Sun 29 Aug 2010
Missoulian article on River City Roots Festival
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Announcements and News
No Comments
Joe Nickell wrote a nice article about the Roots Festival. Check it out in the Missoulian Online
Sun 29 Aug 2010
Idaho State Journal story on Pocatello Festival
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Announcements and News
No Comments
interesting story on the Idaho State Journal online about Diana Morgan who started the Pocatello Bannock County Bluegrass Festival. Go to the story online to see a short video interview with Diana and a little footage from the festival.
Bluegrass bringer: Woman started music festival in Pocatello
Doug Lindley/Idaho State Journal Diana Morgan is the president of the Bannock County Bluegrass Association that's putting on the 7th annual Bluegrass Festival at the Bannock County Fairgrounds, Friday through Sunday. featured
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2010 3:59 am | Updated: 4:02 am, Sat Aug 28, 2010.
By John O’Connell joconnell@journalnet.com | 1 comment
POCATELLO — Diana Morgan, of Darrington, Wash., depleted the bulk of her personal savings in her effort to make a bluegrass festival she started at the Bannock County Fairgrounds a viable community event.
“I was born and raised in Pocatello. I just wanted to bring my music here,” Morgan said. “I think it’s great music, something our ancestors brought over from Ireland and England. It’s the roots of country music actually.”
When it appeared Morgan would have to give up on the festival after its fifth year without substantial growth, she changed her approach. She started the nonprofit organization, called the Bannock County Bluegrass Association. Since then, her luck has changed.
The association has helped generate contributions from a host of corporations, and the local board members have helped volunteer to staff the event. Attendance has also been up — last year between 1,000 and 1,500 people attended the weekend festival. It was by far the event’s biggest crowd, and it was the first year that Morgan finished in the black.
This year, she anticipates duplicating that success. Indeed, the Bannock County Bluegrass Festival appears to be growing just as the festival she started 34 years ago in Darrington has.
“We broke our record this year (in Darrington). We had between 8,000 and 9,000 there,” Morgan said. “We couldn’t hold that many if we had that at the fairgrounds. We’d have to have one in the Minidome.”
Musicians at the event assist with music workshops, and for the first time this year, a workshop is also scheduled for children.
The Seventh Annual Bannock County Bluegrass Festival started Friday and continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds, hosted at a new stage with a grassy seating area.
Q: You mentioned corporate sponsorship helped keep your bluegrass festival afloat. Who are some of those sponsors?
A: We’ve got Simplot and Agrium, Portneuf Medical Center, we’ve got just a ton of sponsors that have put forth either money or something to help out.
Q: How much do tickets cost?
A: If they come for the whole weekend it’s $35. Friday is $10. Saturday is $15 and Sunday is $10.
Q: How is the talent this year?
A: One of our best ones is Cold Creek. They’re from Salt Lake City. They’re extremely talented people. Every year when they come, everybody just loves them. We have New South Fork that’s from Idaho Falls. We have Tradition. They come from Nampa. They’re a really good band. We have a young group called the Panhandle Polecats. They’re from the panhandle of Idaho. They’re young kids.
Q: How do the bands get paid?
A: They get a gate split. We split all ticket sales with the bands.
Q: That must have been tough on some of the bands in those early years. How many people showed up for the first festival?
A: We had 150 the first year. I think each band made about $300. It did grow a little each year.
Q: Why do you think attendance has increased in this slower economy?
A: I think people are doing things closer to home. They’re finding their entertainment closer to home instead of traveling around. And I think after seven years with word of mouth, people come and they like it, and they tell somebody, “Next year you need to go.” People are starting to discover what bluegrass is, and they like it.
Q: How far are people traveling to come to this event?
A: My sister said she had a call from somebody in Florida. We’re drawing from California and all sorts of different places.
