Mountain Music Museum will hold grand opening Thursday

Ben, left, and Jarrod Church of Burchleaf, Va., tour the Mountain Music Museum at the Bristol Mall in Bristol, Va.

By David McGee
Staff Writer / Bristol Herald Courier

Published: March 31, 2010
BRISTOL, Va. – Ben Church and his son, Jarrod, made the nearly two-hour journey from Birchleaf, Va., to Bristol on Tuesday, in part to visit the Mountain Music Museum.
Jarrod Church is merchandise manager and “backup banjo player” of Ralph Stanley’s bluegrass group and his father is a lifelong fan of the music. They spent part of the afternoon examining the artifacts, framed photographs, old records, posters and other memorabilia enshrined in a former toy store at the Bristol Mall.
It’s the fourth such mall location in 11 years for a collection of thousands of artifacts that reveal much about this region’s musical legacy. Organizers plan a grand opening, rededication ceremony and concert Thursday evening.
“It’s really special that they want people to come and see all these wonderful things,” Jarrod Church said, while standing next to the rusty soft-drink cooler that was once in A.P. Carter’s general store. Carter was the patriarch of the Carter Family, a Scott County, Va., group honored in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“I get to travel all over the country with Dr. Stanley and in the big cities you don’t see the artist appreciation like we have here,” he said.
Ben Church said he is “glad to see it preserved” but “amazed” at how many famous country and bluegrass acts grew up in this part of Appalachia.
Visitors can trace that lineage on a display called Roots & Routes of Country, a topographic map denoting the hometowns of artists as diverse as Stanley, Carter, Tennessee Ernie Ford of Bristol and Kentucky’s Patty Loveless.
“We’ve got to glue the names on this map,” volunteer Susan Gobble said of the daunting task of affixing more than 100 artist names. Read more...

St. Joseph's Annual Bluegrass Benefit

12th Annual Bluegrass Benefit Concert
Tickets available now for the benefit scheduled for 7:30PM Friday April 23, 2010 at Synod Hall (behind St. Paul Cathedral) in Oakland...

Scheduled to appear: The Allegheny Drifters, Fern Hollow Boys, Mac Martin & the Dixie Travelers, Mon River Ramblers, M & M Express.

GO HERE to see the 2009 Concert Program:...http://www.scribd.com/doc/25428254/Bluegrass-Program
For tickets, or to place an ad in the program please
call Paul at 412-471-0666, Ext. 227

New this year, PARKING, DINNER, CONCERT OPPORTUNITY: For concert patrons only, More' Restaurant at 214 N. Craig Street is offering a 10% discount, as well as $3 parking for the entire evening (the lot is across the street from the restaurant, a short walk from Synod Hall). Call Paul for your tickets and then make dinner reservations by calling More' Restaurant at 412-621-2700.

The Del McCoury Band | Family Circle (McCoury Music)

Written by Sarah Boslaugh
Monday, 29 March 2010 13:29

The tracks are an interesting selection of material and once you hear what McCoury’s done with them you’ll be won over for sure.

Del McCoury may be the only musician in the business to have performed both with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys and with Phish. He’s probably also the only guy to have played at both the Grande Ole Opry and at Bonnaroo. Did I mention that he’s recorded with Steve Earle as well? What all this means is that Del McCoury is as secure as a man can be in his traditional bluegrass bonafides but he's also more than willing to stretch it out a bit.

Both tendencies are evident on Family Circle which features McCoury on lead vocals and guitar, joined by his sons Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo) as well as Jason Carter on fiddle and Alan Bartram on bass. The tracks are an interesting selection of material and while some of the songs may not strike you at first as traditional bluegrass material once you hear what McCoury’s done with them you’ll be won over for sure.

The biggest stretch on Family Circle may be "Break Up," a song popularized by Jerry Lee Lewis in 1958 but which sounds great as a bluegrass number as well and gives McCoury a chance to show off his rockabilly vocal chops (complete with that JLL hiccup).

Another unusual choice which turns out to be successful is "I Remember You," a 1941 popular song written by Victor Schertzinger and Johnny Mercer which (so the legend goes) expresses Mercer's crush on Judy Garland. Well, bluegrass can jerk tears with the best of them and on Family Circle this tune gets an appropriately sentimental treatment including a bit of yodeling. from McCoury. Not what you'd necessarily expect on a song from the heart of the big band era, but it works. More...

Performers' royalties for music played on satellite, Web radio stack up

'Mailbox money' may be waiting
By Naomi Snyder • THE TENNESSEAN • March 28, 2010

Wayne Moss, a 72-year-old rocker from Nashville who played with Bob Dylan, doesn't listen to satellite radio. He's never heard of Pandora, the Internet radio station.

So he was surprised when he got a call from a stranger in Washington, D.C., telling him he had a check coming because of his satellite and Internet radio play.
"It's a wonderful thing," Moss said. "If they want to start playing my music in outer space, that sounds good to me."
Recording artists aren't paid for their performances on traditional, over-the-air radio. In a legal arrangement that dates to the early days of radio, publishers and songwriters are paid for radio play, but the performing artists aren't.
That means people such as Moss — who gets constant radio play for performances on everything from Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde album to Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman" — just aren't getting paid for traditional radio. They get paid if they wrote the song, but they don't get paid if they play it.
In a quirk of legal maneuvering in 1998, the recording artists managed to get Congress to pass a law mandating payments for satellite and Internet radio performances, but not for traditional radio.
This was during the nascent days of the digital media industry, before it had much lobbying clout.
In those days, digital radio wasn't making money. But that is changing. The challenge now is finding and paying all those artists and their descendants for the digital radio play that goes on around the clock.
"You'd be surprised how hard it is to give away money," said Laura Williams, who works for SoundExchange in Washington, D.C., a nonprofit organization created by the federal government to distribute the money to recording artists.
Williams estimated that there is $50 million in unclaimed royalties for artists who haven't been found, haven't registered or haven't gotten the credit due for their performances on albums.
More inportant information for artists here.

Doc Watson and David Holt

Concert Info: Sat., 15 May 2010, The Cedar, 416 Cedar Av., West Bank, Mpls., Ticketline-612.338.2674, ext. 2, $65 general admission ($80 center section sold out), 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.

Doc Watson has become, however trite, a living legend of Americana. 87 years along, Doc was born in 1923 in Deep Gap, N.C., in the hills west of Winston-Salem. He lost his sight before turning 1, the result of an eye infection. His parents took the time to care for him and teach him to work hard and fend for himself. Young Watson loved music and the first song he ever played was "When Roses Bloom in Dixieland". His proud father took Doc to the store, buying him a $12 Stella, an acoustic guitar also played by the likes of Leadbelly. Doc proved to be a natural, soon performing on street corners with his brother, Linny. By his adult years, Doc had mastered both acoustic and electric guitar, perfecting his own blend of flat-picking and finger-picking.
Watson married the daughter of popular fiddle player, Gaither Carlton. He and Rosa Lee had a son, Eddy Merle (named after Eddy Arnold and Merle Travis) and a daughter, Nancy Ellen. While young Eddy Merle was growing up, Doc taught himself to play fiddle tunes on his Les Paul electric because the band he played in seldom had a fiddle player yet were often asked to play square dances. Doc then transferred that skill to acoustic guitar which became a part of his signature sound. Doc recorded his first solo album in '64. That same year, he began performing with his son. They toured, recorded and performed together for 21 years until the fateful day Merle was killed in a tractor accident. More...

Bluegrass, old Willie don't mix

It’s springtime in Texas, and that means more and more country music fans will want to get outside, and many will want to take their music with them.

One of the most portable forms of country music is the woody acoustic sound of bluegrass. I’ve mentioned before that not all country music fans care for bluegrass, and even for most bluegrass fans, a little of it can go a long way. But there’s no denying the enduring impact of the unique dirt road, banjo-and-fiddle sound, since most successful country chart-toppers list bluegrass among their primary influences.

So let’s talk about some new bluegrass music just coming out.

“Country Music” by Willie Nelson

Always on the lookout for something new and different to play, Willie Nelson teamed with Oscar-winning music wizard T-Bone Burnett for his new bluegrass-flavored collection, “Country Music.” Together, the two tapped the talents of the acoustic super-picking crew that made the Alison Krauss/Robert Plant gem “Raising Sand” the hottest set in recorded music a few years back.

