More Photos, Larry Stephenson Band at Pennyroyal

Larry Stephenson at Pennyroyal

Friday night Darlene and I enjoyed a great night of Bluegrass at the Pennyroyal Opera House in Fairview Ohio. They bill themselves as "The place where Bluegrass happens", and Friday was a great example. Friday it was The Larry Stephenson Band, with opening act Lonesome Meadow.

Larry has assembled a great band, of course Larry is on mandolin and his signature high lead vocals, the great Kenny Ingram on banjo and harmony, veteran Mike Feagan on fiddle and bass vocals, they are joined by two outstanding young players, Kevin Richardson on guitar and harmony, with Kyle Perkins on bass.

A note to our Pittsburgh are readers, The Pennyroyal is not that far away, slightly over two hours for me, from Latrobe, much less from Pittsburgh. NOTE if you like to use your GPS plug in Fair St, Quaker City, OH., also they don't take reservations, so plan to arrive early, around fiveish, and enjoy their great sandwiches and deserts. The show starts at 7:oo pm and is over shortly after ten. It is an easy round trip and most will be home before midnight.

FYI, The Pennyroyal is a nonprofit operated by an all volunteer staff.

I will be posting more pictures in a separate post.

Darren Beachley and the Legends Sign Recording Deal

A Message from Darren Beachley:

We are thrilled to announce that Darren Beachley & Legends of the Potomac have signed with Patuxent Records!
Patuxent offers an unparalleled level of artistic control, in addition to boasting a reputation for working with some of the finest bluegrass musicians in today’s D.C. area scene. We have all known Tom Mindte, creator of Patuxent Records, for years are truly looking forward to collaborating with him. Recording is expected to begin in July 2009!
In other good news, Darren will be re-releasing his first two solo projects, “Remembrances” and “I Love You to the Moon and Back”, on MasterShield Records!
Check back for updates as these projects progress, and don’t forget to check out our schedule. The first Legends show will be here before you know it!
Darren Beachley
www.legendsofthepotomac.com
www.myspace.com/darrenbeachley

Traditional Ties, 03/01, Playlist

Contact info for new adds:
Balsam Range - http://www.balsamrange.com/ - http://crossroadsmusic.com/
Michael Martin Murphey - http://www.michaelmartinmurpheymusic.com/ - http://www.ruralrhythm.com/
Patrick NcAvinue - http://www.patmcavinue.com/ - http://www.pxrec.com/

Balsam Range / Julie's Train / Last Train to Kitty Hawk / Mountain Home2009-03-0122:02
Michael Martin Murphey / Carolina in the Pines / Buckaroo Blue Grass / Rural Rhythm2009-03-0122:07
Patrick McAvinue / Rutland's Reel / Rutland's Reel / Patuxent2009-03-0122:12
Blue Moon Rising / Where There's a Road / One Lonely Shadow / Lonesome Day2009-03-0122:16
Special Consensus / I'll Go to My Grave... / Signs / Pinecastle2009-03-0122:21
Northwest Territory / Picture In a Tear / Good Old Boys / Self2009-03-0122:24
Audie Blaylock / Whispering Waters / Audie Blaylock and Red Line / Rural Rhythm2009-03-0122:27
Balsam Range / The Holy Hills / Last Train to Kitty Hawk / Mountain Home2009-03-0122:31
Aldridge – Justice / River of Jordan / I'll Go With You / Pinecastle2009-03-0122:35
Bill Emerson / Beautiful / ...Sweet Dixie Band / Rebel2009-03-0122:38
Mac Martin / When I Reach That City / Venango / Copper Creek2009-03-0122:41
Allegheny Drifters / Babylon Is Fallen / Can't Wait / Self2009-03-0122:46
The Churchmen / I'm Not Alone / I'll Be Long Gone / Pinecastle2009-03-0122:48
Doyle Lawson / God Is Love / Help Is On the Way / Horizon2009-03-0122:51
Nothin' Fancy / Peace in the Valley / Lord Bless This House / Pinecastle2009-03-0122:54
Balsam Range / Last Train to Kitty Hawk / Last Train to Kitty Hawk / Mountain Home2009-03-0123:02
Balsam Range / Jack Diamond / Last Train to Kitty Hawk / Mountain Home2009-03-0123:06
Balsam Range / Jaxon Point / Last Train to Kitty Hawk / Mountain Home2009-03-0123:10
Balsam Range / Spring Will Bring Flowers / Last Train to Kitty Hawk / Mountain Home2009-03-0123:13
Michael Martin Murphey / Fiddlin' Man / Buckaroo Blue Grass / Rural Rhythm2009-03-0123:18
Patrick McAvinue / Old Dangerfield / Rutland's Reel / Patuxent2009-03-0123:22
Songs From the Road Band / Give Me a Ring Sometime / As the Crow Flies / Self2009-03-0123:27
Mark Delaney / Baby Blue Eyes / Sidecar / Patuxent2009-03-0123:31
Michael Martin Murphey / Close to the Land / Buckaroo Blue Grass / Rural Rhythm2009-03-0123:35
Patrick McAvinue / Down Yonder / Rutlands Reel / Patuxent2009-03-0123:39
Rogers & Johnson / When the Bands Played / When the Bands Played / New Time2009-03-0123:42
Remington Ryde / You'll Miss Me / The Ryde / Self2009-03-0123:45
Michael Martin Murphey / What Am I Doing... / Buckaroo Blue Grass / Rural Rhythm2009-03-0123:48
Patrick McVinue / With Body and Soul / Rutland's Reel / Patuxent2009-03-0123:51
Rhonda Vincent / The Water Is Wide / Good Thing Going / Rounder2009-03-0123:54
Patrick McAvinue / Rinky Dinkey Do / Rutland's Reel / Patuxent2009-03-0123:58

JOHN TROUT, WYEP FM, PITTSBURGH, PA. tties91@hotmail.com
'TRADITIONAL TIES'- NEW RELEASE BLUEGRASS WITH FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS. 91.3 WYEP, http://www.wyep.org 10:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.) Sundays. Streaming Audio

Traditional Ties, 03/01, Highlights

Traditional Ties will have three new adds this Sunday, 03/01. The feature will be from Balsam Range. New releases from Michael Martin Murphey and Patrick McAvinue will be introduced with mulitiple cuts played from each.

The complete playlist will be posted prior to the broadcast.

Traditional Ties, Sundays at 10:00 pm eastern time. 91.3 WYEP FM, Pittsburgh PA.

Streamig - http://wyep.org/

Rebel to Release - DRIVE-TIME BLUEGRASS

Presenting: DRIVE-TIME BLUEGRASS

May 6th is the release date for the newest addition to Rebel Records' popular budget-line series. Drive-Time Bluegrass speaks to both the recurring theme of travel, or "rambling" in Bluegrass music and the hard-driving sounds listeners have come to associate with the genre. Accordingly, the collection will feature high-energy, travel-themed music from many of the top names in the field including artists like Ralph Stanley, Del McCoury, The Seldom Scene, The Country Gentlemen, Blue Highway, and many others.

Northwest Territory with Lee Olson

Northwest Territory with Lee Olson, great memories of Whetstone Run

Recently my wife, Darlene, and I were privileged to attend a very special Northwest Territory concert in Wooster Ohio. The former leader of Whetstone Run, Lee Olson was the special guest.
Mike Gorrell leader of Northwest Territory, was lead singer and guitarist with Whetstone run for a decade beginning in 1977.

My wife and I have special memories of that period, we were just beginning to follow professional level Bluegrass during about that time. We enjoyed many nights of great Bluegrass from Whetstone Run and their special guests. Many Wednesday evenings we made the five hour round trip to Highway Pizza in State College Pa.

