is poised to bring them to audiences beyond their already devoted bluegrass, folk, Americana and jamband fanbase.

The band’s acclaimed 2010 album Deep In The Shade remained in Billboard’s Bluegrass Top 10 for 18 weeks. In March 2011, Rare Bird Alert – the band’s Grammy nominated collaborative and featuring special guest vocals from Paul McCartney and the Dixie Chicks – debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Chart and at #43 on the Billboard Top 200.

Contributing key performances at festivals like MerleFest and Bonnaroo alongside Steve Martin throughout 2011, the Steep Canyon Rangers also performed alone as a quintet on stages such as Telluride, RockyGrass, and ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ with Garrison Keillor.

Recent national and international television appearances by the band with Steve Martin include The View, Late Show With David Letterman, The Colbert Report, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Austin City Limits and Later With Jools Holland.

The band and Steve Martin will be attending the 54th Annual Grammy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles on February 12th.

Steep Canyon Rangers will celebrate the release of Nobody Knows You with CD release events in both Nashville and New York during the last week of March in preparation for the April 10th, 2012 release date.

Prescription Bluegrass Reviews The Hillbenders LIVE!

2012-02-05T15:36:00.002-07:00

The Hillbenders LIVE at The Blue Door
Oklahoma City, Ok. 2/1/12
By: W.J. Hallock
      If you weren’t there to see bluegrass artists, “The Hillbenders.” at The Blue Door in Oklahoma, City, Ok. on Wednesday night 2/1/12, you REALLY missed out on a GREAT show! These five young men put on an energetic, enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoyable concert. One standing ovation and one encore! Filled with songs from their first CD, “Down To My Last Dollar,” and new material from their upcoming second release, they showed just how innovative, versatile, committed and focused they are to their music.
     The older songs are only getting better with age and exposure, and the new ones are sure to please their long time fans. To their credit, they played, sang and entertained, to those of us lucky enough to be there, as if we were the most important, and biggest audience of their career. They were gracious, friendly hosts who were genuinely proud and eager to please us.
      They have honed their sound razor sharp….. with super tight harmonies and solid musicianship. At times, all five of them would be singing, and they were so in control of their stage volume that their singing was always crystal clear above the instruments. The nuances of their vocals were a pleasure to hear! Lead vocalist, and mandolin player Nolan Lawrence, has such a powerful delivery that he could have probably done the entire concert without a microphone. The young man has individuality, range and strength to spare. Guitarist Jimmy Rea, used his lead vocals to add another unique shade to The Hillbender’s color wheel. He must have been worn out by the time the set was over….. Jimmy NEVER stops dancing! Their new song “Try Again,” written and sung by banjo player extraordinaire Mark Cassidy, had me hanging on every word and chord change…… this is a dynamite song! A new instrumental, “Gettysburg,” by Mark and dobro dynamo Chad “Gravy Boat” Graves, is also going to be a showcase song for their many talents. The last member of this quintet, Gary Rea, Jimmy’s first cousin, held this whole musical excursion firmly on solid ground with his first class upright bass playing and harmony singing.
      The small, intimate surroundings of The Blue Door were perfect for The Hillbenders. Their stage presence and “repartee” with the crowd is as easy and comfortable as an old pair of boots. They were glad to be there and the audience was, too! It was a mixed crowd of older folks and college students, and the boys connected with each and every one. After the show, they were off the stage and signing autographs, posing for pictures with those who asked and enjoying quality time with their fans. They were driving to Denton, Texas after the show, but they were in no hurry to leave the party.
      The most notable aspect of their “sound,” is the fact that they ALL write original songs to add to the mix. Really GOOD songs that define and shape them….. That elusive commodity called “originality” is alive and well with their music. No wonder The Hillbenders won the 2009 Telluride Bluegrass Band competition! AND… the 2010 Single Microphone Championship! They are currently on a short Texas tour, and then they’re back to their Springfield, MO. stomping grounds. They will be all over the festival map in 2012, so make a point of tracking them down. I promise…. you will LOVE these guys!
Photo Credits
Photo 1: Artist’s Website
Photos 2 & 3 by: Reese Howard

Prescription Bluegrass Reviews “The Bill Monroe Collection” by Tony Rice

2012-02-05T14:42:00.001-07:00

Tony Rice “The Bill Monroe Collection”

Release Jan.31, 2012

Reviewed By: Dan King

. . .From the very first tune that comes charging out at the listener like the Tasmanian Devil from the old Bugs Bunny cartoons, this is a musical romp of the highest proportion. The tempos and grooves on the entire album are extremely tight and close knit, and the solos by all the players are breathtaking throughout. Tony Rice’s guitar playing evokes the imagery of a flat rock with a jet pack skipping down a mighty river over and over and over again, bobbing and weaving it’s way above the flowing waters, touching down just long enough to gain momentum for its next flight.. . .

. . . The fact that some obvious candidates like “Blue Moon of Kentucky” and “Uncle Pen” are not included here actually mirror Rice’s propensity in his playing to do anything BUT the obvious.

Read the Full Review Here

Bluegrass On the Beach Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary!

2012-02-05T11:07:00.001-07:00

We heard from Larry Baker; who along with his wife, Sondra, have produced one of the Southwest's more successful festivals. According to Baker, the first 6 years were held at the LaPaz Country Fairgrounds just outside of Parker, AZ on the Colorado River and now they’re in their fourth year just up the road from Parker at Lake Havasu City, AZ.

Some of the biggest names in Bluegrass have come to know Arizona and the Southwest thanks to Larry and Sandra Baker’s dedicated efforts to attract top name bands over the years.

“It’s a welcome retreat from the cold weather back home” said one snowbird who first came to Arizona to see this festival because of the entertainment value and the warm climate. “Now we try to come every year” she said.

“One of the nicest festivals around”, said another spectator, “The seating is always on a very large grassy area very close to the beach and the water….you can see the boats cruising up to listen to the music.”

Wayne Taylor has performed numerous times over the ten year history of this festival, first with the U.S. Navy Band “Country Current”, and then after his retirement from the Navy, with his own group “Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa”

“…One would be hard pressed to find someone that runs a better festival. Every time we’ve played one of their festivals I felt as though they rolled the red carpet out for us. A few of the greatest things about playing Lake Havasu and L&S Promotions’ Festivals- The sound reinforcement, stage and lighting are “Top Notch”. They have a great line up of diverse bands, Pro emcees, and they keep the show right on time. They have great food for the musicians, a huge audience of bluegrass lovers and supporters, wonderful late night picking, jamming with the band members, and very nice people to hang out with. What's not to love about that? -Wayne Taylor from Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa

Click here for more information.

American Banjo Museum Celebrates History of the Banjo in Downtown Oklahoma City

2012-02-03T11:50:00.005-07:00

A fter the recent PBS Documentary on the Banjo narrated by the banjo’s most notable ambassador of late, Steve Martin, interest in the 5-string musical instrument has taken hold. One museum you may not be aware of yet is the American Banjo Museum in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the music and heritage of the banjo, and it claims to house the largest collection of banjos on public display in the world.
A three-dimensional multimedia presentation begins the self-guided tour which takes visitors through 370 years of banjo history, from its roots in Africa to its current roles in bluegrass, folk and world music.