Posted in Local on Saturday, August 28, 2010 3:59 am. Updated: 4:02 am
Fri 27 Aug 2010
River City Roots Festival
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Jams and other Events
No Comments
The River City Roots Festival takes place this weekend in Missoula. It’s FREE
Li’l Smokies will be playing at the Top Hat on Saturday night
River City Roots Festival Website
River City Roots Festival Website
Festival Mainstage Lineup
Saturday
- 12:30 – 2:00 Mike Bader Band
- 2:30 – 4:00 MilkDrive
- 4:30 – 6:00 Amanda Shaw & the Cute Boys
- 6:30 – 8:00 The Infamous Stringdusters
- 8:30 – 10:30 Robert Earl Keen
Sunday
- 11:15 – 12:30 Broken Valley Road Show
- 1:00 – 2:30 Tom Catmull
- 3:00 – 4:30 Sol Driven Train
- 5:00 – 7:00 The Gourds
Sun 22 Aug 2010
Idaho State Journal on the 7th Annual Bannock County Bluegrass Festival
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Jams and other Events
No Comments
7th Annual Bannock County Bluegrass Festival
POCATELLO — The 7th Annual Bannock County Bluegrass Festival will be on Aug. 27, 28 and 29 at the Bannock County Fairgrounds.
Tickets are $35 for a weekend pass, $100 per family, or $10 for Friday, $15 for Saturday and $10 for Sunday. Camping will also be available for $10 per night with water and electricity hook ups or $5 for rough camping. Tickets can be purchased at Budget Tapes and Records and Mike’s Music in Pocatello.
Bluegrass bands from around Idaho and the west will perform including New South Fork from Idaho Falls and Red Desert Ramblers from Salt Lake City.
There will be adult and children’s music workshops, jam sessions, a band scramble, open mic time as well as food and drinks for sale. Bring your lawn chair or blanket to sit on the grassy area in front of the stage.
For more information go to bannockcountybluegrassfestival.com
Sun 22 Aug 2010
Bannock County Bluegrass Festival in Pocatello
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Announcements and News, Jams and other Events
No Comments
7th Annual Bannock County Bluegrass Festival this weekend:
This band comes from the Treasure Valley in Idaho. They first got together at a jam session in 2005 and had so much fun that they decided to form a band and find some places to play in public. In 2006 they gathered at the Old Time Fiddlers Contest in Weiser, ID and competed in the Battle of the Bluegrass Bands. They won first place and competed again in 2009 and won again. They play every chance they get and have had the opportunity to open for some great groups such as Valery Smith & Liberty Pike, Mike Compton and Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain.
The band members are Brian Haken, guitar & vocals, Dennis Stokes, mandolin & vocals, Bill Cates, banjo, Harry Strung, bass & vocals and Rue Frisbee, fiddle.
PANHANDLE POLECATS
These polecats come from Rathdrum, ID. In just 5 short years the Panhandle Polecats have gone from just another cute family band to Dogs (er, Cats) in the thriving inland Northwest scene. The lighting fast picking, tight vocals and infectious stage presence of these five siblings have won a devoted following throughout the region.
The band consist of Jenny Little, bass fiddle & vocals, Hank Little, dobro and vocals, Molly Little (Wilbur) mandolin & vocals, Austin Little, banjo & vocals and Bonnie Little (Campbell) guitar & vocals.
RED DESERT RAMBLERS
They come from Salt Lake City, UT. Red desert plays bluegrass, old country and swing music. With combined experience of over 150 years, members blend traditional harmonies with smoking instrumental breaks. This band is very very popular at festivals and has performed at bluegrass and folk festivals in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, and Colorado. The band members are, Steve Hewson, mandolin, guitar & vocals, Dave Bates, bass & vocals, Joe Farmer, mandolin & vocals, Rick Martinez, banjo & vocals and Sharon Mitchell, hammered dulcimer & vocals.
NEW SOUTH FORK
New South fork is a group formed in Idaho Falls, ID. They have recently welcomed new members to create a great band which loves to do up-tempo original and traditional bluegrass music. Three of the members have been together for several years, and have played in several venues throughout Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Washington including Arizona and California. New members who will be adding their own style and talents are great musicians in their own rights and have played with very successful groups in and around the area. On banjo and vocals- Fred Frank, bass and vocals – Emily Frank, fiddle – Jeff Forbes, guitar and vocals – Joel Kaserman, mandolin – Chad Fadely. A group that loves to have fun and play bluegrass. Hope you enjoy the ride.
