Never Forget Their Sacrifice

Buck and Company at Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival

Making their first appearance at the Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival is Buck and Company here is a short blurb from their web site.

"Buck & Company was originally formed in 2002 and is based in the Parkersburg, West Virginia area. The Band's repertoire focuses on traditionally based bluegrass and bluegrass gospel including original compositions by Buck McCumbers. The Band's aspirations are to deliver high quality bluegrass music, meet new people, and make new friends at the regions best bluegrass venues. Buck &Company is eager to have the opportunity to perform for some of the finest people in the world ..... BLUEGRASS MUSIC FANS!"

June 18 &19, Ligonier PA - Full details here.

More Information on the Late Slim Bryant

If reading about the passing of Slim Bryant has you more interested in his life and mucic, here is a link to an article from 2002. Some of the dates cited are different than found elsewhere but otherwise the story in very informative it also includes audio clips from the interview as well as some of Slim's music.

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/20020811bryant0811fnp4.asp

Slim and Merle Haggard

See previous post for visitation and services details.

RIP - Slim Bryant

Slim Bryant

Thomas Hoyt "Slim" Bryant, a country music legend who charmed his adopted 

home of Pittsburgh for nearly seven decades, died Friday. He was 101.

Mr. Bryant, of Dormont, had been a local radio personality for years,

turning up at 6 a.m. daily to play during the KDKA Farm Hour regardless of

where he and his band, The Wildcats, had been the night before.

Mr. Bryant was born in Atlanta in 1908 and moved to Pittsburgh in 1940. He

never became a national star or boasted a slew of cross-over hits. But he

was respected and admired by the likes of Gene Autry and Les Paul, who

idolized him as a teenager, said Wayne Van Dine, a former KDKA-TV reporter.

And though he was a talented guitar player with historic country music

roots, he was humble and kind, said friends and family.

Mr. Bryant's son, Thomas H. Bryant II, said his father died at St. Clair

Hospital after a long illness.

In addition to his son, of Kansas City, Mr. Bryant is survived by two

grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

at the Beinhauer Family Funeral Home in Dormont. A memorial service will be

held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Dormont Presbyterian Church.

From the Post Gazette  5/29/10

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ironically I had just submitted a short article, as a guest contributor for another blog.
If an when it runs, I will post a link here.

In addition to Slim's long radio career in Pittsburgh, it should be noted that he was a member of Clayton McMichen and the Georgia Wildcats, and was the last surviving artist to have recorded with Jimmy Rodgers, when Rodgers recorded Slim's "Mother the Queen of My Heart" in 1932.

I am including some photos of Slim.

Slim and the Wildcats

Slim and the Wildcats at KDKA

Slim at a CD signing, May 2007

The Gibson Brothers at the Thunderbird Cafe

Eric and Leigh Gibson

The Gibson Brothers Band

The Gibson Brothers were at their best during their show in Pittsburgh Friday evening. It was standing room only, and those attending, for the most part were there to listen. In this crowded intimate setting there was great interaction between the band an listeners, something  Eric and Lee seemed to thrive on.

Full Steam Ahead

Opening the show with a great set were Pittsburgh's own Full Steam Ahead, a band that has come a long way since I first heard them about four years ago, I would recommend them for any area event. They have a new CD almost ready for release, and a new web site, check them out. at http://fullsteamaheadmusic.com/

ANNUAL BLUEGRASS FEST AT SYRIA LODGE WILL BE RECORDED FOR LIVE ALBUM

Bluegrass bands will turn a day at the Graves Mountain festival into an album.

Date published: 5/27/2010

BY JONAS BEALS

The unique beauty of Syria, in Madison County, inspired songwriter Carl Jackson to pen "Graves Mountain Memories" celebrating the iconic lodge there and the annual bluegrass festival it hosts.

That song, in turn, inspired bluegrass musician and Graves Mountain Festival of Music producer Mark Newton.

"The song pays tribute to the history of Graves," Newton said. "I've always felt that the history of the site is quite amazing, and that we needed to record that song somehow, some way."


Then Newton found a way. Sam Passamano, president of Rural Rhythm records in Los Angeles, liked the idea of recording the song. Together, they expanded on the idea and came to a much larger conclusion. They would record an entire Friday of music at the Graves Mountain festival--nearly 11 hours of picking and high harmonies from six bands.

Recording a live concert is not a new idea, nor is recording an entire day of music--but Newton and Passamano wanted to produce a lasting document of the event that highlighted the natural spontaneity and cross-band collaborations that happen at music festivals.

"I'm always trying to figure out ways to have something that's not just the norm," Newton said. "The norm gets stagnant, especially after you've done it for so long."

Creating an album featuring dozens of artists in various combinations can be exciting, but it can also be a legal nightmare of release forms and consent agreements. Passamano and Newton simplified matters by creating an entire Friday lineup out of Rural Rhythm artists.

"That's the way it has to be," Newton said. "It just so happens that these artists are popular. That was a plus."

Bluegrass stalwarts like The Lonesome River Band, Russl Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out and Audie Blaylock & Redline will perform during the day. The evening session will feature a number of collaborations with all-stars like Lou Reid, Sammy Shelor, Carrie Hassler, Jackson and Newton.

"That will be the exciting part," Newton said. "Instrumental and vocal pairings you don't usually see."

Newton and Passamano then plan to condense those hours of music into an album anchored by an all-star rendition of Jackson's "Graves Mountain Memories." Read more.

Traditional Ties, 05/30/10, Playlist

Contact info for new adds:
Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice -  http://www.juniorsiskandramblerschoice.com/ -  http://www.rebelrecords.com/
Tha Cana Ramblers-  http://canaramblers.com

Several selections picked especially for Memorial Day are included in this show.

