Saturday, July 31, 2010

Mitch Jayne - There is a Time for Love and Laughter

 ByNancy Jones
Picture a bluegrass band with Mark Twain as the bass player and you would have the Dillards. Humor, good music and friendship were their hallmarks.
Mitch Jayne is a musician and author. He was charmed by the language and humor of the Ozarks and shared his love with the world. The lyrics of the song, “There is a Time,” co-written by Jayne and Rodney Dillard, offer an outline for his musical career.
Mitch Jayne’s Early Career - “There is time for us to wander. When time is young and so are we.”
Starting in 1954, he had a radio show called, “Hickory Hollow Time,” that ran five days a week, on KSMO in Salem, Missouri. Rodney Dillard, a friend, helped Jayne pick songs for the show. In 1962, he invited the Ozark Mountain Boys lead by Doug and Rodney Dillard to be on his show. They became good friends, practiced at his house and the combination of their musical talent and his story telling ability just clicked. They invited him to be part of the band. He had played the piano in his youth, and with the help of Dean Webb, taught himself bass. He became a member of The Dillards and played off and on with them for the next four decades.
The Dillards Years - “The woods are greener over yonder. The path is new the world is free.”
The band was made up of Rodney and Doug Dillard, Mitch Jayne and Dean Webb.They decided success could be found in California and began a road trip. Their car broke down and they played for a week at the Buddhi Club in Oklahoma City and earned enough money to continue. In typical Hollywood fashion, they landed at the Ash Grove Club in November of 1962, formed an immediate friendship with the Greenbriar Boys, and jammed on stage with them. Jim Dickinson, a talent scout and producer for Elektra Records, was in the audience and signed them for a record contract. What could be perceived as Hollywood magic was actually the recognition of the group’s impressive talent. Their first album, “Back Porch Bluegrass” was released in January 1963, less than three months after their arrival in California. In January 1964, their second album, “Live!!! Almost!!!” was released. Full story here.

Who Is Reading This Blog

A summery of the last 500 visitors to this blog by state/region.


Num Perc. State/Region Country Name

305 61.00% Pennsylvania United States

44 8.80% Ohio United States

19 3.80% Tennessee United States

14 2.80% West Virginia United States

9 1.80% Texas United States

8 1.60% Delaware United States

8 1.60% New York United States

8 1.60% Nordrhein-westfalen Germany

7 1.40% Virginia United States

6 1.20% Illinois United States

6 1.20% Kentucky United States

4 0.80% British Columbia Canada

4 0.80% North Carolina United States

4 0.80% Unknown Unknown -

4 0.80% Connecticut United States

4 0.80% Indiana United States

4 0.80% South Carolina United States

3 0.60% Nevada United States

3 0.60% California United States

3 0.60% Georgia United States

3 0.60% New South Wales Australia

2 0.40% Vermont United States

2 0.40% Arizona United States

2 0.40% Washington United States

2 0.40% Moravskoslezsky Kraj Czech Republic

2 0.40% Maryland United States

1 0.20% Arkansas United States

1 0.20% Iowa United States

1 0.20% Minnesota United States

1 0.20% Oost-vlaanderen Belgium

1 0.20% Sao Paulo Brazil

1 0.20% Missouri United States

1 0.20% Edinburgh United Kingdom

1 0.20% Troms Norway

1 0.20% Kobenhavn Denmark

1 0.20% Unknown Unknown -

1 0.20% Sheffield United Kingdom

1 0.20% Ontario Canada

1 0.20% Rhone-alpes France

1 0.20% Comunidad Valenciana Spain

1 0.20% Florida United States

1 0.20% Louisiana United States

1 0.20% Hamerkaz Israel

1 0.20% Glasgow City United Kingdom

1 0.20% Massachusetts United States

1 0.20% Distrito Federal Venezuela

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Save up to $30 on Fan Fest‏

BLUEGRASS FAN FEST

Nashville, Tennessee

October 1-3
EARLY-BIRD TICKET DISCOUNT ENDS JULY 31
SAVE up to $30 off the gate price for tickets to Bluegrass Fan Fest. The deeply discounted "early-bird" offering is available thru July 31.
Click Here to order tickets now!
Hosted inside the Nashville Convention Center in downtown Nashville, TN, festival attendees can freely move through the facility to see all their favorite artists perform, buy the latest music, shop and browse the vendor area and be part of the best bluegrass homecoming of the year!
Advance ticket orders will be taken through September 10. Single day and student rated tickets will be available at the gate, day of show only. Click here for full details on rates and other information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sponsored by: C.F. Martin & Co. • Martha White
Knee Deep In Bluegrass • 650 AM WSM

Special Attractions:
Main Stage
Master’s Workshop Stage
Grand Master Fiddler Championship
100+ Booth Vendor Area
Jam Sessions

Promotions & Giveaways



Featured Performers Include:

Dailey & Vincent • Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver • The Grascals • Tony Rice

Mike Snider • Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper • Dale Ann Bradley

The SteelDrivers • Cherryholmes • The Whites • Lonesome River Band

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out • The Isaacs • The Boxcars

Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass • Josh Williams Band

Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice • Claire Lynch

Audie Blaylock & Redline • Chris Jones & The Night Drivers • Grasstowne

Balsam Range • Ken Mellons • Summertown Road • Donna Ulisse

G2 • Darin & Brooke Aldridge • Barry Scott & Second Wind

The Quebe Sisters Band • Kids on Bluegrass

…and many more!

21st Annual

INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS

Thursday, September 30 - Ryman Auditorium
Be in the audience as IBMA celebrates the years best and makes the memories we'll re-visit in the years to come.
Great seats still available.
Click here to order tickets or call IBMA at 888-438-4262.