BLUEGRASS COALITION
Part of this band comes from Montana and part come from Idaho. Mike and Tari Conroy, from Connor Montana, love Old Time Bluegrass and love to perform the old style songs they have performed around the house for years. The Conroy’s have had many years of duet singing and have done 9 recordings. They are considered by many to be pioneers in Montana Bluegrass. Now with Mike playing banjo and Tari playing her Martin guitar, they are very excited to be merging their style with the very talented Fred & Emily Frank. Fred and Emily Frank regularly perform as a duet and are also members of the well known band New South Fork from Idaho Falls, ID. They have played at many prestigious festivals, in Washington, Colorado and California. Emily is a prolific song writer and wonderful bluegrass singer. Fred is a multi — Instrumentalist, playing guitar, banjo and mandolin. He is also a great bluegrass singer.
HAMMER DOWN
This group comes from the Salt Lake City, Utah area. The group was originally formed by Mark Jenkins in the early spring of 2003 and to date has had several talented local musicians associated with the group. Hammer Down has played at several major festivals across the country and is well known for their hard driving traditional and contemporary bluegrass sound. The band members are, Mark Jenkins, guitar and lead vocals, Katelyn Jenkins, fiddle & vocals, Fairley Sparks dobro & vocals,
Tim Morrison, bass & vocals, Jake Workman, mandolin & vocals and Rick Martinez, banjo & vocals.
-
STRINGS ATTACHED
This band comes from the Twin Falls, Idaho area. Strings Attached has appeared at the Northern Rockies Folk Festival, the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest in Weiser, ID, the National Country Music Festival in Avoca, Iowa, the Southern Utah Bluegrass Festival in Kanab, several times at the Bannock County Bluegrass Festival in Pocatello, ID and many other bluegrass events around the US. They are a traditional bluegrass band with a little folk flavor. They have also played for square dances and contra dances. The members are Jon Jacobson, guitar & vocals, Jenni Jacobson, fiddle & vocals, Mike McCarthy, banjo & vocals, and David Quinley, bass & vocals
TRADITION
This band comes from Nampa Idaho. The band consists of six members steeped heavily in solid bluegrass. They have built the band of a good base of influences that include, Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, Jim & Jessie and the Stanley Brothers. Their music is also influenced by some of the more modern bands of today such as, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Alison Krauss & Union Station, JD Crow & the New South and the Seldom Scene. Each member brings their own stylistic variance together into a culmination, which becomes the distinct sound of Tradition. The band members are, Doug Jenkins, fiddle & vocals, Pat Massie, dobro & vocals, Emily Frank, bass & vocals, Bob Greer, guitar & vocals, Fred Frank, mandolin & vocals and Ron Hillier, banjo & vocals,
COLD CREEK
They come from American Fork, UT. Cold Creek is Utah’s premier bluegrass group. They perform across Utah and the Western States. The music of Cold Creek is a captivation blend of traditional and progressive bluegrass. It features tight harmonies, incredible picking and playing and interesting arrangements. The band members are Bill Sprunger, guitar & lead vocals. Bill is also a champion fiddle and mandolin player, Blaine Nelson, on banjo. Bill holds the 2003 Utah State Banjo Championship. Rob Ricks, fiddle. He has won many awards which include The Telluride Fiddle Contest and Te Telluride Band Contest. Andrea Ivey Banner, bass, lead vocals and harmonies, Jake Workman, mandolin & vocals. Jake is the youngest one of the group and is a multi instrumentalist. He also plays banjo and guitar.
Sun 22 Aug 2010
Bluegrass gospel group –
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Announcements and News
No Comments
By Paula J. McGarvey for The Montana Standard
Above is a group picture of the Montana-based members of the band Mountain Bluegrass Gospel: The Gilbert family of Sheridan: Ernie, left, Alice, and Ernie Gene on fiddle, with Sharon Severance on upright bass. Photo courtesy of Sharon and Lynn Severance
Five years ago, a group of friends with a passion for their faith and their music came together to “jam” and play gospel music and ended up forming the band Mountain Bluegrass Gospel.
The group started playing in more public venues in order to spread the gospel through music.
“It’s a fun venue,” Sharon Severance, who plays upright bass and sings high tenor.
Severance said that the band is composed of musicians living in Montana and Arizona, and will be playing local venues throughout the month of August. (See schedule)
“We mostly do churches. We love singing for the Lord,” Severance said.