The highlights that are still vivid in our memories include a gentlemen who asked to set at out table during Whetstones's portion of the show. That man was Joe Val, it was our first encounter
with a genuine Bluegrass star. We learned then, what great people Bluegrass artists are, it was our only opportunity to meet and here Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys.
At Highway Pizza, we also had our only opportunity to see and hear The Country Gazette. I remain friends with Alan Munde and Roland White to this day.

Lee, later started to present shows at Freddie's in Windber Pa, a lot closer to home for us, we enjoyed many nights as well as Sunday afternoons there. We had our first of many chances to enjoy The Johnson Mountain Boys at Freddie's. We continue to remain friends with former Whetstone Run members we met there, including, Chris Jones, Lynn Morris, and Marshall Wilborn.

Lee, thanks booking all those shows, and thanks to all and the mentioned above and the current members of Northwest Territory, for the great memories.

A special thanks to Mike for putting together the reunion show.

If these ramblings aroused memories for you, there will be another opportunity to see Lee Olson with Northwest Territory. July 10, Central Pennsylvania Festival for the Arts, State College Pa.

And lest I forget, Northwest Territory will be at The Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival, Ligonier Pa., June 19.

Dove Nominations Announced

Here are the newly announced Dove nominations in the Bluegrass categories:

BLUEGRASS ALBUM
Bluegrass Worship; Various; Steve Ivey; Star Song Music
Help Is On The Way; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Doyle Lawson; Horizon Records
Hymns From Chigger Hill; Chigger Hill Boys & Terri; Mike Richards, Terri Argot Gore, Ricky Gore, Mark Dunham, Bobby Strangenberg, Ethan Blair, Justin Kropf; Daywind Records
I Don’t Regret A Mile; Larry Sparks; Larry Sparks; Sparks Music
Pickin’, Praisin’, & Singin’: Hymns From The Mountain; Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad; Bill McBee, Dale Thomas, Jerry Cole, Cody Shuler, Matt Flake; Rural Rhythm
We Are Family; Jeff & Sheri Easter, Lewis Family, Easter Brothers; Jeff Easter, Sheri Easter; Daywind Records
What A Journey; Paul Williams & The Victory Trio; Paul Williams; Rebel Records.

BLUEGRASS RECORDED SONG
"Help Is On The Way”; Help Is On The Way; Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; Michael E. Reed; Horizon Records
“I See A Crimson Stream”; Sounds Like Sunday; Janet Paschal; Garfield T. Haywood; Vine Records
“The Old White Flag”; You Gotta Love It!; Triumphant Quartet; Dianne Wilkinson; Daywind Records
“They’re Holding Up The Ladder”; We Are Family; Jeff & Sheri Easter, Lewis Family, Easter Brothers; Russell Easter, James Easter, Edd Easter; Daywind Records
“What Will I Wear”; I Just Wanted You To Know; Kim Hopper; Deborah Bailey; Canaan Records

Williams and Clark Weekend Tour

OH, WV, VA...Here We Come!

The Expedition will be making it's way to Ohio, West Viginia and Virginia this weekend. Catch the band at the Penny Royal Opera House in Fairview, OH for 2 shows begining at 7:00pm on Friday, Febraury 20th.

Saturday, February 21st the Expedition will perform 2 shows at the Mountaineer Opryhouse in Milton, WV beginning at 7:30pm.

Then the weekend tour wraps up when WCE meets up with their good friends, Nothin' Fancy for shows at 2:00pm in Appomattox, VA for the Appomattox High School Bluegrass Concert Series.Make plans to come on out and warm up with the Expedition!Complete Performance Calendar(Photo by Nora Canfield)

First Single from 3TO's New CD Will Be Released Digitally

February 18, 2009
First Single Available March 3rd from Upcoming New CD by RUSSELL MOORE & IIIRD TYME OUT


Listen to a clip of new single

Rural Rhythm Records is pleased to announce the first single from the UPCOMING new studio album, by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. “HARD ROCK MOUNTAIN PRISON (‘Til I Die)” will be released for commercial sale on MARCH 3, 2009 on ITunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, Zune and other outlets. The single was just released to Radio via the Rural Rhythm “Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks, No. 4” and will be available to Radio Stations via AirplayDirect.com next week.


Russell Moore commented on this advanced single release by saying, “The Anticipation for the new studio album has been very strong over the past several years and after the recent press release announcing that we were in the studio we just felt having our fans wait 3 more months was way too long.""Russell asked what we thought about releasing the single commercially similar to the approach taken many years ago in the music business. We thought this was a good idea as a commercial digital download since this could help build greater interest for the upcoming physical CD album through increased word of mouth communications and recommendations and at the same time create increased awareness and demand for Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out in the digital market which was still in it's infancy stage when their last studio album was released,” commented, Sam Passamano, President of the label.

Musicians on “HARD ROCK MOUNTAIN PRISON (‘Til I Die)” include: Russell Moore (lead vocals, guitar); Steve Dilling (banjo, harmony vocal), Wayne Benson (mandolin), Justen Haynes (fiddle); Edgar Loudermilk (bass, harmony vocal).

The upcoming CD is being produced by Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. The upcoming new album will be the group's 15th career album and the first release since their 2004 hit CD, "The Best Durn Ride."

Traditional Ties, 02/22, Playlist

Contact info for new adds:

Remington Ryde - http://remingtonryde.con/

Dry Branch Fire Squad - http://drybranchfiresquad.com/ - http://rounder.com/

Mark Delaney - http://pxrec.com/

Remington Ryde / Can't Seem to Stay Ahead / The Ryde / Self2009-02-2222:02

Dry Branch Fire Squad / Dixie Cowboy / Echoes of the Mountains / Rounder2009-02-2222:06

Mark Delaney / Candlewood / Sidecar / Patuxent2009-02-2222:13

Melonie Cannon / Back to Earth / And the Wheels Turn / Rural Rhythm2009-02-2222:16

Sawmill Road / Last Train to Dixie / One / Self2009-02-2222:20

Longview / Weathered Gray Stone / Deep in the Mountains / Rounder2009-02-2222:23

Robin & LInda Williams / Maybelle's Guitar and Monroe's Mandolin / Buena Vista / Red House2009-02-2222:28

Remington Ryde / A Robin Built a Nest... / The Ryde / Self2009-02-2222:32

Dry Branch.... / Thank You Lord / Echoes of the Mountains / Rounder2009-02-2222:35

Mark Delaney / Let Me Walk Lord, By Your Side / Sidecar / Patuxent2009-02-2222:39

Lynn Beckman / Meeting in the Air / Grassland to Gloryland / Self2009-02-2222:44

Dry Branch.... / When You See Those Flying Saucers / Echoes of the Mountain2009-02-2222:49

Greenbrier / The Back of the Book / Back of the Book / Self2009-02-2222:51

Third Tyme Out / I Pray My Way Out of Trouble / Compliation / Rounder2009-02-2222:53

James King / Will He Wait a Little Longer / Gardens in the Sky / Rounder2009-02-2222:57

Remington Ryde / You'll Miss Me / The Ryde / Self2009-02-2223:02

Remington Ryde / Dog Gone Daddy / The Ryde / Self2009-02-2223:06

Remington Ryde / You Can't Break My Heart / The Ryde / Self2009-02-2223:10

Remington Ryde / I'll Wait for You / The Ryde / Self2009-02-2223:13

Dry Branch.... / Seven Spanish Angels / Echoes of the Mountain / Rounder2009-02-2223:18

Mark Delaney / McCormick String Picnic / Sidecar / Patuxent2009-02-2223:22

Chris Stuart / Crooked Man / Crooked Man / Backcountry2009-02-2223:24

Special Consensus / Gone to Carolina / Signs / Pinecastle2009-02-2223:28

Dry Branch... / Roving Gambler / Echoes of the Mountains / Rounder2009-02-2223:32