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
Junior Sisk
Working Hard Ain't Hardly Working anymore
Heartaches and Dreams
Rebel
2:52

10:06 PM
Cana Ramblers
Will You Be Lovin' Another Man
No Expectations
Cana Ramblers
2:26

10:09 PM
Big Country Bluegrass
The Boys in Hats and Ties
Advance Single
Rebel
2;25

10:12 PM
Thea Wescott
Santa Ana Wind
Cromwell...and Other Roads
Timberland Ridge
4:05

10:18 PM
The Grascals
Me and John and Paul
The Grascals
Rounder
3:12

10:21 PM
The Allegheny Drifters
Mind Your Own Business
Can't Wait
The Allegheny Drifters
3:09

10:24 PM
Blue Shades
Gardens and Memories
Chasing Dreams
Blue Shades
3:20

10:27 PM
The Cana Ramblers
Cash's Last Ride
No Expectations
Cana Ramblers
3:19

10:32 PM
Junior Sisk
Let the Light Shine Down
Heartaches and Dreams
Rebel
2:37

10:35 PM
Paul Williams
Living the Right Life Now
Just a Little Closer Home
Rebel
2:19

10:37 PM
Don Rigsby
Charged with Being a Chistian
Voice of God
Rebel
2:19

10:39 PM
Lou Reid
John in the Jordan
My Own Set of Rules
Rural Rhythm
2:24

10:43 PM
Cana Ramblers
In the Garden
No Expections
Cana Ramblers
4;18

10:47 PM
Gary Waldrep
For Him
Road Leading Home
Blue Circle
3:28

10:51 PM
Doyle Lawson
He Will Remeber Me
Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly
Rounder
4:13

10:55 PM
Larry Sparks
A King for Me
I Just Want to Thank You Lord
Rural Rhythm
3:52

11:00 PM
True Bluegrass
With Care from Someone (Theme)
True Bluegrass 1979
True Bluegrass
2:00

11:02 PM
Junior Sisk
Train Without a Track
Heartaches and Dreams
Rebel
2:42

11:05 PM
Junior Sisk
Humble Man
Heartaches and Dreams
Rebel
3:15

11:13 PM
Junior Sisk
Heartaches and Dreams
Heartaches and Dreams
Rebel
2:34

11:13 PM
Junior Sisk
A Black Hearse Following Me
Heartaches and Dreams
Rebel
3:29

11:17 PM
Mon River Ramblers
Economic Breakdown
27
Mon River Ramblers
3:17

11:21 PM
Cana Ramblers
Big Wind
No Expectations
Cana Ramblers
2:57

11:24 PM
Northwest Territory
Veteran's Song
Fiddle Snakes
NWT
2:46

11:26 PM
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Hero of Mine
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Mountain Home
4:26

11:33 PM
Cana Ramblers
Your Other Man
No Expections
Cana Ramblers
3:08

11:35 PM
The Travelers
Shadow of a Man
Ridin' the Lines
Hay Holler
3:15

11:38 PM
Carolina Road
Carolina Hurricane
Carolina Hurricane
Blue Circle
2:00

11:40 PM
Audie Blaylock
Cryin' Heart Blues
Cryin' Heart Blues
Rebel
2:13

11:42 PM
Gibson Brothers
Jerrico
Ring the Bell
Compass
2:43

11:45 PM
Cana Ramblers
Going Down
No Expectations
Cana Ramblers
4:44

11:50 PM
Davis Raines
21 Guns
Parts Unknown
Shell Point
3:51

11:54 PM
Larry Stephenson
Teardrop Town
20th Anniversary
Pinecastle
2:25

11:57 PM
Jesse Baker
Farewell Blues
Yessir
Patuxent
2:55

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 2010

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

News from Rural Rhythm

"SOMEWHERE IN GLORY" by Common Strings Now Released



Common Strings, Dale Ann Bradley and Steve Gulley Launch
The Cumberland River Academy of Bluegrass and Appalachian Music

RURAL RHYTHM CHRISTIAN is proud to announce the new album release, “SOMEWHERE IN GLORY” by Common Strings. Music partners Darron and Vanessa Nichols called on their very talented bluegrass friends and fellow mountain neighbors to capture the authentic sounds of Appalachia including: Album Producer, Sammy Shelor who also provides his banjo talents; Dale Ann Bradley and Steve Gulley on harmony vocals; Mike Hartgrove on fiddle; and Mark Hodges, Engineer.


“SOMEWHERE IN GLORY” is a collection of songs sung and played much of the same as they have been in Appalachia over the past seven generations. Some songs were written in the early seventeen hundreds and one was written while on a ship sailing to the new world. Even the new songs written by Vanessa’s father, Wayne King (“Beyond the Mist of Blue”, “The Revelation”) and Darron Nichols original songs (“Glorious Power” and “Golden Streets of Home”) have a very old, mountain sound.
Vanessa Nichols is a true coal miner’s daughter, whose father is still a miner in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. She is blessed with an amazing voice and an appreciation for the old-time mountain songs her mother and grandmother shared with her over the years. The band is dedicating the song, “Hardhat for a Halo” to the families and miners of the West Virginia and Kentucky coal mine accident. Singer, songwriter and musician Darron Nichols has also been blessed with a strong love of the musical heritage passed down through the years and has a strong desire to preserve the songs of Appalachia for future generations.
The group is also celebrating another milestone. Yesterday, Common Strings, Dale Ann Bradley and Steve Gulley launched The Cumberland River Academy of Bluegrass and Appalachian Music at the Bell Theater in Pineville, Kentucky. The program is designed to educate and inform students of all ages about the historical values of the music and culture of the people who settled the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Mary Jenkins will serve as Executive Director.



For more information on Common Strings including “SOMEWHERE IN GLORY” and also the the Cumberland River Academy of Bluegrass and Appalachian Music, please visit the band’s website.



###

Junior Sisk ready to release new CD

Note the CD which is the subject of this article will be featured on this Sunday's (5/30) Traditional Ties. http://wyep.org/. 10:00 PM EDT, 91.3 Pittsburgh PA.

By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer

Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice new CD "Heartaches and Dreams" will be released Tuesday, June 8.

Rebel Records and Sisk have already huddled and selected the first three selections to be promoted from the CD, following the title song.

"Heartaches and Dreams" was written several years ago by Harry Sisk Sr., and Junior said he just changed a few words.

"I've been carrying around the song for four or five years and have never sung it during a show, nor has it ever been recorded," the younger Sisk said this week. "I selected it as the title song for several reasons. My mother died Dec. 11, 2009, and that represented the heartaches. Then last fall, me and the band got to perform in the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and that's always been a dream of mine."

"Then another dream came true when our 'Blue Side of the Blue Ridge' CD was named album of the year by the Society for the Preservation of Blue Grass Music of America (SPBGMA) at their national convention in Nashville in February," he added.

The songs selected for singles are "Train Without a Track" by Tom T. and Dixie Hall, "Working Hard Ain't Hardly Working" by Daniel Sawyer and "Guns, Coins and Jewelry" by band member and uncle Tim Massey and Rick Pardue. Read more.

The Mon River Ramblers to Open Saturday's Show at The Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Featival

Coming soon:
The Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival
Friday June 18, 6:00 to 11:00 PM
Saturday June 19, Noon to 11:00 PM
Route 271, Waterford, Just 5 Miles North of Ligonier, PA

Complete festival info here.