In the “Banjo Evolution” exhibit, five vastly different banjos illustrate the physical evolution of the instrument from a handmade gourd affair of the mid 1600s to the five-string models bluegrass fans will recognize.
“Banjo Heroes” presents six important individuals in banjo history, from Joel Walker Sweeney of the 1840s to Bela Fleck. “The Gibson Story” combines two dozen instruments with video and audio to tell the story of the iconic banjo manufacturer.

Memorable banjo moments form Hollywood feature films may be savored in “The Banjo Goes Hollywood.” Visitors can check out the decorative craftsmanship of the 1920s-‘30s at “The Art of the Banjo” exhibit, featuring instruments that incorporate exotic woods, ivory and mother-of-pearl inlay, jewels, hand carvings and paintings.
In addition to Scruggs and Fleck, J.D. Crowe, Ralph Stanley, Sonny Osborne and Steve Martin are included in photos, text or audio in the banjo history exhibits on the first floor of the museum. “The core of our collection consists of highly decorated 1920s-‘30s instruments,” says museum director Johnny Baier, a banjo player himself. “The Gibson Exhibit on the first floor will be of great interest to bluegrass fans.”

The current facility opened its doors in September 2009, but the original banjo museum was started in 1998 in Guthrie, Okla. by “people who were purists for the four-string banjo,”

The first floor endeavors to cover the broad spectrum of banjo history and evolution, and then on the second floor visitors are overwhelmed by the jazz banjo presence.”

The American Banjo Museum is interested in traveling exhibits. In fact, a new exhibit currently being designed in California which honors The Kingston Trio is slated to open in Oklahoma City in the fall of 2013. Performance space is limited, but the museum staff is always eager to hear from banjo players and bluegrass fans traveling through Oklahoma City.

The American Banjo Museum is accessible to all, with discounts for seniors and military. It’s locates at 9 East Sheridan, Oklahoma City. For more info, call 405-604-2793, email info@banjomuseum.org or visit www.americanbanjomuseum.org.

Excerpted from the IBMA Newsletter. Read the Full Story Here.

Do-It-Yourself Song Publishing–Learn How!

2012-02-03T11:30:00.001-07:00

IBMA Offers Feb. 16 Webinar: “DIY Song Publishing”
REGISTERATION OPEN TO NON-IBMA MEMBERS!

Join Belmont University instructor/ former longtime ASCAP executive Dan Keen Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6-7:30 p.m. Central for the next IBMA webinar: “DIY Song Publishing.”

Participants will explore the basics of registering songs with the U.S. Copyright office and with a PRO, issuing a mechanical license, applying to PROs for live gig funds and more.

The specifics of acquiring a mechanical license to cover someone else’s song will also be discussed.

The webinar will be aimed at songwriters and new publishers, but artists, record label reps or anyone interested in the business of songwriting is welcome.

The fee to join the webinar is only $20 for IBMA members or $40 for non-members. Please call (615) 256-3222 to register. Only $20 for IBMA Members, $40 for Non-Members!

Stay tuned for upcoming IBMA webinars on these topics:

March – Writing Arts Council Grants for Bluegrass Events & Associations

April 17 – Tweeting Your Way to Success (How to effectively use Twitter to promote your band, bluegrass event or business), presented by Andrea Compton, St. Charles Community College

May 17 – How to Recruit, Retain & Keep Your Volunteers Happy, presented by Dwight Worden, San Diego Bluegrass Society, CBA

June – Negotiating Agreements with Bands & Venues

July – How to Write an Effective Press Release

August – Creating Video Content to Connect Bands with Fans

October – Bluegrass Events & Social Networking

November – Keeping a Band Together

December – How Do Endorsements Really Work?

European Bluegrass Summit Slated for Bühl, Germany

2012-02-03T11:17:00.001-07:00

The 4th European Bluegrass Summit will be held on the weekend 2-4 March 2012, hosted by the city of Bühl in southwest Germany.

The Summit was first held at Bühl in 2009 as an initiative by the International Committee of the IBMA, and has been held since then under the auspices of the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA). This year's schedule includes the EBMA annual general members' meeting.

The EBMA announces: “The summit is open to all, professionals and non-professionals, members and non-members of the European or other national associations, who think they may benefit from sharing ideas and best practices with like-minded people doing similar work in other countries. This includes fans, musicians, promoters, journalists, webmasters, national association reps, and anyone else with a personal, professional or organizational interest in bluegrass in Europe.”

The program will include a concert by two leading European bands. Full details, with info on registration and reserving accommodations, may be found at The EBMA Website

Monroe Crossing Trains New Banjo Picker How To Swim!

2012-02-03T08:11:00.001-07:00

David Robinson is now suited up and entering the pool of pickers who earn their living on the road. Robinson is the newest member of Monroe Crossing replacing Benji Flaming on banjo.

According to the group’s Derek Johnson, the band members had no time to practice with Robinson before the holiday break while he (Robinson) was finishing up his high school degree.

Johnson says, “I told him that due to the band’s busy end of the year schedule we would not have the ‘luxury’ to practice before our winter tour. I told him that what we intended to do was to ‘throw him into the deep end and see if he floats.’ Well, I'm happy to report that not only does David ‘float,’ but he knows the crawl stroke, the backstroke and even the butterfly! Subsequently, David has spent the past 12 shows continually impressing his new band mates”

Country Music Highway Talent Competition Announced!

2012-02-02T17:02:00.001-07:00

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR AND HALL OF FAME MEMBER TOM T. HALL ANNOUNCE NEW COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHWAY PROGRAMS

(Frankfort, KY ) Governor Steve Beshear, Country Music Highway committee members, TourSEKY members and Country Music Hall of Fame Member Tom T. Hall announced the launch of two new initiatives surrounding the legendary highway (U.S. Route 23), officially known as the “Country Music Highway” ever since the Kentucky legislature so designated it in 1994.

Bluegrass music was born in the hills of Appalachia and nurtured to maturity by the numerous miles along U.S. Route 23. This stretch of road, which winds along the Eastern corridor of Kentucky, has given rise to a remarkable number of Bluegrass artists including Ricky Skaggs,

Keith Whitley, Patty Loveless, Hylo Brown, and even more country artists including Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Dwight Yoakam, Gary Stewart, Billy Ray Cyrus, Crystal Gayle, Loretta Lynn, Rebecca Lynn Howard and many more. The announcement made at the Kentucky State Capital introduced the “Country Music Highway Road to Fame” talent competition which will allow the discovery of the next generation of talented artists from the area, as well as the development of a charitable organization, the “Country Music Highway Arts Education Fund” which will support music programs in Kentucky schools and aid children in discovering a passion for music without utilizing state education funds. “I am certain that Governor Beshear will agree with me when I say how proud we are to honor the rich musical heritage springing from the State of Kentucky,” said Jeff Crowe, President and CEO of Tour SEKY. “Our youth is teeming with musical talent and I am excited to see the impact the program will have upon them.”

The “Country Music Highway Road to Fame” competition, set to begin in mid-March, will tap Eastern Kentucky’s musical roots to find the next generation of talent. The winner of the 2012 “Road to Fame”competition will receive a scholarship to participate in career development and coaching under the direction of PCG Nashville valued at $25,000, an acoustic guitar and a plaque recognizing their achievement. The contest will be open to aspiring artists 13-35 years of age from the 15 counties that border the Country Music Highway (US Route 23). Details of the contest will be released on the “Country Music Highway Road to Fame” website. Potential contestants and interested parties should visit www.cmhroadtofame.com and register to receive announcements as they are made.