Mark Delaney / Fireball Express / Sidecar / Patuxent2009-02-2223:36

Pam Gadd / After the Fire Is Gone / Benefit of Doubt / Self2009-02-2223:39

Rogers & Johnsonwhen the Bands PlayedWhen the Bands Played / New Time2009-02-2223:42

Songs from the Road Band / As the Crow Flies / As the Crow Flies / Self2009-02-2223:47

Grascals/ Happy Go Lucky / Keep On Walkin' / Rounder2009-02-2223:51

Junior Sisk / The Man in the MoonBlue Side.... / Rebel2009-02-2223:53

Mark Delany / Magneto / Sidecar / Pa / tuxant2009-02-2223:5631

JOHN TROUT, WYEP FM, PITTSBURGH, PA. tties91@hotmail.com

'TRADITIONAL TIES'- NEW RELEASE BLUEGRASS WITH FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS. 91.3 WYEP, http://www.wyep.org 10:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.) Sundays. Streaming Audio 1608 JEFFERSON ST, LATROBE PA, 15650 -2940

Link to Traditional Ties web pages: http://wyep.org/traditionalties

Traditional Ties, 02/22, Highlights

This Sunday on Traditional Ties three new CDs will be introduced. Eastern Pennsylvania's Remington Ryde will be introduced to our audiences, this great traditional Bluegrass band will be featured.

A new banjo CD from Mark Delaney formerly of the Country Gentlemen, now with Darren Auldridge's new group, and the first new studio recording from Dry Branch Fire Squad in several years, will also be included with multiple cuts.

Sunday, on WYEP 91.3 FM, 10:00 pm. (Pittsburgh PA) Streaming - http://wyep.org/

The complete playlist will be posted here, prior to Sunday.

New CD Coming From Jessie Baker

Jessie Baker Puts Finishing Touches On Solo Project

Jessie Baker, banjo prodigy for Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, is working on his first solo project. The yet-to-be titled CD is an all instrumental effort that features Jessie on banjo, Dudley Connell on guitar, David McLaughlin on mandolin and fellow band-mates Michael Cleveland on fiddle and Marshall Wilborn on bass.We recently caught up with Dudley Connell who had this to say about working with Jessie on this project:"Playing rhythm guitar under Jessie Baker’s right-hand banjo roll brings to mind three words…. three words? Yes, three words. Duck and cover! Jessie’s note choices and sheer driving banjo style is uncompromising and takes no prisoners. So buy this CD, crank up the volume, then duck and cover. It’s an awesome experience."Jessie's CD will be released later this year on Patuxent Music.

Flamekeeper in the Boston Globe

Flamekeeper In The Boston Globe

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper were featured in a recent edition of the Boston Globe, promoting the band's performance this past weekend for the 24th Annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival in Framingham, MA. You may read the story here.

Dailey and Vincent Win Six SPBGMA Awards

DAILEY & VINCENT WIN SIX SPBGMA BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS

NASHVILLE, TENN. (February 16, 2009)--Rounder Records duo Dailey & Vincent won six awards at the 35th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards, held last night at the Sheraton Music City Hotel. Together they were honored for Bluegrass Band of the Year (Overall), Vocal Group of the Year, Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary) and Song of the Year ("By the Mark"), while Jamie Dailey was named Male Vocalist of the Year (Contemporary) and Darrin Vincent was named Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year.

Dailey & Vincent were not present for the awards show, due to a prior commitment to perform at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival in Framingham, Massachusetts, on the same day. When they learned about the awards they received, Vincent said, "We continue to be overwhelmed and humbled by how much we've been blessed. Thank you to everyone who voted. This means the world to us!"

Dailey & Vincent will perform at Joe's Pub in Manhattan tomorrow night, celebrating the forthcoming release of their sophomore album for Rounder, Brothers From Different Mothers (in stores March 31). On Monday, February 23, they will be in Lexington, Kentucky, to tape Michael Johnathon's WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour. For a full list of tour dates, click here.

Nothin' Fancy, Most Entertaining Again

Nothin' Fancy Named SPBGMA's "Entertaining Group of the Year" Second Year In A Row

Virginia-based bluegrass band Nothin' Fancy was awarded the top accolade of the evening during the 35th Annual National SPBGMA (Society For The Preservation Of Bluegrass Music Of America) Awards when the band was named "Entertaining Group Of The Year" by the association's members for the second year in a row. The awards were held at the Music City Sheraton Hotel in Nashville, TN on Sunday, February 15th.

Nothin' Fancy was all smiles when they accepted the honor. "We couldn't do this without the fans!", stated Mike Andes, lead singer and mandolin player for the group. "We're just down-home folks. The only difference between us and the fans is, we stand on the stage." Nothin' Fancy performed earlier in the evening and received the only standing ovation of the night. The award comes on the heels of Pinecastle Records' release of the band's first all-gospel project and 8th CD, Lord Bless This House, on January 27th.

Nothin’ Fancy was formed as a bluegrass band in September of 1994 with the sole purpose of competing in the East Coast Bluegrass Championship in Crimora, Virginia. After winning their auspicious debut, they have grown in popularity, released 8 full length albums and one CD single, played the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, the Lincoln Center in New York City, and the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. They have successfully hosted the Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival annually since 2001 in Buena Vista, Virginia.

Mike Andes Fiddles

Michael Andes Fiddles - What's Up With This?

Mike plays mandolin, guitar and bass, but has never shown a desire to play a fiddle. We all know Mike is a talented singer, songwriter and mandolinist with Nothin’ Fancy, but we didn’t know of his hidden talents with woodworking.

Before playing music professionally, Mike was sawing, sanding, carving and building things with wood. Well he’s back at it again, but this time it’s not chairs, tables, chests, custom moldings or cabinets; it’s fiddles.

Why fiddles - why not mandolins? When asked, Mike simply says “I don’t play fiddle, so it’s very rewarding to hear someone else play what I’ve created.”

Mike uses Chris Sexton as his test pilot. Chris plays each fiddle and gives Mike his honest opinion and suggestions. Mike has built eight fiddles so far. The first one was given to his oldest brother, Randy. Mitchell Davis plays one of Mike’s fiddles on twin fiddle songs with Chris and “I’ve sold one,” says Mike with a grin.

Mike is currently in the process of building Chris a five string fiddle. “That’s how I pay my test pilot,” says Mike. “Each fiddle I’ve built has its own character; this intrigues me as a woodworker and drives me to build one after another. I don’t think I’ll quit my day job with Nothin’ Fancy to build fiddles full time, but I must say I do enjoy this new step into my old trade.”

Mike signs, dates and numbers each fiddle and they are available for purchase. Contact Mike at mike@nothinfancybluegrass.com for information, pictures and prices.

The Chapmans Economic Stimulus Package

A message from Jeremy Chapman:

Hey ChapFans, as fans of the Chaps, we thought we would fill you in on The Chapmans official Economic Stimulus Package.

We hope that with your help this plan will create a crazy amount of new jobs somewhere or at least buy me another month’s supply of Ramen Noodles. What is this plan? Well it’s really not all that exciting to the non-economists among you I’m sure. I’ll try to keep it simple and straight ahead. Basically, in laymen’s terms we added a link on the Chap-TV website to our online store. I guess that’s pretty much it in technical terms too.

How does that fix the economy? Think about it… for each CD, T-shirt, Photo, or glowing stick you buy, someone gets a job making a new one. Then there are the Postal workers that bring it to your door. And most importantly I get paid which means I get to buy more Ramen Noodles. Yay! Plus, someone has got to be folding those noodles into a delicious dried square which I just add water to. I make it possible for him to eat Tortino’s pizza.