But, even as a Willie fan and an acoustic Americana fan, I can’t say I’m impressed with the results.

Oh, the music is absolutely superb on longtime favorites like “Dark as a Dungeon,” “I Am a Pilgrim,” “Seaman’s Blues” and “Freight Train Boogie,” and Nelson’s aging vocal approach is just getting more and more expressive as time goes by. Also, Nelson’s new song for the album, “Man With the Blues,” could easily become one of those nonhit classics that everyone knows and likes, even if they don’t know why.

The problem is, even as good as both are, Willie’s voice just doesn’t fit with the earthy backup music. I don’t know if it’s because we’re just so used to hearing him in his own band setting or what, but there’s a stylistic clash here that I just can’t get past.

Good songs, good playing, good singing, but “Country Music” just doesn’t quite jell.

More reviews.

This deserves your attention

Jessica Simpson Preps Bluegrass Debut

Posted by C.M. Wilcox on 3/25/10 • Categorized as Fake News

Jessica Simpson, who has focused on non-musical pursuits since parting ways with Sony Nashville last year, plans to release her first bluegrass album on Rounder Records in late 2010.

“Over the years – whether I was watching my pop singles flounder, watching my country singles flop, or joking nervously about my bosom so as to distract from my utter absence of personality – I always felt like bluegrass was my home. I’m a Texas girl, you know, and Texas isn’t that far from Arkansas, the bluegrass state. So it comes pretty natural.”

Although she’s working on her high loathsome tenor, Simpson cautions that fans shouldn’t expect her Rounder debut to be bluegrass in the strictest sense. “We’re not talking Jimmy Monroe and Bill Martin here, but more like the Notorious Steeldusters meets, uh, Jessica Simpson. Sort of a newgrassy type thing, with drum loops over the, uh… banjo is the plucky circle one, right? People will really like it if they give it a chance.”

Concept by Farce the Music. Find more satirical articles in the Fake News archive.
Enjoy this post? Tell someone! Full article here.<>

Sam Bush is named father of newgrass

Legislators name Bowling Green the birthplace of the genre, which officials hope will bring in tourists

By ANDREW THOMASON, The Daily News, athomason@bgdailynews.com/

Bowling Green and native son Sam Bush have long been considered by music fans as the progenitors of the newgrass genre.Now it’s official.Legislation was passed Tuesday by the Kentucky General Assembly unanimously naming Bowling Green as the birthplace of newgrass, a spinoff of bluegrass music. The legislation also recognizes Bush as the father of newgrass.“Just a kid going to Warren Central High School, I didn’t know this would ever happen,” Bush said.Rep. Jim DeCesare, R-Bowling Green, sponsored the legislation because “it’s not every day that someone from your hometown creates a genre of music. It’s no big secret that he is considered the father of newgrass and that Bowling Green is where it all started.”Bush was a member in the seminal newgrass band, New Grass Revival, which was founded in 1971. Bush was the only member of the band to be in all of its incarnations, until it disbanded in 1989.More recently, Bush is playing his mandolin on a tour that kicked off in Frankfort to promote his latest album, “Circles Around Me.”“It’s pretty amazing. As a kid who was raised on a farm out on Morgantown Road, it’s humbling,” Bush said. “I take a lot of pride in being from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The fact is not lost on me that the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe ... is from Kentucky.”Local officials are also happy with the legislation, and are hoping Bowling Green’s new title will help draw tourists to the area.“Anything positive like that ... we can use as a tourism tool,” said Vicki Fitch, executive director of the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.The official distinction could be helpful in promoting the International Newgrass Festival. Bowling Green will host the second annual festival Aug. 20-22. About 1,500 people attended the event last year, and Bush was one of the headliners.“This event has a huge growth potential as word spreads that it is a quality festival,” Fitch said. More...

Rhonda Vincent Returns To Headline Bluegrass Festival at 2010 Apple Blossom Festival

By Susan Thompson

Winchester, VA – Get ready for the 83rd Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival to be held in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, April 23 – May 2, 2010.

2010 Music Line-up
The Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival is proud to announce that its 21st Annual Envoy Bluegrass Festival has yet another unforgettable line-up.
The Martha White Bluegrass Express bus will be returning this year; and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage will be making an encore appearance, reprising their headline status that set modern Festival attendance records in 2008.
The Festival will host the return of Rhonda Vincent and her band, The Rage. Rhonda’s powerful vocals have earned her the IBMA award for Female Vocalist of the Year an incredible 7 times. However, that doesn’t even scratch the surface of her accomplishments and awards, including being a multiple Grammy nominee. Called “The New Queen of Bluegrass”, she maintains a rigorous tour schedule and has one of the most talented bands in the business.
Last year, Rounder Records released Rhonda’s most recent project, “Destination Life”. This album presents the Bluegrass Queen and her Court, at the top of their game. Rhonda Vincent & The Rage are undeniably one of the most popular groups in bluegrass today.
Also featured this year will be the legendary and highly-entertaining Lonesome River Band. The line-up continues with the traditional, yet original sound of Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice. The Dixie Bee-Liners will bring variety to the proceedings with their contemporary sound and soulful voices. Rounding out the program is CoalTown, an up-and-coming band with dynamic vocals. Festival Organizers feel that this line-up is certain to provide a day of entertainment the whole family will enjoy. More details here...

Who Reads This Blog

As a visitor to this blog, I thought you might be interested in who else is visiting.



A summery of the last 500 visitors to John Trout's Bluegrass World, about 13% of visits are international. The U. S. visitors are spread out across the country, the majority of visits are spread from the northeast, mid Atlantic, across the south and up the west coast. The fewest visits are from the great plains and northern rockies.

Num
Perc.
Country Name

434
86.80%
United States

17
3.40%
Canada

12
2.40%
Czech Republic

11
2.20%
Netherlands

4
0.80%
Belgium

3
0.60%
United Kingdom

2
0.40%
Italy

2
0.40%
India

1
0.20%
Senegal

1
0.20%
Turkey

1
0.20%
Aruba

1
0.20%
Denmark

1
0.20%
Japan

1
0.20%
France

1
0.20%
Switzerland

1
0.20%
Greece

1
0.20%
Norway

1
0.20%
Philippines

1
0.20%
Brazil

1
0.20%
Australia

1
0.20%
Bosnia And Herzegovina

1
0.20%
Mexico

1
0.20%
Guatemala

Traditional Ties, 03/28/10, Playlist

Contact info for new adds:
Ruth & Mav Bloomquist - http://www.ruthbloomquist.com/
Steve Smith, Chris Sanders & Hard Road -
http://www.desertnight.com/

Don Rigsby & Midnight Call - http://www.donrigsby.com/ - http://www.rebelrecords.com/