“I’m really excited about the competition because it will show that some of the best talent can be found in the hills of Eastern Kentucky,” said Country Music Hall of Fame Member Tom T. Hall about the talent residing in his home area of Kentucky.

“The Country Music Highway means so much to me. I grew up in that special part of Kentucky, as did so many of my friends who have also been fortunate enough to find careers in country music. And now the Country Music Highway folks have launched a great project they’re calling “The Road to Fame,” said Naomi Judd in an earlier statement. “Keeping music alive on stage and in schools is close to my heart. I encourage everyone to get behind this project. Please join me in supporting the “Road to Fame” and the difference it will make in the lives of our friends and neighbors.”

These initiatives announced today are already receiving support from corporate sponsors. The first to come on board are the Gibson Foundation, Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Flavorings, PCG Nashville, Vietti Chili,Fairway Outdoor Advertising, TourSEKY, and Ray, Foley and Hensley Accounting. For more information, contact: www.cmhroadtofame.com

About the Country Music Highway:
On March 1, 1994, a bill sponsored by State Representative Hubert Collins was passed and US Route 23 in Eastern Kentucky became “The Country Music Highway” to recognize the famous Country music stars that came from the region. In 2002, the Country Music Highway was also recognized as a National Scenic Byway. The 144-mile stretch of highway runs north and south along the eastern part of the state through the lush hills and valleys of Appalachia. Click for more information: www.CountryMusicHighway.com

Visit the Country Music Highway Museum in Paintsville, KY http://www.visitpaintsvilleky.com/museum/

About the “Road to Fame” Competition:
Auditions, qualifying rounds, semi-finals and the grand final will be held at venues along the Country Music Highway. To be eligible to enter, contestants must be between the ages of 13 and 35 and prove residency in the counties of Letcher, Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Boyd, Greenup, Harlan, Petty, Knott, Magoffin, Morgan, Elliott, Carter, and Lewis. Full contest rules, contest dates and venues will be announced, along with updates at www.CMHRoadToFame.com

About PCG Nashville:
PCG Nashville is recognized as one of America’s leading career development organizations, working with new and emerging artist, and customizing programs to accommodate an artist’s creative and professional growth. Programs include: career guidance and mentoring, strategic planning, styling, branding and marketing, entertainment relations and ethics, media training, live performance coaching, vocal evaluation and training, instrument lessons, songwriting and creative direction, studio preparation and more. Click for more information: http://pcgnashville.com/

About Murray State Digital Media Services:
Digital Media Services is a multimedia production facility and in-house advertising agency at Murray State University. We utilize a full-time professional staff and some of the best electronic media students in the region through a partnership with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Click for more information: http://www.murraystate.edu/ems/index.html.

Trout Fishing In America Victims of Auto & Instrument Theft!

2012-02-02T15:57:00.001-07:00

The eclectic 4-time Grammy nominated band, Trout Fishing in America , best known for family music and kids’ songs, is on the Victim’s List according to Houston police.

The Texas duo had a van and numerous musical instruments, that were inside the van, stolen outside of a Houston hotel last weekend.

Songs like “My Hair Had a Party Last Night,” “18 Wheels on a Big Rig,” and “When I Was a Dinosaur” by the group have earned them a place in the hearts of kids and parents everywhere.

Now they’re asking for help from fans and the public to recover some truly prized instruments.

The incident happened Saturday, and band members Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet are asking for fans to check nearby pawn shops to see if the missing instruments are there.

Grimwood and Idlet met in Houston more than three decades ago and have been playing together ever since. They are now based in Arkansas, but still return to the Bayou City often for concerts.

More pictures of the missing instruments are on the band’s Facebook page.

If any of the instruments are located or if you believe you have information pertinent to the case, you’re asked to contact the Houston Police Dept. at 479-761-3630.

Film Producer Seeks Donations to Finish Documentary

2012-02-02T15:23:00.001-07:00

Last of the Breed: The Dave Evans Story

Traditional bluegrass fans have long recognized Dave Evans for what he is: a living legend. Dave is one of the few true triple threats in the genre - a talented singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Alison Krauss has cited him as one of her biggest inspirations.

But while his contemporaries have seen crossover success with more mainstream audiences on the heels of O Brother Where Art Thou? and the growth of the IBMA, Dave remains largely unknown to wider listeners.

Red Line Studios film company is currently producing a documentary about the legendary bluegrass musician and Rebel Records recording artist Dave Evans, working with Tom T. Hall and others in the bluegrass and country music communities to bring the project to life. This is a non-profit film, and with that, we are reaching out to bluegrass fans world-wide for support.

The Last of the Breed tells Dave's amazing story of music, hardship, freedom, civil rights, redemption, and destiny. In association with The Kanawha Gateway Heritage Area and Fractured Atlas, Red Line Studios is reaching out to the bluegrass community for financial support. As every dollar counts we have set no minimum donation amount. And as a token of our thanks we will be giving away exclusive gifts to supporters of the film. Every donation is also eligible for a tax deduction because of our non-profit status.

A fundraising goal of $30,000 has been set to film The Last of the Breed: The Dave Evans Story. Monies raised will help cover basic expenses such as travel, equipment rentals, archival research and lodgings for the professional film crew who is donating their services for this creative initiative.

If you've ever been moved by the profound soulfulness of Dave's music or if you're just someone who roots for the underdog, please join us to make his story heard.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this film. To donate, or learn more about our project, please follow this link. You can also follow us on Facebook

Delta Reign Donates Time and Talent to Benefit for Banjo Picker!

2012-01-31T11:00:00.001-07:00

We heard from Delta Reign about a serious benefit happening in Alabama for Kevin Decker. The benefit is scheduled for February 18th in Foley, AL.

Kevin Decker, a known banjo player who has played with several groups around this area as well as created his own family band, "Southern Drawl" has been hospitalized since Nov. 2, 2011.

After 2 major surgeries he was left with only 3 foot of small intestines. He was making plans to go home to recovery when he developed a yeast infection in his blood, ran high fever and ended up in ICU. He spent 5 and a half weeks in ICU 3 of which he was connected to a ventilator and in a medical coma.

He woke up and was moved out of ICU on Jan. 25th. He is still in the hospital trying to recover from this long ordeal and to figure out how he will receive his nutrition with only a small amount of intestine and no colon for absorption. Friends and family have created this concert to help with the expenses that have been created. Come spend the afternoon with us for live bluegrass music, food, and other activities!

There will be lots of folks that would like to be here for the benefit concert but work, distance, etc. will prevent them from being here. A benefit account for Kevin has been established at United Bank, PO Box 1885, Foley, AL 36536 and donations can be made to Kevin or Amy Decker. You can reference the account by their name. Knowing Kevin & Amy's dire situation, I know that they would be "very" appreciative of any amount sent to them.

See the Facebook page

Lonesome River Band on Music City Roots

2012-01-30T17:43:00.001-07:00

Band Gearing Up for CHRONOLOGY, Volume One Album Release February 28, 2012

Lonesome River Band will perform on Music City Roots on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 7:00 pm CT.