What do you get? Well, on top of the Notes From Home, Follow Me, and Simple Man CD, we have a very limited number of the Live! From New Brunswick limited edition CD featuring:
1. Losing Again 2. Ode To The Simple Man 3. The Photograph 4. Old Kentucky 5. Out Among The Stars 6. Willow Garden 7. Old Man In The Shanty 8. Sometime You Just Can't Win 9. You Can Run (But You Can't Hide) 10. Long Black Limousine 11. You Send Me plus 3 never before release studio recordings: 12. Redwood Hill 13. River Of Sorrow 14. I Wanna Be Loved Like That
We also have a limited number of really cool ladies T-Shirts available. If that doesn’t excite you, than I don’t know what will. Be sure to check out the new store even if you’re not in the market for anything. This will be the spot where you can pre-order the new CD that we’re currently tracking, and let me tell you I played some of my best notes on this new CD, so you’re gonna want to pre-order so you can hear them. I put a lot of thought into their selection and I think it paid off. We’ll be getting some new video’s on Chap-TV soon to fill you all in on how that’s coming. So check out the store, and prepare yourself for new videos coming soon.

Thanks,
Jeremy (Fingers) Chapman
www.chap-tv.com
-The Chapmanshttp://www.reverbnation.com/thechapmans

Traditional Ties, 02/15, Playlist

Contact info for new adds:

Special Concensus - http://www.specialc.com/ - http://pinecastle.com/

Songs From the Road Band - http://www.myspace.com/songsfromtheroadband

Bill Evans & Megan Lynch - http://www.myspace.com/billevansandmeganlynch - http://www.nativeandfine.com/

Special Consensus / Signs / Signs / Pinecastle2009-02-1522:02

Songs From the Road Band / Don't Give Up on Me / As the Crow Flies / Lucks Dumpy Toad2009-02-1522:06

Evans & Lynch / Rocks and Water / Let's Do Something... / Native & Fine2009-02-1522:11 Pam Gadd / Black Water Rock / Benefit of Doubt / Self2009-02-1522:16

Blue Highway / Life of a Travelin' Man / Through the Window... / Rounder2009-02-1522:19

Whitetop Mountain Band / Keep My Skillet... / Loafer's Dream / Mountain Roads2009-02-1522:22

David Parmley / Refill of Your Love / 3 Silver dollars / Pinecastle2009-02-1522:24

Special Consensus / Snowball Breakdown / Signs / Pinecastle2009-02-1522:27

Elkville String Band / Shall We Gather / Over the Mountain / Mountain Roads2009-02-1522:31

Nothin' Fancy /Peace in the Valley / Lord Bless This House / Pinecastle2009-02-1522:34

Lonesome River Band / Darkness Wept / No Turning Back / Rural Rhythm2009-02-1522:38

Special Consensus / What a Beautiful Day / Signs / Pinecastle2009-02-1522:42

Joe Mullens / Deeper Than the Stain / Tuned In / Self2009-02-1522:47

Cross Point String Band / In the Hollow / Cross Point String Band / Self2009-02-1522:50

Ernie Thacker / Church Upon the Hill / The Hangman / Pinecastle2009-02-1522:53

Carolina Road / Smiling Faces / ...Give Jesus a Try / Blue Circle2009-02-1522:56

Special Consensus / Gone to Carolina / Signs / Pinecastle2009-02-1523:02

Special Consensus / Talkin' Bout It / Signs / Pinecastle2009-02-1523:06

Special Consensus / Mountain Girl /S igns / Pinecastle2009-02-1523:09

Special Consensus / I'll Go to My Grave... / Signs / Pinecastle2009-02-1523:13

Songs From the Road Band / As the Crow Flies / As the Crow Flies / Lucks Dumpy Toad2009-02-1523:17

Evans & Lynch / Old Dog / Let's Do Something / Native & Fine2009-02-1523:21

Rickey Wasson/Roll On Buddy / From the Heart and Soul / Rural Rhythm2009-02-1523:24

Jeannette Williams /I Forgot More... / Thank You for Caring / Blue Circle2009-02-1523:27

Songs From the Road Band /Give Me a Ring Sometime / As the Crow Flies / Lucks Dumpy Toad2009-02-1523:30

Kristin Scott Benson/ Bugle Call Rag / Second Season / Pinecastle2009-02-1523:34

Junior Sisk / The Man in Red Camels / Blue Side of..../ Rebel2009-02-1523:37

Big Country Bluegrass / High Alleghenies / Open for Business / Mountain Roads2009-02-1523:40

Audie Blaylock / Send Me Your Address.... / Audie Blaylock and Red Line / Rural Rhythm2009-02-1523:44

Kenny and Amanda Smith / Changing / Live and Learn / Rebel2009-02-1523:48

Grascals / Feeling Blue / Keep on Walkin' / Rounder2009-02-1523:52

Evans & Lynch / The Distance Between Two Points / Let's Do Something / Native & Fine2009-02-1523:56

JOHN TROUT, WYEP FM, PITTSBURGH, PA. tties91@hotmail.com

'TRADITIONAL TIES'- NEW RELEASE BLUEGRASS WITH FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS. 91.3 WYEP, http://www.wyep.org/ 10:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.) Sundays. Streaming Audio

1608 JEFFERSON ST, LATROBE PA, 15650 -2940

Link to Traditional Ties web pages: http://wyep.org/traditionalties

Oil Country Bluegrass Festival, Oil City PA - Schedule

TO: Bluegrass Fans planning to attend the Oil Country BluegrassFestival this weekend in Oil City, PA.FROM: Ron Shoup, Festival Co-Chair

The following list is the list we have as of 2/10/09:
OIL COUNTRY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
THE ARLINGTON HOTEL, 5th FLOOR
BAND LINEUPFRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 13
6:00 P.M.The Hidingers and Friends
6:30 P.M.Dr. Brad Fell
7:00 P.M.Out've the Blue
7:30 P.M.Grover and the Nighthawks
8:00 P.M.The Pine Valley Boys
8:30 P.M.The Stillhouse Pickers
9:00 P.M.The Keister Family Band
9:30 P.M.Tiger Maple String Band

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
11:00 - 11:30 A.M.The Dempseytown Ramblers
11:30 - NoonAnnouncements & Contest Preparation
NOON - 1:00 PMOIL150 Songwriting/Performing Competition - Main Stage
1:00 P.M.Crabapple Creek
1:30 P.M.Mountain Harmony
2:00 P.M. The Done Inn String Band
2:30 P.M.Wind River
3:00 P.M.The Allegheny String Band
3:30 P.M.The New Generation String Band
4:00 P.M.The Doghouse Three
4:30 P.M.The Old Hats
5:00 P.M.Church Street Blues
5:30 P.M.Full Steam Ahead
6:00 P.M.The Allegheny Drifters
6:30 P.M.The Clear Creek String Band
7:00 P.M.Well Strung
7:30 P.M.Francine and The Mountain Top Band
8:00 P.M.Family Pride
8:30 P.M. Bits 'n Pieces
9:00 P.M. Hidden Drive
9:30 P.M.Road Apple Ridge
10:00 P.M.Backwoods Bluegrass

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 - GOSPEL MUSIC
9:30 A.M.Dr. Brad Fell
10:00 A.M.Darl Weckerly and Family Band
10:30 A.M.The South Side String Dings
11:00 A.M.The Allegheny Drifters
11:30 A.M.Darl Weckerly and Family Band

WE HOPE YOU CAN SPEND THE WEEKEND WITH US.

SCR On Northeast Tour, This Weekend

This is short notice but some may find it useful.

Steep Canyon Rangers perform in PA, NY, NH and MA this weekend...