Air Time
Artist Name
Song Title
Album Name
Label
Duration
10:00 PM
Kenny Baker
Jerusalem Ridge (Theme)
Plays Bill Monroe
County
2:00
10:02 PM
Smith - Sanders & Hard Road
The Same for You
Songs Along the Road
Desert Night
3:13
10:07 PM
Ruth & Max Bloomquist
The Highway Song
Turn Back a Page
Ruby
3:29
10:11 PM
Snyder Family Band
Cattle in the Cane
Comin' on Strong
Snyder Family Band
3:24
10:15 PM
The Bluegrass Soul Pickers
If I Ever Get Home
TBA
Blue Circle
3:07
10:19 PM
Darren Beachley
Love You Don't Know, Cannot Hurt You
CD Single
Patuxent
4:08
10:23 PM
Adam Steffey
Warm Kentucky Sunshine
One More for the Road
Sugar Hill
3:49
10:27 PM
Brand New Strings
High on a Hilltop
No Strings Attached
Rural Rhyrhm
3:05
10:31 PM
Don Rigsby
Mary Magdalene
The Voice of God
Rebel
3:56
10:36 PM
Don Rigsby
One Prayer Away
The Voice of God
Rebel
2:29
10:39 PM
Don Rigsby
This World Is Not My Home
The Voice of God
Rebel
3:47
10:44 PM
Don Rigsby
Charged With Being a Christian
the Voice of God
Rebel
2:19
10:47 PM
Country Gentlemen
Palms of Victory
Calling My Children Home
Rebel
2:25
10:50 PM
Ruth & Max Bloomquist
Bathe Me in the Water
Turn Back a Page
Ruby
3:30
10:53 PM
Larry Sparks
Better Farther On
I Just Want to Thank You Lord
Rural Rhyrhm
3:03
10:56 PM
Paul Williams
Only God's Son
Just a Little Closer Home
Rebel
3:02
11:00 PM
True Bluegrass
With Care from Someone (Theme)
True Bluegrass 1979
True Bluegrass
2:00
11:02 PM
Smith - Sanders & Hard Road
All Things Left Behind
Songs Along the Road
Desert Night
4:12
11:07 PM
Smith - Sanders
These Are the Hands
Songs Along the Road
Desert Night
3:00
11:11 PM
Smith - Sanders
Jon Sievert's Blues
Songs Around the Road
Desert Night
3:02
11:16 PM
Smith - Sanders
Never Ending Wind
Songs Around the Road
Desert Night
3:56
11:21 PM
Ruth & Max Bloomquist
Daddy was an Old Man
Turn Back a Page
Ruby
3:25
11:24 PM
Danny Paisley
Rasni' Cane in Texas
The Room Over Mine
Rounder
3:38
11:28 PM
Billy Boone Smith
Riding in the Back of the Wagon
Live from the Moose Lodge
Muddy Sunshine
3:31
11:31 PM
Kristin Scott Benson
No Steering No Breaks
Second Season
Pinecastle
2:37
11:35 PM
Ruth & Max Bloomquist
Tale It On Down the Road
Turn Back a Page
Ruby
3:02
11:38 PM
Larry Stephenson
talk to Me Lonesome Heart
20th Anniversary
Pinecastle
2:51
11:41 PM
Ben Greene
Mountain High Feeling Low
Sideman
TBA
3:17
11:43 PM
Josh Williams
Stealin' Away
Down Home
Pinecastle
2:23
11:46 PM
Dailey & Vincent
Hello Mary Lou, Goodbye Heart
Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers
Cracker Barrel
2:28
11:49 PM
M M Murphey
Rollin' Nowhere
Buckaroo Blue Grass ll
Rural Rhythm
3:27
11:53 PM
Mickey Galyean
Bluegrass Time
Born Into bluegrass
Mountain Roads
3:41
11:57 PM
Lonesome River Band
Struttin' to Ferrum
No Turning Back
Rural Rhythm
2:38

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

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

1608 JEFFERSON ST, LATROBE PA, 15650 -2940

'TRADITIONAL TIES' - 25 YEARS IN 2010Link to Traditional Ties web pages: http://wyep.org/traditionalties

STILL INSIDE: THE TONY RICE STORY

Tony Rice. He is one of the greatest acoustic guitar players of all time, yet he’s virtually unknown outside bluegrass music. His closest friends describe him as warm and loving, and then speak in bafflement of his aloofness. He’s a distant demigod in a genre whose biggest stars are known for their accessibility. He’s a genius, a mystery… a legend in his own time.
A decade in the making, Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story delivers Tony’s tale in his own inimitable words, and in anecdotes and observations from his friends, family, fans, and fellow musicians.
Tony’s long road has taken him from coast to coast and around the world, through historic recordings and appearances that often profoundly move those who experience them. More than 100 people were interviewed for this book, sharing memories of Tony and discussing his indelible impact on their own music. Alison Krauss, J.D. Crowe, Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Ricky Skaggs, David Grisman, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Rowan, and many others contribute intimate stories and frank observations of this private, enigmatic man.
Sometimes outrageous, often profound, always honest, Tony candidly shares memories of his at-turns serene and turbulent childhood… his early days as a musician, exploring the possibilities of guitar as a lead instrument… his groundbreaking adventures as a new acoustic jazz pioneer… his years as contemporary bluegrass music’s most expressive vocalist… the great tragedies of his life, including the loss of his extraor- dinary voice… and his thoughts about his role as one of the most influential statesmen of the guitar.Woven throughout the narrative are excerpts from a journal by co-author Caroline Wright, who went on the road with Tony in the summer of 2003 and again in 2005. Her discoveries will astonish and intrigue even his most knowledgeable fans.
In the book’s final chapter, co-author Tim Stafford—a highly respected acoustic guitarist in his own right—provides insight into Tony’s technique, timing, right hand, choice of picks, and much more. Tim also discusses Tony’s prize possession, the 1935 Martin D-28 Herringbone guitar formerly owned by the great Clarence White.
Also included are a comprehensive discography, a detailed timeline, a bibliography of suggested reading, and more than 100 photographs. Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story will delight bluegrass fans, guitar music aficionados, and anybody who loves a great story, told in the words of those who have lived it.
About the Authors
Caroline Wright is a freelance writer, a former editor of Bluegrass Now, and founder of Bluegrass Hawaii Traditional & Bluegrass Music Society (bluegrasshawaii.com). Her father, a retired teacher, earned his Master of Music degree at the New England Conservatory; her late mother was a founder of the Adirondack Bluegrass League, one of the country’s oldest bluegrass associations. Caroline lives in Wahiawa, Hawaii.
Tim Stafford is best known as lead guitarist and co-founder of the multi- award winning bluegrass group Blue Highway. He is a songwriter and producer as well as an instructor at East Tennessee State University. A former member of Alison Krauss and Union Station, Tim lives in his hometown of Kingsport TN and likes brussel sprouts.

Select quotes from the book
People think they know you because of the way you play and sing. And I am so guilty of that with Tony. I think I know who he is because of his records. I think I know what kind of person he is . . .—Alison Krauss
Every once in a while, there are seminal figures. They don’t come along even every five years. You might, by a fluke, get two of them in 20 years. Tony’s one of those guys.—Béla Fleck
I’ve never heard nobody, unless it’s Tony Rice—he might come close— that plays rhythm like I do.—Jimmy Martin
Anything he takes an interest in, he takes it to the fullest. Whatever it may be, he wants to know everything there is to know about it.—Doyle Lawson
He was good, man. He was good. He just had too much talent to be somebody’s guitar player.—David Grisman

Available from Word of Mouth Press

Doyle Lawson Mixing in the Studio

More inside bluegrass, beware the opening.

Doyle Lawson in the Studio

A little inside bluegrass, Doyle and the boys in the studio working on a number from their upcoming gospel release. Don't let the opening scare you away.

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver: Light on My Feet and Ready to Fly

New this month from Doyle Lawson is his all-gospel release, Light on My Feet and Ready to Fly. This CD will be featured on Traditional Ties as soon as it can be scheduled. WYEP FM 91.3 Pittsburgh PA, Streaming http://wyep.org/

The air date will be announced here.

Arden, NC – With the success of his last release, Help is on the Way, which included the first ever Bluegrass Gospel #1 on the Singing News Southern Gospel Charts, Doyle is back with a new album that provides the great vocal prowess, instrumental finery and spiritual message of his prior Gospel recordings.
With a nearly all new line-up, the album includes Corey Hensley on guitar and vocals; Jason Leek on Bass and vocals; Dale Perry on banjo, guitar and bass vocals; Josh Swift on resophonic guitar: Jason Barie on fiddle and Doyle who is featured as the lead vocal on half the songs on the release.
The recording process began just this February at the Crossroads Studios in Arden, NC. Doyle was joined by veteran Crossroads engineer Van Atkins who recorded and mixed the album. A great link offering insight into the studio mixing process can be seen at the Crossroads blog page.
Doyle tells us, Light On My Feet and Ready to Fly has something for every Bluegrass Gospel fan. It includes original songs coupled with older ones for a cohesive recording I know folks will enjoy.
The new CD will be released on March 30th. The CD will be available at http://www.doylelawson.com/, http://www.crossroadsmusic.com/release/doylelawson/HR12762/, iTunes, Amazon, and at stores carrying bluegrass music.

Finding the right chord

Posted By DAVE DALE THE NUGGET

Denis Chadbourn has a lot to share after spending a month in Nashville with colleagues from around the world discussing the state of the music industry and how to meet modern challenges.
The neat thing, it's kind of like the wild west, a borderless frontier," Chadbourn said about the opportunity musicians have to market and sell their wares using the new media" tools on the Internet.