Larry McPeak Update

Larry McPeak


Devoted father, brother and friend

Larry McPeak is fighting for his life.

This Virginia resident has battled health problems for years and received a lifesaving liver transplant in 2001. Since his transplant, Larry requires a number of expensive medications to keep his body from rejecting his new liver. Due to the combination of these medications and his diabetes, Larry now suffers from end-stage kidney failure. Doctors say a kidney transplant is his only hope for a second chance at life. Larry will undergo dialysis several times a week until he can receive a transplant.
Larry is an excellent musician and a well-known songwriter. He has played bluegrass professionally for more than 30 years. As a member of the McPeak Brothers and the VW Boys, Larry has spent much of his life performing. He has toured all over the world and gotten to work with many revered musicians, such as Tom T. Hall, the Lonesome River Band and Tim White. For Larry, music isn?t just something to listen to, it is truly a way of life.
Despite his struggles, Larry remains positive about the future. He would like nothing more than to have his health restored so he can continue to share his musical talent with others.
Unfortunately, Larry?s hope for a new life comes at a very high price.

A kidney transplant costs approximately $250,000. And that?s only the beginning. Even with health coverage, Larry faces significant medical expenses. For the rest of his life, he will need follow-up care and daily anti-rejection medications. The cost of post-transplant medications can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month?and they are as critical to his survival as the transplant itself. It is estimated that in the short term, Larry needs at least $25,000 to cover his medical expenses.
What if your life depended on the compassion and generosity of others?

The National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) is working with volunteers and supporters to help relieve the growing burden of expenses for Larry and his family. NFT has been assisting transplant patients with advocacy and fundraising support for more than 25 years. Your gift?of $25, $50, $100 or more?will enable NFT to provide Larry with the financial support he needs.
You can help by visiting www.transplants.org/donate/larrymcpeak to make a secure online donation.
If you have any questions about NFT, their services or volunteering, feel free to contact the NFT staff at 800-489-3863.
Many Thanks,

MeChelle M Mullins Cell Phone 423-416-0019

VW Boys Sign Record Deal with Mountain Roads Recordings

07.29.2010
Mountain Roads Recordings of Bristol, TN announced today that they have signed the VW Boys to a recording contract. The VW Boys' show is a unique blend of talent consisting of music, magic and comedy, a complete variety show. Audiences of all ages enjoy the VW Boys show; the VW Boys perform a wide range of shows from Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN to openings for comedic greats such as Jerry Clower and Don Knotts.
The group is composed of:
Tim White from Blountville, TN who many of you know as the host of the popular PBS Series, Song Of The Mountains, originating in Marion, VA and the syndicated radio show, The Tim White Bluegrass Show. Tim has been a bluegrass musician for over thirty-years and is a fine banjo player and an excellent song-writer.


Dave Vaught is from Bristol, TN and has been a professional entertainer for seventeen years. Dave has made five television appearances including HBO and Show Time. While Dave is well known for his skills as a magician, he is also a fine guitar player with five albums to his credit. Dave's musical career includes stints with Ronnie Millsap, Gary Morris, Sylvia, Jerry Reed, and Charlie Pride. Dave contributes much to the group with his skills as lead guitar player, harmony singer, comedian, and magician.

The newest member of the group is, "Fat Albert" Blackburn from Marion, Virginia. Albert was a founding
member of the popular band, "Fescue" which has been in existence since 1970. He is a natural fit for the VW Boys, he loves a good joke and is a fabulous musician, singer and entertainer.


The VW Boys blend several different aspects of entertainment in their show. As banjo picker and singer Tim White says, " We entertain folks for an hour or so and help them forget their problems for a little while". A good portion of the VW Boys show is audience participation and the VW Boys have a way of going beyond the edge of the stage to really get an audience involved in the show. The VW Boys came together when musician Tim White and magician Dave Vaught worked together on a few shows. Dave would do a magic show and Tim's band would follow Dave's show with a Bluegrass concert and this worked very well. Both immediately came up with the idea to combine the two shows and the VW Boys was formed.

The VW Boys show fits any situation from conventions, fairs, festivals, clubs and private parties. The show is good clean humor and music; the VW Boys pride themselves on keeping a very professional show in front of every audience. As Dave Vaught says, "The VW Boys have over 75 years of combined experience in showmanship between the three of us." Music, Magic and Comedy, a great combination.


Karl Cooler of Mountain Roads Recordings said that, "The music business is rapidly changing and we are always searching for ways to broaden the appeal of bluegrass and old-time music. The VW Boys represent one significant way we can achieve this goal and we're extremely proud to have them join our family of artists. Many times people come to their shows expecting to be entertained by the magic and comedy and leave with a new appreciation for bluegrass music. These guys are great entertainers along with being great pickers and singers. I'd say we have the best of four worlds with the VW Boys...pickers, singers, magicians and comedians. Don't think that they don't put out great bluegrass music just because they joke around. Their new CD with us is expected to be released in the early spring of 2011."



VW Boys

Tim White
P.O. Box 750
Blountville, TN 37617

423-323-7829

423-383-7829 CELL

timwhitemusic@charter.net
http://www.vwboys.com/

THIS INSPIRATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL ALBUM IS A TESTAMENT TO SKAGGS’ FAITH AND MARKS A RETURN TO HIS FAMOUS FULL BAND SOUND


14-time GRAMMY winner Ricky Skaggs is back with a full band sound, a style that made him one of the best-selling artists in Country history with an incredible string of 12 #1 Country hits and 12 Top 20 Country albums. His rousing and moving new album, Mosaic, will be released on August 24, 2010 through Skaggs Family Records and is a testament to his personal faith.
Skaggs worked closely with fellow GRAMMY winner Gordon Kennedy, known for his work with Eric Clapton, Garth Brooks and Bonnie Raitt, to create an album that mixes elements of Country music with Beatles-esque melodies and lyrics that speak to Skaggs’ faith, making “music that is in my head and in my heart,” says Skaggs.