The Mon River Ramblers is one of Pittsburgh's youngest and busiest Bluegrass bands, if you are not familiar here is an introductory video.

Award Winners to Appear at Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival.

The Canadian band Hard Ryde will be appearing at The Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival, Ligioner PA.
The festival is Friday evening June 18, and all day Saturday June 19. Hard Ryde will do two shows on Saturday, afternoon and evening. More festival details here. Hard Ryde info here.

For most in our area this will be the first opportunity to see this award winning Canadian Band so here is an introductory video.

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers‏

Joe Mullins Receives Special Honor
Joe Mullins is the recipient of the Outstanding Musician Award granted during the 14th Annual Appalachian Unsung Hero Ceremony presented by Sinclair Community College’s Appalachian Outreach Committee on Friday, May 14th.
Recipients of these awards must meet the definition of Appalachian as per federal government guidelines; or must have demonstrated outstanding service within the Appalachian community. The purpose of the awards is to recognize “unsung heroes” who have performed good deeds, built pride and self-esteem, but have gone unnoticed or unrewarded for their exceptional efforts. Joe Mullins is a southwestern Ohio native who has been an active bluegrass performer and radio broadcaster for over 25 years. Mullins purchased WBZI Radio (AM 1500) in Xenia, Ohio. What began with WBZI has now expanded into a network of southwest Ohio radio stations collectively referred to as Classic Country Radio including the addition of WKFI AM 1090 in Wilmington in 2003, WEDI AM 1130 in Eaton in 2004 and most recently FM 100.3. Classic Country Radio’s unique mix of locally produced programming including country oldies, bluegrass, news and information is heard 24 hours a day on FM 100.3 and www.myclassiccountry.com. Mullins is on air weekdays 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. featuring bluegrass and old-time gospel music.
Although busy as a radio entrepreneur, Mullins did manage to record and perform on a limited basis 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 1990s. 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.
He also produces many major bluegrass events throughout Ohio annually. Mullins is now a busy musician again, touring heavily both regionally and nationally with his band, the Radio Ramblers. They have released two albums, the most recent, Rambler’s Call on esteemed bluegrass label Rebel Records. Another album is projected for release in the fall. He is respected as one the top five-string banjo players nationally and is an occasional banjo workshop presenter.
Fred Bartenstein remarked, “Joe Mullins is one of the most prominent Appalachian business, cultural and civic leaders in the Miami Valley. Tens of thousands of Appalachians who listen to the radio already know who he is, but maybe not the full extent of his inspiring story and contributions. The 2010 Appalachian Award will help to remedy this and win him much-deserved recognition from other leaders in the region.”
Birthday, BBQ and Bluegrass Bash

Joe Mullins' Classic Country Radio will celebrate its 15th year this summer with a Birthday, BBQ and Bluegrass Bash on June 27th. The event will be held at Young's Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, OH. BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers and all the fixins will be served beginning at 5:00pm. Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers will perform at 6:00pm with Rhonda Vincent & The Rage performing at 7:30pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.myclassiccountry.com/ or download the event flyer.
Rambler's Call on Rebel Records

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have been enjoying the recent success of their Rebel Records release, Rambler's Call. This CD is being called one of the best traditional bluegrass records of its time and we'd like to invite you to get a sneak peak of the CD by logging onto the band's website at http://www.radioramblers.com/. To purchase your own personal copy of Rambler's Call, please visit http://www.countysales.com/

Still 'Special'

Note: Special Consensus will be appearing at the Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival, Ligonier PA, June 19


After 35 years, Greg Cahill and his band continue to spread the gospel of bluegrass


By JEREMY D. BONFIGLIO - H-P Features Writer
Published: Thursday, May 20, 2010 1:07 PM EDT


Greg Cahill pauses at the thought.
It's been 35 years since the banjo player started his bluegrass band The Special Consensus, and on Tuesday the quartet will be releasing its 15th album, appropriately titled "35."

"For a long time I would say, 'Let's just see if I can make it another year,'" Cahill says by telephone during a tour stop in New York City. "Then it was all about trying to find the gigs and make that happen. All of a sudden, I look up and its 35 years. I can't believe it."

As the lone original member of a band that's seen more than a few lineup changes, Cahill admits he does get a little weary of the road. But it's the fans and the friends he's met throughout his musical journey that, he says, keep him coming back to the stage.

"There's been ups and downs," says Cahill, who brings The Special Consensus to Three Oaks on Friday for a show at The Acorn Theater. "There's been some hard times, but I'm so grateful to all the people who have taken us in and given us a meal. It's like a great extended family in the world of bluegrass."

It's hard to believe that Cahill, who still lives in his native Chicago, ever played anything other than a banjo, but his musical education actually began when his grandfather taught him the harmonica. He also took accordion lessons and dabbled in the honky-tonk piano style of his mother before picking up the guitar in high school. By the time he went to college in Minnesota, he was playing in a folk trio.

"I had a six-string guitar and a 12-string guitar a la Pete Seeger," Cahill says. "Then I got one of the long banjos and started learning the Pete Seeger songs and Peter, Paul and Mary. Then the other guy in the band came in one Saturday and played the 'Foggy Mountain Banjo,' and our jaws dropped to the floor. It was the first time I heard Earl Scruggs, and it was unbelievable, so I said, 'I have got to do that.'"

After "going into the Army for a couple of years," Cahill went to graduate school at the University of Chicago and began experimenting with bluegrass with a handful of musicians, including Marc Edelstein, Jim Hale, Jeremy Raven and Jim Iberg.

"We started informally, slowing down records and dropping the needle to try to figure out how Earl was playing it," Cahill says.

"Earl Scruggs playing the banjo in that three-finger style - it just sounded like an orchestra. It was no longer strumming a little bit of melody. It was playing the melody and the drive of the music, the excitement, the energy, the whole package." Read more.

Traditional Ties, 05/23/10, Playlist

Contact info for new adds:


Summertown Road -  http://summertownroad.com/ - http://www.rounder.com/


Thea Wescott - http://www.timberlandridge.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

Summertown Road

If I Win

Summertown Road

Rounder

2:19



10:07 PM

Thea Wescott

Diggin' Ol' Albert's Grave

Crommwell,,,and Other Roads

Timberland Ridge.