The old model is out the window."
Gone are the days of signing away copyright and large percentages of profit to the big companies which controlled who gets exposure and how.
Artists are now selling directly to their fans," said Chadbourn, a member of the C-Denny Band, president of the Bluegrass Music Association of Central Canada and founding chairman of the Nipissing Bluegrass Association.
They may reach fewer people, but it allows you to retain your rights and your slice of the pie is a lot bigger."
Chadbourn said there were 25 participants in the global music symposium, including representatives from Australia and Ireland, with workshops focused on the issues faced by writers, producers, musicians, agents and festival organizers.
There were experts from every walk of the industry," he said, adding he will try to apply the new knowledge as an independent musician, a co-ordinator of large-scale events and promoting fellow artists.
Chadbourn said one of the key innovations they talked about was
Webmetrics," which allow someone to drill down into their social networking sites to broaden their marketing capabilities.
He said musicians with webbased platforms for fans can study the demographics of their fans to grow a network for sales. More

NewFound Road at Station Inn

The Road Less Traveled
Jon Weisberger

Talent counts for a lot, but perseverance arguably counts for at least as much, and NewFound Road’s lone remaining founding member, Tim Shelton, has plenty of both. A native of and still resident in southwest Ohio — arguably the buckle of the bluegrass belt — he’s done a stellar job of piloting the group from its origins as a strictly gospel outfit to one that can tackle material ranging from Ray Charles to The Stanley Brothers... More

.Mountain Stage returns to CAC

...The Grascals were the most entertaining group of the night and gave the audience an up-tempo, old-timey bluegrass sound.
The group performed several original songs and some covers, one of the more interesting cover songs being "Last Train to Clarksville," originally by The Monkees.
Some other songs covered included tunes by Hank Williams Jr., whom The Grascals are touring with.
It was the group’s first time at Mountain Stage, and the audience reacted favorably to its skill.
The biggest reaction The Grascals received was when the band’s fiddle player, a West Virginia native, had a song to himself and went to town on his solo. The group also had a good rapport with the crowd, telling jokes between songs. Full story.

Tulsa bluegrass band hits its stride

Rockin' Acoustic Circus makes up for lack of age with abundant talent.

By KAREN SHADE World Scene Writer Published: 3/21/2010 2:20 AM Last Modified: 3/21/2010 6:00 AM

Keep in mind, they range in age from 15 to 17 years.
But to the average listener, the members of the Rockin' Acoustic Circus could be bluegrass musicians in their prime.
The circus disagrees.
"They're still getting comfortable with their instruments," said Rick Morton, as the others agree.
He is the one member of the Tulsa-area band who can get away with such a statement.
As the lone adult member, Morton has been a musician for longer than the others have existed — the "others" being Sterling Abernathy, 16; Carson Clemishire, 16; Eric Dysart, 17; and Emma Hardin, 17; and Zac Hardin, 15.
When it gets down to it, what these teens lack in experience, they make up in a cool, fixed determination to make Rockin' Acoustic Circus a success.
On the edge of releasing a new album, "Lonestar Lullabye," the Circus comes closer to "main attraction" status with every live show and rehearsal. A "strong tune" by the late Ronnie Wiggins, "Lonestar Lullabye" catches this fairly new, very young musical group at an intriguing point in time.
What began about two years ago with Sterling and two other kids wanting to enter a band contest on a whim has grown into touring throughout the year to various folk and bluegrass festivals most weekends and much more heavily through the summer.
The CD release show is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at the Jazz Depot.
Last month, they were a showcase act at the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, Tenn., and Wintergrass 2010 in Bellevue, Wash.

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=269&articleid=20100321_44_D6_TheRoc163012

The Grascals at The Thunderbird Cafe

Darlene and I went to see the Grascals at The Tunderbird Cafe this evening the did there usual fine show. It was our first event at the Thunderbird, and we were impressed. it is a small room with good sound and great site lines, we were in the small balcony and will seek it out again when we return in May for The Gibson Brothers;



The Mon River Ramblers opened the show with their unique style of Bluegrass and it was obvious they have build a loyal fan base. Many in the crowd knew their material and were very responsive to their show.

Musicians rally to help International Bluegrass Music Museum

Saturday, March 20, 2010
By Keith Lawrence, Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer
Mark Humphrey/Associated PressThe International Bluegrass Music Museum keeps alive the legacy of the late Bill Monroe, known as the father of bluegrass music. Like many nonprofits these days, the museum in Owensboro, Ky., is struggling to survive.OWENSBORO, Ky. -- The International Bluegrass Music Museum in this western Kentucky city 40 miles from Bill Monroe's birth and burial places is struggling financially like most nonprofit organizations.

But a group of bluegrass musicians is coming to the museum's rescue with a series of what will soon become weekly concerts featuring some of the top names in the business.

James King, known for his "mountain soul," is slated to perform in the museum's Bluegrass Unlimited Theatre at 7 p.m. Friday. More...

Tickets are $10. They can be ordered by calling the museum at 1-888-MY-BANJO.



Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10079/1044183-388.stm#ixzz0ija9cC6F

Winter's Come And Gone, Dailey and Vincent

Bluegrass band drives hard

Posted By BRIAN KELLY, QMI AGENCY

Just how hard driving is this bluegrass band?

Look at the title of Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road's new album.
Carolina Hurricane is due out in mid-April.
"Everything drives hard," said Jordan about the disc in a recent e-mail.

"Ben Greene has the banjo crankin'. This project has a lot of great lead guitar breaks which is very different then the old Carolina Road material."
The disc features two tracks co-written by Jordan, including the title song penned with Louisa Branscomb, and Lady of Tradition with Dixie Hall and Paula Breevlove.
Jordan's stop in Owen Sound at the Legion March 25 is one of 70 planned for 2010 in support of the new disc.

But the mandolin player doesn't expect to tweak her band's approach, or setlists, during a 10-date tour north of the border that began Friday in Waterdown, Ont.
"The Canadians show very little difference from the USA fans," said Jordan.
"They seem to love the music. We play the same material and they seem to know most of the traditional material. They are very respectful during the stage show. When you play something they like, they really let you know it. They seem to love the banjo most of all."

The 2010 road dates also included a seven-day stint in late February at the 12th annual ETA Bluegrass Cruise. Stops included St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau. More

Munde enjoys the community of Bluegrass

By CHARLES HAND - For The Californian Posted: March 18, 2010 1:47 pm

Bluegrass is where the traditional meets the contemporary, where the rugged individualist amateur trained on someone's front porch meets highly trained professionals, where rural meets urban in a complex matrix of Scotch-Irish hill music wedded to country and contemporary.

This weekend's annual Old Town Temecula Bluegrass Festival will offer all that, and a few more oddities not likely to be found in more musical venues.

"There is barrier between performer and audience," said Alan Munde of the headliner band the Alan Munde Gazette. "It's a very collegial atmosphere. You might see the people who just finished on the stage sitting out in the audience."

That is part of what drew Munde into bluegrass, though he cannot really explain why he has loved the style since the moment he heard it.

"I have this theory that it's something genetic," he said.

Whatever the reason, Munde has spent his life in bluegrass one way or another, starting as performer and working his way up to teaching banjo in college. And still performing. That is something Munde said he will always want to do.

Munde got his start and early education in the way many bluegrass performers do it, by learning some on his own, imitating the things he heard on the radio and records, getting tutoring over the years by increasingly sophisticated professionals with whom he played, and eventually even getting formal instruction.

"Bluegrass is a lot about doing it on your own," Munde said. "To me ultimately it is seeing a lot of value in a person making music on his own." More...

Nashville's Grascals enjoy their work

ED NOTE - The Grascals are at Pittsburgh's Thunderbird Cafe this Saturday 3/20.





Band brings bluegrass-country sound to Owens on Friday


The Grascals are, from left: Danny Roberts, Jamie Johnson, Kristin Scott Benson, Jeremy Abshire, Terry Eldredge, and Terry Smith.


Zoom Photo Reprints

By TAHREE LANE
BLADE STAFF WRITER

When they seize the stage tomorrow night, the Grascals will show Toledo how much fun six talented friends can have with their high-energy bluegrass/country blend.

"People who love the music they're playing and who love each other. Joking and laughing," says Terry Eldredge, guitarist and lead singer for the award-rich Grascals.