With Mosaic, Skaggs takes his music in a new direction, reincorporating electric instruments, keyboards and drums. While the songs will resonate well with AC Radio, Skaggs hasn’t abandoned his acoustic, bluegrass roots and mixes a pop/rock/ country sound with strains of acoustic guitar, mandolin and fiddle.
.More.

Del Yeah Fest? You know what we say to that

by Rebecca Sulock 

We heard about this first from the Black Mountain Music Scene, and it sounds damn cool. WNCW and McCoury Music are planning the first ever Del Yeah weekend (over Labor Day weekend). Two days, two venues, bands not all announced, but will feature (obviously) the Del McCoury Band.
From the news release:
“Initial plans include shows on September 4 and 5 featuring the award-winning Del McCoury Band and their friends in the Emmitt-Nershi Band, along with a full complement of yet-to-be-named artists (including regional favorites), presented at the Pisgah Brewing Company (Black Mountain) and the U.S. National Whitewater Center (Charlotte) respectively.
Shows will be programmed for a full afternoon and evening’s worth of music and entertainment, culminating in closing jam sessions that will have audiences on the edge of their seats — or dancing to the music — all night long. More.

Pickin' in Parsons - Aug,,5,6,7.

Pickin' in Parsons is only a week away. The festival is held at the beautiful Five Rivers Campground (a full service campground, check for availability) in Parsons West Virginia. In addition full hook ups, if available they also offer field camping at no additional charge to weekend ticket holders, this area separated  into generator and no generator areas. Things kick off Wednesday evening with a pot luck dinner and pickin' party.

Full festival information can be found .here.

Schedule follows:

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5TH


11:00am HEATHER BERRY& TONY
12:00pm THE MORON BROTHERS
1:00pm DANNY PAISLEY & SOUTHERN GRASS
2:00pm Leroy Troy
3:00pm IIIRD TYME OUT
4:00pm HEATHER BERRY & TONY
5:00pm Dinner Break
6:00pm THE MORON BROTHERS
7:00pm DANNY PAISLEY & SOUTHERN GRASS
8:00pm Leroy Troy

9:00pm IIIRD TYME OUT

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6TH
11:00am the Earl Brothers
12:00pm Tim Graves & CHROKEE
1:00pm HILLBILLY GYPSIES
2:00pm THE BLUEGRASS BROTHERS
3:00pm Tony Holt & Wildwood Valley Boys
4:00pm the Earle Brothers
5:00pm Dinner Break
6:00pm Tim Graves & CHEROKEE
7:00pm Tony Holt & Wildwood valley Boys

8:00pm HILLBILLY GYPSIES
9:00pm THE BLUEGRASS BROTHERS


SATURDAY AUGUST 7TH
11:00am HILLBILLY GYPSIES
12:00pm KARL SHIFLETT & Big Country Show
1:00pm BLUE MOON RISING
2:00pm Dave Evans & RIVER BEND
3:00pm NOTHIN’ FANCY
4:00pm HILLBILLY GYPSIES
5:00pm DINNER BREAK
6:00pm KARL SHIFLETT & Big Country Show
7:00PM BLUE MOON RISING
8:00pm Dave Evans & RIVER BEND
9:00pm NOTHIN’ FANCY

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Rhonda Vincent Performance at the SOLD OUT - Standing Room Opry! 7/27/2010 Tuesday‏


Nashville, TN --- Rhonda Vincent & The Rage performed at the Tuesday Night Opry for a SOLD OUT - Standing Room Only performance at The Ryman Auditorium.
The Martha White Bluegrass Express pulled up among hundreds of waiting fans in the Ryman Plaza. Rhonda & The Rage performed 3 songs from their upcoming CD "Taken" soon to be released on Upper Management Music 9/21/2010.
Two of the songs mentioned Martha White. Their current single "Sweet Summertime" mentions "Martha White Biscuits" and "Ragin' Live For You Tonight" talks about "firing up ole Martha White". They received a roaring response to the new songs.

Rhonda also played her Weber mandolin that was rescued from the Martha White display at the Grand Ole Opry during the recent flood on the Ryman tonight. After the first song, Rhonda thanked the unknown person for his rescue, and made a plea to find out his identity.
She also played the slightly water damaged mandolin for a filming on Monday for a Martha White TV Commercial. At the commercial shoot is when she was surprised with the mandolin's return. She immediately strung it up, and played The Original Martha White Theme on the gold sparkle mandolin in the first segment of the commercial.
Tour information, along with details about the new CD, and official "Times Square WORLD PREMIERE" at http://.rhondavincent.com/

Traditional Ties, 08/01/10, Playlist

Contact info for new adds:


Rich in Tradition - http://home.earthlink.net/~richintradition/index.html/ - http://www.mountainroadsrecordings.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