This live concert and radio show is held at the Loveless Cafe located at 8400 Hwy 100, Nashville, TN and streamed at MusicCityRoots.com.

Also performing are: Darrell Scott, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Darrin and Brooke Aldridge, and Special Consensus. Tickets are $10 and $5 with Student ID.

Rural Rhythm Records just released Lonesome River Band's new single “Close the Door Lightly When You Go” from their upcoming album, CHRONOLOGY, Volume One. The album is set for release February 28, 2012 and celebrates Lonesome River Band's 30th Anniversary.

This retrospective collection includes 24 songs to be released in a series of three 8-song EPs - one for each decade of LRB's existence. The material will lean heavily on updated versions of many of the LRB’s most popular songs during each decade, reprised by the current LRB line-up. CHRONOLOGY, Volume One is now available for pre-orders on the band's website.

Lonesome River Band has been in the news with numerous events lately including their new Strictly Country Magazine Spirit Award for Song of the Year for "Record Time Machine" (from STILL LEARNING album), plus Sammy Shelor's 2012 SPBGMA Nomination for Banjo Performer of the Year. Shelor was also a recipient of the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass award that included an appearance and performance (watch video) by Lonesome River Band and special guest Steve Martin on The Late Show with David Letterman last November.

Lonesome River Band includes the talents of: Sammy Shelor (banjo and harmony vocals); Brandon Rickman (guitar, lead & harmony vocals); Mike Hartgrove (fiddle); Barry Reed (bass and harmony vocals), and Randy Jones (mandolin, lead & harmony vocals). Please visit LonesomeRiverBand.com for more information.

Check out these new links:
New SammyShelor.com website

New Lonesome River Band promo VIDEO

McReynolds Family Memorial Concert To Feature Top Name Entertainment!

2012-01-30T17:30:00.001-07:00

For the past 18 years the McReynolds family has been hosting a benefit concert that was originally started to help support the late Keith McReynolds during his battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Keith McReynolds was the son of bluegrass pioneer and Grand Ole Opry star Jesse McReynolds of the legendary Jim & Jesse.

Keith also played bass for their band and was well loved not only by his fans but also by his fellow musicians.

Since his passing in 2000, proceeds from the annual event have gone to help support a musician battling a disease. This year the proceeds will go to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of him.

The concert will feature several artists in bluegrass, country, gospel and Americana music. They are all donating their time to help support this great cause.

Multiple Sclerosis affects people in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 20 and 50. Every hour someone is newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. More than 2.5 million people worldwide live with this unpredictable disease. The symptoms of MS are different for everyone - the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

Currently there is no cure for MS. The money that is raised will be used to find the cause, treatment, and ultimately the cure of multiple sclerosis. The money is also used to provide education, information, direct financial support, and scholarships to individuals and families living with MS.

IBMA Award winning and Grammy nominated, Valerie Smith has graciously offered to be the “eyes and ears” on the spot and will be sending in a special “Guest Blogger” report and pictures for those of us who can’t make it to the show.

Please show your support by attending this concert or by donating to the National MS Society.

Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm        *      Doors open at 5:00pm
Tickets available at the door: $15 for Adults     *       $7 for Children 6 - 12
Location: The Texas Troubadour Theatre
              2416 Music Valley Drive
              Nashville, TN 37122

Learn More about the Benefit Concert

For more information, please contact Amanda McReynolds

Carolina Road Homecoming Bluegrass Festival To Be No More!

2012-01-30T13:20:00.001-07:00

Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road have announced the cancellation of the Carolina Road Homecoming Bluegrass Festival, which was held annually in November at the Ramada Inn in Burlington, North Carolina. The band has hosted and promoted this festival at the Ramada Inn for the past four years. Due to low ticket sales, Ms. Jordan says, “we have made the decision to cancel the festival.”

Carolina Road was approached last December with the opportunity to take over the Christmas in the Smokies Bluegrass Festival, which has been hosted by The Larkin Family for the past two decadesat the Ramada Inn and Smoky Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

The 2012 Christmas in the Smokies Festival will be held on Wednesday, December 12 through Saturday, December 15 at the beautiful Ramada Inn and Smoky Mountain Convention Center.

The band lineup includes your host, Carolina Road, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Marty Raybon, Goldwing Express, Ralph Stanley II, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Gary Waldrep Band, Jerry Butler & The Blu-Js, Remington Ryde, Mike Conner & The Travelers, The Larkins, Reno Tradition, Mountain Faith, and the Hart Brothers.

The Smokies Bluegrass Festival website has the band line up, ticket information, hotel information, etc. Please visit to check out the festival.

The Tuttles with A.J. Lee Make California Bluegrass History

2012-01-30T09:51:00.001-07:00

The Tuttles With A. J. Lee Repeats As Best Northern California Bluegrass Band

The Tuttles With A. J. Lee is the first band to repeat as Northern California’s Best Bluegrass Band during the five-year run of the Northern California Bluegrass Awards. The band received the honor at a January 28, 2012 ceremony in Redwood City, California.

The Palo Alto-based band’s members also won individual honors: Jack Tuttle (Best Fiddle Player), Michael Tuttle (Best Mandolin Player), and Molly Tuttle (Best Female Vocalist).

Husband and wife Jim & Louise Mintun of Santa Cruz were honored on their respective instruments, with Jim named Best Dobro Player and Louise tied for Best Bass Player with Lisa Burns of Mountain View. Billy Pitrone of Santa Cruz was named Best Male Vocalist and Yoseff Tucker of San Francisco Best Guitar Player, while Larry Cohea of El Cerrito and Luke Abbott of Santa Cruz tied for Best Banjo Player.

Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to four currently-active, longtime leaders of Bay Area music non-profit organizations: Steve Baker, Berkeley (Berkeley Society For The Preservation Of Traditional Music (dba The Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse), Richard Brooks, Palo Alto (Santa Clara Valley Fiddlers Association), Bruce Edmundson, Mountain View (Redwood Bluegrass Associates), and Mike McKinley, Santa Cruz (Northern California Bluegrass Society/Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society).

The Northern California Bluegrass Awards are part of the Northern California Bluegrass Society’s January 27-29, 2012 Bluegrass On Broadway Festival.

Principal financial support for the festival comes from the City of Redwood City’s Civic Cultural Commission, the Redwood City Public Li

CHARLIE SIZEMORE Featured on Cover of BU Magazine

2012-01-30T07:47:00.001-07:00

Charlie Sizemore is featured on the cover of the February 2012 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine that includes a rare interview with the acclaimed, singer-songwriter. Sizemore uncharacteristically opens up about his music, his career as a lawyer, his hit album HEARTACHE LOOKING FOR A HOME, and single “No Lawyers in Heaven."

CMT.com says Sizemore “possesses one of the finest, most unaffected bluegrass voices I’ve come across,” and his fans certainly agree. There are numerous favorites on this hot album including the popular “Red Wicked Wine” with special guest, Ralph Stanley that certainly brings back memories of Sizemore’s days with the Clinch Mountain Boys. Other fan choices include "Ashley Judd" along with title track, “Heartache Looking for a Home”. The Charlie Sizemore Band is now on tour and includes the talents of: Charlie Sizemore (lead vocals, guitar); Danny Barnes (mandolin, vocals); Charles Fields (bass); Josh McMurray (banjo, vocals); and Paul Kramer (fiddle and vocals).