"That's one thing Dolly [Parton] told us backstage, 'Remember boys, have fun with it, because if it's not fun, it's work, and work is a four-letter word.'•"

The Grascals will perform at 8 p.m. tomorrow in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts at Owens Community College.

Known for tight, three-part harmonies, The Grascals, aged 27 to 48, played the Grand Ole Opry 23 times last year (they also played last week) and gave 120 concerts on the road. They were named 2010's best bluegrass band by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America, and entertainer of the year in 2006 and 2007 by the International Bluegrass Music Association.

And it was none other than Dolly Parton who gave these skilled Nashville musicians a boost in 2004.
"It just happened we were all kind of unemployed at the same time, so why not start a band?" Eldredge said last week in a telephone interview.

He and some of the current band members knew each other from years of making Nashville's brightest stars sound great in concert and on recordings. They'd worked for the likes of Parton, Garth Brooks, the Osborne Brothers, Brooks & Dunn, and Steve Wariner.

Seventeen years ago, he and bassist Terry Smith assembled The Sidemen for a standing Tuesday night gig at Nashville's legendary Station Inn.

"We were all sidemen in other bands," Eldredge says. More...

Traditional Ties, 03/21/10, Playlist

Contact info for new adds:
Snyder Family Band - http://www.snyderfamilyband.com/
Multiple singles recorded by various artists and written by Tom T & Dixie Hall - http://www.goodhomegrownmusic.com/

Air Time
Artist Name
Song Title
Album Name
Label
Duration

10:00 PM
Kenny Baker
Jerusalem Ridge (Theme)
Plays Bill Monroe
County
3:00
10:03 PM
Snyder Family Band
Little Bluebird
Comin' on Strong
Mountain Roads
3:05
10:07 PM
Larry Stephenson
The Bluebirds Are Singing for Me
20th Anniversary
Pinecastle
2:46
10:10 PM
M M Murphey
Blue Sky riding Song
Buckaroo Blue Grass ll
Rural Rhyrhm
4:42
10:15 PM
Brand New Strings
Wheels
No Strings Attached
Rural Rhythm
2:40
10:19 PM
Junior Sisk
Train Without a Track
Heartaches and Dreams
Rebel
2:37
10:22 PM
Chris Warner
Don't Let Her Get Away
Goin' to the Dance
Patuxent
1:57
10:24 PM
The Little Roy & Lizzy Show
Sit Down and Cry
Straight from the Heart of Dixie
Vine
2:39
10:26 PM
Snyder Family Band
East Tennessee Blues
Comin' on Strong
Mountain Roads
3:27
10:32 PM
The RidgeRunners
Take Just a Minute for Him
Take Jusr a Minute for Him
Blue Circle
3:43
10:36 PM
The Spinney Brothers
Sweet Wonderful Words
When the Golden Leaves Begin to Fall
The Spinney Brothers
2:24
10:38 PM
Grasstowne
Salvation of the Lord
The Other Side of Towne
Pinecastle
2:31
10:41 PM
Don Rigsby
Then You Ain't
the Voice of God
Rebel
3:19
10:46 PM
Snyder Family Band
Heaven's Bright Shore
Comin' on Strong
Snyder Family Band
3:27
10:49 PM
Sawmill Road
Heaven's Key
Fire on the Kettle
SMR
2:59
10:52 PM
The Allegheny Drifters
Babylon Is Fallen
Can't Wait
The Allegheny Drifters
1:56
10:54 PM
Carolina Road
The Judgement Day
Why Don't You Give Jesus a Try
Blue Circle
2:28
10:56 PM
Carolina Road
Harp with Golden Strings
Why Don't You Give Jesus a Try
Blue Circle
2:35
11:00 PM
True Bluegrass
With Care from Someone (Theme)
True bluegrass 1979
True Bluegrass
2:00
11:02 PM
Larry stephenson
Teardrop Town
20th Anniversary
Pinecastle
2:25
11:08 PM
Larry Stephenson
My Old Kentucky and You
20th Anniversary
Pinecastle
2:16
11:15 PM
Larry Stephenson
Give this Message to Your Heart
20th Anniversary
Pinecastle
2:53
11:21 PM
Larry Stephenson
You'll See Jesus
20th Anniversary
Pinecastle
3:00
11:25 PM
Snyder Family Band
Steel Guitar Rag
Comin' on Strong
Snyder Family Band
3:21
11:29 PM
Summertown Road
That's Kentucky
Summertown Road
Rounder
2:42
11:32 PM
Dale Ann Bradley
Music City Queen
Don't Turn Your Back
Compass
3:43
11:35 PM
The Grass Cats
Carolina Blue
A good Way to Get the Blues
New Time
2:44
11:37 PM
Dirty River
Graveyard Train
Graveyard Train
Dirty River
3:30
11:42 PM
Larry Stephenson
Mule Skinner Blues
20th Anniversary
Pinecastle
4:04
11:46 PM
Frances Mooney
I Didn't See It Coming
I Didn't See It Coming
Blue Circle
2:41
11:49 PM
Snyder Family Band
Red Haired Boy
Comin' on Strong
Snyder Family
2:48
11:52 PM
Big Country Bluegrass
The Boys in Hats and Ties
Back in Time
Mountain Roads
2:25
11:55 PM
Patuxent Partners
Washington County
Seven or Eleven
Patuxent
4:27JOHN TROUT, WYEP FM, PITTSBURGH, PA. tties91@hotmail.com 'TRADITIONAL TIES'- NEW RELEASE BLUEGRASS WITH FEATURES. 91.3 WYEP, http://www.wyep.org/ 10:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.) Sundays. Streaming Audio 1608 JEFFERSON ST, LATROBE PA, 15650 -2940 'TRADITIONAL TIES' - 25 YEARS IN 2010Link to Traditional Ties web pages: http://wyep.org/traditionalties

Durhams Reel + Nine Pound Hammer- ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band

Colleen Malone, Hot Rize, Happy St. Patrick's Say

A mandolin maestro, heading to the stars

THE FORMER NICKEL CREEK MUSICIAN COMES TO TOWN TO PERFORM HIS SYMPHONY WITH THE DSO

Chris Thile, the extraordinarily talented mandolin player, picked up the instrument for the first time when he was 5 years old.

He played with the band Nickel Creek for more than 15 years and won a Grammy in 2002. He's released solo albums, collaborated with artists like the Dixie Chicks, Bela Fleck and Dolly Parton, and now plays with The Punch Brothers, whom he affectionately refers to as "the boys."
His music defies genre classifications, which is just the way he likes it. There are flavors of bluegrass, jazz, rock, pop and folk running through his music. And now we can add classical to that recipe, because Chris has written a concerto for mandolin and orchestra.
He'll be performing the three-movement concerto, called "Ad astra per alas porci" or "To the stars on the wings of a pig" with seven different symphonies across the country. Chris and his mandolin will be here in Wilmington on Friday and Saturday night, performing with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra at The Grand.
We chatted with Chris about his music, the concerto and what it's like going from being a member of a band to playing with a full orchestra.
Q: Throughout your career, you've played with bands and other musicians. Does playing with the symphony have a more formal feel than just playing a show with your band?
A: I see what you're saying, that maybe it is more formal or something, but I don't think it has to be that way. I don't think that one has to be more relaxed than the other. Or that this is necessarily formal, and that was informal. To me those kinds of distinctions aren't necessary. I'm trying to approach these performances the way that I would approach anything that I do.
Playing the concerto, it presents a lot of the same kinds of difficulties that playing a three or four minute pop song presents. I'm desperately trying to conceive, compose and perform good music, regardless of whether it's playing it with Punch Brothers, or playing by myself or with an orchestra. My goal for the thing is to make good music. More...

A mandolin maestro, heading to the stars

Chris Thile, the extraordinarily talented mandolin player, picked up the instrument for the first time when he was 5 years old.