Rich in Tradition

Swinging Bridge

Black Mountain Special

Mountain Roads

2:32



10:06 PM

Farewell Drifters

All We Need

Yellow Tag Mondays

Heart Squeeze / 30 Tigers

3:51



10:10 PM

Hagar's Mountain Boys

Sweet Summer Dreams

Foreever Yours

Mountain Fever

3:25



10:13 PM

Darren Beachley

You'll Froget

Take Off

Patuxent

3:34



10:17 PM

Darin & Brooke Aldridge

Remind Me Again

Darrin & Brooke Aldridge

Mountain Home

3:22



10:20 PM

Larry Stephenson

My Old Kentucky and You

20th Anniversary

Whysper Dream

2:16



10:22 PM

Brand New Strings

Law of the Land

No Strings Attached

Rural Rhyrhm

3:42



10:26 PM

Tim Martin

Popsicle Polka

Bluegrass Fiddle

Patuxent

3:16



10:30 PM

Rich in Tradition

Let's All Go Down to the River

Black Mountain Special

Mountain Roads

3:06



10:34 PM

Barry Scott

A Glorified Body

In God's Time

Rebel

4:06



10:38 PM

Don Rigsby

The Lord Will Provide

The Voice of God

Rebel

4:18



10:43 PM

Donna Ulisse

Holy Waters

Holy Waters

Hadley

3:31



10:47 PM

Nothin' Fancy

Peace in the Valley

Lord Bless This House

Pinecastle

3:43



10:51 PM

Dailey & Vincent

Near the Cross

Singing from the Heart

Rounder

2:55



10:54 PM

Doyle Lawson

Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly

Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly

Horizon

2:37



10:55 PM

Gary Waldrep

We Welcome the Bride

Road Leading Home

Blue Circle

3:03



11:00 PM

True Bluegrass

With Care from Someone (Theme)

True Bluegrass 1979

True Bluegrass

2:00



11:02 PM

Rich in Tradition

Weather's Got to Change

Black Mountain Special

Mountain Roads

2:48



11:05 PM

Rich in Tradition

Black Mountain Special

Black Mountain Special

Mountain Roads

2:20



11:09 PM

Rich in Tradition

Losr, Heartbroke and Lonesome

Black Mountain Special

Mountain Roads

3:09



11:12 PM

Rich in Tradition

Only One You're Calling Baby

Black Mountain Special

Mountain Home

2:44



11:16 PM

Lonesome River Band

Record Time Machine

CD Single

Rural Rhythm

2:48



11:19 PM

Cana Ramblers

Cash's Last Ride

No Expectations

Cana Ramblers

3:19



11:22 PM

Sawmill Road

Reaquainted With the Blues

Fire on the Kettle

Sawmill Raod

3:01



11:25 PM

Dierks Bentley

Rovin' Gambler

Up on the Ridge

Capitol Nashvillle

2:34



11:30 PM

Big Country Bluegrass

Boys in Hats and Ties

CD Single

Rebel

2:25



11:33 PM

Junior Sisk

The Laugh's on Me

Heartaches and Dreams

Rebel

3:26



11:35 PM

Nu-Blu

Lonesome Whistles

Nights

Nu-Blu

3:47



11:40 PM

Cullen Galyean

Midnight Ramble

Midnight Ramble

Born into Bluegrass

1:50



11:45 PM

Rhonda Vincent

Crazy What a Lonelly Heart Will Do

Destination Life

Rounder

2:46



11:48 PM

Randy Kohrs

Die on the Vine

Quicksand

Rural Rhythm

3;15



11:51 PM

Grascals

The Famous Lefty Flynn's

The Famous Lefty Flynn's

Rounder

2:52



11:53 PM

Grasstowne

Hard Workin' Man

The Other Side of Towne

Pinecastle

2:57



11:56 PM

Bill Emerson

Grandma's Tattoos

Southern

Rural Rhyrhm

3:22



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/

Hickory Fest Update‏

A message from Sue Cunningham,


The Hickory Fest lineup is finalized - 25 acts will be performing during the three-day weekend in addition to 7 different workshops!! This year, we've also got 20 vendors to keep the shoppers happy!!

Our Kid's Tent will be open during the day ... and the pool will also be open for those looking to "cool off".

Advance ticket prices are still in effect - but only until July 31st. As always, tickets can be purchased on-line or at Garrison's Mens Shops in Wellsboro. Look for the final schedule to be posted on the website very soon!

 Start the Festival Festivities off early with the Pre-Festival warm-up at the Wellsboro House Of Blues - 34 Charleston Street • Wellsboro, PA • 570-723-4687. The Wellsboro House will feature The Harris Brothers - 2009 Hickory Fest favorites - starting at 9pm, August 19!  Come early for dinner and then enjoy the music and fun. I know that several other festival performers will be in town that evening for possible guest appearances, and this show will surely be a real treat!!

For those who want to combine work and pleasure, think about volunteering - We can still use a few folks to help out. If you want to help setup on Wednesday or Thursday, or teardown on Sunday, or anytime during the weekend -- let us know!! We can always use the extra hands. Volunteer sign-up is also easy on-line . Get ready for some great bluegrass music and fun - during the day and after hours in the campground!!

Hope to see you there!!

 Hickory Fest - 9th Annual Music in the Canyon
August 20-22, 2010
Stony Fork Creek Campground
Wellsboro, PA
http://www.hickoryfest.com/

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Grascals - Last Train To Clarksville - Video

MACC Photos

Fred Bruckman is sharing his photos from last week's Musicians Against Childhood Cancer (MACC.)