For more information on the Charlie Sizemore Band, please visit their website or check out NPR’s Mountain Stage to hear the band’s recent performance.

Bluegrass Radio Host Featured in Women's Magazine

2012-01-28T14:02:00.001-07:00

"Knee Deep In Bluegrass" host Cindy Baucom is the subject of a feature story in "All About Women" (January/Feburary Issue). Ms Baucom will be enshrined into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of fame in June which is the subject of the story.

She'll be in the company of some very high-profile and influential music notables. Also being inducted into the Hall of fame will be such greats as Country Star George Hamilton IV, Dobro Master "Tut" Taylor, old-time banjo player and early proponent of the three-finger style picking, "Snuffy" Jenkins, multi-instrumentalist and folklorist David Holt, Gospel music's The Chuckwagon Gang, Pop singer "Oliver" and Dr. T.R. Bryan.

Ms. Baucom says she has been in radio for nearly 30 years getting her start as a part-time disc jockey after school at WKSK in 1983.

Read the full article on page 22.

Arizona’s Premier Bluegrass Band Reunites after 30 Years! Fans Delight!

2012-01-28T11:40:00.001-07:00

REUNION CONCERT AND REMASTERED CD PLANNED

Yes, for the first time in 30 years the members of Tucson, Arizona’s Summerdog bluegrass band will all be together in the same place.

Summerdog was formed in Tucson and was extremely popular throughout Arizona and the southwestern United States from 1973 to 1982.

From 1978 to 1982, the band recorded three albums, and toured the Western US. They played often in Tucson at the, now closed, Splinter Brothers Warehouse.

Four of the band are identified in the pictures (LEFT), the fifth is Tucsonan Ed Davenport, on bass and vocals, also a member of Titan Valley Warheads.

A former member of the band and the one responsible for the art work on the “Tucson” Album (used here on the “Listen Button” and poster below) was Tom Rozum, now Laurie Lewis’ singing partner and collaborator. (see photo of Tom with the group below)

This will be a true reunion--two weeks before the show, they will be together in Tucson for the first time in 30 years, then get ready for Concert Night!

On Saturday, April 14th, five members and guests of Summerdog, with "newgrass," oldtime, swing rhythms, traditional and original songs, and fiddle tunes, will perform at El Casino in Tucson, with a large dance floor, and full bar.

Guests will include former Arizona State Fiddle Champing Peter Rowland, now living in Phoenix and some other hot pickers whose names are being held for a surprise. A CD of their early material has been premastered and will be available at the show.

From comments on the group's new Reunion Facebook site, there are still numerous fans scattered around the southwest who remember the old days and are looking forward with great anticipation for the chance to see the group perform live once again.

"About thirty years ago, Summerdog played some show in Northern Utah and you have no idea how much of an impact you had on me and some of the other local pickers who were just starting out. Have you "digitized" any of the Summerdog LPs? I'd love to have some of your music on my iPod! I'm sure others would as well." - a fan from Upper Utah

"I met my wife at one of those Barn Dances--We are still happily married." -a patron of the Splinter Brothers Wharehouse

Even new fans are getting on board after being introduced to the band via their, now collector item, LPs (LP stands for Long-Play and was the forerunner to the compact disc).

Advance tickets will be available now at all Tucson Bookmans stores, Antigone Books and the Folk Shop in Tucson. Tickets at the door day of show will be $22. For more information Click Here

New CD from Heather Berry and Tony Mabe Coming Next Month!

2012-01-27T11:03:00.001-07:00

Mountain Fever Records is releasing "The Heather Berry & Tony Mabe Show" self titled CD on Feb. 14th.

Geoff Morris a distinguished DJ from Australia will be offering up the world premier of the record this coming Monday night on the WWB (WorldWide Bluegrass) where he hosts a show every Monday night. Listen Here

Geoff has long been a huge fan of Heather Berry. According to Geoff "Heather is one 3 people that I could thoroughly enjoy listening to them just read a phone book".

A representative from Mountain Fever Records will be in the WWB chat room during the show giving away CDs among other things.

Heather’s single from late last year, "Walk Slow" (written by Tom T. and Dixie Hall) is part of this album.

The Geoff Morris Radio show starts at 8pm EST and will include an interview that he recorded with Heather and Tony last fall while visiting the USA .

“I think everyone that has ever complained about "modern music" or today's county should own this record. Heather has the a gift that most can only dream of. No Auto-tune will ever touch a performance of hers as long as I still have a breath in my body. She doesn't need it.” – Mark Hodges, Mountain Fever Records

Heather along with Tony Mabe (Formerly of the James King Band, Avery County, Jeanette Williams Band) are joined by Jamie Collins on bass and backing vocals.

Darrin Vincent joins Heather on one song (Remembrance Is A Golden Chain), and Randy Cook plays pedal steel on a soon to be classic country song written by Tony's grandfather (“Tears and Roses”). As the story goes, it was the first song that a then young Tony Rice ever played live on a radio show.

For more information, visit Mountain Fever Records Website

City of Raleigh Courting IBMA for Convention Week

2012-01-27T07:51:00.001-07:00

It’s no secret among IBMA World OF Bluegrass Attendees that Nashville may not be the permanent host city. IBMA officials have informed the members that once the contract with the Nashville Convention Center reaches it’s conclusion, they would open up the bidding process for new host cities.

The City of Raleigh, NC seems to be the first to make public their intentions to grab the brass ring. The greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau has posted a five minute video sales pitch aimed directly at the IBMA Board of Directors on behalf of the state’s bluegrass traditions and the city’s entertainment assets.

You can view the video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYfc4x7cd7M&feature=player_embedded

Babysitter to the Celebs Releases New Album

2012-01-26T08:10:00.001-07:00

Julie Lee & The Baby-Daddies

with help from the likes of Alison Krauss and Tim O’Brien – Due Out March 6th

It all starts with a song, but for Julie Lee’s seventh album out March 6, it actually started with babies - not her babies, but the offspring of some of Nashville’s best musicians. As a longtime respected singer/songwriter, and Nashville being Nashville, Lee’s occasional side job of babysitting was for the likes of Kenny Vaughan (award winning guitarist for Marty Stuart, Lucinda Williams and more) and Mike Bub (Del McCoury Band).

They continually offered their services if she would get out and play again, and thus The Baby Daddies were born at a live show in 2010, inspiring her to get back into the studio last year.

On Julie Lee & The Baby-Daddies, Lee’s lauded and versatile mezzo-soprano inhabits songs inspired by all forms of Americana music, backed by the original Baby Daddies, as well as with special guests Alison Krauss, Tim O’Brien, Ron Block, and Sarah Siskind among others.

The writer, whose songs have been recorded by Krauss, Pam Tillis, Ron Block, Mark Erelli and more, has been a visual artist longer than she’s been a tunesmith. Those two lives have remained mostly separate until a mysterious scrap of paper she used in one of her pieces inspired the beginnings of a song.

“It’s been a long time coming, the marriage of these different sides of my life,” shares Lee. “I kept asking myself, ‘How do I get from all this babysitting and making art back to music?’ But as fate would have it...the babysitting brought about the incarnation of "The Baby-Daddies,” and the art had already begun to inspire some of the songs.”