Severance and her husband, Lynn, who handles the band’s public relations, spend summers in Sheridan and winter in Spring Valley, Ariz. While in Montana, the two play with the Gilbert family of Sheridan.
The Gilberts are active in the music ministry at the Ruby Valley Baptist Church and include Ernie, who plays rhythm guitar; his wife, Alice, on vocals; and 10-year-old son, Ernie Gene, on the fiddle. Ernie Gene is also an active member of the Dillon Junior Fiddlers and is learning to play the mandolin.
While in Arizona, Sharon and Lynn “jam” with Rick Rhodes, who plays banjo, guitar, and sings lead vocals. An active member and past president of the Arizona Bluegrass Association, his wife Leslie serves as the association’s president, Severance said.
Rhodes will join the band in Montana during August and accompany them when they play at area churches and outdoor sites.
Mountain Bluegrass Gospel schedule
Saturday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. — Old Church at Bannack State Park west of Dillon
Sunday, Aug. 22 at 9:30 a.m. — Barrett Campground at Rattlesnake Cliffs south of Dillon, sponsored by the Dillon Evangelical Lutheran Church
Sunday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. — First Baptist Church, Montana and Broadway, Butte.
Sunday, Aug. 29 at 9:30 a.m. — Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 2300 Florence Ave., Butte
Sunday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. — Bethel Methodist Church in Sheridan. The performance will be followed by and ice cream social.
Sun 22 Aug 2010
Thursday Night jam in Bozeaman
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Announcements and News, Jams and other Events
No Comments
Bozeman Jam - Pine Creek Lodge
Check out this and many other regular jams here on our website calendar
Open Bluegrass Jam
7:30 PM
Description: The Open Bluegrass Jam continues through the summer at the Pine Creek Café every Thursday night beginning at 7:30pm. This informal night of bluegrass music has become increasingly popular as musicians come from far and wide to jam together. Be sure to come enjoy (or participate) in this wonderful community tradition.
Age Group: All Ages
Venue: Pine Creek Lodge
Address: 2496 East River Road
Livingston, MT 59047
Phone: 406 222 3628
Thu 19 Aug 2010
IBMA 2010 Award Nominees are…
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Announcements and News
No Comments
THE NOMINEES for the
2010 INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS
MUSIC AWARDS
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
- Dailey & Vincent
- The Grascals
- The Del McCoury Band
- Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Blue Highway
- Dailey & Vincent
- The Gibson Brothers
- Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
- Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
- Blue Highway
- Sam Bush Band
- Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
- The Infamous Stringdusters
- Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Jamie Dailey
- Russell Moore
- Tim O’Brien
- Junior Sisk
- Dan Tyminski
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
- Dale Ann Bradley
- Sonya Isaacs
- Alison Krauss
- Patty Loveless
- Claire Lynch
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Recording Title, Artist(s), Producer(s), Label
- Circles Around Me, Sam Bush (artist & producer), Sugar Hill
- Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers, Dailey & Vincent (artists), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Cracker Barrel/Rounder
- Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (artists & producers), Rural Rhythm
- Ring the Bell, The Gibson Brothers (artists and producers), Compass
- The Famous Lefty Flynn’s, The Grascals (artists & producers), Rounder
SONG OF THE YEAR
Song Title, Artist(s), Songwriter(s)
- “Elizabeth,” Dailey & Vincent (artists), Lester James Fortune (songwriter)