3:12



10:10 PM

Poverty Hollow

Backtrackin'

Demo

Poverty Hollow

3:07



10:13 PM

Carolina Road

Carolina Hurricane

Carolina Hurricane

Rural Rhythm

2:06



10:17 PM

Audie Blaylock

All I Can Do Is Pretend

Cryin' Heart Blues

Rural Rhythm

3:43



10:21 PM

Big Country Bluegrass

The Boys in Hats and Ties

CD Single

Rebel

2:25



10:23 PM

Adam Steffey

Deep Rough

One More for the Road

Sugar Hill

2:57



10:26 PM

Summertown Road

Goin' Home to See My Baby

Summertown Road

Rounder

3:22



10:31 PM

Thea Wescott

Oh Elijah

Cromwell...and Other Roads

Timberland Ridge

3:44



10:34 PM

Poverty Hollow

By the Mark

Demo

Poverty Hollow

3:25



10:37 PM

Don Rigsby

The Voice of God

The Voice of God

Rebel

3:26



10:40 PM

Paul Williams

Just a Little Closer Home

Just a Little Closer Home

Rebel

3:10



10:45 PM

Summertown Road

Hide Me Rock of Ages

Summertown Road

Rounder

2:43



10:48 PM

Claire Lynch

Face to Face

Wharcha You Gonna Do

Rounder

3:55



10:55 PM

Rhonda Vincent

When I Travel My Last Mile

Destination Life

Rounder

3:30



10:56 PM

Doyle Lawson

Mountain View Missionary Church

Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly

Horizon

3:48



11:00 PM

True Bluegrass

With Care from Someone (Theme)

True Bluegrass 1979

True Bluegrass

2:00



11:02 PM

Summertown Road

Dennie Braden

Summertown Road

Rounder

3:18



11:07 PM

Summertown Road

I'm Leaving You

Summertown Road

Rounder

2:11



11:11 PM

Summertown Road

That's Kentucky

Summertown Road

Rounder

2:41



11:13 PM

Summertown Road

Winds of Change

Summertown Road

Rounder

2:31



11:17 PM

Thea Wescott

Santa Ana Winds

Cromwell...and Other Roads

Timberland Ridge

4:05



11:24 PM

Poverty Hollow

Steel Rails

Demo

Poverty Hollow

3:10



11:27 PM

Nate Grower

New Fall Reel

Nate Grower

Patuxent

3:10



11:30 PM

Lou Reid

Blue Ridge Girl

My Own Set of Rules

Rural Rhythm





11:34 PM

Thea Wescott

Fields of Gold

Cromwell...and Other Roads

Timberland Ridge

3:13



11:38 PM

Poverty Hollow

Richmond

Demo

Poverty Hollow

4:00



11:42 PM

Butler - Wade

Be Glad

Haulin' Grass

Blue Circle

3:11



11:45 PM

Cherryholmes

Live It

Common Threads

Skaggs

3:43



11:49 PM

Darren Beachley

Tall Weeds and Rust

Take Off

Patuxent

3:20



11:52 PM

Gibson Brothers

Jericho

Ring the Bell

Compass

2:43



11:57 PM

Blue Shades

Catawba

Chasing Dreams

Blue Shades

2:30



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 2010



Link to Traditional Ties web pages:

http://wyep.org/traditionalties

A FEW REMINDERS FROM IBMA....

Is Your Album Eligible for This Year’s IBMA Awards

The reference list for albums eligible the 2010 IBMA Awards has been posted to the IBMA website at: http://www.ibma.org/ibma.awards/currentpress/awardseligibilitylist.asp. If you have an album that was released within the eligibility period, April 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010, you should be listed on this reference list. If you are not OR if there are errors in your listing, contact Jess at  jess@ibma.org with release information.
IBMA compiles this information for the voting members who may not be familiar with or have access to actual release dates of the recordings. Once again, we are requesting the help of record companies, artists and producer members in checking the list. For more information on Awards Criteria, visit http://www.ibma.org/ibma.awards/criteria.asp.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Multi-Year Membership Discounts Good Through May 31
Join or Renew your Professional membership with IBMA and receive a 25% savings on a multi-year commitment! Support the efforts of IBMA for years to come by committing to two years, three years or more and SAVE $$ in the process!
Visit http://www.ibma.org/member.services/join.asp  for complete details on pricing and to apply on-line.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IBMA Awards Ballot Mail Schedue
The balloting for the 2010 International Bluegrass Music Awards is underway. Don't miss your opportunity to participate in the voting! If you are not a current professional member of IBMA, you won't receive the first ballot but you can receive the second! Join or Renew today! http://www.ibma.org/member.services/join.asp.
Second Awards Ballot Mails July 9 (determines nominees)

Third Awards Ballot Mails August 19 (determines recipients of Awards)





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Ticket Sales for the 2010 World of Bluegrass Events begin June 1!



Information will begin posting to the IBMA website next week and will be updated throughout the summer and fall.



FACE TIME. IT MATTERS.

Make your plans to attend!

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

Flamekeeper In The News!
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper recently performed in Vancouver, BC, Canada at ST. James Hall to a very appreciative crowd of bluegrass fans. Erik Roflson, reporter for The Province, wrote a wonderful feature on the band prior to their visit to the area. About Cleveland, Rolfson states, "He contributes to the band's vocal harmonies, but it's when he weaves a sweet waltz or shreds his bow hairs on a foot-stomping number that the unique power of the fiddle takes hold." Click here to read the entire story.

Tom Adams &Banjo Newsletter

Banjo fans have been enjoying Tom Adams' column for Banjo Newsletter for more than 10 years now. Look for an updated and expanded online presence for the banjo magazine in the coming months as Tom's duties for BNL now include that of webmaster for the Annapolis, MD-based publication. "Now that they've given me the secret code to their web server, look for lots of Flamekeeper ads to start popping up throughout their site. I'm pretty excited about the potential of my newly-acquired power," states Tom.


Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper Featuring Dale Ann Bradley

Announcements were made not long ago that Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and Dale Ann Bradley would be teaming up later this year for select dates. The first of these shows has been confirmed for October 23. The concert will take place at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir, NC. The concept of this show is for Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper to perform a set of their own music, and then invite Dale Ann to join them for a set of her music. This is a great opportunity for audiences to enjoy a concert featuring IBMA's reigning Instrumental Group of the Year, Fiddle, Mandolin and Bass Performers of the Year and the Female Vocalist of the Year all on one stage for one very entertaining show! For more details on these concerts, keep an eye on the performance calendars for both bands at http://www.flamekeeperband.com/ or http://www.daleann.com/.

Guitarist James Alan Shelton Presents Where I’m Bound

Clinch Mountain Boy Explores Bluegrass, Folk, Country, Gospel, Pop in 10th Album

NASHVILLE (May 19, 2010)—Acoustic guitar virtuoso James Alan Shelton will release his tenth solo album, Where I’m Bound, on June 1 on his own Sheltone label. Apart from his solo work, Shelton is the Grammy-winning lead guitarist of Ralph Stanley’s band, the Clinch Mountain Boys, a distinction he has held for the past 16 years.

