They say that everyone has a photographic memory….
….seems like mine doesn’t have any film!
Bluegrass & MORE.....
If you have received this email via a friend - and would like to be added to the mailing list - please send me an email with ADD in the subject line
(Please – log onto
www.myspace.com/deehallett and become one of my – myspace.com friends.Sincere apologies that this issue has been a long time arriving into your mailbox - the next issue is already underway and should be with you very soon.
Each year, I hear great reports about the Coastline Bluegrass Music Event - and it appears that this year will be no exception! On behalf of the committee, Phil Mann email emailed “The Coastline Bluegrass Music Event is in it's 4th year, located on a beautiful working hill farm near LLandudno Junction in North Wales, just 1.5 miles from Junction 19 on the A55. Nearest railway stations are Llandudno Junction or Colwyn Bay. Camping facilities for tents, caravans and motorhomes (no electric hook-up) include an on-site caterer, an excellent fully stocked bar selling ‘real ale’ and fine toilet facilities including disabled, and 'hot' showers. We have an experienced team of stewards to assist with vehicle access etc. and our reception staff are on hand to provide all the information you'll need for a great weekend of Bluegrass music. We have a designated 'quiet area' if you don't fancy staying up for the many late night jam sessions. There are fantastic views across the Conwy Estuary from the campsite, and the sunsets can be truly breathtaking. Ticket prices have been held at 2008 rates and start at £35 for a full weekend including camping and admission to all concerts and workshops. Children under 16 are admission free if accompanied by a paying adult. Detailed ticket prices and contact information can be found on the website
www.coastlinebluegrass.co.uk . Dogs are allowed, but must be on a lead at all times. CBME is an ideal event for families, and we encourage youngsters to learn to play with our 'Young Bluegrasser's' concert, and extended workshops. You can win a Martin guitar in the raffle too. The bands performing this year are '4 Wheel Drive' from the Netherlands, 'Toy Hearts', 'Chill Until Blue' and 'Jaywalkers'. Appalachian dance groups appearing will be 'Feet First' and 'Wicked Soles'.” Judging by the excellent feedback on the previous music happenings - it would be advisable to book as soon as possible to be ensured of a fun filled Bluegrass weekend.Celebrating 21 years of the best of British Bluegrass - North Wales Bluegrass - in the town of
Conwy presents the 21st International Bluegrass Music and Dance Festival on the 2nd to the 5th July 2009 Your Hosts;
Highly Strung, present artists for the 2009 Festival including: Carter Brothers Band, Bononia Grass, The New Rope String Band, Brian Golbey, Britannia Band, Chill Until Blue, Chris Moreton, The Crocker Brothers, The Down County Boys, The Morris Boys, New Essex Bluegrass, Shake the Roots, Tin Box Mountain Band, Tom Hanway, and first time visitors; The Off Chords and Uncle Dave, - plus many other friends! For more information - please contact Gill & John Les (Highly Strung - the band…not their personalities) - on 01492 515921 - or 01492 580454 - or visit www.northwalesnluegrass.co.ukDon
’t forget the Orwell Festival takes place in Ipswich Suffolk - 24/25/26th April 2009 - with gigs on Friday night, Saturday afternoon and evening AND a Sunday morning Gospel Session and afternoon concert. According to the website www.orwellbluegrass.co.uk the festival’s ‘The Hallow Tree’ venue is close to Ipswich and has loads of space for picking, camping, drinking and concerts. Hallow Trees Camp Ground has fantastic facilities, with several large halls for picking along side smaller rooms for workshops and our huge Concert tent which will seat 500. Bands include;Chill Until Blue
Chris Moreton
Home Territory
Hope Mountain Band
Kitty Hawks
Longway
Monroes Revenge
New Essex Bluegrass Band
Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys
For more information, please visit
www.orwellbluegrass.co.ukFOAOTMAD MAY DAY WEEKEND at Sewerby Park - Friday 1st May - until (and including) Mondau 4th May. The park will be open to receive FOAOTMAD campers from 2pm on Thursday the 30th April. The last to leave and shut the gates by mid day Wednesday the 5th .
Don't forget to come around the back of the Ship and take the cliff top road. (Watch for the signs that direct you between the seats and the deer pens)
Any one arriving after 8pm call in The Ship before going on to the park as John will more than likely be sampling this years offerings.
Contact John Yeaman 01482 871466 or 07768036095 or
johnthebanjo_at_johnthebanjo_dot_karoo_dot_co_dot_ukThe Kruger Brothers
www.krugerbrothers.com have just two dates scheduled in the UK as part of their upcoming European tour….so for their many UK fans it will be important to book tickets as soon as possible for the following concerts etc.,……Sat. 28 Mar. Eagle Music Shop, West Yorkshire, UK: all-day event,
workshops, evening concert with the Kruger Brothers (Eagle Music Shop, +44
(0)1484 661460)
Sun. 29 Mar. Carnglaze Caverns & the Rum Store,
Liskeard, Cornwall, UK. TBA
There are 4 sessions a month in the Ipswich area which are:- 1st Tue - Hadleigh George, 2nd Tue - White Horse Tatingstone 3rd Tue - Swan Stratford, Last Tue - Orwell Crossing A14. All are welcome, any more information please call Chris Hockley on 07889607612”
Geoff Bowers emailed that on Sunday 26th April - the exciting five piece USA band - Gold Heart will play the Comfort Hotel, George Street, Nottingham (city centre - 300yds up from the Fletcher Gate NCP Car Park). As usual, book in advance if you can - as tickets will cost £11. Door tickets are £13 so be early if you don't have a ticket. (Or even if you have for that matter!) Concert starts at 8:20pm through to 11:00pm-ish!!! Call Geoff on Tel: 0115 912 00 80 or email him via
geoff_dot_bowers_at_ntlworld_dot_comRichard Holland says the monthly pick that meets at the Golden Lion Pub, Alresford, on the last Tuesday of the month is proving a resounding success - delighting the pub landlord! For information on the monthly picks - please email
r_dot_l_dot_holland_at_btinternet_dot_comRichard
also says that there is a new session at the Bugle Pub - The High Street, Botley on the first Tuesday of the month - being organised by Kaj Warming. Richard adds “Nice to see that Bluegrass is slowly expanding in our area.”There are 4 sessions a month in the Ipswich area which are:- 1st Tue - Hadleigh George, 2nd Tue - White Horse Tatingstone 3rd Tue - Swan Stratford, Last Tue - Orwell Crossing A14. All are welcome, any more information please call Chris Hockley on 07889607612”
Recently a Bluegrass and Old Time Session on began taking place on Wednesday evenings at Fox Lane Sports Club, Leyland, Lancsashire, starting at 8.30. Anyone interested contact Dave Wane on 01772 433712 or email
dwane_at_blueyonder_dot_co_dot_ukThanks to Nigel Canter for advising me of a Bluegrass and Americana Session running on the last Friday of every month at the
Victoria Inn (‘Knights in the Bottom‘), Chickerell, near Weymouth. Nigel says that the session kicks off at about 8.00 p.m…..and - please note: you don't have to be a 'stunning' Bluegrass musician, just enthusiastic and keen to learn or impart. The pub is on the left as you travel out of Chickerell towards Portesham on the B3157.Next date for this session is 27th March.
Upcoming dates of the Old Time & Bluegrass Session at The Walnut Tree
Inn, Blisworth, Northants (3rd Monday of every Month) 8.00pm are;
April
20th
May 18th
June 15th
July 20th
Aug 17th
Sept 21st
Oct
19th
Nov 16th
Dec 21st
Contact Andrew Metcalfe
a_dot_metcalfe340_at_btinternet_dot_comUpcoming dates for The KittyHawks include;
21st Mar The Greennote, Camden Town,The Parade, Camden Town, NW1 7AN
25th Apr Orwell Bluegrass Festival, Hallow Tree Camp Site, Ipswich, Suffolk,
IP10 0JP
14th May Bournemouth Folk Club, Centre Stage, Queens Rd,
Bournemouth BH2 6BE.
April 9th - The Coal Porters and Foghorn Leghorn are performing at The Betsy Trotwood pub in Farringdon, London….and on May 16th the Coal Porters perform at The Green Note restaurant in Camden Town, London.
Updates re; music holiday weeks in Andalucia, Spain
:May 2-9, 2009, Old-Time Music Week with Dave and Tim Bing, is now fully booked.