Thancks Fred

Marty Stuart Keeps It Real

RFD-TV Show spotlights Bluegrass and Classic Country Music

 
By Larry Nager
A 14-year-old kid from Philadelphia, Miss., Marty Stuart found himself thrust into a bunch of new worlds after joining Lester Flatt’s Nashville Grass in 1972. One was the world of country music television. Back then, that didn’t mean multi-national corporate cable television like today’s CMT or GAC. It meant low-budget half-hour shows hosted by the likes of Porter Wagoner and the Wilburn Brothers.
“Going back to those first days with Lester, when we would do Porter’s show, I remember it was shoved into the corner of a studio at WSM,” says Stuart. They were done “on the cheap,” musicians standing on a bare linoleum floor, equipment cords running everywhere, with ramshackle rural-themed backdrops. But those $1.49 sets framed million-dollar talent, including a young Dolly Parton at the peak of her songwriting skills, along with guests from the golden age of bluegrass (Flatt, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin) and country music (Don Gibson, George Jones, Merle Haggard). “It was intimate, it was homespun, it was folk art, it was cultural,” Stuart recalls. “But, at the same time, it was just great country entertainment.”
Eight years ago, Stuart found himself once again glued to the TV, watching those old shows. This time it was on the Marty Stuart & the Fabulous Superlatives’ tour bus. “I saw The Porter Wagoner Show and I thought I was watching somebody’s DVD they brought from home. Then they went to commercial and I thought, ‘What am I watching?’”
It was RFD-TV, a cable channel aimed at rural America. Stuart, a fan of all things authentically country, was hooked. “I’d be on the bus after shows and say, ‘Turn back to the country channel.’ And we’d watch farm reports and FFA (Future Farmers of America) conventions, and I was thinking, ‘This man is on to something.’ He’s put his arms around a culture that’s been abandoned. And that’s the same thing that I’m doing with my music.” Read more.

Monday, July 26, 2010

IBMA ENTERTAINERS OF THE YEAR DAILEY & VINCENT PLAN INAUGURAL HOMECOMING CHARITY CONCERT


TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR OCTOBER 2 CONCERT AT JACKSON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD BENEFITTING THE DAILEY & VINCENT FUND


NASHVILLE, TENN. (July 26, 2010)— IBMA Entertainers of the Year Dailey & Vincent are proud to announce their inaugural homecoming charity concert to raise money for the newly formed Dailey & Vincent Fund. Tickets are on sale now for the concert, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 2, at 5:00 p.m. at the Jackson County High School Football Field in Gainesboro, Tennessee. Proceeds will go directly to the newly formed Dailey & Vincent Fund, administered through the Cookeville Regional Medical Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
The Dailey & Vincent Fund exists to provide financial assistance to disadvantaged children of Jackson and DeKalb Counties to meet immediate medical, nutritional and educational needs not covered by insurance or other means, while acknowledging the God-given gifts, potential and dignity of each child.
Concert tickets are $15 and are available in Cookeville at the Tennessee Bible College; in Gainesboro at Jackson Bank & Trust or by calling J.B. Dailey (931-268-0438) or Fred Heady (931-644-0391); in Livingston by calling Judith Nevins (931-403-6191) or Johnny Painter (931-704-0144); and in Smithville at Cantrell Furniture and Webb’s Drug Store, or by calling Julie Vincent (615-418-5759). Tickets are also available online at www.daileyvincent.com and will be sold on the day of the concert in the Gainesboro town square.
Those attending the concert need to bring lawn chairs. The first 1,000 tickets sold will be accompanied by preferred parking privileges at the football field. Additional free parking will be off-site with shuttle service provided to the concert. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors. No refunds will be issued.
Fans of award-winning bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent know that they take their music seriously. It’s also obvious that they believe strongly in giving back—to their community, their industry and their fans, as first seen with the release of Singing From the Heart, a CD that helped raise fund for Tennessee Bible College. Now, Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent are taking it a step further with the formation of their own charitable fund and an annual homecoming charity concert.
Dailey & Vincent signed with Rounder Records in 2007 and released their self-titled debut in 2008. They are the reigning International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainers of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year, taking home the coveted trophies in 2008 and 2009. They are the only bluegrass act ever to win IBMA’s Emerging Artist and Entertainer of the Year awards in the same year (2008). Their current release, Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers, features bluegrass versions of 12 of the Statlers’ most-loved hits and is available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and www.crackerbarrel.com. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart, where it has spent nine weeks at #1 and 19 weeks in the top 3. It also debuted at #19 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. The album, as well as lead track “Flowers on the Wall,” were the most-played on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction during the month of June. More information on Dailey & Vincent, including tour dates, is available at http://www.daileyvincent.com/.

Custer Family, Kids and Friends








A highlight of the Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival is the gathering
of three generations of the Custer family and their friends and kids.
A sure sign that the future of Bluegrass is in good hands.

Saturday's Bands at Coleman Station

Jay Armsworthy & Eastern Tradition

Kody Norris & the Watuaga Mountain Boys

Bluestone featuring Chris Warner

Blue Shades

Nothin' Fancy

Coal Mountain Ramblers

Mountain Therapy w/ guest Chris Warner

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Bluegrass festival gains popularity

The Custer Famly
Festival Promoters, from left Kevin, Brenda, and Tim
missing from photo Cindy

FRIEDENS — With the help of the weekend’s warm and sunny weather, event organizers for the Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival reported near record attendance.
“They usually had it in the fall when it was cold, rainy or ugly,” said Friedens resident Erma Nicklow.
This weekend marked the second year since organizers moved the festival from September to July. Nicklow said she came out for her first Coleman Station experience this year because: “I love bluegrass music.”
Tucked away in a tree grove near Friedens, the event features bluegrass acts both national and provincial, drawing hundreds of music enthusiasts from across Pennsylvania and beyond.
“We try to increase the number of bands, bring in more national acts,” said event organizer Tim Custer. “Attendance is up, we got great numbers at the gate.
“We’re really pleased people are starting to come out and support this music festival,” he added, noting an increase in young fans. “The future of bluegrass is in good hands.”
Bands performed from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Music goes on well after-hours, Custer said, as fans with campers stay the night and perform fireside acoustic music.
“We’re starting to stand on our own two feet,” Custer said of the event, which concluded its seventh year. More.

(Note: Photos of Saturday's show will be posted as soon as I can, later today or early Monday.)