Steep Canyon NORTHEAST TOUR FEB. 11 thru Feb. 15:

WED.
FEB. 11
HISTORIC SELLERSVILLE THEATER (1894)
Sellersville, PA 8pm

THU.
FEB. 12
CAFFE LENA
Saratoga Springs, NY 7pm

FRI.
FEB. 13
JOE VAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Framingham, MA 10:40pm Set

SAT.
FEB. 14
CONCERT FOR NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED AT GRACE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
Nashua, NH 8pm
SUN.

FEB. 15
JOE'S PUB - N.Y.C.
New York , NY 7:30pm

Hope to see you at the show!-S.C.R.

Michael Martin Murphey releases Bluegrass CD

Michael Martin Murphey's "Buckaroo Blue Grass" Album and New Music Video Now Released

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce today’s new album release of “BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS” by Michael Martin Murphey that includes two recently released singles, “Carolina in the Pines” and “Lone Cowboy.” Terry Herd from the Bluegrass Radio Network said, “Michael Martin Murphey's music has always had an uncanny ability to reach across genres and generations to connect with fans of all kinds of music. With ‘BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS,’ he's taken that gift a step further by scoring a direct hit on the heart's of bluegrass fans both young and old, and believe me, that is not an easy thing to do!" Another track from the album, “Close to the Land (America’s Heartland),” now in its fourth year as the theme song for the national hit television show America’s Heartland, is now available in VIDEO RELEASE. This music video includes images from Paul Mobley’s book, THE AMERICAN FARMER - a recent winner of the Book of the Year Award from the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The video is available for viewing Vimeo.com/3149339.

Erik Ness, Director of Communications for the New Mexico Farm Bureau was very enthusiastic about “BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS” and recently wrote, “The new album on Rural Rhythm Records contains several, sudden surprises including a bluegrass revival of a long-ago Monkee’s song ‘What Am I Doing Hanging Around?’ Murphey wrote the song during his formative music days in California. His compadre, Monkee leader Michael Nesmith, put the song on one of the group’s albums making it one of first big time songs for the young singer/songwriter from Texas. In this version Murphey breaths new life into it like a cowboy blowing on the morning coals of his campfire.

”Many fans have been curious about the spelling of “BLUE GRASS” on the CD instead of “bluegrass” so record label President, Sam Passamano explains, "When Murph and I were developing the cover art for ‘BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS’, I mentioned that it would be cool if we used the old school alternative spelling for Blue Grass that can be found on many classic albums by our Bluegrass Legends and many of our Rural Rhythm titles released in the 60's that almost always used this ‘Blue Grass alternative spelling. Murph thought that this would be a nice touch to connect something from the genres past to the present as he delivers his own Bluegrass style to many of the well known and loved, Michael Martin Murphey classic songs...And a few new ones, like his current single ‘Lone Cowboy.”"It was a nice honor for ‘BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS’ to be selected to appear on the cover of the RYKO Distribution New Release Book, which included all their Label's new release titles scheduled for a February 10th street date. Quite a nice nod of support from our National Distributor and the support for the album from our music retailers has be very strong too, with excellent product coverage at all levels; Chains, Independents, Mass Merchants and Online,” Passamano continued.

On March 1, 2009, Murphey will be honored along with Willie Nelson, Guy Cark and Allen Shamblin by The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association at the Fifth Annual Homecoming Concert to be held at the Paramount Theater, in Austin, Texas. The concert and awards ceremony will feature performances by these honorees in an intimate, in-the-round songwriter showcase. On April 26, 2009, Murphey will serve as Host of the 7th Annual Texas Music Awards at the Palestine Civic Center in Palestine, Texas on April 26, 2000 and will perform in concert after the show.

For more information on Michael Martin Murphey including a complete tour schedule, please visit: http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=9716529&msgid=333958&act=9LKC&c=139089&admin=0&destination=http://www.michaelmartinmurpheymusic.com/

Traditional Ties, 02/15, Highlights

This Sunday Traditional Ties will have three new adds from Special Consensus, Songs From the Road Band, and Bill Evans and Megan Lynch. Several cuts will be played from each CD with Special Consensus being featured.

Traditional Ties is heard Sundays at 10:00 pm, on WYEP FM 91.3, Pittsburgh PA

Streaming audio - http://wyep.org/

Traditional Ties, 02/08, Playlist And Thank You

Thanks to all who contributed so generously to support bluegrass on WYEP, during our winter membership campaign, A special thank you to "Bill from Beaver" and the folks behind the "January Ice Jam." Their challenges were just what was needed to spur a great response from the listeners.

Last night's playlist in an altered format follows:

Lonesome River Band / Like A Train needs A Track
Michael Cleveland / I'm Feeling For You
Big Country Bluegrass / High Alleghenies
David Parmley / Winsborough Cotton Mill Blues
Kristen Scott Benson / No Steering No Breaks
Jeanette Williams / I Will Survive
Nothin' Fancy / Lean On Me
The Churchmen / Final Harvest
Aldridge – Justice / Wayfaring Stranger (7&8)
Doyle Lawson / Help Is On The Way
Paul Williams / I Went Down A Beggar....
Pine Mountain Railroad / Run On
True Bluegrass / With Care From Someone
Mac Martin / New Curly Headed Baby
Blue Shades / Gardens And Memories
The Allegheny Drifters / Can't Wait
Northwest Territory / Fields Of Clay
Mountain Therapy / Over The Rainbow
Blue Moon Rising / Angeline
Cherryholmes / I Can Only Love you
Ralph Stanley / Rocky Island
Steeldrivers / Blue Side Of The Mountain
Dan Tyminski / Wheels
Dailey And Vincent / Sweet Carrie
Alan Munde / Traditional Family Breakdown

Next week we will be back to the normal format, with at least three new adds and more music.

Thanks again!

Jesse McReynolds Honors Butch Balsassari

The Southeast Community
Fire Department
Presents the 16th annual

McREYNOLDS MEMORIAL
BLUEGRASS MUSIC SPECTACULAR

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2009 at 6:30 pm

Gallatin Civic Center
Gallatin, TN
A Concert
In honor of the memory of Butch Baldassari

~ Featuring ~
Jesse McReynolds & the Virginia Boys with Amanda Lynn
Luke McKnight & Thunder Road
New Foundation
Bluegrass Alliance
Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe
Barry Scott & Second Wind
Daniel Rothwell
Buddy Griffin & Ashley Messenger
Sam Jackson, MC
Other special guests to be announced

Admission: Adults $15.00 Children 6-12: $7.00 Under 6: Free

For more information, call (615)452-7321

Email: jimandjesse@bellsouth.net
www.jimandjesse.com

Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival - 2009

The seventh annual "Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival" line up has been finalized. This year the festival will be Friday June 19 and Saturday June 20 , on the beautiful grounds of The Ligonier Township Volunteer Fire Company, station 44, near Ligonier Pa.

The festival web site will be updated soon, please check it often.

Scheduled to perform are two great national acts, Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie (S), and Special Consensus (S). There will be two outstanding regional bands, Northwest Territory (F) and The Bluegrass Mountaineers (F & S).

The traveling bands will be complimented by some of Western Pennsylvania's finest acts, Mac,Martin and the Dixie Travelers (S), The Allegheny Drifters (S), Blue Shades, (S), and Poverty Hollow (F).

As always the festival will include some fine workshops on Saturday. Bill Emerson and Tom Adams will join in presenting the banjo workshop and Poverty Hollow will be this year's lead vocal and vocal harmony presenters.

More details will be released soon. Band profiles will be posted to the web site, and also on this blog.