That mysterious scrap of paper simply said, “Does the road wind uphill all the way?” It eventually worked its way into her collage-art, but it also became the first track on the album. “I gather scraps and bits from a variety of sources, I couldn't remember where I got it and for years I believed it was an old hymn. Every time I saw it, I was frustrated, wanting to turn it into a song myself. Years passed and I discovered it was not a song - but the first line of a poem by Christina Rosetti called 'Uphill.' Written in 1885, the poem eerily expressed how I was feeling at the time, while touring for the Stillhouse Road CD and cutting thru mountain roads late at night alone. So I put it on my blackboard in my kitchen and in a matter of weeks I had put it to music."

Though Lee has toured extensively as a solo artist in Europe and in the States (also opening for artists from Over The Rhine to Krauss), had a publishing deal, a record deal, released six albums, and has made a humble living as a songwriter -- it can sometimes feel as if ...the road does wind uphill all the way.

Because of the lessons that come from such a journey, Julie Lee & The Baby-Daddiesis quite a ride. With eight originals and two covers, each song is a snapshot of various landscapes within Americana, deftly painted by some of the best in the genre. There’s the vintage country of “Time Enough,” telling the story of a young girl anxious to experience everything in life – then the playful jazz influenced homage to sibling envy with Carly Simon’s “Older Sister.” And the intimate promise of "Unto The Hills,” where Alison Krauss and Tim O'Brien join Lee on every mountain gospel refrain.

You hear what a truly talented singer and storyteller Lee is on "Moonlight Train,” with Jon Radford’s unchanging rhythm and the unwavering attitude of Mike Bub’s bass. Followed by the delta blue exhortation of "Lowborn Men,” featuring Mike Witcher on Dobro and Jason Goforth on Harmonica -- then Lee sings a duet with the lesser known Baby-Daddy Tim Netsch on an old Tennessee Ernie Ford and Kay Star cover "I'll Never Be Free.”

“We can get distracted along the way by trying to juggle so much. For me it’s finding a healthy balance between the music, art, community, and making a living ... but something, rather someone, always brings me back into focus. There’s a reason that piece of art kept bugging me to turn it into a song, and the guys I babysat for ended up leading me to my next record. When a good idea keeps presenting itself, pay attention, someone is trying to tell you something. I am thankful for the unexpected twists and turns on the road. 'Cause you just never know how God is going to get you from point A to point B or where that steep incline is taking you.

Della Mae Signs with Kieth Case Associates!

2012-01-26T07:53:00.001-07:00

KCA Artists is very excited to announce the addition of Della Mae to our roster. The Seattle-based online music resource Hearthmusic.comsays, “Della Mae are a ridiculously polished all-grrrl nouveau bluegrass band based out of Boston.

Each woman in the band is a lead player on her instrument, and their vocals and harmonies are tighter than the hangman’s noose.

This is bluegrass music played with a love for its roots and great hope for its future. Bluegrass played with the knowledge that Bill Monroe’s vision fits just as well in a new century as it did in the last one. Bluegrass played with confidence, drive, and the pure energy that birthed the music in the first place.”

Della Mae features the reigning 2-time National Fiddle Champion Kimber Ludiker; innovative guitar player Courtney Hartman; the very talented mandolinist Jenni Lynn Gardner; well-known and respected bassist Amanda Kowalski; and powerhouse vocalist Celia Woodsmith.

Formed during the Fall 2009 in Boston, Della Mae was born from a yearning for a traditional bluegrass sound in the heart of New England. Della Mae strives to create music that tells a story while delivering a punch. The energy that this band puts forth spills out into the aisles, leaving everyone with a smile on their face.

World Premier of Stetson and Cia to be Steamed Live On the Web!

2012-01-25T15:51:00.001-07:00

Cia, as in Cia Cherryholmes, now partnered with Stetson Adkisson on a brand new CD, will join her partner and friends for the premier showing to launch the CD tomorrow night.

For their fans and friends who don’t live close to Nashville, they’ve announced the show will be streamed live on the AcoustiCana Journal (see link at bottom of story)

The Premiere of Stetson and Cia is tomorrow!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
7:30 p.m. CST
Hard Rock Café
Reverb Room
100 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37201

For all their friends who aren't able to be there in Nashville, they are excited to announce the show will be web streamed LIVE on the AcoustiCana Journal!
Live Webcast on January 26: Click here for the link.

Opry Star Bobby Osborne to Perform on PBS Show-Song of the Mountains

2012-01-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

Marion, VA – Grand Ole Opry legend Bobby Osborne and his band the Rocky Top X-press will be in concert for a taping of Song of the Mountains on Saturday, February 4^th at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia.

It is very difficult to fit into one paragraph a biography of Bobby Osborne. He has been many places and done many things in his sixty-plus years as a professional entertainer. He worked for a time with Larry Richardson in the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, and with the Stanley Brothers in the early part of his career.

However, the Korean War cut his stint with the Stanley Brothers short. After returning home with a Purple Heart for his service as a marine, he joined with his brother Sonny to form the famous Osborne Brothers that have recorded hits such as Ruby, Roll Muddy River, Kentucky, and of course Rocky Top.

It was during this time (August 8^th, 1964) that Bobby and Sonny would be made members of the Grand Ole Opry, receive the CMA Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and take Bluegrass Music to places it had never been before.

In 1994 the Brothers would be inducted into the IBMA Hall of Honor, and then into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2007, Bobby was asked to come and be a part of the Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music, where he still works and teaches students today!

In 2009 Bobby was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Honor yet again as a Lonesome Pine Fiddler, making him the only person to be inducted into the Hall twice! Bobby’s latest CD "Memories" is a celebration of all that is mentioned here, and even more that has not been mentioned!

Joining Bobby Osborne on February 4^th will be his son, Bobby Osborne, Jr. and Stone Peak, the traditional bluegrass band Jus’ Cauz Band from Danville, Virginia and the Lost Creek Band from the Knoxville, Tennessee region.

Song of the Mountains features bluegrass, old time, Celtic and Americana Music and is currently airing on over 190 Public Television outlets across the United States. Tim White hosts the series. Tickets for the Saturday, February 4th concert at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Virginia are $20. Reserved tickets may be purchased at the Lincoln Theatre Box Office in Marion, VA or online at www.songofthemountains.org. The concert begins at 7:00 pm. For information or tickets by phone call 276-783-6093.

Memberships and Song of the Mountains merchandise are available at the website and your purchases help support the concert series.

Song of the Mountains/The Lincoln Theatre is a non-profit organization.

Looking ahead the March 3, 2012 Song of the Mountains concert will feature Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band (Rodney was on the Andy Griffith Show in the 1960s as one of the Darling Boys), the Close Kin Project and Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition.

Leadership Bluegrass Participants Announced !

2012-01-25T07:18:00.001-07:00

The International Bluegrass Music Association announces the following participants in the 2012 class of Leadership Bluegrass:

• Martha Stracener Dantzic; Quicksilver Productions; Washington, D.C.

• Denise Hitchcock; BlueHighways TV; Hendersonville, Tenn.
• Claire Lynch; The Claire Lynch Band; Hermitage, Tenn.