May 10-17, 2009, Old-Time Music Week with Dave and Time Bing
, has space for a few more participants. Focus on banjo, fiddle and guitar technique, repertoire and ensemble playing. Other instruments welcome. See www.katelissauer.com for more informationOctober 3-10, 2009, Old-Time Music Week with Beverly Smith and Carl Jones, has space for several more participants. Focus on Mandolin, Fiddle, Guitar, singing, and writing tunes and songs. All instruments welcome. See
www.katelissauer.com for more information.Sincere thanks to Pat McGarvey for forwarding the latest newsletter from Southern Tenant Folk Union (it’s great to see bands adopting this ideal method of communication). They say “
Please note that our previously announced concert at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith West London on Friday 1st May has been cancelled. We're looking to reschedule it for sometime in the autumn. They add that they are also now looking for something to do that day - in the London area - as the travel has already been booked for the gig. So, if some sort of gig might be happening in or near London on that day - please get in touch…also if you have an idea/suggestion for a place to play - bearing in mind it's only two months away now. The next events on the STFU schedule take place on the following dates;Friday 6th March
- London - Lunchtime at the Royal Albert Hall, London, London and South East Cost: Free Entry - 12pm start - they say “We’re back for this lovely lunchtime free event at the R.A.H. - it’s in the cafe which is around the west side of the building and up some stairs - was a lot of fun when we played there back in April 2008 looking forward to this one…” The same evening STFU are at The Green Note, 106 Parkway, Camden Town, London, London and South East NW1 7AN Cost: £7 adv/£8 on door - 8pm doors A welcome return trip to The Green Note for the band - this is always quite a busy night so will be a good idea to get advance tickets (it’s a nice small intimate venue) Tickets available from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/42290Sat March 7th - Brighton -
Southern Tenant Folk Union plus The Righteous Ones at Hanover Community Centre, 33 Southover Street, Brighton. Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets £7.00 advance (or £8 on door) available NOW from Rounder (01273 325440), Resident (01273 606312), Punker Bunker (Sydney St.) and online at http://www.wegottickets.com/event/44231 On previous visits to Brighton, Southern Tenant Folk Union have supported James 'Slim' Hand, Elliott Brood and Eilen Jewell. They're long overdue their own headline show - and we appreciate their patience :-) So, this is the one: a 'mad' March folk/bluegrass hoedown in the urban hilltop backwoods of Hanover. Steel yourselves for the hike up Southover Street (it's only halfway!) and be ready for a evening of banjo, mandolin, fiddle, bass, guitar and superb vocal harmonies.Delighted to confirm local support for this show. The Righteous Ones are a very promising new act from Brighton, with a nice line in dramatic vaudevillian folk.
http://www.myspace.com/therighteousones More info/full details for tickets/times are on our ‘myspace’ calendar at www.myspace.com/southerntenantfolkunionApril 5th
- Soul Survivor _at_ Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh - Roddy & Pat playing as a fiddle/banjo duo (something they'll be doing in Scotland from time to time) supporting Blueflint.Full STFU Band gigs
April 17th - Pocklington Arts Centre, nr York, Yorkshire
April 18th - Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire
April 23rd - Rothbury Roots _at_ The Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury, Northumberland
April 24th - Midlem Village Hall, nr Selkirk/Galashiels, Scottish Borders
For more information about STFU - please email southerntenant_at_yahoo_dot_co_dot_uk or visit http://www.myspace.com/southerntenantfolkunion
The new issue of Maverick Magazine, (issue 80) March 2009, has a three page article/interview with the Southern Tenant Folk Union (page 42) and is packed with all the usual, first class Maverick news, reviews and other articles on Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Roots Music etc... Maverick Magazine is possibly one of the finest roots music magazines available - to find out more please go to
www.maverick-country.comThe 2009 Maverick Festival will take place at the Easton Farm Park, Suffolk over the Independence Day weekend, 3rd/4th/5th July. More info available from
www.maverickfestival.co.uk Last year, they kept it ‘up close and personal’ and they liked it, so tickets will be strictly limited. Maverick says; "Friday night, at 7.00 pm we kick things off with our Welcome Jamboree, featuring four bands, in the Barn. Saturday we present music, dance, film and various workshops across FOUR stages, followed on Sunday morning by our traditional Gospel Brunch, guaranteed to raise the spirits and loosen the rafters….”Earlybird Ticket Special - Book before April Fool's Day and save 10%
*Ranger - Fri/Sat/Sun inc. camping + Welcome Jamboree £50 (- 10% = £45)
*Wrangler - Sat/Sun only, no camping £35 (- 10% = £31-50)
*Tenderfoot - (10 & over) £7 for weekend (camping/non camping – no discounts)
Under 10's go free. Each child must be accompanied by an adult.
Friday July 3rd - 7pm Welcome Jamboree in the Barn (Ranger ticket-holders only)
Saturday July 4th - Noon till late, four stages indoors & out
Sunday July 5th - 10.30am – 1.00pm Gospel Brunch
Please send a cheque with stamped, self addressed envelope to: Claptrap TV Ltd, Easton, Woodbridge, IP13 0EJ (No postage or handling charges!)
www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk | www.maverick-country.comThe excellent musical partnership of Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth has brought forth festival offers which should make it possible for them to return to the UK in August/September. If these dates are confirmed,, they will also be available in England/Wales from Tuesday - September 1 to Sunday - September 6 (and possibly beyond). So, if you would like the opportunity to have these superb musicians perform at your venue - please contact Loudon Temple at
events_at_brookfield-knights_dot_com as soon as possible.Harry Smith - of Chichester based band Hickory Junction emailed to say that the band’s brand new website is now up and running….do check it out via
http://www.hickoryjunction.co.ukAndrew and Dee Noyes kindly send details of the next gigs for Keith Pearson’s Coup De Grass -
Saturday 28th March here at the Village Hall in Swaffham Prior near Cambridge. 7.30 start. Tickets £7.50. Please book early as this will sell out quickly as before. Several class acts as support. Please contact Andrew for tickets on 01638 743864 or email
andrew_at_noyes-noyes_dot_co_dot_uk.Saturday 4th April at the Recreation Hall Main Rd, Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire. It’s on the A4095 between Woodstock and Witney. 7.45 start. Contact Bob Buckingham on 01993 882468 or email
bobandjoan10_at_btinternet_dot_comThe Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys emailed news of an upcoming gig taking place on 28th March - The Perfect 5th in Taunton. The TBB add; “This is a really good new venue which, along with Mama Stone's in Wellington, offers a pleasant alternative to the usual pubs that offer music. There's all sorts on offer at this place, check out the web for more info.
www.theperfect5th.co.uk. Apparently there's an opening act, 'Harry and the Hecklers', and then Thunderbridge, so bring yer friends and have a knees up on us!”The Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys band member - Nick Girone-Maddocks - has released his second solo album. Apparently, simply called 'Solo', it features 14 originals and a couple of covers. Recorded live and solo (as the title suggests!), there's a couple of Thunderbridge favourites on there as well as some never-heard-before tunes. TBB say “It ain't all bluegrass, but there's some nice simplistic songs on there to mellow you out should you ever feel the need. Get a copy at gigs or by mailing us. It should be available via the website soon.”
www.thunderbridgebluegrass.comMany thanks to Roger Padfield who says “
The Wilders July tour, (which includes 3 in Wales, at long last!!), is listed on their website. Also on her website is alt country/bluegrass singer, Corinne West's September tour” The Wilders visit runs from 26th June through 21st July - and covers Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. www.wilderscountry.com Corinne West’s tour runs from August 27th through September 26th - and covers most of the UK including the Isle of Wight and the Cornish Bluegrass Festival. www.corinnewest.comRick Townend
www.ricktownend.co.uk kindly emailed to say that St Julian’s Club in Kent is putting on regular bluegrass and old-time music again, on the first Friday each month; most evenings will be open sessions hosted by the Kent Carters – musicians are always welcome. Rick also adds that a few special nights are coming up:May 1 – St Julian’s annual tribute to the late Brian ‘Fuzz’ Townend, whose music teaching at Sevenoaks School grounded so many people in the basics of bluegrass, folk, skiffle and jazz, on guitar, double bass, piano, comb and paper etc.. Look out for a big variety of musical styles on this night!
July 3 – The club’s contribution to the Sevenoaks Festival fortnight is a special appearance by London band
Foghorn Leghorn, who went down a storm on their last visit some years ago.August 31 (bank holiday Monday) is St Julian’s annual ‘Kentucky to Kent UK’ festival, which this year features especially - long-time friend
Lilly Drumeva. Lilly lived and performed in the UK for some years; as well as being one of Europe's principal performing stars she does much behind-the-scenes work for the bluegrass scene, in particular liaising with the International Bluegrass Music Association's board in America. She has recorded many albums, solo and with her band 'Lilly of the West' who, in 1998, won the EBMA's best bluegrass band award, going on to showcase in the USA. She has worked with many of the world's top bluegrass artistes, including Marshall Wilborn and Jesse Brock of the Lynn Morris Band, who invited her to sing with them at a time when Lynn herself was unable to perform. In addition to her regular appearances she presents regular music shows on TV and radio in Bulgaria, and we are looking forward to hearing her sing again at St Julian’s.2009 SE Area Bluegrass/Old-Time Festival dates
:April 9-10
Bluegrass-Plus Club – the Grasshoppers + artistes to be announcedAugust 1-2
Surrey Mini Bluegrass Festival - Chris Moreton, The Off Chords, Howard Burton, Wood, Wire, & Words, High Weald Ridge, BuffaloAugust 31
Kentucky to Kent UK – Lilly Drumeva + artistes to be announcedSeptember 11-13
Sweet Sunny South Festival - Carl Jones & Beverly Smith, The Kittyhawks, Robin GillanThe Wildwood Flower Mountain Music Club
meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. A very friendly, concert-style music club for those who enjoy playing, singing or just listening to Old Time/Bluegrass/American Roots music. 8.30 pm at the George Hotel, South Molton, Devon. Admission: £1 Musicians: £2 Audience. Organisers; Martin & Marianne Lucas 01237 472379. wildwoodflower_at_mountainmusic_dot_co_dot_uk This excellent club often organises fine concerts for overseas performers - so it’s certainly worth getting in touch with them to see what events they have planned.Martin & Marianne Lucas of the Wildwood Flower Mountain Music Club are pleased to give you advance notice of an event taking place on Thursday, 30 April - featuring ‘Gold Heart’ ! They say “What a night this is going to be. We have been lucky enough to book ‘Gold Heart’, an award-winning bluegrass band with ‘fresh zest’! They are ‘revving up listeners and capturing hearts worldwide with their pure family harmony, solid lead vocals and energetic instrumentation’. The band features the three young Gold sisters (along with their father on double bass, and family friend on banjo). Their maturity in their brilliant sibling harmonies, song-writing, and instrumentation abilities, belie their young years (12 to 18).” For more information - please contact Martin & Marianne via telephone: 01237 472083
wildwoodflower_at_mountainmusic_dot_co_dot_uk”Many thanks to the kind people of FOAOTMAD for sending the following ‘Old Tyme’ information;
Revised dates for Chuck & Albert Arsenault from Price Edward Island, Canada who are touring in the north of England in May. Featuring some excellent music amongst other mayhem.