UPDATE: Most of the band bio information has now be added to the festival web site, including New Generation, who will be making a special appearance on Thursday after the annual Fish Fry. More about Thursday's pre festival events, including the Famous Fish Fry, will be forthcoming. (02/08, 4:43pm)

BBU Heritage Awards

BOSTON BLUEGRASS UNION ANNOUNCES 2009 BBU HERITAGE AWARD WINNERS

BOSTON – The Boston Bluegrass Union (BBU) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2009 BBU Heritage Awards. The awards are presented each year by the BBU to honor those who have made substantial contributions to furthering bluegrass in New England. The awards will be presented during the 24th annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, Presidents Day Weekend, February 13 – 15, 2009, at the Sheraton Framingham, Framingham, MA.

This year’s Music Industry winners are:
Al Hawkes: Musician, entertainer, record label owner, and collector Al Hawkes has contributed to bluegrass and country music in nearly every possible capacity. In 1956 in Westbrook, Maine, he founded Event Records and released early recordings by such key artists as The Lilly Brothers and Don Stover, Charlie Bailey (of the Bailey Brothers), Dick Curless, and many more. Born in 1930, Hawkes formed his first band in high school, singing and playing an array of stringed instruments. To this day, he continues to be an active performer, and has received over 25 awards. In addition to releasing a number of important recordings on Event, Hawkes is one of the foremost record collectors in New England, whose archive includes over 40,000 45s, 78s, and LPs.

Sandy Sheehan: Since 1970, Sandy’s Music and its proprietor Sandy Sheehan have been essential lynchpins in the Boston area’s traditional music scene. First captivated by folk, old-time, Celtic, blues, and bluegrass music in the 1960s, Sheehan established Sandy’s as a one-stop shop where one could peruse (and pick) a diverse range of stringed instruments, browse through new and old traditional music LPs and CDs, have instrument repairs done, take a music lesson, and get advice from the laconic, chain-smoking, banjo-picking owner. Sandy’s quickly became a hub for the traditional music community, with Sheehan hosting (and continuing to host) weekly Monday-night jams at the store and occasional old-time nights at Johnny D.’s. Since 1986, Sheehan has also hosted the popular Traditional Folk program on WUMB.

This year’s Musician award winners are:
The Original Members of Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys: Founded in 1970, Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys featured Joe Val on mandolin and vocals, Herb Applin on guitar and vocals, Bob French on banjo and vocals, and bassist Bob Tidwell. With Val’s stratospheric tenor leading the way, the New England Bluegrass Boys worked tirelessly to bring traditional, hard-driving, Monroe-derived bluegrass to New England audiences. Through their riveting performances and a series of albums on the Cambridge-based Rounder label (beginning with Rounder’s third release, 1971’s One Morning In May), they helped to develop a fervent, dedicated audience for bluegrass and stringband music in New England – a community that still thrives today and gathers annual at the award-winning festival that bears Val’s name.
The Boston Bluegrass Union is a 501(c)3 non-profit, all volunteer organization, dedicated to preserving and promoting this original American music genre. Celebrating our 33rd season, the BBU is the premier source for events, education, and information on bluegrass music in the Northeast.
Additional Media Information: Contact Gerry Katz at gkatz@bbu.org or (617) 515-8383 for additional information, images, or interview requests. Visit www.bbu.org for festival details, including Main Stage and Workshop schedules, artist biographies, and more.

Steeldrivers On TV Portion Of Grammys

STEELDRIVERS RECEIVE GRAMMY NOMINATION!
TO BE INCLUDED IN TV BROADCAST!

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, The SteelDrivers received a Grammy nomination for "Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group for their song "Blue Side of the Mountain". The 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Feb. 8, 2009, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Here are the all the nominees in the category.
God Must Be Busy, Brooks & DunnTrack from: Cowboy Town[Arista Nashville]

Blue Side Of The Mountain, The SteelDriversTrack from: The SteelDrivers[Rounder]

Love Don’t Live Here, Lady AntebellumTrack from: Lady Antebellum[Capitol Records Nashville]

Stay, Sugarland Track from: Enjoy The Ride[Mercury Records]

Every Day, Rascal Flatts Track from: Still Feels Good[Lyric Street Records]

Bluegrass Academy Added To Delfest

Bluegrass Academy AddedTo 2009 DelFest Schedule

After a spectacularly successful 2008 festival, the folks at McCoury Music and High
Sierra Music have added a bluegrass music academy to the program for DelFest 2009,
broadening and enriching the festival experience for all levels of musicians. The first
DELFEST ACADEMY will take place May 18-21, 2009; DelFest 2009 follows directly,
on May 22-24.

The 2009 DELFEST ACADEMY will consist of a friendly, encouraging, and
intensive three-day learning experience with a group of some of the finest musicians in
bluegrass: mandolinist Ronnie McCoury, banjo player Rob McCoury, fiddler Jason
Carter, and bassist Alan Bartram, the Steep Canyon Rangers, as well as Ronnie
Bowman.

As members of the Del McCoury Band, Rob, Ronnie, Alan and Jason have won IBMA’s
Entertainer of the Year award nine times. Oxford American called them “The best
Bluegrass band in the world. Period.” The Steep Canyon Rangers are great musicians in
their own right and have won the IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year Award. Ronnie
Bowman’s bluegrass and songwriting credentials would fill up a notebook from his stint
with the Lonesome River Band, leading his own band and writing two #1 country radio
hits. With sterling credentials as celebrated performers, plus years of experience teaching
at various workshops and festival academies such as Rockygrass and Wintergrass, these
enormously gifted musicians will create an environment for learning unlike any other.

The Academy will offer two levels of instruction: Level 1 (novice to intermediate)
and Level 2 (intermediate to advanced) for guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and bass. A
meet & greet for students and instructors will kick off the academic week. A Q&A
session with the Del McCoury Band and a wrap party on Thursday night will also take
place. Each student may bring a guest to all extracurricular “after-class” functions for a
nominal fee.

In intimate classes led these world-class bluegrass professionals, students will receive
instruction targeted to their individual needs, with plenty of opportunity for one-on-one
interaction with their instructors. The overall direction of each class will ultimately be
determined by the students’ goals and needs. Students may expect to learn how to lead
jams and receive tips on practicing, technique, and accompaniment, and benefit from
direct interaction with instructors who can help them achieve their musical objectives. If
there is enough interest, the Academy may also add some elective classes on singing and
songwriting.

DelFest 2009, set to kick off on May 22 (the day after DelFest Academy ends), offers a
fantastic lineup for its second event (watch for a complete line-up announcement on
February 7th. A celebration of the musical heritage of Del McCoury, DelFest is a familyfriendly
event and takes place at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD.
Personally chosen by Del, this site is nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic

Pickin' In The Panhandle Announces Lineup

Pickin' in the Panhandle: The WV State BBQ & Bluegrass Festival Announces 2009 Music Lineup Featuring The Charlie Daniels Band

Pickin' in the Panhandle: The West Virginia State BBQ & Bluegrass Festival is pleased to announce its lineup for this year's two-day festival in which bluegrass musicians from across the country, will showcase their mountain roots September 12-13 in Back Creek Valley, near Martinsburg, West Virginia, about a hour from Washington, DC. Pickin' 2009 features special guest star: The Charlie Daniels Band.

Martinsburg, WV February 5, 2009 -- Pickin' in the Panhandle: The West Virginia State BBQ & Bluegrass Festival is pleased to announce its lineup for this year's two-day festival in which bluegrass musicians from across the country will showcase their mountain roots September 12-13 in Back Creek Valley, near Martinsburg, West Virginia, about a hour from Washington, D.C.
The Charlie Daniels Band are the featured guest star of Pickin' 2009!
Sponsored by the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, The Charlie Daniels Band will headline the 2009 event as the featured guest star.