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Friday's Band Photos at Coleman Station

Black Diamond


David Parmley & Continental Divide


Mountain Therapy


Blue Shades

More photos coming as time allows.

Saturday's show starts at noon

Featuring


Nothin' Fancy


Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition

Kody Norris & the Watauga Mountain Boys

Bluestone w/ Chris Warner

Blue Shades

Coal Mountain Ramblers

Mountain Therapy



CALLING ALL BASS PLAYERS


BARRY BALES


"HAVE BASS WILL TRAVEL"

VIDEO CONTEST ANNOUNCED

GRAND PRIZE VALUED AT $940

NASHVILLE, TN - Barry Bales, longtime bass player for the Grammy award winning group, Alison Krauss & Union Station, loves a good laugh! That's why, in support of the release of his first ever Bass teaching video through AcuTab Productions, Bales and AcuTab have teamed together for a fun contest involving bass players and Bales fans alike!
The contest allows fans to get involved in a fun and entertaining way by visiting:http://www.youtube.com and viewing the video made by Bales.
Viewers are then invited to create their own video about how they get around with their bass. Image quality isn't important - creativity and humor will be especially noted. It can be shot with a phone, a video recorder, or any other choice that produces a video piece to share.
Contestants entering can post their video as video responses to Barry's, or upload them to YouTube and send us the link at AcuTab Productions/Barry Bales "Have Bass Will Travel" Video Entry.
The contest wil run for 30 days starting this week, and Acutab Productions will choose six finalists, with the winner being chosen by Mr. Barry Bales himself.


EACH OF THE SIX FINALISTS
(which will be displayed on The Bluegrass Blog)
*will receive a set o D'Addario HH610 Helicore strings
(retail value $250) and

an autographed copy of
Barry's AcuTab DVD ($35 value).

THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER WILL RECEIVE:
The winner will also receive a custom
Colorado Case soft bass bag ($450 value)
and the Bass Strummit registration and accommodations ($330 value).
The winner will choose the colors for their bass case.

Full contest details and rules can be viewed here: http://www.thebluegrassblog.com/.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Scruggs revisits Ryman to mark what's considered 65th anniversary of bluegrass


By Chris Talbott (CP) –
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It's been nearly 65 years, but Tut Taylor still vividly remembers the night Earl Scruggs changed it all.
It was Dec. 8, 1945, and Taylor was by his radio in Georgia listening to the Grand Ole Opry from the Ryman Auditorium, as usual. He was a big Bill Monroe fan and that night the Kentuckian's Blue Grass Boys featured a brand new, 21-year-old banjo player who favoured the three-finger picking style.
It wasn't exactly a new way to play the banjo. Others had used it and had even played the style on the radio.
No one played it like Earl Scruggs, though.
Add Monroe's mandolin and Lester Flatt's guitar and it made such an impression that Taylor has no problem remembering most of the details all these decades later — though the name of that first song escapes him.
"That whole Opry House just come alive and I thought it was going to explode," said Taylor, a mandolin and dobro player who has become a friend of Scruggs. "The Opry House is like a guitar box. It absorbs sounds and makes them sound better. Well, that night you could almost see the walls going in and out from the volume of hands clapping and screaming and hollering. It was maybe a lot like some of the rock 'n' roll things they had, you know. But this was a new sound, it was a pretty sound and a welcome sound."
Scruggs, now 86, will commemorate the 65th anniversary of that night ... Read more.

Two legends come to Luhrs Center

By ROXANN MILLER Senior correspondent
There's not much Steve Martin, 64, hasn't done, based on scanning his list of accomplishments, and it appears there's not much he can't do from actor, comedian, art collector, magician, author and musician.

From the 1970s Wild and Crazy Guys skits on Saturday Night Live with Dan Aykroyd to an extensive movie career -- including "Father of the Bride," "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "It's Complicated" -- a children's book, "The Alphabet from A to Y," and an autobiography, "Born Standing Up," Martin boasts quite a daunting list of achievements.
We haven't mentioned he's a Kennedy Center recipient.
During a break from filming his latest project, a movie "The Big Year," starring Owen Wilson and Jack Black as competitive bird watchers, he squeezed in a phone interview with the Public Opinion about his performance with the Steep Canyon Rangers, scheduled for 8 p.m. July 31 in H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center at Shippensburg University.
One thing that came across the phone, loud and clear, was his easy laugh and relaxed manner as he willingly answered questions with candor and a bit of self-deprecating humor.
Despite being such a diversified performer, Martin wanted to focus on his upcoming Luhrs Center performance leading the Steep Canyon Rangers Bluegrass band through a musical and laugh-studded crowd pleasing performance -- one of 30-stops through October.  Full story.

Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival starts Friday

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 11:27 PM EDT


The Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival will be held Friday and Saturday at the festival grounds along Coleman Station Road in Friedens. The festival, which is hosted by the Custer family in honor of Kenny and Betty Custer, is earning a reputation as one of the best celebrations of music and tradition in the area in one of the most serene settings More

Link to Video.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Coleman Station Festival. Almost Ready

Darlene and I Arrived at the Coleman  Station Bluegrass Festival early, to help with preparations, but fortunately for  me, most of the hard work is already done. Shelter tents are up and the stage is well underway.

Music starts at 4:00 PM Friday and Noon on Sunday. Complete schedule and all details are available on their web site. http://blue-grass.org/festival


Photo - Tim and Kevin warm up for the Somerset Daily American, reporter/photographer. A story is forthcoming, I will post the link here when it appears.



I will be posting from here through out the weekend.

I hope to see YOU here also!!

