Two Rediscovered Treasures‏

Rural Rhythm to Issue Two Rediscovered Treasures on March 23, 2010
Reno & Smiley with Special Guests Carter and Ralph Stanley “Bluegrass 1963”
Mac Wiseman with special guest, Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise “Bluegrass 1971”

Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce the upcoming March 23, 2010 album releases of two first generation bluegrass legends: “BLUEGRASS 1963” by Reno & Smiley with special guests Carter and Ralph Stanley, and “BLUEGRASS 1971” by Mac Wiseman with special guest, Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise. These are the first two album projects by a new and exciting joint venture between Rural Rhythm Records and Ronnie Reno. These historic albums will be available for purchase wherever bluegrass music is sold including; Walmart, Amazon, Borders, iTunes, Rhapsody, e-music, County Sales, Music Shed, plus the Rural Rhythm website.



“BLUEGRASS 1963,” produced by Ronnie Reno, is a welcomed treasure for those lucky enough to have seen and heard Reno & Smiley perform on their legendary “Top O’ the Morning” daily TV show in Roanoke, Virginia during the early 1960’s. This 18 song collection features their long time sideman, The Tennessee Cut-Ups, Mac Magaha on fiddle, John Palmer on bass, guitarist Steve Chapman, plus a young Ronnie Reno on mandolin. There are fine renditions of their classics like “I Know You’re Married,” “I’m the Talk of the Town,” “Love Please Come Home,” “I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could,” and “I’m Using My Bible for a Roadmap.”

Also featured on the album are guest spots from none other than The Stanley Brothers (Ralph and Carter) performing the classic “In the Pines,” “Nine Pound Hammer,” and Ralph joining Don Reno for a twin banjo workout on “Home Sweet Home.” A special album highlight is the four-part harmony performance of “Over in the Gloryland” with Ralph & Carter Stanley joined by Reno & Smiley and their full band. ‘As I look back some 47 years ago when we recorded this, I can’t help but think of my feelings on the music we were playing. I was 16, playing mandolin in a great band on TV and recording hit records. I guess I thought all bands sounded and played like Reno & Smiley. Little did I know I was playing in one of the greatest bluegrass bands of all time.” said album producer, Ronnie Reno.

“BLUEGRASS 1971,” features Mac Wiseman with special guests Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise. Mac Wiseman has been a very important part of the Country and Bluegrass music scene for many decades recording a tremendous amount of successful albums that have contained a long list of big hits in both genres. Towards the end of 1970, Mac Wiseman and Lester Flatt talked about teaming up for an album that would re-create the mood and spirit of the late 1940s. Lester had split acrimoniously from Earl Scruggs, so Lester and Mac began touring and recording together. During this period, their albums were musically and commercially successful including their album, “Lester ‘N Mac” reaching #42 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart.

This star-studded bluegrass album was recorded in 1971 at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Kentucky during this historic collaborative period between the two. “BLUEGRASS 1971” gives us a historic treat as these bluegrass legends perform three classic songs together with Lester’s Nashville Grass Band, which included Paul Warren, Josh Graves, Roland White, Haskel McCormick and Johnny Johnson, special guest, Howdy Forrester, and nine classic songs performed with Mac and his band, The Shenandoah Valley Cut-Ups that included: Billy Edwards, Hershel Sizemore, John Palmer, Tater Tate, with special guest Chubby Wise. Another highlight includes a fiery three fiddle instrumental version of the classic tune, “Liberty,” with Tater Tate, Joe Greene and Chubby Wise.

Reno Moves to Primetime on RFD-TV‏

Beginning March 6, 2010, Reno's Old Time Music Festival moves to
7:00 EST Saturday Evenings on RFD-TV

Ronnie Reno's Trip to Glenville State

On Oct. the 20th I was invited to come to Glenville WV and pick and sing with the Glenville State Bluegrass Band. It was part of their homecoming and I was honored to get to perform with them. They have a great program at the college, which is one of the few schools that have a Major in Bluegrass Music. I have asked one of the great young players in the band, Megan Murphy to give our newsletter readers an insight on how she feels about the music and how she thought the night went.

Here's her story:

