GRASS CLIPPINGS - Desert Bluegrass...

Volume 23 Issue 1 June/July 2017

GRASS CLIPPINGS

DESERT BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

2017 MARANA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!

By John David, Grass Clippings Editor

Festival Committee Chairman, Dave Lanham, reported that the 2017 Marana

Bluegrass Festival was a resounding success on all three days. A delightful free

performance by local singer/songwriters kicked

off the festival on Friday evening. Four local

Singer/Songwriters (Marilyn Ryan, Rudy

Cortese, Don Armstrong and Peter McLaughlin) wowed the

audience with wonderful original compositions. Saturday and

Sunday continued with outstanding performances by the band

lineup. The only cloud on a perfect weekend was the passing of

Ben Sandoval (See memorial remembrance on 8). A very

big THANK YOU goes to the Town of Marana for their partnership

in

planning and hosting the festival. As

for future festivals, we will relocate to

Gladden Farms Community Park,

located just south of Ora Mae Harn

Park. Next year’s festival will be held

on the weekend of 13-15 April 2018.

I will be keeping the festival website,

www.maranafestival.com up to date

as we plan the 2018 Festival with the

Town of Marana so keep a lookout as

the year progresses.

Newsletter Editor--John David: For information concerning letters to the editor, reviews, contributing newsletter articles, submitting Concert & Band Listing information, Contact John via phone at (520) 400-8853, e-mail, [email protected], or snail mail, 8205 E. Crooked Tree Trail, Tucson, AZ 85715

Webmaster--Andy MacLeod: For information concerning the DBA website www.desertbluegrass.org contact the webmaster at [email protected]

Membership Secretary--Mike Headrick: To join the DBA, renew a membership or submit an address change, contact Mike via phone at (520) 760-0745, email, [email protected] or snail mail, 13308 Placita el Algodon Tucson, AZ 85749

Publicity--Mike Headrick: Contact Mike at (520) 760-0745 or [email protected]

Advertising-- John David: To purchase advertising in our newsletter, contact by phone or email

How to Contact the DBA

OFFICERS

NEWSLETTER ADVERTIZING PRICES 1/4 PAGE--$25 PER ISSUE, $100 ANNUAL 1/2 PAGE--$40 PER ISSUE, $160 ANNUAL FULL PAGE--$60 PER ISSUE $240 ANNUAL CLASSIFIED ADS--$5 FOR 5 LINES OR LESS*

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The opinions expressed in the DBA newsletter are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of the Desert Bluegrass Association, its staff or members. Reviews, concert listings, band announcements and advertising are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by the Desert Bluegrass Association. In the event of an error, our liability is limited to printing a correction. Copyright 2013,. All Rights Reserved.

PAGE 2 GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 23 ISSUE 1

President:: Dave Polston (520)245-6126 [email protected]

Vice President: Jeff Collins (520)403-4062 [email protected]

Secretary: Mike Headrick (520)760-0745 [email protected]

Treasurer: Marlene Simpson (520)355-4000 [email protected]

TRUSTEES Carole Wothe (520)760-0993 [email protected]

Andy MacLeod (520) 237-9832 [email protected]

John David (520)400-8853 [email protected]

Scott Warren (520)419-7556 [email protected]

Paul “Doc” Simpson (520)298-9746 [email protected]

Bonnie Lohman (520)349-4812 [email protected]

David Lanham (520)749-0335 [email protected]

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 1 GRASS CLIPPINGS

GREAT WEBSITES

Desert Bluegrass Association www.desertbluegrass.org

Arizona Bluegrass Association www.arizonabluegrass.com

Bluegrass Arizona Blog www.bluegrassarizona.blogspot.com

Daily Dose of Bluegrass; www.bluegrassonthetube.com

Bluegrass Lyrics http://bluegrasslyrics.com/

Bluegrass Tablature http://www.alltabs.com/bluegrass_tabs.php

Bluegrass Backing Tracks http://www.fbbts.com/

Guitar: www.bluegrassguitar.com/

Fiddle: www.fiddlehangout.com

Banjo: www.banjohangout.org

Bass: www.bluegrassbassplace.com

Mandolin: www.mandohangout.com/ http://www.mandolincafe.com/

Dobro: www.reso-nation.org www.resohangout.com

Continued on Page 5

PHOTO ESSAY

MARANA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2017

VOLUNTEERS & THE AUDIENCE

GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 23 ISSUE 1

GREETINGS FELLOW BLUEGRASS LOVERS!

By Dave Polston

Greetings fellow bluegrass lovers! First off, Wow, what a great festival! I am very proud of the committee and all the volunteers who put on a great experi-ence for all who came. Thank you David Lanham for leading the team. Thank you Jeff Collins in assisting and handling the bands. Thank you Holly Tripp for all your hard work in the areas that made the festival profitable. Thanks Jim Wagner for rounding up the volunteers, Joe Wilkie for rounding up raffle and silent auction items, and some nice publicity in the Marana newspaper. Gotta thank Curt Holmes twice, once for herding the vendors in and 2nd for buying the most expensive items at the silent auction (Sorry Cindy, your retirement has been pushed back another year)! Big Thank you to all the volunteers!! Great job!