The festival is pleased to also welcome back crowd favorites; Cadillac Sky, Lonesome Highway The Rolling Coyotes, Sleepy Creek and The Vaughn Family to its lineup. Mark Silver and The Stonethrowers, winner of the 2008 Pickin' in the Panhandle Bluegrass Band competition, is also part of this years' lineup.

New to the Pickin' in the Panhandle lineup this year are:
The Charlie Daniels Band - With a career spanning over five decades, The Charlie Daniels Band is famous for its contributions to southern and country rock music. In 2008, The Charlie Daniels Band released a bluegrass DVD Preachin', Prayin', Singin'.
Kenny and Amanda Smith Band - Winners of the International Bluegrass Music Association's prestigious Emerging Artist of the Year award in 2003, the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band combines gutsy, heartfelt vocals, brilliant instrumental talents and a powerful, contemporary sense of song choice and arrangement into one of the most compelling new sounds in bluegrass today.
The Dixie Bee-liners - With a cult following reaching far beyond their south-western Virginia stomping grounds, and a debut album voted one of the Reviewer's Top Five Picks by Bluegrass Now, Pinecastle Records recording artists The Dixie Bee-liners are creating quite a buzz.
Jett's Creek - The traditional bluegrass tunes, tight family harmony and incredible original material by Jett's Creek will definitely add a fresh perspective to what you have heard before. The band members have a long history in bluegrass and there is nothing like family harmony to give them their tight sound.
Out and Runnin' - O&R is an eclectic mix of soul/funk meets alternative bluegrass. O&R personalities are eccentric and engaging and can turn a song into a story that evokes every emotion from uncontrollable laughter to heart wrenching tears. Listening to them is not an experience you want to miss out on!
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice - Junior Sisk And Ramblers Choice are gaining great recognition as one of the best traditional bluegrass bands to hit the scene in decades. With the brand new release of their debut album on Rebel Records, "Blue Side Of The Blue Ridge", the band has once again captured something magical. The pleasant mix of old and new is sure to offer something here for everyone.
The Soul Pickers - The Soul Pickers are a six-piece bluegrass-gospel band from Hazel Green, AL. The band's journey together began in September of 2003, when three friends followed the Lord's leadership and formed the band. Since that time, the Soul Pickers have done over 450 dates, including special church singings, homecomings, and revivals. They have also had doors opened to places where gospel music is not so highly regarded, as well as numerous radio and television appearances.
Midnight Ramblers - The Midnight Ramblers got its humble beginning approximately three years ago and has since added accomplishment after accomplishment. Through their enthusiasm, hard work, God-given talent, and awesome stage presence that belies their youth, the Midnight Ramblers have a true ability to captivate audiences everywhere they go. The young group's combination of outstanding music and vocal skills leaves audiences with long-lasting memories that provides promise of a prosperous future.
Patent Pending - This six-piece Eastern Panhandle bluegrass band has been performing for captive audiences throughout West Virginia, Virginia and other surrounding states. The band just recently welcomed back Leigh Taylor-Kron on Bass. Taylor-Kron was one of the pioneering members of the band, and Patent Pending is pleased to have her back on board.
Andrea Ball, Executive Director of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes the festival will draw music lovers of all ages, "We have an outstanding lineup of bands for Pickin' 2009 and with a two-day ticket price of $20 for adults and free for children under 12, we feel that we offer amazing value for our attendees in an uncertain economy."
For more information about the festival, visit the official website at http://www.panhandlepickin.com/.
###

Traditional Ties, 02/08/09

This Sunday's Traditional Ties will be a WYEP membership show. This is one of only three Sundays a year that we interrupt programing to solicit membership.

My pledge to you, the listener, is that as much Bluegrass as possible will be played, we routinely

play about 32 selections on each two hour show, for membership shows around 25 songs are aired. The number is up to the listener, meeting our challenges and goals quickly allows more music to be played.

Let me thank you in advance.

Traditional Ties, Sundays at 10:00 pm, 91.3 FM, Pittsburgh PA.

Streaming audio - http://wyep.org/

Traditional Ties web page - http://wyep.org/traditionalties

Oil Country Bluegrass Festival, Oil City PA

Oil Country Bluegrass Festival, Oil City
Oil Country Bluegrass Festival to be held in Oil City on February 13,14 and 15, 2009 at The Arlington Hotel in Oil City

FROM: Ron Shoup, Co-CoordinatorGreetings and congratulations to Amy, Terry, Sandy and their many dedicated volunteers for such wonderful bluegrass festivals that so many of us had the pleasure to enjoy at Butler and Meadville! They were terrific!The Oil Country Bluegrass Festival is shaping up nicely and we would welcome the participation of several additional bands.

The bands signed up so far include: The Dempseytown Ramblers, Outlive TheBlue, Grover and The Nighthawks, The Pine Valley Boys, The StillhousePickers, The Keister Family Band, Mountain Harmony, The Done Inn String Band, Wind River, The Allegheny String Band, The New Generation Bluegrass Band, The Doghouse Three, Backwoods Bluegrass, Church Street Blues, Full Steam Ahead, The Allegheny Drifters, The Clear Creek String Band, Well Strung, Francine and The Mountain Top Band, Family Pride, Bits and Pieces, Hidden Drive, Road Apple Ridge, The South Side String Dings and Brad Felland Friends.It is amazing and wonderful that so many bluegrass bands are so big hearted and that they do so much to help charitable organizations or needy families.

The Arlington Hotel in Oil City (814-677-1221) is about filled to capacity,but several rooms just opened up. Also, we have some rooms still reserved for bands, but you'll need to identify the band you are with when you call to access these rooms. Other area lodging options include: Super 8 Motel (about 5 miles South of Oil City on Rt. 8), 814-432-2101; the Holiday Inn Express in Cranberry(about 5 miles from Oil City on Rt. 257), 814-677-2640; or, the Quality Inn At Franklin (about 8 miles South of Oil City on Rt. 8), 814-437-3021.

Last year we had some elevator problems, but they have been fully renovated.The hotel restaurant is under new management and doing well, but other nearby dining options include The Yellow Dog Lantern, MacDonald's, Arby's,Double Play, Vito's and Connie's, Villa Italia, Subway, Famoore'sRestaurant, and a new restaurant at the location of the former Yesterday's Restaurant.We are looking forward to a good turnout, good weather and splendid bluegrass pickin'.

Best regards,Ron Shoup(814)676-3465 rshoup@csonline.net

Compass Records Signs The Gibson Brothers

Nashville (February 3, 2009)

Compass Records signs The Gibson Brothers
New album due out spring 2009

Brothers Eric and Leigh Gibson bring "fancy picking" (The Washington Post) and "the toughest and tightest harmonies this side of hillbilly heaven" (Dave Higgs, Bluegrass Breakdown) to Compass Records' bluegrass roster along with a yet-to-be-titled album, due for release in the spring of 2009.

Produced by the two brothers plus bassist Mike Barber, the new album features six originals (including a co-write with Bob DiPiero) and new songs by Shawn Camp/Paul Kennerly, Chet O'Keefe, Joe Newberry, and Marshall Warwick, and a relatively obscure Tom Petty song, "Angel Dream." Recorded at the Compass Sound Studio, the players on the upcoming album include The Gibson Brothers' road band: Mike Barber (bass), Clayton Campbell (fiddle), and Joe Walsh (mandolin), and guest resonator guitarist Mike Witcher (Missy Raines & The New Hip). "I was proud to look at ol' Waylon on the wall, knowing that he did his songs his own way with his own band in the very space we were recording", says Eric Gibson.