He played with the band Nickel Creek for more than 15 years and won a Grammy in 2002. He's released solo albums, collaborated with artists like the Dixie Chicks, Bela Fleck and Dolly Parton, and now plays with The Punch Brothers, whom he affectionately refers to as "the boys."
His music defies genre classifications, which is just the way he likes it. There are flavors of bluegrass, jazz, rock, pop and folk running through his music. And now we can add classical to that recipe, because Chris has written a concerto for mandolin and orchestra.
He'll be performing the three-movement concerto, called "Ad astra per alas porci" or "To the stars on the wings of a pig" with seven different symphonies across the country. Chris and his mandolin will be here in Wilmington on Friday and Saturday night, performing with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra at The Grand.
We chatted with Chris about his music, the concerto and what it's like going from being a member of a band to playing with a full orchestra.
Q: Throughout your career, you've played with bands and other musicians. Does playing with the symphony have a more formal feel than just playing a show with your band?
A: I see what you're saying, that maybe it is more formal or something, but I don't think it has to be that way. I don't think that one has to be more relaxed than the other. Or that this is necessarily formal, and that was informal. To me those kinds of distinctions aren't necessary. I'm trying to approach these performances the way that I would approach anything that I do.
Playing the concerto, it presents a lot of the same kinds of difficulties that playing a three or four minute pop song presents. I'm desperately trying to conceive, compose and perform good music, regardless of whether it's playing it with Punch Brothers, or playing by myself or with an orchestra. My goal for the thing is to make good music.

IBMA Announces Leadership Bluegrass 2010 Graduates

The International Bluegrass Music Association is proud to announce the graduating class of Leadership Bluegrass 2010. Leadership Bluegrass, now in its eleventh year with more than 250 alumni, is an intensive, three-day program of interactive learning experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing our music, along with related leadership issues.

Leadership Bluegrass 2010, hosted March 9-11 at BMI in Nashville, Tennessee, was facilitated by Fred Bartenstein, a noted bluegrass historian and professional meeting facilitator.

Each year the 25 individuals selected to participate in Leadership Bluegrass represent a cross section of current and future leaders from various facets of the industry, as well as diverse regions of the country and world.

Congratulations to the following graduates:

Phil Bankester; The Bankester Family, Genuine Human Productions; Carbondale, Ill.

Carol Beaugard; WFDU-FM, WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Chester, N.Y.

Kissy Black; Lotos Nile; Nashville, Tenn.

Linda Bonner; Grassland Elementary; Brentwood, Tenn.

Thomas J. Brown; Spatial Effects, Songwriter/Playwright, SEBA; Dalton, Ga.

Megan Brugger; Classic Country Radio, Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival; Xenia, Ohio

Denis Chadbourn; Bluegrass Music Association Central Canada, Nipissing Bluegrass Association, C-Denny Band; Rutherglen, Ontario, Canada

Karl S. Cooler; Mountain Roads Recordings; Bristol, Tenn.
Lachlan Davidson; Davidson Brothers; Doncaster East, Victoria, Australia

R. Avery Ellisman; Non-profit Management & Resource Development; Encinitas, Calif.

Doris Gray; Colorado Bluegrass Music Society; Boulder, Colo.

Chris Keenan; Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival; Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Thad Keim; Compass Records Group; Nashville, Tenn.

Joan Kornblith; Voice of America; Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Larson; Straight Drive; Brooklyn, N.Y.

William D. Lewis, PineCone – the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music; Raleigh, N.C.

Patty Mitchell; Artist; Nashville, Tenn.

Jess Norburg; IBMA; Nashville, Tenn.

Gretchen Priest-May; The Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee; Pegram, Tenn.

Michael Ramsey; Red, White and Bluegrass Festival; Morganton, N.C.

Gary Reid; Bluegrass Productions of Virginia, LLC; Roanoke, Va.

Jessica Smith; Bassist/Singer/Songwriter; Asheville, N.C.

Jean Spivey; Old Settler’s Music Festival; Austin, Texas

Andrew Stokes; McLachlan Management International; Nashville, Tenn.

Donna Ulisse; Donna Ulisse & the Poor Mountain Boys, Hadley Music Group; Nashville, Tenn.


Thanks to the following sponsors of Leadership Bluegrass 2010:

Leadership Bluegrass Presentation Sponsors: BMI; Fred Bartenstein & Associates
Leadership Bluegrass Silver Sponsors: Trisha & John Tubbs, Anonymous
Leadership Bluegrass Patron: Stephen Betts, Nancy Cardwell, Bill Foster, Bill Hartley, Karl Kersey, Barry Mazor, Janet McGarry & Serge Bernard, Leah Ross/Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Roger Ryan, Brian Smith, Holly Tashian, Wayne Taylor, Alan Tompkins/The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation, Archie & Priscilla Warnock, Dwight Worden


The Leadership Bluegrass Planning Committee this year included Brian Smith (chair), Stephanie Taylor (vice-chair), Trisha Tubbs, Holly Tashian, Ron Cox, Craig Havighurst, Fred Bartenstein and Nancy Cardwell (staff liaison). Tashian, Taylor, Yvonne Tatar and Gerry Katz served on the LBG 2010 Selection Committee.

For information on the next Leadership Bluegrass class, contact Nancy Cardwell at (615) 256-3222 or nancyc@ibma.org.

Fret Wizard Sierra Hull Releases First Teaching DVD

NASHVILLE, TN -Fret wizard Sierra Hull releases her very first teaching DVD titled Secrets Songs & Tunes, on Tuesday, March 16th with AcuTab. The DVD is based on the music from her 2008 Rounder Records release, Secrets, and provides viewers with one on one mandolin instruction as she takes them through the different songs on the album.The DVD offers four hours of insight and instruction from Hull, who has long been considered a modern day child prodigy on the mandolin. The two DVD set is also packaged with an informational printed booklet that contains the music from the solos she teaches.

In her AcuTab DVD, Sierra teaches 7 songs and solos from Secrets, plus two tunes from a limited-release CD she recorded at age 13. She goes into great detail demonstrating the solos, putting even the more complex pieces (like Smashville and Hullarious) within the reach of intermediate level mandolinists. There is also a wealth of wisdom – wise well beyond her years – imparted as the material is presented, whether it is fingering, attack, arrangement advice or suggestions about pick direction.Watching the video, it becomes clear that she is not only a poised and confident musician, but also a natural and enthusiastic teacher.

Sierra is assisted in the studio by Kenny Smith on guitar, Ron Block on banjo and Zak McLamb on bass and AcuTab's John Lawless discusses the different techniques with Sierra throughout the video.To anyone following the bluegrass scene, Hull has been a well known name and one that popped onto the bluegrass scene over 6 years ago. She was featured with Alison Krauss at the age of 13 and was recruited by Rounder as she entered into high school. It was through her desire to improve artistically that she waited to release an album with the label until she turned 16 years of age.

Hull was similarly recruited by the prestigious Berklee College Of Music, who offered a full, four year scholarship to attend the school in Boston. Though initially uncertain about college with an active touring schedule in the works, Sierra ultimately accepted a Berklee Presidential Scholarship and began her studies there in the Fall of 2009.Secrets Songs & Tunes will be available from AcuTab and wherever instructional DVDs are sold on March 16. Pre-orders are being accepted now from both AcuTab and Sierra’s web site.To view a segment from the video, click here.To purchase a copy of the video from AcuTab, click here.

MyStudio Continues National Expansion of HD Recording Studios With Nashville Launch