May 5 Town Hall Alston, Cumbria
May 6 Village Hall Stainton, Co Durham
May 7 Ullswater Communty College Penrith, Cumbria
May 8 Lacy Thompson
Hall, Hallbankgate, Cumbria
May 9 Village Hall, Heads Nook, Cumbria
May
10 Town Hall, Wark, Northumberland
May 12 Victoria Institute,Caton,
Lancashire
May 13 Methodist Church, Edgworth, Lancashire
May 14 St
Mary's Church, Eccleston, Lancashire
May 15 Village Hall, New Longton,
Lancashire
May 16 Village Hall, St Bees, Whitehaven, Cumbria
May 17
Kirksanton Village Hall Millom, Cumbria
More details:
www.chuckandalbert.comDates for the Down Trodden String Band include:
Sunday 22 March - Peak Village
Chatsworth Road, Darley Dale, DE4 2JE,
11am-3pm, Free
We'll be playing near the cafe in this popular shopping outlet
as part of the Mother's Day entertainment.
Saturday 4 April - Cancer Research UK Fund-raising ceilidh, Town Hall
Wirksworth, DE4 4EU, 8-11pm
Tuesday 28 April - Malt Cross (with Thomas
Bailey), 16 St James's St, Nottingham, NG1 6FG, 8-11pm, Free
Wednesday 29 April - Travellers Rest (with Thomas Bailey)
Travellers Rest,
Draycott, DE71 3NJ, 8-11pm, Free
Saturday 9 May - Holmfirth Folk Festival, Daytime - playing for Well Heeled Appalachian dancers, Evening - Hervey's Wine Bar, Holmfirth, HD9 7BB
Wednesday 3 June - Travellers Rest, Draycott, DE71 3NJ, 8-11pm, Free
Wednesday 8 July - Travellers Rest, Draycott, DE71 3NJ, 8-11pm, Free
Wednesday 7 October - Travellers Rest, Draycott, DE71 3NJ, 8-11pm, Free
Friday 18-Sunday 20 September - Cornish Bluegrass Festival, Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, TR8 4NY
Sunday 20 September - Bothy Folk Club, Park Golf Club, Southport, PR9 0JS, 8-11pm
http://www.downtrodden.org.ukGoing Across the Sea is the name given to a new and exciting collaboration. Seven of the greatest musicians from both sides of the Atlantic come together to celebrate and explore the music which travelled with the emigrants from Scotland and Ireland to America – and back again. They are:
Kris Drever (Orkney), Sarah Mcfadyen (Orkney), Eamonn Coyne (Ireland), Tim Matthew (Scotland), Betse Ellis (Missouri - The Wilders), Caleb Klauder (Oregon - Foghorn String Band) and Sammy Lind (Oregon - Foghorn String Band)Tour Dates are;
22nd Apr Carnegie hall, Dunfermline
23rd Apr An
Lanntair, Stornoway
24th Apr Lyth Arts Centre
25th Apr Gable End Theatre,
Hoy
26th Apr Woodwick house, Orkney
27th Apr Perth Theatre
29th Apr
Bongo Club, Edinburgh
30th Apr Tolbooth, Stirling
1st May Sabhal Mor
Ostaig, Skye
2nd May Memorial hall, Resolis
3rd May Glenuig Hall,
Glenuig
5th May An Tobar, Mull
6th May Glasgow Tall
Ship
Further details via the link at
www.folkradio.co.uk or www.myspace.com/goingacrosstheseaTour dates for the New Rope String Band featuring Jock Tyldesley and Vera van Heeringen
March;
May;
Sat 23 Ireby Festival, Cumbria.
More details:
www.newropestringband.co.ukBLUEGRASS….SCOTLAND
If you live in Scotland - you have a chance to see THE ISAACS at the following venues;
24 March Dobbie Hall Larbert (near Falkirk) Scotland
26 March Peterhead Community Centre Glasgow Scotland
Sincere thanks to John Sheldon of the Scottish Bluegrass Bluegrass Association - who sent the news of the UK Tour April/May of Gold Heart, - a Virginia based band with ‘fresh zest’!
Friday 24th April Heart of England Bluegrass Venue, Kenilworth, 02476 312258
Saturday 25th April Jumpin Hot Club, Live Theatre, Newcastle, 0191 2321232Sunday 26th April Comfort Hotel, Nottingham, 01159 120080
Monday 27th April Zebra Club, Maidstone, 01622 744481
Tuesday 28th April Montrose Folk Club, Links Hotel, Montrose, 01674 830658
Wednesday 29th April SBA, Regal Theatre, Bathgate 01506 433634
Thursday 30th April Wildwood Flower Mountain Music, South Molton 01237 472083
Friday 1st May Tacchi Morris Arts Centre, Taunton, 01823 414141
Saturday 2nd May Bluegrass Plus Club, Croydon, 01737 551191
Sunday 3rd May University Arms, Sheffield, 01298 871645
“They absolutely knocked my socks off! They are called ‘Gold Heart’ and these young ladies are true to their name. Their pure talent is amazing and their harmonies are enough to break your heart. I really can’t say enough about how good they sound. It reminded me of the first time I heard Rhonda Vincent or Dry Branch Fire Squad - a unique sound all their own. Simply inspiring! They are a pure listening joy!” - Les Evans.
"One of the most exciting and fresh sounding bands I have ever heard" Niall Toner, RTE Radio One, - Ireland.
“Gold Heart is a great upcoming group! Great Harmonies! Watch for them" Doyle Lawson
www.myspace.com/goldheartbluegrass www.goldheartbluegrass.comJohn is also involved with The Midnight Ramblers Bluegrass Band
- whose UK Tour starts Friday 25th July. Dates are available from then up until 30th July - please contact John via secretary_at_scottishbluegrass_dot_com He is also helping Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa Bluegrass Band - their UK tour starts Thursday 24th September - with dates available www.waynetaylorandappaloosa.com …..again, please contact John via secretary_at_scottishbluegrass_dot_comBluegrass Academy: Learn how to play and perform bluegrass music at the
Glanmavis Tavern, Bathgate – all welcome to attend, every second Wednesday at 7.30pm.
The Stairwell Sisters
are touring Scotland during May:May 14: Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
May 15: An Lanntair Centre,
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
May 16: The Tolbooth, Stirling
May 17: Marryatt
Hall, Dundee
May 19: Eastgate Theatre, Peebles
May 20: Carnegie Hall,
Dunfermline
May 21: Buccleuch Centre, Langholm
May 22: Harbour Arts
Centre, Irvine
May 23: The Classic Grand, Glasgow
May 24 (afternoon
matinee): Lochgilphead Village Hall
May 24 (evening): Arts Guild Theatre,
Greenock
Sara Grey
wonders if there would be any interest in a weekend old time session at the Taybank Hotel in Dunkeld next June. She thinks it would be a good idea to have a nice cosy session up in Scotland....as there aren't many of those up in the wilds….and the Taybank is a great music venue. If there is enough interest she will discuss the matter with the Taybank landlord. There are lots of B&B's in the Dunkeld area - and probably plenty of camping, so Sara considers that it would be a good way for people to combine the weekend with a holiday. She points out that this would definitely not be a festival...just a weekend session. If you are interested in finding out more email her at sara_at_saragrey_dot_netBluegrass….Europe
Sincere thanks to Tony O’Brien and the kind people of the Athy Bluegrass Music Association - who emailed to say “Our festival is on W/end 9th-12th July with The Bluegrass Patriots (Colorado) and 4Wheel Drive (Holland) as headline bands. Full details on www.athy-bluegrass.com
28th -30th of August - Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival,
Dunmore East, Co Waterford, Ireland. Contact Mick Daly for details- 00 353 51
878832 or 00 353 87 2562899
Lilly Drumeva says “
I had some exciting gigs with Radim Zenkl and Lubos Malina in bulgaria. !'m so happy bluegrass musicians are interested in bulgarian folk music! Lilly adds that she on March 17th & 18th March, she performed two concerts with - Mandolin virtuoso Radim Zenkl , who has been living in California for 20 years, together with long time friend and master banjoist, Lubos Malina. She says that both have a passion for Bulgarian folk music and attended workshops in specific Bulgarian instruments such as the ‘Kaval’. Zenkl and Malina joined Lilly’s band at their shows in ‘Tea House’ on St. Patrick’s day and on “SKAT TV”. Together they presented a mixture of bluegrass, country, Irish and Bulgarian folk music. Lilly’s band featured Yasen Vassilev on guitar, Ivan Penchev on fiddle and Borislav Bojadjiev on percussion. Highlights of the program were two Bulgarian songs, performed in unusual beats, such as 7/8 and 11/16, which Malina and Zenkl mastered well. Future plans have been made between the musicians to create a repertoire of bluegrass with Bulgarian rhythms.BANJOREE 2009
www.banjoree.com/frame-e.htm will take place from May 1st through 3rd - as usual in ESW in Hagen, Germany. The 5-string banjo players have a community all over Europe, a central meeting point for them being the BANJOREE in Hagen. The first BANJOREE happened in 2005 - now we are close to the third one in 2009! Again there are many Tutors with many exciting topics. There will be clawhammer tutors ranging from avant-garde to traditional, 3-finger styles from minstrel to progressive. Rank beginners will feel at home as well as the advanced. There will be a flatpicking guitar tutor from the US who is well known for his artistic "3-finger flatpicking" as well as for the guitars he builds. There will be banjo tutors from the land of 5-string banjos - namely America. - NEW! - There will be a mandolin workshop. - Also NEW! - The attendance fee will not be for individual workshops but for the whole event. This means that you can choose as many workshops as you want and learn many new things on whichever instrument you choose! You can watch the progress of our planning on the BANJOREE website www.banjoree.com/frame-e.htm. Keep coming by!.. and do not forget. Every 5-string banjo player wants to go to BANJOREE 2009. Even those who do not know yet. Therefore go out and tell them……Fans of the Kruger Brothers
www.krugerbrothers.com will be delighted to know that they will be returning to Europe for a two-week tour - in March/April. There dates currently include;Sat. 21 Mar. Kasinosaal, Erstfeld, Switzerland (buy ticket online)
Tues. 24 Mar. The Village Arts Centre, Kilworth, Co. Cork, Ireland.