• Daniel Routh; Nu-Blu, Top 66 International Bluegrass Airplay Chart; Red Squared Audio; Siler City, N.C.

• Sharon White; The Whites; Hendersonville, Tenn.
• Kimberly Williams; East Public Relations, The Expedition Show; Sparta, Tenn.

• Bob Altschuler; Musician/Music Instructor/Writer, Dyer Switch Band, Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass, New York State Retirement System; Albany, N.Y.
• Jimmy Bowen; Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe; Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
• Casey Campbell; Belmont University student/Musician; Kingston Springs, Tenn.
• H.R. Cook; Weaver of Words Music Group; Tazewell, Va.
• Sonya Robles Cotton; The Louisville Bluegrass Music Association, Bluegrass Anonymous; Louisville, Ky.

• Laurie Dashper; Music City Roots, Bluegrass Underground; Murfreesboro, Tenn.
• Lisa Jacobi; Steel String Session, Lisa Affordable Websites; Copperhill, Tenn.
• Denise Jarvinen; Boston Bluegrass Union, Traditional Music Foundation; Brookline, Mass.
• Russell Johnson; Grass Cats, Red Sock Publishing, The Comfort Zone Recording Studio, New Time Records; Four Oaks, N.C.
• Gerald Jones; AcousticMusicCamp.com; Garland, Texas
• Jamie Katz; PineCone, The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, Inc.; Raleigh, N.C.
• Rick Lang; Haley Anna Music, BMI; Kingston, N.H.
• Michael McLain; Belmont University; Cane Ridge, Tenn.
• Ronnie Norton; Lonesome Highway; Dublin, Ireland
• Chris Oliver; Infinity Luthiers; Springfield, Ill.
• Ross Pomerenk; Acoustic Sound/ Wintergrass; Lopez Island, Wash.
• Gene Skinner; Great Stuff Radio Network; Springfield, Mo.
• Jennifer Strickland; Rural Rhythm Records, Jenny Lynn Publishing; Antioch, Tenn.
• Chris Teskey; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Washington, D.C.
• Tony Watt; TheBluegrassUniversity.com, Boston Bluegrass Union; Cambridge, Mass.

Leadership Bluegrass, now in its 13th year with more than 300 alumni, is an intensive three-day program of advanced level, interactive learning experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing our music, along with related leadership issues,

Leadership Bluegrass will be hosted this year at BMI and Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC in Nashville, Thursday – Saturday, March 8-10 and will be facilitated by Trisha Tubbs. Our Platinum Sponsors this year include BMI; The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation; Bone McAllester Norton LLC; and Wintergrass Music Festival (Acoustic Sound). Please contact the IBMA office for information on future Leadership Bluegrass programs: (615) 256-3222, nancyc@ibma.org.

Rural Rhythm Congratulates SPBGMA Nominees!

2012-01-25T06:53:00.001-07:00

38th Annual SPBGMA BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES
including the following Rural Rhythm Records artists:

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out nominated for:

Vocal Group of the Year
Bluegrass Band of the Year
Entertaining Group of the Year
Entertainer of the Year - Russell Moore
Male Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary) - Russell Moore

Carolina Road nominated for:

Gospel Group of the Year (Traditional)
Instrumental Group of the Year
Entertainer of the Year - Lorraine Jordan
Female Vocalist of the Year (Traditional) - Lorraine Jordan
Banjo Performer of the Year - Ben Green

Banjo Performer of the Year nominee:
Sammy Shelor

Song of the Year nominee:
"Coal Minin' Man" by The Roys

GRASSTOWNE nominated for:

Album of the Year - (KICKIN' UP DUST by Grasstowne)
Song of the Year - ("Kickin' Up Dust") by Grasstowne)
Mandolin Performer of Year - Alan Bibey

Lou Reid & Carolina nominated for:
Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary)
Female Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary) - Christy Reid

Male Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary) nominee:

Steve Gulley

Dobro Performer of the Year nominee:
Randy Kohrs

Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary) nominee:
The Marksmen

For a full list of nominees, click here.
SPBGMA BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS
& 29th NATIONAL CONVENTION
February 2-5, 2012
Held at the Sheraton Music City Hotel - Nashville, Tennessee

Bluegrass Widow to Receive Help from Benefit Concert!

2012-01-24T11:22:00.001-07:00

On Sunday, February 19, 2012, there will be a Bluegrass Benefit show for Minnie (McGinnis) Necessary, beloved wife of the late Frank Necessary.

This benefit is to help Ms. Necessary with overwhelming funeral and medical expenses. After spending almost 9 months in the hospital, Frank Necessary passed away on December 15, 2011 at his home where he was able to be for only 24 hours before his passing.

Frank Necessary, highly under-rated for his banjo talents, has been leader or co-leader of some fine Bluegrass bands over the years. A native of Kentucky, Frank learned his first guitar chords at the age of 7. However, Frank never really got serious about music until he was doing Air Force duty in Germany in the late 50’s. By the mid-60’s, he found himself in the Baltimore/Washington area working in a variety of bands including those of Buzz Busby, Patsy Stoneman, and a band called the Spruce Mountain Boys.

In 1968, Frank moved to Ashland, Ohio where he joined forces with the Stone Mountain Boys for half-dozen years working at the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling West Virginia and played Bluegrass festivals throughout the Midwest. In 1974, Frank Necessary returned to the Baltimore/Washington area, where he and Al Jones became co-leaders of the Spruce Mountain Boys. They played clubs and some festivals in the region. They cut one of the best, well-produced bluegrass albums for Rounder ever released. Later Buzz Busby came into their group, during which time they cut an album for Old Homestead. In their later years, they continued to work in the D.C. and surrounding areas.

The benefit show will start at 12:00 pm and run until 8:00 pm with many local Bluegrass bands plus some special guests. Bands confirmed at this time are: The California Ramblers, Jay Armsworthy, Charlie Thompson, Smoke Creek Rounder’s, David Norris, Bubba Abell and Spoon Creek, Paul Adkins Band, and many, many more...... It will be held at the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge, 27636 Mechanicsville Road in Mechanicsville, MD. Tickets are only $10.00 per person and there will also be a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, cooler of cheer and much more!!! Food will also be available for purchase.

Sunday, February 19, will be a day filled with lots of good Bluegrass music and fun from many friends, family, and musicians in the memory of Frank Necessary. He will be there in spirit. For more information about the event, call 240-925-0133 or 301-737-3004.

Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show Sign with Pinecastle Records

2012-01-24T10:12:00.001-07:00

Pinecastle Records is pleased to announce that it has signed The Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show. Their upcoming album Take Me Back will be released summer 2012.
"I am excited about our recent signing with one of the most legendary record labels in bluegrass music. As I look forward to our first release I consider it a honor to be a part the Pinecastle artist roster which includes some of the most influential artists known to the genre." - Karl Shiflett

"Take Me Back is primarily a collection of tunes I heard and learned while growing up in Texas in the mid sixties (about 45 years ago)," explains Karl. The material covers songs by Don Gibson, Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Bob Wills, Faron Young, Willie Nelson and Floyd Tillman. There are a couple of new tunes, "Song on the Jukebox" written by Monroe Fields and a gospel song called "Open up your Heart (and let Jesus In)" written by Karl Shiflett.