Studio One Media, Inc. ("Studio One") (OTCBB: SOMD), a leading-edge entertainment technology company bridging the divide between professional and consumer audio/visual recording quality, today announced that its revolutionary MyStudio® HD Recording Studio will open in Nashville, Tennessee on March 19, 2010. The new installation will allow the Company's professional quality recording studio to be within reach of consumers, artists and businesses in Nashville and surrounding areas, while adding a key entertainment market to the MyStudio network. The Nashville market will be home to Studio One's third studio and joins its other locations in Phoenix, Arizona and Hollywood, California.
The "Music City" studio will be located at Opry Mills mall, which boasts annual visitors approximating 12 to 14 million. Opry Mills is a 1.2 million square-foot retail, dining, and entertainment destination and hosts a dynamic mix of merchants creating a "shoppertainment" environment. The mall is adjacent to the Grand Ole Opry House and the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
Nashville is recognized worldwide as a hub for country, pop, rock, bluegrass, jazz, classical, contemporary Christian, blues and soul music. Artists like Matchbox Twenty, Bon Jovi and Jewel, among many other successful artists, have come to "Music City" to write and record. Nashville's connection to music is unequalled, and its reputation as "Music City" has gained global respect over many decades.
"Nashville's incredible history in music and entertainment offer a perfect fit for what MyStudio has to offer in this incredible creative community," states Larry Ryckman, CEO of MyStudio. "Nashville is a destination for many to pursue their dreams and MyStudio offers professionals and amateurs alike an easy, affordable and convenient way to create state-of-the-art audio and video recordings as well as offering unique opportunities in the entertainment industry."
MyStudio is a self-contained personal recording studio combining professional audio mixing in real time with HD video that enables users to create music videos, audition tapes, dating videos, etc. The studio allows aspiring musicians the an opportunity to choose from over one thousand backgrounds that complement their original musical works. MyStudio also provides vocalists with thousands of licensed EMI songs. Through the MyStudio.net website, these musical hopefuls can display their accomplishments for viewing by friends, family and talent agents.
Thousands of videos have been created by the public for a multitude of uses including music, modeling, comedy, auditions, casting, job resumes, dating and personal greetings. In addition, MyStudio has hosted a large array of music, modeling and comedy contests and auditions that have provided MyStudio users unique opportunities to showcase their talents to a variety of audiences. Some of the high profile MyStudio auditions to date include Mark Burnett Productions' "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" and MTV's "Bully Beatdown," The GRAMMY Foundation® programs such as GRAMMY® Camp and GRAMMY® Jazz Ensemble, as well as auditions for American Idol producer Simon Fuller, Jamie King and Perez Hilton's, "Boy Band Search," among others.
About MyStudio®MyStudio is a self-contained, state-of-the-art, audio/video recording studio that offers true professional recording studio-quality audio and HD broadcast-quality video with an ease, economy and convenience never before available. MyStudio eliminates the high cost and technological and logistical barriers inherent in the creation of high-quality online video content thereby opening up a new world of opportunities for the creation of user-generated video content by amateurs and professionals alike.
MyStudio can be used to create videos for music, modeling, comedy, dating, job resumes, auditions, personal messages and greetings. A five minute recording session costs only $20. Using Hollywood-style green screen technology, MyStudio users can choose from over 1,000 HD virtual backgrounds for their videos or they can upload their own custom backgrounds. In addition, MyStudio offers thousands of licensed karaoke tracks from EMI Music Publishing thereby allowing consumers to legally create music videos for public viewing on-line. Within minutes of recording, videos are automatically uploaded to the MyStudio.net website, which offers free member profile pages and video sharing in a social networking environment. At MyStudio.net, members can enter contests, receive free DVDs of their videos, download MP3 audio files, access embed codes or print high-resolution photos from their videos.
MyStudio locations include Phoenix, Arizona and Hollywood, California. Additional locations are coming soon.

Cathi Rhodes - As Patsy Cline

Darlene and I just returned from The Ligonier Tavern where Cathi Rhodes, aka Patsy Cline, previewed her up coming show at the Ligonier Theater. Cathi was accompanied by her brothers Joe and Bill as well as Larry Shew and Art Moeller. Debbie Pribisco will join them in the core band for the upcoming show, but there is no room for a piano at the Tavern.

It was a great show tonight and much more will be offered at the upcoming Patsy & Friends Show.Joining Cathi (Patsy,) for the theater show will be Eric Harris as Johnny Cash and Kasey Zemba as Loretta Lynn. This is an all-new show.

Show details:

Presented by The Valley Players of Ligonier.

March 19 & 20, 7:30 PM

March 21, 2:30 PM

Ligonier Theater

210 W. Main St.

Ligonier PA

(724) 238-6514

More info:http://www.cathirhodes.com/ or http://www.valleyplayers.org/

FYI, the Tavern food was outstanding!!

Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamps

Week One * June 13-19, 2010
Flatpicking, Fingerpicking, Fiddle, Bass, Dobro ™,
Mountain Lap Dulcimer and Old Time Banjo Kamp
Just Added: Songwriting/Vocals

Week Two * June 20-26, 2010
Flatpicking, Bluegrass Banjo, Songwriting/Vocals and Mandolin

Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamps
On the grounds of Maryville College, Maryville TN
Just 17 miles south of Knoxville
Our special Kamps are designed to gather folks and musicians of all levels from around the globe with common goals- learning, playing, eating and sleeping music. Whether you are a beginner's beginner or a seasoned professional, each Kamp's classes and activities will inspire and challenge you. Our intent is to maintain a non-competitive, learning atmosphere that will encourage you to grow musically and seek out new ways of playing your instrument.
Steve has put together the strongest team of Flatpicking Guitar, Fingerpicking Guitar, Bass, Fiddle, Dobro (tm), Old Time Banjo, Mountain Dulcimer, Bluegrass Banjo, Songwriting/Vocals and Mandolin instructors the world has to offer.

All of the instructors are well known for their individual and unique picking and teaching styles. They were carefully chosen for their talents- not only as musicians but also for their instructional expertise, easy-going attitude, and approachability. Hundreds of topics will be discussed, thoroughly examined and instructed.

Go to the Official Kamp Site
Click Here

Larry Sparks stays with it

By DICKSON MERCER
Staff writer

For Larry Sparks, 2005's "40" was an album that could have capped a career that spans as many years.
On each track, Sparks, a self-described "stylist," sings bluegrass numbers the way he always has, but does so alongside numerous special guests — Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent, Ralph Stanley, Ricky Skaggs.
Of Sparks' then-20 releases, none before it had garnered as much attention. Even still, Sparks is hardly ready to call it quits.
Since "40," the 62-year-old musician has released four more albums and continues taking gig requests as they come.
Not only that, he said he's close to finishing a new album for Rounder Records. (Sparks' relationship with Rounder was said to have ended with "40," and the four released since were with as many different labels.)
In 1967, Ralph Stanley hired Sparks to replace his brother, Carter Stanley, who had died the previous year. About two years later, though, Sparks departed Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys and formed his ongoing band, The Lonesome Ramblers.
Bluegrass has been Sparks' trade since he was 16, but he said retirement is not something he desires. In fact, it's not really a viable option: "You get out while the sun shines or you don't get it," he said.
On Sunday, Sparks will perform a mixture of songs that span his career and even take some requests at the American Legion in Hughesville.
Speaking on the phone from his home in Indiana, he talked about life after "40" and shared some older memories, too. More...

The Grascals to join Bocephus on 2010 Tour

Mark Bennett The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Terry Eldredge’s musical bucket list just gets more and more interesting.He’s already shared a microphone and stage with legends George Jones, Dolly Parton and Vince Gill, as well as country hit-maker Dierks Bentley, among others.Now, he’s checking off another icon — Hank Williams Jr.Eldredge and his bandmates, The Grascals, are about to release their fourth album, “The Famous Lefty Flynn’s,” with old Bocephus joining them in three-part harmony on a song co-written by the late, great Hank Sr. A few days later, The Grascals will join Hank Jr. on his 2010 Rowdy Friends Tour.But Eldredge isn’t stopping there. He’d like to sing alongside Merle Haggard, The Eagles and Beyoncé, “just so I could look at her,” he said, laughing.This guy who grew up across from West Vigo High School thinks big. And with good reason. In six years together, he and The Grascals have become a hit with bluegrass aficionados, big-city critics and fans of other musical genres. They’ve earned a pair of Grammy nominations. It’s hip to like The Grascals.Their popularity likely will increase this spring. Rounder Records will release their album March 30. Their tour with Williams should further expose The Grascals to crowds unfamiliar with their sound, or that of any other bluegrass band.“We’re gonna gain a whole lot of fans,” Eldredge said Wednesday by telephone from Nashville, “but bluegrass will, too.” More...

Whetstone Run - If Teardrops Were Pennies

Happy Birthday Marshall.

Marshall Wilborn, bass, born March 12, 1952. when Marshall and Lynn Morris were part of Whetstone Run. Lee Olson, Mandolin and Mike Gorrell, guitar.