TBA
Wed. 25 Mar. St John's Theatre and Arts Centre, Listowel, Co.
Kerry, Ireland. TBA
Thurs. 26 Mar. Ireland. TBA
Sat. 28
Mar/29th March - England.
Mon. 30 Mar. New Acoustic
Gallery, Solingen, Germany (Oliver Waitze, +49(0) 212/2474007)
Wed. 1
Apr. Konservatorium, Bern, Switzerland (buy ticket online)
Thurs. 2
Apr. Short demos at Deering Banjos booth, Musikmesse, Frankfurt, Germany
Fri. 3 Apr. Short demos at Deering Banjos booth, Musikmesse,
Frankfurt, Germany
Sat. 4 Apr. Short demos at Deering Banjos booth,
Musikmesse, Frankfurt, Germany
Sun. 5 Apr. Kammermusiksaal, Tonhalle,
Zürich, Switzerland (buy ticket online)
Tues. 7 Apr. Prague, Czech
Republic.
For more details, please visit:
www.krugerbrothers.comLiz Meyer
http://www.lizmeyer.com/ emailed a while back advising me of great happenings with the album 10 YEARS OF EUROPEAN WORLD OF BLUEGRASS. ….unfortunately, somehow the information disappeared into cyberspace - but fortunately, thanks to Liz, it has been recovered and is now printed below;‘2008 was a banner year for bluegrass, marking the introduction of European bluegrass to the professional music world via a terrific double CD from Strictly Country Records called 10 YEARS OF EUROPEAN WORLD OF BLUEGRASS. We're pleased to announce that 10 YEARS OF EWOB made the Top 10 Albums of 2008 on the Folk Radio Chart, representing radio airplay on Folk & Bluegrass radio shows. (The chart is international but is concentrated mostly in the USA and Canada.) These DJs, who select from a wide range of folk and bluegrass albums, recognize not only the historical and cultural significance of this release, but also report being surprised and delighted by the high level of musicianship and the quality of the recordings. In fact, 10 YEARS OF EWOB is the ONLY bluegrass album to make the Top 10! Here is a link to a
http://www.ebma.nl/general/master.php?pn=TopAlbums2008 You'll find many of your favourite artists there. If you've missed 10 YEARS OF EWOB, the double CD features 33 of Europe's finest bluegrass groups, with the #1 European Bluegrass Bands, alongside 15 special guest artists from the USA and Canada. Most people are discovering European bluegrass for the first time, and never imagined that the seeds of this music had taken root so powerfully in countries from Finland to Italy to the Czech and Slovak Republics. For the armchair traveler, it's a fascinating 2-hour musical journey. To listen to audio clips from all 48 tracks, please visit our brand new EWOB Festival website (Home page, music player in lower left column), www.ewob.eu‘.To Join Liz’s mailing list - please email
liz_at_ lizmeyer.com - but please be patient regarding any reply - as she is recovering from back injuries and unable to keep up with her personal email. Liz thanks you in advance for any messages, and for your patience and understanding.Many thanks to European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA) for the following information;
The Country Gentlemen - with Randy Waller, son of the
founder-member Charlie Waller, will be touring Europe from
2nd May - 9th May. Dates include:
Sat. 2
May: 7th International Bühl Festival, Bühl/Baden, Germany
Christopher Howard-Williams of the French Bluegrass Music Association - (FBMA)
www.france-bluegrass.org has announced the following events talking place in France;
The Grange Rouge Bluegrass and French Folk Weekend, will be held
June 13th and June 14th - with sleeping in hostel
conditions. Bands play 30-minute sets. For more information please email
The excellent La Roche Bluegrass Festival takes place over
30th July-2nd August at La Roche-sur-Foron, Haute
Savoie (a truly beautiful location) - and features the EWOBA Band
Contest with twelve bands from six countries; a further sixteen bands from
Europe will also perform, along with Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain (USA), Sally
& Chris Jones (USA), Bob Jones (USA; ex Blue Grass Boy) & Bononia Grass
(I), Monogram (CZ), Acousticure (H), and Philippe Naudot (F) & Vodopad (Sk).
The full programme can downloaded from the La Roche website
Two years ago a group of devotees began a bluegrass jam session at the Celtic Cross pub in Barcelona - and now sessions are now held every two weeks Sundays, every two weeks, always in a diferent place in BCN, check out the web for more information). The link is
http://web.mac.com/lluisgomez/iWeb/Barcelona%20Bluegrass%20&%20Old-Time%20/Welcome.htmlLimerick Irish Pub C/Bruc 55 19:30 to 22:00
Bristol Blue C/ Torrent de L’Olla 39-41 19:30 to 22:00
L’Astrolabi C/ Martinez de la Rosa 14 20:00 to 22:00
www.myspace.com/lastrolabiThe next session is March 29th at Bristol Blue.
According to the Barcelona Bluegrass & Old-time website, the 8th Al Ras Bluegrass & Old-time Music Festival will take place on November 7th, 2009.
Mollet del Valles, Mercat Vell.
Bluegrass…USA
Singer and bandleader, Valerie Smith, welcomes promoter, producer and musician, Ernie Evans, as the newest member of the internationally renowned group Liberty Pike. Riding high on the critically acclaimed female duet album by Valerie Smith & band-mate Becky Buller called ‘Here's a Little Song‘, the band is excited to welcome Evans, a multi-instrumentalist from the state of Florida. He will be playing guitar, mandolin and banjo for the band as well as lending his voice on vocals. The excitement goes both ways. "This is a uniting that should have happened a long time ago," he says. "I have been a fan for many years and I am very exited to work with such an incredible entertainer as Valerie and her band. I have filled in several times over the past few years and hoped this opportunity would happen" Evans brings years of experience and knowledge in the bluegrass realm to the table. He is the President of the North Florida Bluegrass Association and founder of the Florida School of Bluegrass. Originally from North-western Ohio, Evans has played professionally since his teenage years. Well known on the banjo, he is also well versed on the guitar and with a history playing jazz guitar, he became a well known jazz-grass guitarist, performing at festivals, nightclubs, on television and radio. A devoted family man, Evans has played and lived in the state of Florida for years, having played with, among others, the legendary Vassar Clements. This personnel change marks the band's next step into the future after experiencing tremendous growth and success in 2008. Smith was recently nominated for the Traditional Female Vocalist Award, given out in February 2009 at the annual SPBGMA convention (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music.) The band also received their first Independent Music Award nomination in the Americana Album Category, for Here's a Little Song, for the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards. The band will also begin a South-eastern tour of the United States the first week of March, hitting many of the stomping grounds frequented by new band member, Evans. "We are truly looking forward to Ernie being a part of the band. He's brought much depth and musical ability to the table when sitting in with us in the past and we look forward to him growing with the band as we move forward!" says Smith. Catch Valerie Smith & Liberty on tour in Florida and Georgia in early March. Checkout
www.valeriesmithonline.com for tour date information.Bobby Osborne kindly emailed “I just wanted to let everyone know that our
HCTC Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music classes are going very well this year. As you may already know, the school is located in my hometown of Hyden, Kentucky, in the same building my dad taught in 70 years ago. We offer classes in Recording, Songwriting, Performance as well as my classes on History and Mandolin. Teaching with me here are Curtis Burch, JP Mathes ,Dean Osborne and my son, Bobby,Jr.” The website for the School is kybluegrassschool.comJohnny Butten has put out this heart felt appeal “I will apologise right away for the length of this post but I urge you all to take just a few minutes out of your day to read on...I've had a notion for some time to have a banjo built to my own design. I had Jimmy Cox make the rim to my exacting specifications and build the complete pot assembly and an awesome job he made of it! Well, some weeks ago I contacted fellow hangout member Don Bryant. I had heard of Dons fine workmanship and thought I would call him about making me a neck for the project. Over these weeks I have got to know a little about Don and his family..... His son is fighting the battle of his life in hospital right now. He was involved in a horrific car crash which has left him paralyzed from the waist down. Doctors fought hard to save his left leg but infection set in and they had to amputate it. He has undergone numerous surgeries to his stomach due to internal injuries and complications such as bowel obstruction. He also suffered a broken humerus and broken collar bone of his left arm. Paralyzed and totally reliant on hospital staff, family and friends for everything, he has endured bed sores for which he has had skin grafts. Josh is just 31 years old and has a 7year old daughter. Just before the crash he was a happy, fit guy of 180lbs.....today Josh weighs around 125lbs. Josh is struggling to fight. His motivation is flagging and the family are fearing the worst. The doctors are doing their absolute best to give him the nutrients and medicines he needs but Josh has no appetite to eat. Sammy and I are getting a support package together (CD's, Band Shirts, Cards, Letters etc) to send to Josh. I urge everyone to take a moment to evaluate their life and what they have when compared to people like Josh. We all have our daily struggles and we all moan about our boss, or work conditions, or the bills need paying, but for all of that, we just don't know when something may happen to change our entire future. I am heading a campaign as of now to rally support for Josh and the Bryant family. Many of you here will know them better than I, but we feel an overwhelming need to help. I asked Don this evening for his permission to 'go public' with this sad story. So folks, Here' what I propose. Email me or Sammy
jandsbutten_at_aol_dot_com with letters of support, etc and we will gladly pass them on. For those of you who know Don and his family I assume you will email directly. I am also asking bands, performers and anyone else to send us CD's, promo stuff (shirts, caps etc) or anything else you think would help raise Josh' spirits and let him know he has support,. We will package it into larger parcels and mail them. I am also going to do an 'endurance pick'. I am looking for sponsorship from every individual on the BHO, from businesses, and corporations. It will be on a 'per hour' basis. Each sponsor will pledge an amount for every hour played. So, if you pledge $5 and I play for 10 hours non stop then your total donation would be $50. If you are the manager or owner of a business you can write it off against taxes....I will aim for 24 hours non stop - excluding bathroom breaks! (I will allow myself 5 minutes in every hour for drinks/bathroom etc)100% of the proceeds will go to the Bryant f amily. All monies/gifts/cards etc donated will be documented and available for anyone to see (unless you wish to remain anonymous). I have informed Don, if he finds a venue in NC I will bring the band down to perform a benefit concert...if anyone can help with a venue, please let us know. Lets get this ball rolling!! All the time you've been reading this, Josh has been fighting his battle...while you sleep tonight, Josh will be fighting, and when you sit down to relax after your hard day...Josh is still fighting....Life is precious. There but for the grace of God go any one of us...Our number is 218-962-3229 Email jandsbutten_at_aol_dot_com”Stan Hitchock