During their "retro" performances The Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show take the audience on a journey back in time when live radio broadcasts were a mix of music and good humor. Hailing from Texas, KSBC brings their unique blend of classic country and bluegrass music to the stage. The band's single mic technique (an art in itself), where band members weave in and out of the path of the microphone during vocal and instrumental leads, creates a distinctive musical chorography.

The band's effort to entertain and preserve a classic music art form has not gone un-noticed. They have been recognized with various awards and nominations, including the 2001 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) "Emerging Artist of the Year" award and a nomination for "Entertainer of the Year" the same year. In 2006, they were recipients of the IBMA "Album of the Year" award for their participation in the Celebration of Life album on the Skaggs Family Records label.

KSBC has recorded three previous projects and garnered chart recognition from steady radio airplay. Since 2003 the band has received nationwide exposure on RFD TV as featured guest performers on The Cumberland Highlander Show filmed at Bill Monroe's Homeplace high on Jerusalem Ridge near Rosine, KY. In 2008 and 2009 the group appeared on the The Song Of The Mountains television program which is filmed for PBS and aired on 900 stations across the U.S.

Karl Shiflett also carries the distinguished title of "Ambassador of Bean Blossom" at Bill Monroe's Memorial Park in Bean Blossom, Indiana, the largest and longest-running bluegrass festival in the world (since 1966). The group promotes and spreads the word about this legendary music park and its events throughout their travels.

The current line-up for The Karl Shiflett and Big Country Show includes: Karl Shiflett (lead vocals/rhythm guitar). Kris Shiflett (acoustic upright bass), Chris Hill (banjo/harmony vocals), C.J. Lewandowski (mandolin/harmony vocals) and Billy Hurt (fiddle).

Visit the website at www.karlshiflett.com

Karl Shiflett at www.pinecastlemusic.com

About Pinecastle Records:
Pinecastle Records was created nearly 22 years ago as a favor to a friend and has since grown into a legendary label with nearly 250 releases in its catalog including titles from some of the most influential musicians in the bluegrass genre such as Eddie Adcock, The Osborne Brothers, Jim and Jesse and Charlie Waller & The Country Gentlemen. Pinecastle has always placed an emphasis on fostering the talents of bluegrass up and comers and has helped with the growth of the careers of Terry Eldredge, Jesse Brock, Josh Williams, and Kristin Scott Benson, among others. Today, Pinecastle is situated in the mountains of southwestern North Carolina owned by businessman and medical doctor, Lonnie Lassiter.

Rebel Releases Selected Archive Cuts from Chris Jones!

2012-01-23T16:36:00.001-07:00

Lost Souls & Free Spirits: The Rebel Collection Old & New arrives February 28th

January 23, 2012 (Charlottesville, VA—Rebel Records is pleased to announce the release of a new collection from Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Lost Souls & Free Spirits: The Rebel Collection Old & New, on February 28th. Featuring 14 songs hand-picked by Chris himself, the CD is mostly drawn from three albums Chris recorded for Rebel between 1997 and 2000—No One But You (1997), Follow Your Heart (1998)and Just a Drifter (2000).

The project also includes three cuts from his 2009 self-released album, Cloud of Dust, along with three brand new recordings that, like Cloud of Dust, feature his current line-up of the Night Drivers: Ned Luberecki on banjo,Mark Stoffel on mandolin and Jon Weisberger on bass. One of the new cuts,“Final Farewell,” was released as an advanced single to bluegrass radio and is currently enjoying an enthusiastic response among DJs. The song hit #1 on BluegrassToday.com’s weekly airplay chart in December and debuted at #13 on its monthly chart for January.

Lost Souls & Free Spirits offers solid evidence that Chris Jones & The Night Drivers have a refined approach to bluegrass that, no matter the musicians, infuses a solid grasp of the tradition with heartfelt emotion and an unusual degree of thoughtfulness, wit and subtlety. Several aspects of the collection deserve special attention, starting with its nifty mixture of Jones originals and songs written by others. The former range from the oft-covered “Uphill Climb” and the crowd-pleasing “Bridge To Portsmouth” to “Final Farewell,” co-written with Night Drivers bass player Jon Weisberger; the latter include nods to classic country (the Delmore Brothers’ “Nashville Blues,” Johnny Horton’s “I’m Ready If You’re Willin’” and a Charley Pride hit, “I’d Rather Love You”) and contributions from long-time Jones friends like the late Harley Allen (“Train That Never Slows Down”) and, especially, Tom T. and Dixie Hall, represented by two modern classics, “The Man On The Side Of The Road” and the gripping “Hero In Harlan.” The net result is a set that confirms Jones’ reputation as both an unsurpassed song finder and as one of the finest song crafters of contemporary bluegrass.

Chris Jones has been a prominent figure in bluegrass music for nearly 30 years, initially breaking through with groups like Weary Hearts, Special Consensus, and Dave Evans & River Bend. In addition to being a band leader and gifted songwriter, Chris is also known as a popular host on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction channel. In 2007 he was awarded “Broadcaster of the Year” by members of the IBMA.

Lost Souls & Free Spirits (Rebel 7518) will be distributed by Entertainment One (eOne) Distribution.

SoundCloud reaches 10 Million Users!

2012-01-23T14:12:00.001-07:00

SoundCloud is now being enjoyed by 10 million sound creators around the world! 10 Million Thank You’s are just a bit over the top for individual attention, but SoundClound’s founders Alex and Eric have created a special Story Wheel to say thank you to each of the “SoundClouders”. Click Here

SoundCloud is the world’s leading social sound platform where anyone can create sounds and share them everywhere.

Recording and uploading sounds to SoundCloud lets people easily share them privately with their friends or publicly to blogs, sites and social networks.

It takes just a click to share sounds to Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook and Foursquare.

SoundCloud can be accessed anywhere using the official iPhone and Android apps, as well as hundreds of creation and sharing apps built on the SoundCloud platform.

For more about what SoundCloud can do, visit tour page.

Don't have a free account yet?

Fire Burns Up Motorhome at Blythe, CA Festival

2012-01-23T11:56:00.003-07:00

U P D A T E :

Alvin Blaine, the sound engineer for Old Blue Sound who posted this picture added this :

“last I heard the audience had raised over $3500 for the folks that lost their RV.”

Old Blue Sound engineer Alvin Blaine who was on duty during this past weekends festival in Blythe, CA posted this photo and blurb on his Facebook page.

“This weekends Bluegrass festival had a rough closing day for one family. Their RV went up in flames just a couple of hundred feet from the stage. They lost one of their cats to the fire, but no one else was hurt. A couple of guys ran up and pulled off the propane tanks before the flames got to them. I don't think anyone knows how it started, the owners said there was nothing on or plugged in. As soon as every one else got their rigs away from it, and about when the amo (sic) started going off, I moved my truck away from it. So glad something like that didn't happen on Saturday when we had the 30+mph wind.”

The Blythe Bluegrass Festival sponsored by the Blythe Chamber of Commerce was also plagued on Saturday with excessive winds that tore the canopy from it’s mountings on one of the stages on Saturday during the John Reischman and The Jaybirds’ morning set.

A spokesperson for the Blythe Chamber of Commerce declined comment but did confirm that no injuries were reported in either case.