Traditional Ties, 07/25/10, Playlist

Contact info for new add: The Farewell Drifters -  http://thefarewelldrifters.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

Farewell Drifters

Everyone Is Talking

Yellow Tag Mondays

Heart Squeeze / 30 Tigers

2:47



10:06 PM

Louie Setzer

You'll Find Her Name Written There

Wish I Were There

Louie Setzer

3:35



10:09 PM

Tim Martin

Lights Along the Riverside

Bluegrass Fiddle

Patuxent

3:14



10:13 PM

Claie Lynch

My Florida Sunshine

Whatcha You Gonna Do

Rounder

3:00



10:17 PM

Butler - Wade

Shorty Is Forty

Haulin' Grass

2:52

2:52



10:20 PM

Josh Williams

Blue Water

Down Home

Pinecastle

3;36



10:24 PM

Dirty River

Graveyard Train

Graveyard Train

Dirty River

3:30



10:27 PM

Buddy Merriam

Spirt of Rosine

Back Roads Mandolin

Lily Pad

2:59



10:31 PM

Snyder Family Band

Heaven's Bright Shore

Comin' on Strong

Mountain Roads

3:27



10:35 PM

Sweet Potato Pie

Wait on the Lord

Journey Called Life

Mountain Fever

1:55



10:37 PM

Doyle Lawson

In Your Arms

Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly

Horizon

4:18



10:41 PM

Kathy Kallick

There's a Higher Power

Between the Hollow and the High Rise

Live Oak

3:07



10:45 PM

Statement

Who Are You to Judge

Around the Corner

Mountain Fever

4:20



10:50 PM

Del McCoury

I'm Justified

Family Circle

McCoury Music

3:32



10:53 PM

Crowe-Lawson-Williams

Stormy Waters

Old Friends Get Together

Mountain Home

3:28



10:56 PM

Larry Sparks

Better Farther On

I Just Want to Thank You Lord

Rural Rhythm

3:03



11:00 PM

True Bluegrass

With Care from Someone (Theme)

True Bluegrass 1979

True Bluegrass

2:00



11:02 PM

Farewell Drifters

All We Need

Yellow Tag Mondays

Heart Squeeze / 30 Tigers

3;51



11:07 PM

Grass Cats

A Good way to Get the Blues

A Good Way to Get the Blues

New Time

3:08



11:10 PM

Concession 23

you're Not That Easty to Forget

Wandering Steps

Concession 23

4:09



11:14 PM

Nate Grower

Kansas City Kitty

Nate Grower

Patuxent

3:57



11:19 PM

Darrin Beachley

Love You Don't Know

Take Off

Patuxent

4:09



11:23 PM

Lonesome River Band

Wires and Wood

No Turning Back

Rural Rhythm

3:53



11:27 PM

Steep Canyon Rangers

No Where to Lay Low

Deep in the Shade

Rebel

3:40



11:30 PM

Gulley-Stafford

Along for the Ride

CD Single

Rural Rhyrhm

2;36



11:34 PM

Farewell Drifters

Sunnyside Drive

Yellow Tag Mondays

Heart Squeeze / 30 Tigers

2:53



11:37 PM

Wildfire

Roadside Tavern

CD Single

lonesome Day

2:45



11:39 PM

Summertown Road

Two Medals

Summertown Road

Rounder

4:16



11:39 PM

Grascals

Blue Rock Slide

The Famous Lefty Flynn's

Rounder

4:16



11:48 PM

Carolina Road

You Don't Know the Blues

Carolina Hurricane

Blue Circle

3:09



11:51 PM

Larry Stephenson

Mule Skinner Blues

20th Anniversary

Whysper Dream

4:04



11:56 PM

Jody King

The Last Ride

Another Day

After 5

3:59
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/

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Mandolins highlight bluegrass festival

By MICHAEL ECK, Special to the Times Union

First published in print: Sunday, July 18, 2010
OAK HILL -- When was the last time you heard five mandolinists all running headlong at "Old Joe Clark."
Well, about 5 o'clock on Friday evening if you were at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival.
One of the highlights of Friday's whopping day of activities and performances was a Masters Stage workshop dedicated to the mandolin, featuring David Grisman, Ronnie McCoury, Joe Walsh, Sarah Jarosz and Buddy Merriam, all of whom are stars in their own right.
They also put their 40 strings to use on "Wheel Hoss," "Golden Slippers" and -- because it's a bluegrass festival -- Bill Monroe's archetypal "Bluegrass Stomp."
McCoury talked about playing on a mandolin that Grisman had given him 20 years ago; and Merriam offered that he began playing bluegrass after hearing The Dawg's work with Old and in The Way in the 70s.
As tribute, McCoury suggested a combo rendition of Grisman's classic "EMD."
Grisman was also found later on the Main Stage, leading his DGBX band (the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience).
The latter group fuses many of the things Grisman does best -- playing mandolin, furthering the cause of acoustic music and keeping the history alive.
Grisman chatted about each tune before playing it, giving lessons on the Carter Family, Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and The Stanley Brothers, with the entire set crossing the arc of bluegrass from its earliest days to the present.
He and and banjo man Keith Little especially shone on the Carter's "Gold Watch and Chain."
Later on the Main Stage McCoury would join his father Del and his long-standing family-anchored band for a set as well.

Friday, July 16, 2010

DELFEST MOVING AHEAD IN CUMBERLAND, MD



(Nashville, TN)...A collective sigh of relief came from DelFest co-founders Roy Carter and Rebecca Sparks, of California based High Sierra Music, and festival namesake Del McCoury in Nashville, when co-founder Stan Strickland informed them that the Allegany County commissioners had issued a press release, bringing to close to a controversy that began six weeks ago when Allegany County Liquor Board chairman Gerald Delaney claimed in the Cumberland Times-News that DelFest and the High Sierra Foundation had violated laws regarding their liquor license. The controversy began when Mr. Delaney called local High Sierra Foundation board member Barb Buehl, in which he threatened the festival's reputation, it's ability to secure a beverage license in the future, and Buehl's employment contract with County Tourism, all in an effort to benefit his former employer, a local beer distributor. A threat he followed through with in the Cumberland Times on June 3rd.