- “Hard Rock Mountain Prison (‘Till I Die);” Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (artists); Ray Edwards, Larry Cox & Terry Foust (songwriters)
- “My Florida Sunshine,” Claire Lynch (artist), Bill Monroe (songwriter)
- “Ring the Bell,” The Gibson Brothers (artists), Chet O’Keefe (songwriter)
- “The Ballad of Stringbean and Estelle;” Sam Bush (artist); Guy Clark, Verlon Thompson & Sam Bush (songwriters)
RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
Song Title, Featured Artists, Producer(s), Label
- “Bleeding for a Little Peace of Mind,” Blue Highway featuring Darrell Scott (artists), Blue Highway (producers), Rounder
- “Give This Message to Your Heart,” Larry Stephenson featuring Dailey & Vincent (artists), Ben Surratt & Larry Stephenson (producers), Whysper Dream
- “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome;” The Grascals with Hank Williams, Jr.; The Grascals (producers); Rounder
- “Talk to Me Lonesome Heart,” Larry Stephenson featuring Connie Smith & Marty Stuart (artists), Ben Surratt & Larry Stephenson (producers), Whysper Dream
- “That’s What Makes You Strong,” Claire Lynch with Jesse Winchester (artists), Claire Lynch (producer), Rounder
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Song Title, Artist(s), Songwriter(s), Producer, Label
- “Don’t You Wanna Go to Heaven,” Dailey & Vincent (artists), David Marshall (songwriter), Jamie Dailey & Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
- “I Just Want to Thank You Lord,” Larry Sparks (artist, producer), Judy Marshall (songwriter), Rural Rhythm
- “Light on My Feet, Ready to Fly;” Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (artists); Corey Hensley (songwriter); Doyle Lawson (producer); Horizon
- “Ring the Bell,” The Gibson Brothers (artists), Chet O’Keefe (songwriter), The Gibson Brothers (producers), Compass
- “The Eastern Gate;” Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out (artists, producers); Isaiah G. Martin (songwriter); Rural Rhythm
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Tune Title, Artist(s), Songwriter, Producer(s), Label
- “Blue Mountain,” Sam Bush (artist, songwriter, producer), Sugar Hill
- “Blue Rock Slide;” The Grascals (artists, producers); Danny Roberts, Kristin Scott Benson & Jeremy Abshire (songwriters); Rounder
- “Cherokee Shuffle,” Josh Williams (artist, producer), Tommy Jackson (songwriter), Pinecastle
- “Durang’s Hornpipe,” Adam Steffey (artist), Public Domain (songwriter), Barry Bales & Gary Paczosa (producers), Sugar Hill
- “Mourning Dove,” Steep Canyon Rangers (artists), Nicholas Sanders (songwriter), Ronnie Bowman (producer), Rebel
EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Balsam Range
- Sierra Hull & Highway 111
- Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass
- Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
- Josh Williams Band
INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO
- Terry Baucom
- Kristin Scott Benson
- J.D. Crowe
- Sammy Shelor
- Ron Stewart
BASS
- Barry Bales
- Mike Bub
- Missy Raines
- Darrin Vincent
- Marshall Wilborn
FIDDLE
- Jason Carter
- Michael Cleveland
- Stuart Duncan
- Andy Leftwich
- Ron Stewart
DOBRO
- Mike Auldridge
- Jerry Douglas
- Andy Hall
- Rob Ickes
- Randy Kohrs
GUITAR
- Cody Kilby
- Tony Rice
- Kenny Smith
- Bryan Sutton
- Josh Williams
MANDOLIN
- Jesse Brock
- Sam Bush
- Sierra Hull
- Ronnie McCoury
- Adam Steffey
BLUEGRASS EVENT OF THE YEAR
- Pass It On: The 30th Anniversary Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival; St. Cloud, Minnesota
- The 14th Annual Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival; East Hartford, Connecticut
- The Red, White & Bluegrass Festival; Morganton, North Carolina
BLUEGRASS BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR:
- Kyle Cantrell; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tenn.
- Katy Daley; WAMU’s BluegrassCountry.org; Washington, D.C.
- Chris Jones; Sirius XM Satellite Radio; Nashville, Tenn.