“I decided to stretch out a bit on this album,” Shelton says, “and do some things that you wouldn’t normally expect to hear from a traditional bluegrass guitar player.” In this aim, he has succeeded magnificently, selecting and arranging songs that yield the sonic essence of several genres of music.

Although he is backed on this album by such luminaries as fiddler Dewey Brown (also a Clinch Mountain Boy), mandolinist Audey Ratliff and vocalists Savannah Vaughn and Dan Moneyhun, Shelton is the real instrumental work horse, providing both lead and rhythm guitar parts, bass, banjo, mandolin and vocals.

The 14 songs include the folk masterpieces “Where I’m Bound,” “Pastures Of Plenty,” “Catch The Wind,” “All The Pretty Little Horses” and “Danny Boy,” bluegrass- and country-tinged arrangements of “Rose Conley,” “Cherokee Shuffle,” “Home Sweet Home,” “Theme From Dillinger” (a variation of the Carter Family’s “The Old Gospel Ship”) and Shelton’s self-penned railroad tribute, “Riding On The Clinchfield.” Further enriching the musical brew is a spare and sprightly rendering of the immortal Buck Owens theme, “Buckaroo,” a Beatles classic, “I’ll Follow The Sun,” and gorgeous acoustic renditions of the seasonal favorites, “Do You Hear What I Hear” and “Auld Lang Syne.”

A native of the Yuma community of Scott County, Virginia, and now residing in Church Hill, Tennessee, Shelton earned a Best Bluegrass Album Grammy in 2002 for his part in the Jim Lauderdale/Ralph Stanley collection, Lost In The Lonesome Pines. His earlier albums are Blue In The Blue Ridge (1996), Road To Coeburn (1997), Clinch Mountain Guitar (1996), Standing Room Only (1999), Guitar Tracks (1999), Song For Greta (2002), Half Moon Bay (2004), Walking Down The Line (2007) and Gospel Guitar (2005).

A Bluegrass Wedding

Rhonda Vincent taking the happy couple's picture

All eyes were on Linda Lookadoo, a behind-the-scenes player of the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, who took center stage Saturday evening in a simple white dress and a crown of flowers in her hair.

And for the first time in the 30-year history of the festival, it wasn't about the music.

Linda, a behind-the-scenes promoter and lover of all things bluegrass, stood before the crowd as they waited to hear only two words - "I do."

The entire bluegrass community paused to watch Linda marry the festival's emcee, Hank Janney.

And then came the music.

Their love story is the stuff of bluegrass ballads - two people who were fine on their own, until they found each other and realized what had been missing.

In

Linda Lookadoo and Hank Janney first met seven years ago at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. Their love of bluegrass led them to center stage for their wedding ceremony at Saturday's festival. (Evening Sun Photo by Doug Bauman)a tent next to the stage just before the ceremony, the wedding was all the bluegrass bands and fans could talk about.
"Hank always says nice things about us on the radio, so I don't know how much Linda will be able to trust him," joked Ron Thomason, a member of Dry Branch Fire Squad.

Jeff Michael, of Big Country Bluegrass band, has known Hank for 15 years and also spoke of the pending nuptials with a laugh.

"I didn't think he'd ever settle down," he said. "We didn't think anyone would ever want him."

But that couldn't be farther from the truth.

Hank and Linda met at a May bluegrass festival seven years ago, Read more.

Rural Rhythm Gearing Up for Steve Gulley-Tim Stafford Album

Rural Rhythm Records has announced the upcoming new album by Steve Gulley and Tim Stafford. “DOGWOOD WINTER” is comprised of all original songs by this award-winning songwriting team. The first single, “Just Along For the Ride” is being serviced to radio and available now via Airplay Direct.

Gulley and Stafford’s songs have been recorded by many artists over the years including “Through the Window of a Train,” winner of the 2008 IBMA Song of the Year, and recorded by Blue Highway. “While Steve and I have been fortunate to have quite a few songs cut by various artists over the years, this record began as a vehicle to get our songs out there that—with one exception--hadn’t been previously recorded. We picked 14 of our best tunes that we felt would be a good cross-section of our work, and the record, from the beginning was going to be all about the song. Since most were bluegrass, we decided to enlist our friends Adam Steffey, Ron Stewart, and Justin Moses to help Steve and I lay down grass tracks that would highlight those songs. Our tastes are eclectic, and we ended up having two tunes that needed arrangements that featured percussion from Mark Laws and, in the case of Nebraska Sky, Michael Alvey’s great piano playing. Dale Ann Bradley added the heavenly harmonies where we needed a trio with a female,” said Stafford. Tim Stafford is a current and founding member of award-winning Blue Highway – a band continuing to celebrate significant success with all five original members in tact.

Gulley also explains the origin of “DOGWOOD WINTER” saying, “This recording project is, quite simply, two good friends and writing partners recording some of their songs in the way they heard them when they were originally written. It was truly a great experience to record and create a collection of music that was all original. Tim has been my primary writing partner for years - as well as a one of my best friends. Besides being a good friend and collaborator, Tim is one of best musicians on the planet, so it was really cool to finally get to work with him in the studio on our own project. I think this a singer-songwriter record in every sense of the word. There’s traditional bluegrass, country-flavored tunes, middle-of-the road ballads and stripped down arrangements with just guitar and vocal. It’s a wide variety of styles but has one underlying theme or focus – the songs themselves.” Gulley is a current and founding member of the award-winning band, Grasstowne who also have a new album releasing on Rural Rhythm later this year.

New updates on “DOGWOOD WINTER” will be posted soon on the Rural Rhythm website.

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MORE INFORMATION ON STEVE GULLEY
Steve Gulley’s career highlights include: being a longtime performer and former Music Director at the legendary Renfro Valley Shows in Kentucky; former member of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and part of a Grammy nominated and IBMA award-winning album with the group; founding member of “Mountain Heart” where he was part of five albums and two IBMA award wins; founding and current member of the award-winning band, Grasstowne” where he has been a part of two chart-topping and award- winning albums including the 2008 SPBGMA Album of the Year “The Road Headin’ Home.”