of BlueHighways TV says “Since launching BlueHighways TV as a 24/7 television network last year, it has been an exhilarating and hectic time for us. We have been actively adding to the list of locations where you can see our channel and I want to thank you, because it has been our fans, and the requests to your cable or dish service that has started to put BlueHighways TV on the map! Viewers have written and emailed me with encouraging thoughts and support and they are a personal blessing to me. As we grow and sign additional distribution agreements, BlueHighways TV continues to stay True Blue - true to our vision, true to our viewers and true to our roots. If you love the artistry and authenticity of roots music, BlueHighways TV is your source for performers and programs that capture the "true blue" spirit of this treasured A merican tradition. We are committed to the original programs that have been your favorites - Stan Hitchcock's Heart to Heart, Reno 's Old Time Music Festival, the Old Country Church and A merican Journeys. In addition, we are creating new shows that reflect the diversity and spirit of our nation and weave together the great music, the musicians, the artisans, the storytellers and talented people we find all across our country. We have many exciting programs and projects coming to your homes, and as the years go by, we will continue to build this network together. It is a wonderful journey and I am so glad you are coming along with me. Thank you my friends, for you are truly people to walk with as we explore the trails and backroads of our great land.” To learn more about BlueHighways TV, and about how you can view the network, visit www.bluehighwaystv.comSincere thanks to Penni McDaniels who says “Thought you might like to check out this brand new site, by this brand new band (veteran members) Brand New Strings !!”
www.brandnewstringsband.comMusic fans keeping an eye on their budgets will want to purchase their tickets to MerleFest 2009, presented by Lowe's, before Friday, April 3. That is the last day to purchase 4-day and 3-day tickets at the Early Bird price, representing an average 10% discount. "During these economic times, all of us at MerleFest want to do whatever we can to allow more fans to attend the festival at a discount price," said festival director Ted Hagaman. "This year, perhaps more than any other, it's important for people to have a little diversion, to relax and enjoy the music and the spirit of the event. That's why we extended our Early Bird deadline until April 3." MerleFest 2009, celebrating its 22nd year from April 23-26, is already a great entertainment value, offering four days of performances by almost 100 artists on 15 stages on the campus of Wilkes Community College, all at the same ticket prices as in 2008. Ticket purchases can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. A complete lineup of artists is also posted on the Web site. As in previous years, the list of performers fits the "traditional plus" definition offered by Doc Watson when describing the rich musical diversity that is a hallmark of the event. MerleFest honors the memory of instrumental virtuoso Eddy Merle Watson and the contributions of Doc and the entire Watson Family to the musical traditions of the region and nation. Held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, MerleFest began in 1988 as a fundraiser for the college and remains the largest fundraiser for the institution.
Rural Rhythm Records has announced a new gospel single release,
Amazing Grace, produced and performed by Carrie Hassler . This
song is the first commercial single release on the new ‘Rural Rhythm Christian
Imprint Label dedicated to creating fine Christian Music from America’s
Heartland. ‘Amazing Grace’ will be available on ITunes, Amazon, Rhapsody,
Napster, Zune and other digital outlets on March 10, 2009 and also
featured on the upcoming new Gospel Collection summer release, ‘Mountain
Soul’ directed to both the Christian and Mainstream markets. Carrie
Hassler & Hard Rain have been able to cross many music genres with their
music - from Bluegrass and Country - to Roots and Americana - to Inspirational
and Gospel from CD sales, airplay and at live performances. Carrie has been
performing ‘Amazing Grace’ a cappella at their live concerts for some time now -
garnering a huge audience response with fans continually requesting a recorded
version of the song. Rural Rhythm just released the band's second bluegrass
radio single, FAITH & HOPE from their current chart topping album,
CHHR2. The song was written by band member, Josh Miller who also
contributed seven other original songs to the album.
Kyle Cantrell of
http://www.xmradio.com enlists Audie Blaylock for an exclusive track by track review of his latest CD, Audie Blaylock and Redline. Check out the website for more details.The International Bluegrass Music Museum, - the Bluegrass Museum entrance is located at: 117 Daviess Street, Owensboro, KY 42303). Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Closed Monday and All Major Holidays - Admission = Museum Members: FREE, Adults: $5, Students $2, 6 & Under: FREE, Group Rates Available. For information, please visit
www.bluegrass-museum.org/Officials from RiverPark Center and the Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that the
8th Annual Bluegrass Returns To Its Roots Festival will be held at RiverPark Center - April 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2009. The RiverPark Center is no stranger to world class festivals and bluegrass music, having hosted the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Annual Award Show from 1992 to 1995. This April another star-studded bluegrass music event will be presented at the Center’s Cannon Hall, seating up to 1,500 each performance. The RiverPark Center is adjacent to the International Bluegrass Music Museum - so patrons of the festival will be able to enjoy the nostalgia of the International Bluegrass Music Museum - and then walk just steps into the state of the art performing arts hall to see some of the hottest groups in bluegrass. This year’s festival equals the top awards shows, with the Grammy, IBMA, and SPBGMA, award-winning talent scheduled to perform during the course of the festival. Artists include: Dailey and Vincent (2008 winner of 6 IBMA awards, including Entertainer of the Year), Dale Ann Bradley (the reining 2008 IMBA Female Vocalist of the Year), Steep Canyon Rangers (nominated IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year), (Grammy nominated artist) J.D. Crowe and the New South, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeepers, Bradley Walker, Lonesome River Band, and The Josh Williams Band will all be a part of this huge event at the RiverPark Center. More special guests and events will be announced. In addition to the many exciting concerts offered during this year’s festival, guests can enjoy special packages and tours including: IBMM tours, IBMM film presentations, bus tours to Rosine, KY (Bill Monroe’s childhood home), workshops, tours of the Owensboro Area Museum of Science and History, lunches and/or dinner at the world renowned Moonlite Bar-BQ, clogging exhibitions, artist meet and greets and other exciting events. The Owensboro Daviess County CVB is offering affordable all- inclusive packages for guests taking advantage of all of the exciting events surrounding this three day bluegrass music extravaganza. The festival is filled with free and low cost events - including jam sessions, storytelling, workshops, Bill Monroe (Rosine, KY) home site tours - and the main concerts have been upgraded to the beautiful RiverPark Center auditorium (former home of the IBMA Award Show). Although all 3 festival days are packed with activities, members can come for as much or little of the festival as they would like. Special pricing for the two- and three- day inclusive packages are available through the CVB at www.visitowensboro.com or by calling 1-800-489-1131. For more information or for invidividual ticket and package prices to this year’s festival guests are encouraged to call the RiverPark Center Box office at 1-877-639-6978 or visit www.riverparkcenter.org. Tickets prices start at $30 for a one day pass or $75 for a three day pass. Legendary bluegrass performer Michael Martin Murphey will perform Friday evening, April 3rd. He will also participate in festival activities on Saturday. Murphey is in the Western Music Hall of Fame. He has won numerous awards and honors from such organizations as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, Academy of Country Music, The Grammy Awards, Country Music Association Awards and a plethora of other top honors. Murphey has also recorded more than 35 albums, with hits and millions of sales possibly best known for his hit, ‘Wildfire’. After years of success in the country and cowboy genre of music, Murphey embarked on a Bluegrass project that has the industry all a buzz, ‘Buckeroo Bluegrass’ which already has two singles ‘Carolina in the Pines’ and ‘Lone Cowboy’ soaring up the Bluegrass charts. Terry Herd - of the Bluegrass Radio Network said, "Michael Martin Murphey's music has always had an uncanny ability to reach across genres and generations to connect with fans of all kinds of music. With ‘Buckeroo Bluegrass’ he's taken that gift a step further by scoring a direct hit on the heart's of bluegrass fans both young and old, and believe me, that is not an easy thing to do!"If you are in the market for an instrument case - or in fact any kind of case - do look at