PRINT MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR
- Eddie Dean & Dr. Ralph Stanley, authors of Man of Constant Sorrow: My Life and Times (Gotham)
- Derek Halsey, freelance writer for The Herald Dispatch, Gritz magazine and Bluegrass Unlimited
- Larry Nager, freelance writer for Bluegrass Unlimited
LINER NOTES FOR RECORDED PROJECT
- Fred Bartenstein (writer), Singing from the Heart, Dailey & Vincent (artists), Rounder (label)
- Benji Flaming (writer), solo banjo, Benji Flaming (artist), solobanjo.com (label)
- Dr. Ted Olson (writer); Appalachia Music from Home; Ralph Stanley, Jean Ritchie, Dock Boggs, Darrell Scott, Robin & Linda Williams, Blue Highway & More (artists); Lonesome Records (label)
BEST GRAPHIC DESIGN FOR RECORDED PROJECT
- Julie Craig, Cracker Barrel (designer); Dailey & Vincent; Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers; Cracker Barrel/Rounder (label)
- Benji Flaming (designer, artist), solo banjo, solobanjo.com (label)
- Bill Womack, Hellos Inc. (designer); Appalachia Music from Home; Ralph Stanley, Jean Ritchie, Dock Boggs, Darrell Scott, Robin & Linda Williams, Blue Highway & More (artists); Lonesome Records (label)
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: John Hartford, Louise Scruggs
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS: Sherry Boyd, Benjamin F. “Tex” Logan, Lynn Morris, Richard Weize, Pete Wernick
Thu 19 Aug 2010
IBMA Announces International Bluegrass Music Awards Nominees
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Announcements and News
No Comments
This just came out from IBMA…
Dailey & Vincent, Russell Moore, Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland & The Grascals Lead Nominees
Nashville, Tenn. – IBMA is proud to announce the nominees for the 21st annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday, September 30, 2010, at Nashville, Tennessee’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
It’s been an interesting year for bluegrass—from Bean Blossom to Bonnaroo—and the 2010 IBMA Award Show celebrates the strength and popularity of the genre both inside the bluegrass world and beyond, as the nominees reach out to new audiences with new music and interesting collaborations.
Reigning two-time Entertainers of the Year Dailey & Vincent released an a cappella gospel project, Singing from the Heart, as well as Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers, a bluegrass tribute to the legendary country music quartet. The latter CD is distributed solely by Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores, and Dailey & Vincent added a bass singer to the band to present their new material. The group tops the list of nominees with 10 nods for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group, Album of the Year and Best Graphic Design (Dailey & Vincent Sing The Statler Brothers), Song of the Year (“Elizabeth”), Recorded Event (“Give This Message to Your Heart” with Larry Stephenson) and Gospel Recorded Event (“Don’t You Wanna Go to Heaven”), along with nominations in the Male Vocalist (Dailey), Bass Player (Vincent) and Best Liner Notes categories (Fred Bartenstein, for the album Singing from the Heart).
Longtime favorites Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, now signed to the Rural Rhythm label, are catching a career “second wind” and bringing their trademark sound to a new generation of fans. Two-time Male Vocalist of the Year, Moore (1994 & 1997) and his band, IIIrd Tyme Out, are nominated in six categories: Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year [“Hard Rock Mountain Prison (‘Till I Die)”], Album of the Year (IIIrd Tyme Out), Male Vocalist, Gospel Recorded Performance (“The Eastern Gate”) and Vocal Group of the Year—an award the band received seven times from 1994-2000.
Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Sam Bush and The Grascals racked up five nominations each. Cleveland, the seven-time Fiddle Player of the Year who could match Stuart Duncan’s eight-year record in this category in 2010, leads a band nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Instrumental Group, Bass Player (Marshall Wilborn), Mandolin (Jesse Brock) and Fiddle Player of the Year.
Recognized as the “Father of Newgrass,” Sam Bush returned to his musical roots for his latest album, Circles Around Me, nominated for Album of the Year. Sam and his band are also nominated for Instrumental Group of the Year, Instrumental Recorded Performance (“Blue Mountain”), Mandolin Player of the Year, and Song of the Year for “The Ballad of Stringbean and Estelle”—composed by Bush with Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson about the 1973 murder of Grand Ole Opry star David “Stringbean” Akeman and his wife by burglars in their rural Tennessee home.
The Grascals borrowed a pop song from The Monkees, “Last Train to Clarksville,” and ‘grassed it up as the first radio single and video from their fourth album, The Famous Lefty Flynn’s. They’ve been opening for the Hank Williams “Rowdy Friends” tour along with Jamey Johnson, Eric Church, Gretchen Wilson and Sunny Sweeney, among others. Bocephus also recorded a duet that his father co-wrote with Bill Monroe, “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome,” for the new Grascals album. The Grascals, nominated for Entertainer and Album of the Year (The Famous Lefty Flynn’s), are also recognized in the Instrumental Recorded Performance and Recorded Event categories with “Blue Rock Slide” and “I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome.” Two-time Banjo Player of the Year, Kristin Scott Benson, is nominated again for the award.
Along with the Grascals/Hank, Jr. collaboration, several interesting cross-genre compositions show up in the IBMA Recorded Event of the Year category: Blue Highway with Americana star Darrell Scott, Larry Stephenson with legendary country music couple Marty Stuart and Connie Smith, and Claire Lynch with singer/songwriter icon Jesse Winchester.