MORE INFORMATION ON TIM STAFFORD
Tim Stafford has an impressive career including: having nearly 200 songs recorded by various artists; serves on the IBMA Hall of Honor Panel of Electors (2006-present); former member of Alison Krauss and Union Station in the early 90’s; current and founding member the award-winning group, Blue Highway; recipient of over 15 IBMA Awards; recipient of a Dove Award; two Grammy nominations; produced two IBMA Award-winning records, Knee Deep in Bluegrass, which received the Instrumental Recording of the Year in 2001, and The Infamous Stringdusters’ Fork in the Road, which was named the co-album of the year in 2007; currently teaches guitar at East Tennessee State University’s famed Bluegrass and Country Music Program; and co-author (with Caroline Wright) of the book, Still Inside: The Tony Rice Story, released in 2010 by Word of Mouth Press.

Traditional Ties, 05/16/10,Playlist

Air Time / Artist Name / Song Title / Album Name / Label / Duration
10:01 PM / Kenny Baker / Jerusalem Ridge / Kenny Baker / Plays Bill Monroe / County / 3:34
10:03 PM / Bill Emerson / Don't Care Anymore / Southern / Rural Rhythm / 2:25
10:05 PM / Rhonda Vincent / Last Time Loving You / Destination Life / Rounder / 2:52
10:08 PM / Gibson Brothers / What Can I Do / Ring The Bell / Compass / 3:57
10:18 PM / Special Consensus / Gone To Carolina / Signs / Pinecastle / 3:08
10:21 PM / Larry Stephenson / Muleskinner Blues / 20th Anniversary / /4:03
10:25 PM / Darren Beachley / Quicksand / Take Off / Patuxent / 2:41
10:35 PM / The Gary Waldrep Band / Trust And Pray / Road Leading Home / Blue Circle / 2:41
10:38 PM / Donna Ulisse / Holy Waters / Holy Waters / Hadley Music / 3:30
10:41 PM / Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver / Light On My Feet, Ready To Fly / Light On My Feet, Ready To Fly / Horizon / 2:37
10:44 PM / Larry Sparks / What Kind Of Man / I Just Want To Thank You Lord / Rural Rhythm Christian / 2:36
10:47 PM / Dale Ann Bradley / Heaven / Don't Turn Your Back / Compass / 3:51
10:50 PM / Del McCoury Band / I'm Justified / Family Circle / McCoury Music / 3:31
11:01 PM / Snyder Family Band / Steel Guitar Rag / Comin' On Strong / Mountain Roads / 3:20
11:05 PM / Brand New Strings / High On A Hilltop / No Strings Attached / Rural Rhythm / 3:07
11:08 PM / Dailey & Vincent / Hello Mary Lou / Sing The Statler Brothers / Rounder / 2:14
11:10 PM / Jeanette Williams / Thank You For Caring / Thank You For Caring / Blue Circle / 3:11
11:20 PM / Sawmill Road / Reaquainted With The Blues / Fire On The Kettle / SMR Records / 2:59
11:23 PM / Big Country Bluegrass / High Alleghenies / Open For Business / Mountain Road / 2:59
11:26 PM / Randy Kohrs / More About John Henry / Quicksand / Rural Rhythm / 3:37
11:30 PM / Jesse Baker / Follow The Leader / Yessir / Patuxent / 2:00
11:38 PM / The Grascals / Last Train To Clarksville / The Famous Lefty Flynns / Rounder / 2:58
11:41 PM / Josh Williams / Stealing Away / Down Home / Pinecastle / 2:23
11:44 PM / Grasstowne / Heartbreak Express / The Other Side Of Towne / Pinecastle / 2:55
11:46 PM / Jerry Butler And John Wade / Legend Of The Highway / Haulin' Grass / Blue Circle / 2:04
11:48 PM / Mark Delaney / Magneto / Sidecar / Patuxent / 3:26

Saturday Photos - Richeyville

Here are some band photos from Richeyville's Saturday show, my apologies to those I've missed.

Stillhouse Pickers

Mon River Ramblers

Hulen Wilson and Friends

Crooked Creek Grass

Flatiorn

National Pike Days - Richeyville Bluegrass

The 17th annual bluegrass festival,at the Waleski Horse Farm, continues today with a fine lineup of local talent. Music begins at !:00 pm. There is a wide variety of food available on the grounds, and the flea markets are everywhere. Allow extra time for travel on Rt. 40 today.

Here are some pictures form Friday's show. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Back Roads Bluegrass

Dunbar Bluegrass

Bits "\'n Pieces

Georgetowne Express

Mountain Laurel Bluegrass

No Advance Traditional Ties This Week.

There will be no advance Traditional Ties playlist for 05/16. Next Sunday is a membership campaign night on WYEP, and one of the few occasions when the show is done live.

A playlist will be distributed and posted here on Monday.



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 2010
Link to Traditional Ties web pages:

http://wyep.org/traditionalties

Bluegrass star Lewis shelves plans to slow down

By JIM TRAGESER - jtrageser@nctimes.com

Having turned 60 last year, singer/fiddler Laurie Lewis said she decided to cut back on her performance schedule a bit.

So how's that going?

"It hasn't been working!" she said with a laugh during a telephone chat last week. "I've been really playing a lot. A few years ago, in fact, I parted ways with my booking agent. And I thought, well, I'll get another booking agent. I didn't get around to it because I was so busy with bookings! I've just been taking care of everything myself. We've been working at it as a little business."

So the time-off plan isn't going as planned, but Lewis said she has no complaints.

"I feel very very lucky. Not everybody's in this boat."

Having carved out a comfortable niche for herself in traditional music, crossing from Appalachian to bluegrass to folk, Lewis said she still enjoys the traveling that goes with a successful music career.

"I'm a tourist at heart ---- I love to go to new places, and see differences in people. I just love everything that's different, and that's probably because I have such a solid home base in Berkeley."

In addition to keeping up with a busy touring schedule, Lewis has a new CD out, "Blossoms," on her own Spruce & Maple label.

"I have too many songs ---- what are you going to do with them? If you don't get them out and put them somewhere, there's a whole backlog that just builds up ---- at least inside me. If I don't finish everything on my plate, I don't get another helping."

And finishing what was on her plate remains important for her sanity.

"I write snippets, and then I don't finish the songs. That's one of the reasons I'm really glad to have 'Blossoms' out in the world. Now I feel like my head is more clear and I can finish these other songs."

In addition to cherishing her time off more, her middle years have also brought Lewis another challenge: Her voice is beginning to lose some of its range. More.

Traveler, local family share love of bluegrass

By Bernie Delinski
Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, May 10, 2010 at 9:41 p.m.

CENTRAL HEIGHTS - Bluegrass music flowed Monday from Raymond Murphy's living room where three men on a guitar, dulcimer and banjo jammed like they had played together for years.