www.coloradocase.com It is worth joining their mailing list to receive notice of specials they offer. In their latest issue they state “ We are proud to select our good friends in Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad as our featured artist for March. You simply can't say enough good things about these guys. Each member of this band is an incredible musician, but more importantly they are all simply great people we are proud to call friends. Pine Mountain has been an endorser band of Colorado Case Company since 2004, making them one of our oldest endorsers. They were recently nominated for a Dove award as bluegrass artists of the year. Fresh off their first ever number one single and first ever top-5 bluegrass album, this award-winning national touring band - and Rural Rhythm Records recording artists - have been busy entertaining at festivals, concerts, and other performance venues in the United States and abroad. Now into their tenth year, this exciting and entertaining five piece bluegrass band is led by Cody Shuler, the eight-year veteran performer. Cody has brought together the best in bluegrass vocalists and instrumentalists to form this outstanding vocal band. His leadership has seen the band return to and perfect the high-lonesome sound and place it in a contemporary setting. Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, in a highlight album review in 2007, may have said it best about this new version of the band: ‘This band really has everything you could ask for .... but their vocals are truly something rare’.“For those of you who didn’t make it out to the Billy Block show on February 17th, check out the following links to watch a couple of songs from the show! The Randy Kohrs Band rocked it out! Don’t forget the Randy Korhs Band was also at the Station Inn in early March.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyKneVm3Ono http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjfhYnE9ILM For more information on the Randy Korhs Band - please visit www.randykohrs.com www.myspace.com/randykohrs www.myspace.com/slackkeystudioThe deadline for submission of cassettes or CDs for the IBMA Songwriter Showcase is May 1st , 2009. IBMA says “Good songs are the heart and the future of any musical genre, and IBMA will once again focus attention on 10 selected songwriters and their material during the World of Bluegrass convention to be hosted in Nashville, Tennessee, Sept. 28 - Oct. 4, 2009. The exact date and time of the Songwriter Showcase, sponsored by ASCAP, will be announced in a future issue of International Bluegrass and also at www.ibma.org (
http://e2ma.net/go/1693511621/1539464/56492335/goto:http://www.ibma.org/). The IBMA Songwriter Showcase is not a contest. Its purpose is to present new, original bluegrass songs to artists, producers and record label reps looking for new material, as well as to other industry reps in the audience.Both veteran and novice songwriters are invited to submit songs. Songwriters who presented original material at past IBMA Songwriter Showcases are not prohibited from submitting a CD again for this year, but they should send a different song. IBMA Songwriter Showcase Application Procedure: Submit a cassette or CD of one original song to: IBMA Songwriter Showcase, 2 Music Circle South, Ste. 100, Nashville, TN 37203, DEADLINE: May 1, 2009.To join the IBMA, call 615-256-3222, 888-GET-IBMA or go to
http://www.ibma.org/Live country and bluegrass music, an arts and crafts show, food vendors, and children's activities are on the agenda for
May 9th, 2009 - when the ‘Annual Car Show and Spring Festival’ takes place in Trinity, North Alabama with proceeds benefiting the Trinity Volunteer Fire Department. Headliner entertainment for the 2009 event will be Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, set to perform beginning at 4 p.m. Activities will be held at Municipal Park located on Preston Drive in Trinity. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. General admission is $10 per person. Visit http://trinityfire.org/car_show for more details.Greg & Carla of cottagemusic.net believe that the 2009 Alaska Bluegrass Cruise will be a very special event this year. They say “It’s the 30th Anniversary of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. This year you will be entertained by one of the finest groups in bluegrass while enjoying the majesty of Alaska. This year we will also have a talent show with 1st,2nd and 3rd place prize money for our participants . Solos, duo's, trio's and groups can participate. The contest will be held before Doyle’s performances, so even if you don’t place in the top 3 you can always tell your friends you opened for Doyle Lawson. This will be great fun and all you have to do to be eligible for the contest is to sign up for our cruise. 2009 is Your year to join us for this awesome cruise experience! We still have a few spots left...don’t miss the boat! Contact us with any questions you may have and we will be more than glad to assist you.
www.alaskabluegrasscruise.com or call 1-888-509-8163”The 5th annual Hill Country Acoustic Music Camp
will be held June 3rd to June 7th, 2009 in Kerrville, in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Held at Schreiner University, the 2009 Camp offers five days with a stellar line of instructors teaching guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dobro, voice, hammer dulcimer, and mountain dulcimer. The camp features small instrument classes to maintain individual attention. Add in some informal jams and music in country, roots, americana, folk, bluegrass, celtic, and maybe a bit of classical for a memorable and fulfilling musical experience. Camp attendees average 55+ in age and come with skill levels from novice to advanced. Five days of instruction cost $325. Private rooms and meal plans on the beautiful Schreiner campus are available at an affordable rate. Come enjoy five days of your music, your instrument and your new friends. Registration and details available at www.hcamp.org, or call Bob Miller at 830-459-2120. or email: RBM_at_hcamp_dot_org
Folk….From Around The World
James Taylor
will present a Cunard Command Performance aboard Queen Mary 2's June 19th Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton. During the Crossing, guests will also have the opportunity to join a live Question & Answer interview where James will talk about his award-winning career and the Summer European Tour he and his band will begin after arrival in England. Guests are also cordially invited to attend a private post-concert reception with James Taylor. Don't miss this opportunity to see music legend James Taylor aboard iconic QUEEN MARY 2. Call Renshaw Travel toll free at 1-800-745-7753 or email info_at_jamestaylorcruise_dot_com for more details and to reserve your stateroom on this special Transatlantic Crossing. Renshaw Travel www.renshawtravel.com is the official travel agency of ‘Cunard Command Performance with James Taylor’.The 2009 International Folk Alliance Conference hit the ground running earlier this week, as friends gathered in the Memphis Marriott Downtown's Heritage Ballroom to honour and award a fine lot of folk institutions and enthusiasts helping to better the cause.
Emceed mostly by Folk Alliance Board of Directors' president Dan Navarro, the ceremony combined touching video tributes with live performances and a collection of speeches, each evoking the spirit of the Folk Alliance and the soul of roots music. The ceremony was broadcast live on Sirius XM Radio's Channel 15, The Village. Among the awarded and honoured, lifelong folk contributors Guy and Candie Carawan received the most emotional applause. The jam-packed ballroom was brought to their feet at the sight of the married couple that revolutionized the civil rights anthem ‘We Shall Overcome’. The Carawans shared Lifetime Achievement Award distinctions with the late Phil Ochs, whose brand of "folk journalism" captured the progressive 1960s Greenwich Village scene and changed the way lyrics were written forever. Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music, the noted institution that helped keynote speaker Roger McGuinn develop his twangy Rickenbacker sound, earned the third Lifetime Achievement Award. The Folk DJ community honoured two artists, Joe Crookston and Ray Bonneville, for their contributions to 2008's folk music canvas. Crookston earned the distinction of being the most played artist among folk DJs this year, and Bonneville's ‘I Am the Big Easy’ was noted for being the most played song of the year. Folk Alliance Executive Director Louis Meyers introduced the 1st annual Spirit of Folk award to 9 deserving honorees: Rhonda Barton, Val Denn, Renee Bode, Richard Gilman, Kerry Estrin, Dalis Allen, Sandy Andina, Terry Mutchler, and John Stoecker, each of whom were instrumental in running the Folk Alliance's five regional conferences. The ceremony additionally saw heartfelt tributes to two recently passed friends of the Folk Alliance, lifelong supporter Vic Heyman and the incomparable Odetta. Both passed in the last three months. http://www.folkalliance.orgDoug Davis kindly emailed the information that Kris Kristofferson and Emmylou Harris are among the stars slated to help folk music’s legendary Pete Seeger celebrate his 90th birthday on May 3rd. They'll be performing at ‘The Clearwater Concert: Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders’ - a benefit in support of Seeger 's Hudson River Sloop Clearwater environmental organization. The special show will take place at New York 's Madison Square Garden.
The Teenage Cancer Trust are putting on their first ever Gala Evening of Folk. It's taking place at the Royal Albert Hall - Wednesday 25th March and some of the biggest names in folk music will be appearing. So, get in the mood for Cambridge and join the likes of Fairport Convention, Seth Lakeman, Kate Rusby and Eliza Carthy when they take to the stage at the charity’s annual week of shows. Tickets are available from Teenage Cancer Trust
www.teenagecancertrust.org 0871 231 0836Beverley Folk Festival -
that takes place this year on 19th – 21st June - really seem to pick them! The Demon Barber Roadshow due to appear at this year’s festival have won the Best Live Act award at the 2009 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards this week. Damien Barber and his band from Leeds (The Demon Barbers) are well known throughout the country for performing traditional folk music but with an exciting twist. By mixing bass guitar, drums, violin, melodeon, accordion, concertina, clog dancing, rapping and Morris dancing they create a sound with hints of drum & base and Ska, and deliver a show that leaves their audiences spellbound. “The Demon Barbers are one of the best live bands I've ever seen. If you get a chance to see them - don't miss it - they are brilliant'” - Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2. Chris Wade, The Festival’s Artistic Director said “We are thrilled to hear the news especially after the success of two of our 2008 acts who also won at the Folk Awards - Martin Simpson and Rachel Unthank & The Winterset.” She added “We expect an even bigger demand for weekend tickets after the news of the Demon Barbers success. Billy Bragg is already selling fast and is well on the way to being a sell out. We are very excited about this year’s festival, particularly our Americana theme, with artists appearing from the USA, including Beverley favourite, Old Time Fiddler Bruce Molsky, Blues and Gospel singer, Spencer Bohran, and New York singer and banjo player, Curtis Eller. As a bonus, with our expanded tented Festival Village this year, there will be extra events for everyone. These are to be announced shortly.” The festival takes place this year on 19th – 21st June. ‘Winter Special’ - Weekend and Billy Bragg tickets available now at special prices….from: www.beverleyfestival.com for more information or telephone: 01377 217569.The countdown has begun and it's not long until the 45th Cambridge Folk Festival which runs from 30 July - 2 August 2009 at Cherry Hinton Hall
www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.ukMartin Carthy - dates;
March 26
: Bristol, The South Bank ClubFri March 27: Oxfordshire, Norton, The Theatre
Sara Grey & Kieron Means UK Tour dates::
The Cellar Up Stairs Folk Club; Venue: Exmouth Arms, Starcross Street, London NW1 2HR (on the corner of Cobourg Street, near Euston and Euston Square stations; parking is easy), on Saturdays at 8.15pm. Information: 020 7281 7700;
http://hometown.aol.co.uk/cellarupstairsSpecial guests:.