The Gibson Brothers were nominated in four categories; and the Josh Williams Band, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder and The Del McCoury Band received three nods each.
After celebrating 50 years in the music business with a boxed set of newly recorded favorites, nine-time Entertainer of the Year Del McCoury is still going strong. In addition to touring and recording with Del, brothers Rob & Ronnie McCoury and the band are performing together as “The Travelin’ McCourys,” playing a string of gigs with the Lee Boys—a group that blends R&B, gospel, hip-hop, rock and steel guitar-drenched country. Del’s band also backed up country star Dierks Bentley on a nation-wide tour in support of his new bluegrass/acoustic album, Up on the Ridge.
Award-winning bands like the Infamous Stringdusters continue to evolve and define their own original bluegrass-based sounds, and comedian/movie star Steve Martin took his banjo on the road this year to tour with the Steep Canyon Rangers. Larry Stephenson celebrated 20 years in the business with his most successful album ever, Blue Highway released an impressive 15th anniversary compilation, and both The Gibson Brothers and Junior Sisk gathered new momentum, powered by strong releases on Compass and Rebel Records, respectively.
The bluegrass industry’s highest honors of the year go to the new members of the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees are singer/songwriter, banjo and fiddle stylist John Hartford and the pioneering business manager of Flatt & Scruggs, The Earl Scruggs Revue and Earl Scruggs Family & Friends, Louise Scruggs. Hartford passed away in 2001, and we lost Mrs. Scruggs in 2006. To learn more about this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, please click here.
IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award is an honor which recognizes individuals, groups and businesses for ground-breaking work and fostering the music’s image and accessibility. This year’s recipients are bluegrass fiddler, songwriter and mentor Benjamin F. “Tex” Logan; long-time radio broadcaster and emcee from Mt. Airy, North Carolina, Sherry Boyd; singer, multi-instrumentalist and band leader Lynn Morris; Bear Family Records’ Richard Weize of Germany, and Pete “Dr. Banjo” Wernick, who served 15 years as IBMA’s president, along with playing banjo in the legendary band Hot Rize and leading scores of instructional camps and workshops around the world. To learn more about this year’s recipients, pleasc
Tickets for the IBMA Awards, bluegrass music’s most exciting night of the year, are available at 888-438-4262, (615) 256-3222 and www.ibma.org. Tickets are also on sale at the Ryman Auditorium box office.
The IBMA Awards will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction, Channel 14) and will also be syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks thanks to the sponsorship of Martha White, GHS Strings, Sugar Hill Records, Deering Banjos and the International Bluegrass Music Museum. Program directors and station managers may sign up to be affiliates online at www.ibma.org.
The International Bluegrass Music Awards are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), which serves as the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. The IBMA Award Show is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass week, including the industry’s Business Conference and Bluegrass Fan Fest, which takes place September 27 – October 3 in Nashville. For a full list of the 2010 nominees, please click here.
###
For general information, please contact:
Nancy Cardwell
IBMA
nancyc@ibma.org
615.256.3222
For all media inquiries, including requests for press credentials, please contact:
Kissy Black
Elaine Erteschik
Lotos Nile Media
P.O. Box 90245
Nashville, TN 37209
615.298.1144
kissyblack@lotosnile.com
elaine@lotosnile.com
Fri 13 Aug 2010
Shady Grove Bluegrass Festival in Calgary – eh
Posted by Phyllis Erck under Announcements and News
No Comments
Shady Grove Bluegrass festival - Calgary
Just added a Canadian Bluegrass festival to the calendar. Check it out:
Ticket Price:
Weekend pass $40 in advance, $45 at the gate; Friday evening $20; Saturday $25; Sunday $15; 17 & under (with paid adult) Free; Weekend camping $25 (pay at gate)
Event Description:
Featuring performances by Shearwater Bluegrass Band, Headwater, Bryan Bowers, The Bix Mix Boys and more.
Also featuring band scramble, workshops, open stage, band clinic, Bluegrass Idol, campground jamming all weekend. All ages and levels of ability are welcome.
Visit www.foothillsbluegrass.com for a full weekend schedule.