Staying true to their upstate New York farm boy roots, The Gibson Brothers recorded two agricultural-themed songs for this record, one written by Leigh ("Bottomland") and one by Eric ("Farm Of Yesterday"). "Bottomland", originally recorded for an unreleased Skaggs record, is given an old-timey treatment here and touches on the lives of sharecroppers. "Farm of Yesterday" was written as a tribute to their parents and the family dairy farm that belonged to the Gibson family from 1865-2000. Eric showed the song to Leigh who was moved but said, "it might be too personal to put on the record." Eric replied, "Laying it out there could be the difference between a good record and a great record." "Farm Of Yesterday" is Leigh's favorite song on the album.

The Gibson Brothers have upcoming appearances at the Argyle Bluegrass Festival, the Old Settler's Music Festival, the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival and the Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival.

Joe Mullins and Radio Ramblers New Release

Xenia, Ohio – February 2009 – Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers proudly announce the release of their newest CD project, Rambler’s Call.

After three years of performing and recording, the band is thankful to have developed a classic Bluegrass blend and assemble a diverse set of old and new songs that fit together very well. The group offers so much vocal variety with this CD. Highlights include “The Old Rocking Chair” written by Mullins’ former band mate, Gerald Evans Jr. Also featured, a grassy treatment of Marty Stuart’s “Farmer’s Blues” with Mullins' high lead vocals and guest Matt DeSpain on dobro.

The band dedicated the new CD project in memory of Joe’s dad, Paul “Moon” Mullins, who passed away in 2008. A few of the rare tunes in the disc were featured on his radio show hundreds of times. “Old Blue Tomorrow” is an obscure album cut from an old George Jones release. “Boston Jail” and “Another Day, Another Dollar” are tunes with an old-time flavor that Joe heard his dad play by Porter Wagoner many years ago.

Joe Mullins is a southwestern Ohio native who has been a recognizable banjo player, vocalist and a radio broadcaster for 25 years. Joe toured and recorded as a founding member of the band the Traditional Grass until 1995, when he purchased WBZI Radio in Xenia, Ohio. Mullins recorded and performed with the band Longview, earning Song of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year awards from the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) in the late 1990’s. He was honored by winning an Instrumental Recording of the Year award in 2001 from the IBMA for his banjo work on Rebel Record's Knee Deep in Bluegrass. Mullins was also one of many artists in 2006 sharing Album of the Year honors for Celebration of Life, on Skaggs Family Records.

Mullins owns an network of Ohio radio stations, adding WKFI in Wilmington and WEDI in Eaton recently. Most weekdays he is on the air from 2 until 5 p.m. featuring Bluegrass and Old-Time Gospel music on all three stations and webcasting at http://www.myclassiccountry.com/. He is a 2009 nominee for Broadcaster of the Year at the upcoming SPBGMA Awards Show in Nashville.
Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers formed in 2006 for the initial purpose of performing at promotions for Mullins’ radio stations. Since the band’s first CD release in 2007 entitled Tuned In, requests for performances by the Radio Ramblers have grown, expanding the 2009 schedule to include forty appearances at regional and national music venues and festivals through eight states.

The Ramblers feature Adam McIntosh on guitar and vocals. McIntosh provides the lead vocals for four songs in the new CD including the title track “Ramblers Call”, written by Aubrey Holt. McIntosh formerly worked with Rounder recording artists, Dry Branch Fire Squad.

Fiddler and vocalist, Evan McGregor, has been a member of a number of regional and national acts since his career started, including the Wildwood Valley Boys. McGregor operates Oscar Fish Studio in Brookville, Ohio, and served as engineer and co-producer on the new recording.

Mike Terry, mandolin player and vocalist, first met Joe Mullins when they performed together in the gospel group, the Beacons. Terry’s lead vocals are featured on four selections, including the CD’s only a cappela gospel song, “Don’t You Want Go Home”.
Bass player, Tim Kidd, is rock solid throughout the new project and also added a snare drum to the train tune “Smoke Along The Track” and the CD’s only instrumental “Charlotte Breakdown”.

Darren Beachley, Leaves Doyle Lawson Forms New Group

Darren Beachley has left Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, after several years as a member. Darren started with Doyle on bass, and later switched to guitar, he has been the primary lead vocalist for the last two years. We wish Darren the beat of good fortune with the new venture.

Darren's announcement follows.

Darren Beachley & Legends Of The Potomac:

It’s with great pride and excitement that I am making the announcement of Darren Beachley & Legends of The Potomac. I have gathered a veteran band with a legendary status. The band includes Mike Auldridge, Tom Gray, Norman Wright and Mark Delaney. I am sure people will know who these guys are, Mike and Tom are original members of The Seldom Scene and Tom was a member of The Classic Country Gentlemen. Norman Wright a former member of The Bluegrass Cardinals and Country Gentlemen is known for his excellent songwriting and arranging and harmony singing. Norman has written songs for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Country Gentlemen, The Bluegrass Cardinals to mention a few. Banjoist Mark Delaney is former member of The Country Gentlemen and is known for his innovative style.

When I started thinking of the idea for a group, I wanted a diverse band. I have known each of these guys for years I have a lot of respect for them. I trust them, which in this situation is must. I really feel like this is the first group of guys that I have ever been around musically, that could do what ever type of material we want, from straight grass to light country, southern gospel to a jazz flavored number. We have been rehearsing quite a bit and have a lot of new material to offer. We have worked really hard on making sure we gather material that will be quickly identifiable to this band. We have material ranging from Fats Domino to Johnny Rodriguez to Tommy Dorsey to Mac Wiseman. We are also doing material from songwriters such as Paula Breedlove, Brad Davis, Pete Goble, Randall Hylton and of course some of Norman’s songs. I feel that we are a well-rounded band that is not afraid to step outside the box, but yet not so far away that we are not still rooted in bluegrass. It will be smooth sound both vocally and instrumentally. I am really excited about it!

We are currently in negotiations with a few different record labels and we haven’t settled on one at this point. We have dates on the books for 2010 and are still working hard to fill the schedule. Our new website should be up and running within the next week.
Look for other news about Darren and The Legends real soon.

Darren Beachley www.myspace.com/darrenbeachley

Steep Canyon Rangers Set To Record New Release

Band Signs New Contract With Rebel, Heading to the Studio in Late February.

Having recently finalized a new contract with Rebel Records, The Steep Canyon Rangers are set to begin recording their fourth album for the label next month. The new record - targeted for a late Summer/early Fall release - promises to continue the Rangers' journey into the traditional yet innovative brand of acoustic music that has come to define them.
The band has high expectations for the upcoming project: "We are real excited about our growth since the last record. Being a recording artist is different than being a performing artist, and each time we go to the studio we learn a little more about what works and what doesn't," explains guitarist and lead singer Woody Platt.

Topping their last album will be no easy feat. Under the guidance of producer Ronnie Bowman and engineer Wyatt Rice, Lovin' Pretty Women saw the band truly hit their creative stride. In the months following its August 2007 release, the album secured top spots on the Billboard, Bluegrass Unlimited, and XM Radio bluegrass charts. The record also earned IBMA nominations for "Album of the Year" and "Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year" (for their vocal masterpiece "Be Still Moses").

Following in the success of Lovin' Pretty Women, the group will once again be working with Bowman and Rice. Tracking will begin in late February at Bowman's Fox Chase Studio in Goodlettesville, Tennessee.

The band's continued growth and development inside the studio has mirrored an ever-burgeoning tour schedule, thanks in part to a fruitful collaboration with premier roots-music booking agency Keith Case & Associates and famed artist manager Don Light. Their 2009 calendar includes a number of high-profile dates in North America and Europe. In addition, this September the band will be organizing and hosting their annual Mountain Song Festival in Brevard, North Carolina. The Festival's proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County (for additional information, visit http://www.mountainsongfestival.com/).

For more on the Steep Canyon Rangers and their tour schedule, please visit http://www.steepcanyon.com/

To see video of the band performing with Steve Martin at last year's Mountain Song Festival click here.