My name is Megan Murphy and I am a senior at Glenville State College, West Virginia. In 2006 I came to Glenville State College specifically for the Bluegrass Certification, along with majoring in Early and Elementary Education. As part of the bluegrass program, I was required to take a variety of courses such as recording and engineering to the more in depth end of business and marketing. Besides being part of the band, I also took part in hourly lessons on each instrument with our instructor, Buddy Griffin.
Director of Bluegrass Music, Buddy Griffin is not only our professor, but a living role model for those of us in this bluegrass program. Buddy was born in Summersville West Virginia and is also a Glenville State College graduate. Many folks have known him because of his great reputation of fiddling with the famous Jim and Jesse, and of course many more legends. Perhaps the “down to earth” personality that he shows is why he means so much to us and the community. Although he keeps quiet about his fame, we all realize the significant part he has played in bluegrass music.
In my short time here I have experienced a lot because the program has so much more to offer than other colleges. It is truly special to have musicians that many young folks look up to such as Ronnie Reno, Mike Compton and Jesse McReynolds to spend time with each of us. The GSC bluegrass band has also had many opportunities such as taking part in the famous “Midnight Jamboree,” various radio shows and even at one point appeared on “WSM TV”. Many students would never get these opportunities anywhere else. Not to mention that in 2007 Buddy announced at IBMA that we are the only four-year Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bluegrass Music in existence!
This month the legendary Ronnie Reno visited our college campus and starred in our annual bluegrass concert. The community and student body were all invited to take part in the performance. The GSC bluegrass band kicked off the show with strictly traditional bluegrass tunes followed by a unique showcase and interview of Ronnie Reno’s life as a bluegrass musician. Of course Ronnie wrapped the show up great by offering to what some of the band members may consider a “once in a lifetime opportunity”. That was to share the stage with him. At least I personally valued the pickin’ and grinnin’ time!
I was literally raised on bluegrass music. As my dad says, “bluegrass is in her blood!” My mom and dad took me to my first bluegrass festival when I was only four months old. At age five my parents bought me my first fiddle and my dad spent hours and hours with me on the front porch teaching me to scratch out tunes like “Old Joe Clark” and “Faded Love.” Now I spend most of my time concentrating on what I love best, and that is the mandolin. My family and I have our own traditional bluegrass band called “Megan Murphy and Yankee Bluegrass”. Thanks to Buddy, we just cut our first CD, here at the college this past year. Although I learned that it was not an easy process, I have enjoyed every minute of the studio time!
Growing up, I quickly realized that I was one of very few children who enjoyed and played this type of music. Because I have not had many opportunities to play this music with folks of my own age, I guess that is a major reason Glenville State College was my college choice.
Sometimes I think about how important the music is to me. I realize when I think about it that bluegrass is not only my passion, but my foundation, support, happiness and family. The music makes me happy, and to be able to share it with others is an amazing opportunity. It keeps my family close and I consider it a blessing to share the stage with my parents, the college band, as well as all of the new and interesting people I meet at bluegrass festivals. Besides being such a significant part of my family, the few dollars I make on the side helps support me in college!
I specifically chose Glenville State College because of its bluegrass program even though it is more expensive for me as an out-of-state student. Bluegrass is my family, my livelihood, and my life and I feel that the opportunity to share it with young people by attaining my early education degree is truly special.
Because of my experience here at Glenville State College, not the least of which was our recent performance with Ronnie Reno, I know I can move forward into my lifetime career in Bluegrass music with greater insight and much more confidence. Thanks to all the professionals who have helped me and other young folks like me to attain our goals and a lifetime of enjoyment in Bluegrass music.
Be sure to check us out at http://www.meganmurphyandyankeebluegrass.com/. We are also on myspace and facebook!

From BlueHighways TV.

Birthdays and Videos, 9/28

Ronnie Reno born 1947.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTHADTgViGs

Laurie Lewis born 1950.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDaEjoD0cqM

Ronnie Reno and Reno Tradition Coming To Keyser WV

I am passing along this info just received from Lynn Beckman. Any show by Ronnie will be a good one, lots of his music mixed with his dad's classics, an easy Saturday drive from western PA. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!

Hey John,
I just wanted to say thanks, again, for your playing some of my music and to let you know that we are going to have RONNIE RENO AND THE RENO TRADITION in Keyser, West Virginia, on Saturday, March 21 for the POTOMAC HIGHLANDS MAPLE FESTIVAL.

The show will be at the brand new Keyser High School Auditorium just south of Keyser.

NEW CREEK STATION (regional bluegrass band--good one) is set to come on for the first show at 1 p.m. followed by Ronnie and the guys from 2-4 p.m.

I am to MC the show. Of course, we'd love to have you come if you can make it. Let me know if you can come. If you can mention the show on your radio show, that would be wonderful and much appreciated.

For information folks can call me at 301-387-9275 or call the Keyser High School or email me at lbeckman@lynnbeckman.com . Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Hope to see you and folks from your listening audience there..... Thanks, John. Keep up the great work you are doing...

Blessings, Lynn Beckman

Ronnie Reno, Makes Presentation to IBMM

Ronnie Reno, in his own words:

"One of the highlights of the IBMA convention held here in Nashville on Oct.1st was when I presented some of my Dad's and Red's memorabilia to the International Bluegrass Music Museum."


"I am very proud of the fact that Don Reno and Red Smiley are in the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. I was able to give the museum some more of the personal treasure's that I have of Dad's and Red's. I presented them some old posters that I have saved of the band back in the middle 50's. What was so great was that they used them as cue cards while doing TV shows. They would write down songs that they didn't know and the floor producer would hold them up beside the camera while they would sing them live on their 'Top Of the Morning' TV show. I was also able to give them Red's dog tags from WWII and some old pictures of them along with a tie clasp of Red's and some cuff links of Dad's.

"If you ever get the chance please go by and visit the IBMM in Owensboro KY. and tell them Ronnie sent you."

Source, BlueHighways TV http://bluehighwaystv.com/