As a very public dispute unfolded, a local coalition of nearly 1400, dubbing itself the "Pale Ale Army," rose up en masse and began flooding county and state offices with calls, faxes, and emails, demanding an investigation and immediate action. The first step taken by the Allegany County commissioners, after determining with the state that they did in fact have the authority to act in this matter-and with the strong encouragement of the Governor-was to ask for Chairman Delaney's resignation. The resignation was offered to Governor O'Malley on July 9th, and accepted immediately. The second, and hopefully final, step was a press release, drafted by the county attorney, on behalf of the County Commissioners, clearly stating for the record that no complaint had ever been filed, no investigation had ever been initiated, and the Liquor Board has no intention of pursuing this matter. This confirmed the position DelFest had been taking since June 3rd. The County's press release went on to say that they were confident that once the DelFest Foundation applied for the 2011 liquor license, it would be approved as well as pledged their support of community resources to meet the needs of the festival.



"I do think a lot of good came from this. Over a thousand people are now involved in local government and local charitable work and have seen the impact they can have," offered Del McCoury, a clear indication that he sees better days ahead. "We might have walked away if it had not been for the overwhelming show of support from the community. We realized that they had made this their fight and we took that into consideration every step of the way." DelFest's Foundation will be working hand in hand with the "Pale Ale Army" in August as they distribute more than $20,000 to local charities.



The DelFest founders, county officials, and local community leaders are all now in agreement on one thing-its time to move ahead. That's exactly how Del McCoury brought the July 15th phone conference to an end, "well folks, I guess we are headed back to Cumberland." The co-founders in California and Florida swear you could hear him smile.

Review: Grisman picks bluegrass for Belly Up Aspen show

ASPEN — Midway through his concert last Sunday at Belly Up, David Grisman announced that he was going to play some “dawg” music — a reference to the style, a fusion of jazz, string-band, gypsy and Brazilian, that had made the mandolinist a pioneer in American acoustic music. But Grisman and his band then began picking a rhythm that was very much in line with what had been established as the theme of the evening — straight-up bluegrass.




When Grisman began singing the tune, the joke became apparent: It was a song about a dog, not dawg music.


The group Grisman led onto the Belly Up stage was the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience — the DGBX for short — and Grisman takes the name seriously. The concert lasted two long sets, and not for a minute of it did Grisman and company stray into dawg territory. This was a night for bluegrass — bluegrass songs, bluegrass sounds, bluegrass instruments, bluegrass harmonies, bluegrass stories. The musical connections were to age-old bluegrass pioneers like the Stanley Brothers and Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, not to new-school newgrassers along the lines of Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, or Grisman's other band, the long-running, ground-breaking David Grisman Quintet.


While Grisman looks like a stock version of a Talmudic scholar, his familiar beard more silvery-gray than ever, his ability to play an unadulterated brand of bluegrass is magnificent. His playing often takes off from Monroe's “chop” style, which emphasizes the mandolin as a rhythm instrument, and gives bluegrass its recognizable drive. When he moved into lead playing, Grisman unleashed flurries of notes. .More.

Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival

A forwarded message from the Custer family:



Howdy everyone,
We are only about a week away from our festival so we wanted to pass

along one last reminder.


We have another great festival planned for this year. Once again, on

our stage, we'll feature some of the finest bands playing bluegrass music.

The line up this year includes: Nothin' Fancy, Blue Shades, Black

Diamond, David Parmley & Continental Divide, Jay Armsworthy & Eastern

Tradition, Kody Norris & The Watauga Mountain Boys (direct from RFD-TV),

The Coal Mountain Ramblers, Bluestone featuring the banjo of Chris

Warner and your host band, Mountain Therapy. And as always, we'll

present some of the 'young stars of tomorrow.'


Concessions and vendors will be on site and on Saturday there will be

planned children's activities. There's always plenty of FREE parking.

For your convenience the golf cart shuttles will again be available.

Should you feel it necessary, they will pick you up at your vehicle or

camper and drop you off right at the concert area. All you have to do

is ask. How's that for service!


Free WIFI throughout the festival grounds and the entire stage show is

broadcast via FM radio. (so you never have to miss a minute of music)

CSBF is near the top of the tech savvy festival list!


Our web site has been updated with complete festival details and stage

schedules.

While there, print off a flyer or brochure and give it to

your friends. You can take a virtual tour of past festivals through

our photo pages. On the internet we are located at:

www.blue-grass.org/festival
Ticket prices remain the same as last year!
Remember, children 12 and under are admitted

FREE with a paying adult and there's FREE rough camping with a

weekend ticket. Visit our web site for additional information.
There is always plenty of parkin' lot pickin so bring your instruments

and join in the fun.
A BIG thanks to all who have attended our past festivals, supported our

efforts and voiced your opinions. We are humbled by your positive

comments and we listen carefully to your constructive suggestions.

Please help us spread the word... YOU are our greatest ambassadors.


We look forward to meeting many more of you next week. We hope you'll

come out to our beautiful wooded, shaded, natural amphitheater setting

and enjoy another Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival on July 23rd &

24th. Lots of covered seating and the show goes on rain or shine.

Here's hoping for shine!!
Sincerely,

Tim & Brenda and

The Custer Family
Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival

1144 Coleman Station Road

Friedens, PA 15541-6912

814-444-8509

814-442-2409

http://www.blue-grass.org/festival