21 MAR: RON TAYLOR and JEFF GILLETT
28 MAR: NOTTS
ALLIANCE
4 APRIL: ROSIE STEWART
25 APR: SARA GREY and KIERON MEANS
2
MAY: BILL CADDICK
9 MAY: MAGGIE BOYLE and GARY BOYLE
16 MAY: TRIO
THRELFALL
30 MAY: JEREMY TAYLOR
6 JUNE: ROB MASON and SIMON PRAGER
13
JUNE: BESKDY
The club is then closed for the summer - but will re-open on 5th September.
Vic & Tina Smith
suggest that for all the listings of folk music, song club, dances, festivals in and around Sussex, have a look at http://whatson.brighton.co.uk/folk Most of the listings on the Sussex Folk Guide website are taken from the paper magazine, The Folk Diary.Vic & Tina are also hosts for Folk At The Royal Oak, Lewes, East Sussex - Thursdays at 8.00 pm -
tinvic_at_globalnet_dot_co_dot_uk or 01273 478124 - www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~tinvic Theykindly sent details of upcoming events;In July, Folk At The Royal Oak will be presenting one of their most ambitious nights ever when they present The Magnolia Sisters from Eunice in Louisiana - with Jane Vidrine, Anya Burgess, Lisa Reed, and Ann Savoy Future Guests will include:- Tony Hall - The Magnolia Sisters - Jerry Epstein & Ralph Bodington - Spiers, Shepheard & Watson - Dave Ruch - Dick Gaughan - Rattle On The Stovepipe.
Tina & Vic also mention Instrumental & Vocal Workshops at
the Lewes Arms Folk Club, Lewes 2009. The workshops last a full Saturday
or Sunday and the tutor performs at the
club in the evening. The full
programme for 2009 is as follows:-
28th Feb Brian Peters
Melodeon
1st. March Brian Peters Ballad forum
28th. March Tom McConville
Fiddle
25th. April Craig Morgan Robson Way through the Woods
26th. April
Craig Morgan Robson Vocal harmony
6th. June Kerr /Fagan /Harbron Fiddle
/Bouzouki /Concertina
7th. June Kerr Fagan /Harbron Vocal harmony/Winter MS
tunes
11th. July Will Duke Scan Tester's tunes
18th. July Bonnie Shaljean
Harp
12th. Sept Tommy Peoples Fiddle
19th. Sept Jeff Warner Song
accompaniment
10th. Oct Tim Edey Melodeon
14th. Nov Vicki Swan Scottish
smallpipes
21st. Nov Tom & Barbara Brown Ballad forum
5th. Dec Billy
Teare Storytelling
5th. Dec Kathleen O'Sullivan Irish song
The website for
more details is
And….MORE
She’s an international star, a prolific songwriter, and a beloved philanthropist, but Dolly Parton is also just an old-fashioned Tennessee girl, and that’s why Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® is pleased and proud to be the exclusive source of a new Collectors’ Edition of Dolly’s latest CD, Backwoods Barbie. The album will feature three new tracks that have never been heard before and are available only on this disc, and the CD will also feature brand new photos and artwork. This Collectors’ Edition goes on sale exclusively at all Cracker Barrel locations on March 23rd.
The Tuesday Night Opry recently returned to the Grand Ole Opry House. To find out which artistes are performing on future Tuesdays - visit
www.opry.comThe concert featuring George Strait & Reba McEntire scheduled for June 6th - and the first event at the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, Texas - sold out in one hour of being made available.
During a press conference held at the Gibson Showroom in Nashville, Tennessee, ‘CMT’s Top 20 Countdown’ host Lance Smith revealed a rare opportunity for one hundred country music fans to live out their fantasy of being a country music star. CMT Camp Nashville™, slated to take place in ‘Music City’ May 21-25, 2009, is the first multi-artist country music fantasy camp of its kind. Campers will experience five days of “red carpet treatment” in the role of a country star, complete with a stay at the trendy Hotel Indigo, a full entourage of roadies, stylists, tour managers, access to top rehearsal halls, private recording studio sessions, song-writing classes, vocal coaching by world-renowned Renee Grant Williams (Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Keith Urban), backstage parties at Nashville Palace and Nashville Cowboy, gourmet meals served by Shoney’s Catering and the unique exclusive opportunity to learn, jam, hang and perform with country music greats including Bo Bice, Phil Vassar, Lady Antebellum, Ronnie Milsap, John Rich, Darryl Worley, Andy Griggs, Rhett Akins, Deana Carter, Jessica Harp and Henry Paul. The experience will culminate with a Final Showdown, where campers will perform as the opening act for Phil Vassar and Lady Antebellum at the world-famous Wildhorse Saloon. One hundred campers can register on a first-come, first-service basis online at
www.campnashville.com or by calling (615) 254-2315. At the press conference, founders of CMT Camp Nashville™, Joe Lambusta, Lee Bailey and Mick Dolan, made a surprise donation of $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, on behalf of CMT One Country. Bob Jacobs, VP of Resource Development for Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee and Lucia Folk, Director of Public Affairs for CMT proudly accepted the check.The South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference and Festival, scheduled to take place March 18 - 22, 2009, in Austin, Texas - is excited to announce the participation of the Oak Ridge Boys in the 2009 Music Conference and Festival. Through decades of mainstream success, the Oak Ridge Boys continue to reinvent themselves, meeting the challenges of the changing nature of the music industry. As their era of radio dominance wound down, they forged unique marketing partnerships and sought out innovative concert bookings. They are a tireless touring act, playing over 170 dates a year and are annually among the top grossing acts in country music. Their multi-platinum pop crossover hit 'Elvira' started a chain of hits with sales exceeding 30 million. They come to Austin to celebrate their amazing history, exciting future and share their expertise with emerging artists and executives attending SXSW. The Oak Ridge Boys will sit down for a SXSW Interview on Thursday March 19 at 3:30 p.m. at the Austin Convention Centre. The group will expound upon their experience, offer advice to new artists, answer audience questions, and possibly offer an a cappella song or two. For the first 200 registrants, there will be a giveaway of free Oak Ridge Boys Blu-Blocker Magnum sunglasses. For more information on the Oak Ridge Boys, visit
http://www.oakridgeboys.comThe South By Southwest Music & Media Conference takes place March 18 - 22, 2009 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. The previously announced Quincy Jones' keynote anchors four days of panels, interviews, workshops, peer meetings and the trade show exhibition covering a wide variety of topics, addressing the concerns and interests of musicians, executives and music lovers. Daytime events flow into the world-renowned music festival, which showcases over 1800 acts on stages throughout downtown Austin. For more information on SXSW, please access the website at www.sxsw.com or e-mail sxsw_at_sxsw_dot_comReckless Kelly
was named best performing band in the country category of the Austin Music Awards.A passionate advocate for helping animals in need, Country Singer/Songwriter - Skyla Spencer - participated in the ‘First Annual Springer Mountain Farms 5K Run & Walk’. The event was sponsored by WSM Radio and kicked off in front of the Grand Ole Opry. WSM radio personalities, Bill Cody and Eddie Stubbs, along with Gene Shepard hosted the event. The run/walk was a benefit to raise money for the Nashville Humane Society.
Nashville recording duo, The Roys, recently returned from a busy week at Daytona National Speedway, where they kicked off the NASCAR season with TRG Motorsports, their partners in the Racing with The Roys series. The series, developed by The Roys and TRG to bring country music entertainment to racing fans all along the circuit confirmed several performances for the National Guard in an effort to bring entertainment to the great men and women that serve our country.
It is no surprise that Lee and Elaine, the siblings that make up this dynamic duo, agreed to perform for the oldest military service in the United States. Joining the ranks of Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnheart, Jr. as well as recording artists 3 Doors Down and Kid Rock, The Roys are excited to join the elite group that provide support to the National Guard. Appearing at the track for the entire kick-off to the 2009 racing season, The Roys were excited to cheer on TRG Motorsports when newcomer J. R. Fitzpatrick, finished fourth in the Camping World Truck Series leading in most laps and taking ‘top rookie’ honours. Lee Roy commented on Fitzpatrick’s success upon his return to Nashville, “It was an awesome week for us and for TRG, to debut their new young driver and have him accomplish so much was great! We're looking forward to our partnership with TRG and are so excited to perform for the United States National Guard in Atlanta!” Future Speedway events for ‘The Roys’ include;
Performance for the U.S. National Guard - Saturday, March 7th
- Atlanta Motor Speedway, Atlanta, GA
National Anthem - Saturday, April
25th - Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS
Performance for the U.S. National Guard - Friday, May 15th - Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC
Performance for the U.S. National Guard - Sunday, June 28th - Loudon Speedway, Loudon, NH
The Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon takes place in Nashville on April 25th. The event will be followed by a concert - headlining Billy Currington and with opening acts including Ashton Shepherd and also the Carter Twins.
Raul Malo is among the artists releasing new albums. ‘Lucky One’ is his first album of original material in seven years.
CMT.com says that LeAnn Rimes and Reba McEntire will appear at the Kennedy Centre Spring Gala in Washington. The event will feature other notable women in the arts, including Patti LaBelle.