It looked like a classic rural Alabama scene, but with a twist: This is a long way from home for one of the three.

Gwendal Guery is a French citizen bicycling throughout the United States, focusing on parts of the country with a deep appreciation for bluegrass - his favorite genre of music.

"I love bluegrass and old-time music," Guery, 30, said Monday morning. "It's not easy in France to find someone to play with or teach it.

"I decided to do a bicycle journey in the USA. I really like this country for a lot of reasons."

He visited New York City, traveled along the Appalachian region and is checking out the Natchez Trace as part of the trek.

A fascination with the history of the pioneering age helped spur his enjoyment of bluegrass music.

"I always picture someone playing a banjo at his old cabin in the woods," Guery said.

Murphy was enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon on the front porch of his Lauderdale County home when Guery stopped at his front yard and waved.

Guery started talking, but Murphy's Southern ears had trouble understanding the stranger's French accent.

"So I said, 'Come up here so I can hear you,' " Murphy said.

Little did either man know at the time they would wind up staying up well into the night Sunday jamming to bluegrass music in Murphy's living room, Read more...

He's not fiddlin' around

Michael Cleveland uses instrument to lead bluegrass band

By Erik Rolfsen, The Province May 10, 2010

Michael Cleveland doesn't know exactly what it is about a searing fiddle solo that whips audiences into a froth, but he remembers the first time he experienced it.

He was a preschooler tagging along with his grandparents at a bluegrass jam in his native Indiana when he heard one of the local fiddlers launch into "Orange Blossom Special."

"Once I heard that, I just had to do it or die," says Cleveland, now 29 and appearing Thursday night at Vancouver's St. James Hall with his band, Flamekeeper.

Cleveland has been known at various times as a child prodigy and a great blind fiddler. Now he is known simply as leader of the hottest instrumental band in bluegrass.

At last year's International Bluegrass Music Association awards, he was named fiddle player of the year for the seventh time in eight years. His mandolin player, Jesse Brock, and bass player Marshall Wilborn also won in their categories. Guitarist Tom Adams and 19-year-old banjo whiz Jessie Baker round out the band, whose version of Bill Monroe's "Jerusalem Ridge" from 2008's Leavin' Town won instrumental performance of the year.

Cleveland first arrived on the bluegrass scene as part of a young supergroup put together by banjo great Pete Wernick for the 1993 IBMA convention. Wernick wanted to prove to doubters that the future of bluegrass was in good hands. That band included mandolinist Chris Thile, who went on to gain fame with Nickel Creek, and current Ricky Skaggs sideman Cody Kilby.Read more:

Gettysburg to host 60th bluegrass festival

The Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival on May 13 through May 16 will feature more than 20 acts and 40 performances.

New main stage for The GBF going up.

By HEATHER FAULHEFER
The Evening Sun

What better way to celebrate the 60th Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival than with the return of one of the most recognized bluegrass bands?

The four-day festival from May 13 to May 16 will feature a performance by Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, a band that has not played together at the festival in more than 10 years.

They will join more than 20 acts and 40 performances during the festival held at the Granite Hill Camping Resort, including Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Dale Ann Bradley, The Seldom Scene, Blue Highway and Mountain Heart.

Alison Krauss and Union Station played at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival from Krauss' early career when she was still in high school until a few years after her Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year win in 1995.

Krauss - known not only for her work with Union Station but also for her award-winning collaboration with Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant on the album "Raising Sand" - has won 26 Grammy Awards, more than other female in Grammy Awards history.

The band will close the festival with a single performance on Sunday, May 16 at 7 p.m. More here.

MerleFest 2010 was no sleepy bluegrass festival

By Katie Scarvey
kscarvey@salisburypost.com

I've heard talk of Merlefest since I moved to Salisbury, but before this year, it's been just a hazy image in my mind: a bunch of old geezers picking banjos on the grounds of a community college.

Ho-hum little bluegrass festival.

Those who have actually attended Merlefest in recent years will imagine my surprise at discovering the reality of this incredible and exhilarating celebration, held April 29-May 2.

If I hadn't figured that out on the first three days, I surely would have realized it on Sunday, when the Avett Brothers played to an enormous and passionate crowd, whose enthusiasm was not in the least diminished by the blazing sun that day.

Security pretty much gave up trying to keep the crowd out of the aisles. As I stood on the media platform waiting to take pictures, a Merlefest security worker apologized to me.

"I'm not sure you're going to be able to get back to your seat," he said.

Fortunately, while Avett Brothers fans are rabid, they were also polite enough to let me through the crowd, especially since I was moving AWAY from the band.

The Avett Brothers seem poised for superstardom; they've been so busy of late that their Merlefest appearance was their first in the state this year, which perhaps accounted for so many of their North Carolina fans making the trek to Wilkesboro for an increasingly rare opportunity to see them.

I attended all four days of Merlefest this year with my co-worker Sarah Hall. The festival, held on the grounds of Wilkes Community College, has come a long way since 1988, when artists performed on a flatbed truck. Now, Wilkesboro has become a vacation destination for many, thanks to this wonderfully well-oiled celebration of music — which has kept its bluegrass roots but also transcended them. Read more.

Nothin' Fancy News - May 2010

The Graduate!

Chris Sexton will graduate on May 9th from Shenandoah University with a Master's of Music with a concentration in violin pedagogy. Chris graduated from the same university in 1997 with a Bachelor of Music in Performance. Commencement is at 2:00pm EST at the Smith Library Plaza on Shenandoah University's main campus in Winchester, VA.
Congratulations, Chris!!

A Country Star Rakes Through Bluegrass

By JON CARAMANICA

 “It ain’t easy standing onstage with your heroes,” the country star Dierks Bentley said at the Highline Ballroom on Wednesday night. Still, he hadn’t dressed up for the occasion. His hair was maybe a bit more matted than usual, his 5 o’clock shadow a bit more honest. His black T-shirt had seen crisper days.

On either side of Mr. Bentley were members of the Travelin’ McCourys, who typically play, in suits, with the bluegrass kingpin Del McCoury. Here they were mostly untucked, perhaps as a nod to Mr. Bentley, who next month will release “Up on the Ridge” (Capitol Nashville), his fifth studio album and the first to be steeped wholly in bluegrass.

It’s a vanity project that requires Mr. Bentley to abandon his vanity. Onstage with this band, he’s the least experienced and least skilled musician, working in a genre where precision kills. The players are fearsome: two sons of Mr. McCoury — Ronnie, who plays mandolin, and Rob, who plays banjo — Jason Carter, who plays fiddle, and Alan Bartram, who plays upright bass. Read more in The NY Times.