Good times keep rollin' for IIIrd Tyme Out

By CHARITY APPLE/Times-News

Bluegrass musician Russell Moore requests one thing from his audiences — that they “come in with a smile on their faces and leave with a smile on their faces.”
Moore is the founding member of the band Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, a group which has been recognized as the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) Vocal Group of the Year for seven consecutive years. It has earned more than 50 industry awards since its inception in 1991, and although it’s all very flattering, Moore will tell you it’s the fans that keep them going.
“We’re so thankful, so blessed that we have the support of our peers and fans as much as we do. Our fans are letting us know how much they appreciate us and our music; 2009 was a wonderful year and 2010 looks like it will be, too,” he said in a phone interview from his home 30 minutes north of Atlanta.
“Even with the downturn of the economy, my phone is ringing off the hook for bookings. That means a lot that people would try to scrape up enough to come to one of our shows. And we work with the promoters to keep the prices down. This is family-style entertainment, so it should be affordable enough to bring your family to see us.” More...

Del McCoury Band has fans away from bluegrass

Del McCoury has spent 50 of his 70 years playing music, though by necessity the music often has shared time with day jobs: pouring concrete, logging and the like.
He and his Del McCoury Band have forged a hard-driving bluegrass sound that is at once staunchly traditional and instantly identifiable. It is acoustic, practiced and precise, and it seems the polar opposite of the jam-rock culture.
"Well, we've been doing mixed festivals -- you know, hardcore bluegrass and then . . . some others, since the early '70s," said McCoury, sitting at his home with sons (and McCoury Band members) Rob and Ronnie McCoury.
"I guess I always had the confidence that somebody's going to like this music. Some might walk away, but somebody else will walk toward us. I've been playing for all sorts of different people since way back. Played for hippies, and for beatniks before that," he said.
The well-appointed McCoury home is a testament to the extent of his music's popularity beyond bluegrass' niche audience. In the liner notes to the 50-song box set "Celebrating 50 Years of Del McCoury," dobro great Jerry Douglas wrote, "You can finally make a living playing bluegrass, and a large part of it is because of Del McCoury: He became like the new Bill Monroe."
Born in Bakersfield, N.C., McCoury was raised in York County, Pa. Early on, he was enamored of the sounds he heard on the "Grand Ole Opry," particularly those that came from Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs. These were the days before bluegrass was called "bluegrass," and before any act based around fiddles and five-string banjos had achieved the kind of success that would allow a pool in the backyard.
Brother G.C. McCoury taught Del to play guitar, but his most impressive trick as a youngster was his ability to play a banjo in the style Earl Scruggs was pioneering on the "Opry." That ability helped an older McCoury get a job with Bill Monroe.

More...

Music Review: Brand New Strings – No Strings Attached

Author: John Taylor — Published: Mar 10, 2010 at 6:22 am

(Editor's Note: The new release from Brand New Strings will be featured on Traditional Ties, Sunday March 14, 10:00 PM. 91,3 FM Pitsburgh PA, streaming

http://wyep.org/ ).

In the abstract, it’s almost surprising that bluegrass, a form of music so resolutely resistant to change, devoid of drums and relying heavily on male harmonies, should continue to exist at all. But when the music is infused with such sincere love and played with the kind of palpable joy that Brand New Strings bring to their latest outing, it seems the most natural thing in the world.
Its basic parameters unaltered since Bill Monroe almost single-handedly established the template in the 1950s, Bluegrass has that timeless quality that makes even new songs sound old. Its insistence on all-acoustic instrumentation – guitars, mandolin, banjo, string bass – and intricately woven harmony singing are definitely the trappings of an earlier era. And lyrically it’s based on the tried and true – love (mostly of the heartbreak variety), home, family and faith – all stuff that endures, topics that don’t depend on fad or fashion.
Brand New Strings are definitely a traditional-sounding outfit. Adhering to the standard instrumental lineup, with a little help from fiddler Ron Stewart, they deliver a platter that celebrates the simple life, with faith and family given equally prominence. More...

Traditional Ties, 03/14/10, Playlist

Contact info for new adds:Brand New Strings - http://www.ruralrhythm.com/ - http://www.brandnewstringsband.com/

Michael Martin Murphey - http://www.ruralrhythm.com/ - http://www.michaelmartinmurpheymusic.com/

Air Time
Artist Name
Song Title
Album Name
Label
Duration

10:00 PM
Kenny Baker
Jerusalem Ridge (Theme)
Plays Bill Monroe
County
2:00
10:02 PM
Brand New Strings
The Blues Club
No Strings Attached
Rural Rhythm
2:48
10:06 PM
Michael Martin Murphey
Running Gun
Buckaroo Blue Grass ll
Rural Rhythm
2:45
10:09 PM
Randy Kohrs
Die on the Vine
Quicksand
Rural Rhyrhm
3:19
10:12 PM
The Chapmans
She's Never Coming Back
Grown Up
Compass
2:45
10:16 PM
Jim Lloyd
You Can't Grow an Onion Upside Down
Songs from My Attic
Mountain Roads
2:56
10:19 PM
Special Consensus
Going to Carolina
Signs
Pinecastle
3:09
10:22 PM
Buddy Meriam
Spirit of Rosine
Back roads Mandolin
Lily Pad
2:59
10:25 PM
M M Murphey
Cosmic Cowboy
Buckaroo Blue Grass
Rural Rhythm
4:29
10:30 PM
Brand New Strings
Living Water
No Strings Attached
Rural Rhythm
2:07
10:32 PM
Rhonda Vincent
When I Travel My Last Mile
Destination Life
Rounder
3:30
10:36 PM
Mickey Harris
Take Just a Munite for Him
Dog House Blues
MJH
4:18
10:40 PM
Jeanette Williams
Either Way Im Going Home
Thank Yoy for Caring
Blue Circle
4:16
10:45 PM
Doyle Lawson
Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly
Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly
Horizon
2:33
10:48 PM
The Gibson Brothers
Ring the Bell
Ring the Bell
Compass
3;48
10:52 PM
Wayne Taylor
Heaven's Door
Wayne taylor & Appaloosa
Raincoe
3:19
10:55 PM
Barry Scott
The Only Thing that Matters
In God's Time
Rebel
3:22
11:00 PM
True Bluegrass
With Care from Someone (Theme)
True Bluegrass 1979
True Bluegrass
2:00
11:02 PM
Brand New Strings
Law of the Land
No Strings Attached
Rural Rhythm
3:42
11:06 PM
Brand New Sreings
Merry Go Round
No Strings Attached
Rural Rhythm
2:00
11:09 PM
Brand New Strings
High on a Hilltop
No Strings Attached
Rural Rhyrhm
3:05
11:13 PM
Brand New Strings
The First Date
No Strings Attached
Rural Rhythm
2:41
11:17 PM
M M Muphery
Rollin' Nowhere
Buckaroo Blue Grass ll
Rural Rhythm
3:27
11:20 PM
Steep Canyon Rangers
Mourning Dove
Deep in the Shade
Rebel
2:32
11:23 PM
Dailey & Vincent
Flowers on the Wall
Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers
Cracker Barrel
2:24
11:25 PM
Lou Reid
Amanda Lynn
My Own Set of Rules
Rural Rhythm
3:29
11:30 PM
M M Muphery
Desert Rat
Buckaroo Blue Grass ll
Rural Rhythm
3:50
11:33 PM
David Parmley
Refill Your Love
3 Silver Dollars
Pinecastle
2:43
11:35 PM
Butler - Wade
Backin' to Birmingham
Haulin' Grass
Blue Circle
2:51
11:38 PM
Snyder Family Band
Cattle in the Cane
Comin' on Strong
Mountain Roads
3:24
11:43 PM
M M Muphery
Running Blood
Buckaroo Blue Grass ll
Rural Rhythm
3:50
11:47 PM
Del McCoury
White Pass Railroad
Family Circle
McCoury Music
3:45
11:51 PM
Bill Emerson
Sometimes the Pleasure's Worth the Pain
Southern
Rural Rhyrhm
2:27
11:53 PM
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
I Thought I'd Seen It All
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Mountain Home
2:31
11:57 PM
Remington Ryde
Dizzy
The Ryde
Green Valley
2:51JOHN TROUT, WYEP FM, PITTSBURGH, PA. tties91@hotmail.com 'TRADITIONAL TIES'- NEW RELEASE BLUEGRASS WITH FEATURES. 91.3 WYEP, http://www.wyep.org/ 10:00 PM Eastern Time (U.S.) Sundays. Streaming Audio 1608 JEFFERSON ST, LATROBE PA, 15650 -2940 'TRADITIONAL TIES' - 25 YEARS IN 2010Link to Traditional Ties web pages: http://wyep.org/traditionalties