Country Thunder USA is proud to announce the partnership with GAC (Great American Country). GAC has agreed to participate in and promote both the Florence, AZ four-day festival April 1 - 4th and the Twin Lakes, WI festival mid-July. Top names making appearances in historic Florence include Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Montgomery Gentry and Blake Shelton – as well as a kickoff performance by the Bellamy Brothers and Diamond Rio. Other acts on the bill include Rodney Atkins, Neal McCoy, Little Big Town, Keith Anderson, Zac Brown Band, Jack Ingram, The Lost Trailers, Jason Michael Carroll, Heidi Newfield, Hal Ketchum and more. the festival is posting record numbers in comparison to years prior – with a forty-percent increase over last year in overall ticket sales, and with 86% of the camping sites already sold, tickets are moving fast. The festival quickly eclipsed the original four-day sale price of $99, and the current $119 value ticket is expected to run out by early next week. At that time the general admission four-day event pass will cost $139. Still cheaper than a movie – for every artist on the bill. There will not be a 2-for-1, buy-one-get-one-free promotion as in years past. To purchase remaining tickets and for the full lineup schedule, please visit
www.countrythunder.com today!CMT.com says Grand Ole Opry member, singer-songwriter and guitarist - Ernie Ashworth - died March 2nd, aged 80. Best known for his recording of ‘Talk Back Trembling Lips’, a # 1 country hit in 1963, he had been an Opry member since 1964. As a songwriter, Ernie Ashworth’s work was recorded by artistes including Paul Anka, Jimmy Dickens, Johnny Horton and Carl Smith.
USA artiste Rachel Harrington will be bringing her special brand of Americana/country/folk/soul music this side of the Atlantic during an extensive tour beginning on April 7th - in the studio with the BBC’s Bob Harris….and ending on 28th June at the Leigh On Sea Folk Festival. Check out
www.rachelharrington.netThe ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL of BRITAIN 2009 will take place at Catton Hall Park, on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire Border - Late Spring Bank Holiday Weekend from Friday May 22nd/Saturday 23rd/Sunday 24th - and Monday 25th May. Artistes performing include;
Roger Hodgson - The Voice & Composer of Supertramp. The Acoustic Festival of Britain will be Rogers' only UK appearance in 2009.… During the time that Roger led the band Supertramp, they sold well over 60 million albums and became a worldwide rock phenomenon.
Deacon Blue, The Christians, Imelda May, Mungo Jerry, The Animals, Baka Beyond, The Blow Monkeys. Chris Difford from Squeeze, Albert Lee & Hogans Heros, Martin Joseph, Ed Tudor Pole, Magna Carta, Dave Sharpe & Mike Sweeny, Jackie Leven, Acoustic 2 Tone Theatre, AZIZ Ibrahim (ex Stone Roses), Mawkin:Causley, Acoustic Beatles,Henry Priestman & many many more. See the full line up at
www.acousticfestival.co.uk 4 Stages & 4 Full Days of Familly enetertainment set in 92 acres of parkland in the grounds of stately Catton Hall, Catton, Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire, DE12 8LN, situated 2 miles south of the A38 at Alrewas, between Lichfield and Burton upon Trent, on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border. The Acoustic Festival of Britain is a familly friendly festival with Crafts, Food stalls, Bars, Fair Trade Childrens activities include juggling, drumming, art & football skills workshops. Large campsite catering for tents, caravans, campervans & a Tipi Circle. For further convenience the site has been re-arranged from last year. The events site and parking site have been swapped enabling you to drive directly onto the campsite and park right next to your tent. The events site will be nearer the The Stately House itself and surrounded by trees. The events site will also be more compact and cosy with craft stalls and food easier to access. The festival will also have 2 extra domes to include a cinema and a children’s tent to feature workshops. The will also be extra activities to suit all the family, workshops, soccer skills, cinema, food hall, breakfast café on camp site, comedy hour and a buskers stage. This opportunity is not to be missed!! Your £80 Earlybird Tickets entitles you to full access to the Festival arena from Friday morning until 12 midnight Monday, + 5 nights FREE camping and FREE car parking. You can arrive Thursday afternoon and leave Tuesday morning. Why not make a holiday of it, 5 days and nights for £80. This Earlybird Offer is only available during February and March, So Book Now at www.acousticfestival.co.ukFriday 13th March - The Peter Bruntnell Band + The Robin Bibi Band * Jim Jones play The Half Brick, 221 Brighton Road, Worthing (on the sea front, Lancing side). Tickets £10 call 01903 526350 to book - no fee. Tickets can also be obtained via
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/45642Here in the UK, CMR Nashville increases their streaming service quality by 100% on both CMR Nashville and CMR Hot. This will give the listener a better experience when listening to Europe’s #1 Country Music Radio Station. Developments in Broadband delivery and cost have made this possible. CMR Nashville is now in it’s third year of broadcasting 24/7 country music from over 26 presenters from around the world. The station’s Lee Williams says “Already in the first two months of 2009 we have exceeded over 500,000 visitors, and February alone has doubled last year’s average monthly figure. To go along with the better quality streaming, we have engaged a new Webmaster who is re-developing our website with a launch featuring our new logo by mid-March. We will have features that will be more interactive along with new sections for a better experience. We are proud of our daily news service, which will also be enhanced to keep us the #1 supplier of Country Music news in Europe and beyond. We will also be launching a new schedule with some minor changes and an addition of a couple of new shows including exclusive to us ‘Cool Country’ with Amanda and Tyler from The Wilkinson's, a two hour show aimed at the younger country audience with special ‘Live’ guests every week. More and More artists both major and Indie from the USA and Europe are using us to promote their latest CDs and singles.
CMR Nashville Records was just launched to help promote artists from both sides of the pond with the first release being Brianie - a 17yr old from the UK with ‘Butterfly in a Hurricane’ CMRN002 recorded in Nashville. Brianie recently won the Hotdisc award for the most #1s in 2008 and picked to represent the UK at the Global Showcase part of the CMA Fest in Nashville this June. Other releases to follow include further UK acts Gary Curtis, and Sam Millar. Finally CMR Nashville are sponsoring an award at this years British Country Music Awards 15-17 Oct, which will be for the best British Artist recording their CD in another country outside of the UK. Full details will be available on our site very soon.
www.cmrnashville.net All artists to forward their CD ASAP.” CMR Nashville, 51 Union Street, Farnborough, Hants GU14 7PX.And…..FINALLY
The Southern Gospel Music Association announced March 17 at Dollywood its Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees for 2009.
“We are honoured to add these great musical servants to a very elite group of people who have made Southern Gospel music known around the world,” said Dr. Jim Goff, SGMA Induction Committee chairman. “Without their contributions it is safe to say our music would have reached fewer ears and affected fewer hearts and lives. Without them our industry would have been much smaller in its reach.” The 2009 SGMA class of inductees includes: Neil Enloe, Ed Hill, Harold Lane, Don Light, Bill Lyles, Elizabeth "Lady" Mull, Billy Todd, and Charlie Waller. The official induction ceremony will occur as part of the festivities of SGMA Day, Oct. 7, 2009. “I know the inductees, their families, fans and friends will be pleased to hear of this honor,” said Charlie Waller, SGMA executive director. “We will certainly be planning an outstanding induction ceremony this year.” The day generally features a fun-filled day of concerts, dinner and the induction of the 2009 Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame newest members. For more information, or to obtain tickets call (865) 908-4040. The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit organization that maintains the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, the only facility honoring this genre of music, for the historic preservation of the accomplishments of the music and its people. Museum hours match those of Dollywood. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information about the museum or its inductees, visit www.sgma.org.The Gospel Music Association (GMA)
has announced the finalists for the 2009 GMA/Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) Radio Station of the Year contest.The radio station awards are designed to publicly acknowledge those Christian radio stations that meet the highest standards of quality and have the strongest impact on their listening areas. Awards are given to major, large, medium and small market stations. The winners in each market category will be determined by a panel of judges who review the following areas - community involvement, ratings, air-check and industry leadership.
Major Market
KCMS - Seattle/Tacoma, Wash. - Stan Mak, Station Manager
KTIS – Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn. – David Fitts, Station Manager
WPOZ – Orlando, Fla. – Dean O’Neal, Station Manager
Large Market*
WDJC – Birmingham, Ala. – Laura Scotti, Station Manager
WMHK – Columbia, S.C. – John Owens, Station Manager
Medium Market*
KKCM – Tulsa, Okla. – Dan Lawrie, Station Manager
WRCM – Charlotte/Gastonia/Rock Hill, N.C./S.C. – Joe Paulo, Station Manager
Small Market
KGCB – Flagstaff/Prescott, Ariz. – Stephen R. White, Station Manager
WCVK – Bowling Green, Ky. – Mike Wilson, Station Manager
WLAB – Fort Wayne, Ind. – Melissa Montana, Station Manager
* Due to the number of qualified entries, the Large Market and Medium Market categories only have two finalists.
GMA will notify the winners before the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards on April 23, 2009. The winners will be acknowledged during the GMA Dove Awards’ broadcast. The GMA Dove Awards are the culminating event for GMA Music Week 2009, which will be held at various locations in downtown Nashville from April 18-22, 2009 and include radio specific programming through the Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB). Registration information for GMA Music Week can be found at
http://www.gospelmusic.org/events/summaryDetail.aspx?aid=9&pid=33.With thanks to the kind people at the UK’s New Christian Music -
www.newchristianmusic.co,uk - here are their music charts.NCM Euro Chart W/E 20 March 2009
NCM Country Chart W/E 20 March 2009
* Please understand that information in this e-news letter comes from many different and generally reliable sources – and although efforts to verify the contents have been made – regrettably – its accu