Rural Rhythm Records Signs Grasstowne

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce they have signed Grasstowne to the label and will release the band’s new album early 2011 with a new single coming later this year. "Steve has been a friend of our family for many years, so we all feel like this is a dream come true homecoming for Rural Rhythm. Steve and Alan have firmly established Grasstowne as a major Bluegrass band attaining many key awards, top charted songs and two critically acclaimed albums since their formation late in 2006. With great anticipation, we look forward to being a part of Grasstowne's rapidly growing success," said Sam Passamano, Jr., President of Rural Rhythm Records.

Steve Gulley agreed saying, “I couldn’t be happier or more excited about being a part of the Rural Rhythm family. The company’s track record speaks for itself. It’s a truly artist friendly label that believes in providing its artists with the creative freedom and tools it takes to make great music and, at the same time, make sure their music is heard in as many places as possible. All the guys in Grasstowne are looking forward to being associated with the fine folks at Rural Rhythm for a long, long time to come.”

Grasstowne just announced their new line-up that includes: Steve Gulley (guitar, vocals); Alan Bibey (mandolin, vocals); Adam Haynes (fiddle, baritone & bass vocals); Justin Jenkins (Banjo and baritone vocals); and Kameron Keller (bass).

“Steve and I as well as all the guys in Grasstowne are really pumped about being a part of the Rural Rhythm family. We feel like our beliefs and outlook on music are the same and love the work ethic exhibited by this great label. We look forward to what we think will be a wonder and prosperous venture for all of us,” said Alan Bibey.

Grasstowne will be performing May 6 at the Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival in Denton, NC and May 8 at the Bluegrass on the Waccamaw in Conway, SC. Please visit http://www.grasstowne.com/ for a complete tour schedule and other band information.

For more information on Rural Rhythm Records, please visit http://www.ruralrhythm.com/

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BAND CONTACT
Grasstowne, Alan Bibey
Phone: 843-457-6662
http://www.grasstowne.com/

FATHER AND SON, WELL-KNOWN TO LOCAL FANS, WILL OPEN FOR DAN TYMINSKI

Date published: 5/6/2010


BY RYAN GREEN

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR


This Saturday at the Birchmere, Fredericksburg's own John Starling, of Seldom Scene fame, will be dueting with Jay Starling, his son, for the first time publicly.

The Starlings will be opening for Grammy-winner Dan Tyminski and Ronnie Bowman, a duo that promises to wow listeners with technical musicianship and the smooth vocal timbre that has taken the bluegrass genre by storm.

Tyminski's renown is nearly unprecedented for a bluegrass musician, in large part due to his international hit "Man of Constant Sorrow" from the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack.

Still, it is likely that fans from across the Washington area would have bought tickets for this show even if the headliner couldn't make it. After all, this area owes much of its proclivity for great bluegrass to the Seldom Scene. The Scene's weekly gigs at the Red Fox Inn in the early 1970s certainly turned more than one generation onto the high lonesome sound.

Now, 40 years later, Starling will take the stage with son Jay, himself a multitalented musician who has played nationally with acts such as Keller Williams and Adrienne Young.

The writer caught up with the pair on the perfect example of a Fredericksburg city front porch. Relaxing in a ring of chairs, the interview ran loosely, with the Starlings seemingly defining their upcoming show as they spoke.

"This is something new and different," said Jay. "It's special for me just to play with him, kind of in the house he built, whether he would like to admit that or not."

The father-and-son duo are openly delighted with the musicality they share. While showing off a picture of Jay holding a guitar as a young boy, John described how this show came to be.

"The Birchmere said they wanted to set up a duet night," said John. "And they asked me who I wanted to play with, and I said I think I'll choose a real musician and get Jay. Read on.

The Snyder kids are all right

Lee Jessup
Published: Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 5:05 p.m.
Faithful readers of this column know how much I love to attend Merlefest, Doc Watson's "bluegrass and more" tribute to his late son Merle, who tragically died way too young back in 1985.
I've witnessed some wonderful performances at Merlefest. One of my compadres and I sang along with Arlo Guthrie during a long-ago performance of "Alice's Restaurant," I was privileged to hear Earl Scruggs play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" with Doc on the main stage and even heard "Charlene" and the Darling boys (The Dillards) from the old "The Andy Griffith Show" do a show-stopping rendition of "There is a Time."
All that plus a mesmerizing performance some years back by a trio consisting of Alison Kraus, Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch have made Merlefest nothing short of a marvel for me since my first one back in 1995.
Friday, I heard and saw something completely different, something that knocked me over like a chicken feather propped up against a bedroom fan.
After listening to an early morning set by Doc Watson and David Holt in the Traditional Tent, Mary Jo and I made our way over to the Pickin' Stage to hear Lexington's own Snyder Family Band.
When we arrived, I saw a few tents set up and underneath one of them, eight musicians were sitting in a circle, getting ready to jam awhile with guitars, fiddles, a couple of mandolins and a banjo. What happened next caused every adult jaw to drop, and I haven't seen eyes that big since a hog chased my sisters and me on our Grandpa Charlie's farm outside of Stokesdale 50 years ago.
I heard genuine old school bluegrass coming from beneath that tent - and I'm talking seriously good, old-school bluegrass, foot-stompin' bluegrass, side-slappin' bluegrass, I'm talking about fiddle-bows-on-fire bluegrass.
And no one, no one in the circle was more than 15 years old.
Zeb and Samantha Snyder, both of whom are about as world-class as two young people can be and could stand on the stage with any flat-picking guitarist and fiddle player at the festival, led the group. Joining them were some of their friends, the Wilsons from Moore County. One of the Wilson boys played a guitar that was as big as he was, and at one point he uttered the line of the festival as far as I'm concerned.
After one fantastic jam that gave all the youngsters an opportunity to solo, the boy looked around the group and said, "Man we could use a bass player, oh and Mom, I'm getting kind of hungry!" I don't have to tell you that he brought the house down with that one.
The Snyder Family Band was profiled here in The Dispatch a couple of weeks ago, and you learned that Bud and Laine Snyder started teaching 11-year-old Samantha and 14-year-old Zeb classical music as soon as they could hold an instrument. They've got another boy, 4-year-old Owen, who'll join the family on stage real soon, I imagine.
Zeb has only been playing bluegrass on his guitar for three years and recently won top prize at the Jimmy Edmonds Homecoming Competition in a guitar competition in Galax, Va. Tony Rice and Doc Watson, watch out. Zeb's a'comin'. Read more.