As we take a break from our weekly workshops I want to talk about some tools to use to keep you picking during these upcoming hot days of summer. Playing with others is always the best way to improve your playing skills, especially timing. Working with a metronome is a must but can be diffi-cult to work with. It can be hard to hear the clicks and/or watch the blinking light. There are other ways to get the same discipline of timing but with better sound. Now with the internet, there are many sites that have rhythm tracks for songs. I will list a few below. Being a banjo player, the first of these sites I found was banjohangout.org. People started creating Rhythm tracks consisting mainly of bass and guitar, no melody, no singing. There is now a very large selection of songs. At the home page in the"site navigator," go to "search music"- type in backing tracks and hundreds will come up alphabetically. Most are done in several tempos, allowing you to build your speed while maintaining good timing. Sometimes you will find them in a couple of different keys. As we have learned in workshop, a rhythm track for, say, "I'll fly away," can be used for a number of other songs, "Will the circle be unbroken," "Cryin’ holy," "Mountain dew," etc.

"Ireal pro" is a site and an app you can use to find the chord structure for a song or use to create a progression. With this site you can create the 7 progressions, then change tempos and keys to your liking. You can make it the length of an actual song and work on all your skills, lead, rhythm and singing. You can pick out a section and loop it if there is a trouble spot you need to work on. It has many preloaded songs and you can download the entire parking lot pickers book. Many of the fea-tures I just listed are free but you can get advance apps for $12.

A few others where you can build progressions and change tempos and keys are, "Strummachine.com", "Wholenote.com" and "Chordify.com." Some are free, and some have mini-mal fees. Look at them and see which works best for you and the device you wish to use. Hope this helps pass by those hot afternoons.

The Eastside is going to hold 6 slow jams during the summer. The dates will be listed in the calen-dar. Keep on pickin!!


Continued on Page 14

PHOTO ESSAY MARANA BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2017

(Continued)

MORE VOLUNTEERS & THE AUDIENCE


Well I hope you all had a fun 5th Annual Marana Bluegrass Festival! I thought the lineup was great! And the Friday night Songwriters show turned out better than expected; I'm already receiving CDs from performers who want to be in next year's show. The Festival was also a financial success netting over $3,000. This gives us a little more for improving shade and negotiating bands. It also brings money back into the DBA for workshops, camps and running the

association. I want to thank Dave Lahnam for heading such a great festival. I found Dave very laid back and easy to work with. I had a great time with the bands which I was on the committee to chose. Rebecca Frazier was a spark plug. She kept in constant contact with me for several months prior to the show; she was very excited to play here which I found out. Many of the performers are trying to break into the Southwest to reach new audiences. We had to provide lodging in Rebecca's contract so instead of going to the freeway chain hotels, we decided on a Bed and Breakfast, Continued on Page 10

VICE PRESIDENT REPORT By Jeff Collins

http://www.apple.com

VOLUME 23 ISSUE 1 PAGE 8 GRASS CLIPPINGS

BANDS The 2 Lazy 2 Ranch Band John Hall 520-647-1234

Bear Canyon Ramblers Marilyn 520-760-0479 [email protected] www.bearcanyonramblers.com

Buffelgrass Tim Barrett 520-235-3518 [email protected] www.buffelgrassband.com

Cabin John Howard Anderson--480-897-7425 Anni Beach--480-963-6811 www.cabinjohnbluegrass.com

Cadillac Mountain Corrine 520-235-3199

Cinder Mountain John Bragg (623)251-0613 [email protected] www.facebook.com/CinderMountain

Cisco & The Racecars Francisco Briseno--520-251-7183 www.facebook.com/ciscoandtheracecars www.ciscoandtheracecars.com [email protected]

Crucial County Corrine 520-235-3199

Dusty River Boys Rich Errico 520 818 0358 [email protected]

Greg Morton 520-682-2558

Greenwood Sidee [email protected] www.facebook.com/thegreenwoodsidee www.greenwoodsidee.com

Jam Pak Blues 'N' Grass Neighborhood Band www.jampak.com Anni Beach - 480-963-6811

James Reams & The Barnstormers James Reams 718-374-1086 http://ww.jamesreams.com [email protected]

Linda Lou & the Desert Drifters www.lindaloureed.com [email protected] 520-444-9897

Los Hombres Kenny Erickson 520-235-7473

MojoGrass 520-369-7524 www.facebook.com/mojograss [email protected]

Ocotillo Rain and Thunder Contact: Holly Tripp Phone: 520-241-8421 Web: ocotillorain.blogspot.com

Old Pueblo Bluegrass Reid Griffin 520-349-4321 http://www.maranafestival.com/old-pueblo-bluegrass.html

Peter McLaughlin 520-247-1027

The Real Deal Band Fransisco Briseno 520-251-7183 Www.facebook.com/realdealband [email protected]

Saguaro Sunset Trio Jim Sanchez 520-869-8468 [email protected]

The Sonoran Dogs Peter McLaughlin 520-247-1027 Brian Davies 520-349-9497 www.thesonorandogs.com

Sonoran Sun Robert Holcombe 520-981-6225 Paul Christiansen 520-336-7755 [email protected]

Superstition Ridge Bluegrass Band Larry Martell 480-588-5552 [email protected]

Titan Valley Warheads Ed Davenport 520-904-6050 www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/The-Titan-Valley-Warheads/161939573828277

Way Out West Emmy Creigh 520-323-0704

Whistle Stop Carol Pearse 970-375-9428 [email protected] www.whistlestopbluegrass.com

callto:+1235-3518

callto:+1718-374-1086

callto:+1718-374-1086

Bill Breen Scruggs style banjo by ear 520-544-2418

Corrine Cortese Fiddle lessons 520-235-3199

Rudy Cortese Banjo lessons 520-954-2103

Nick Coventry Fiddle lessons 805-252-1851

Reid Griffin Guitar Instruction All Levels and Styles (520) 349-4321

Greg Morton Bluegrass Guitar lessons 520-682-2558

Andy McCune Bluegrass & clawhammer banjo, mandolin, and beginning Dobro 520-869-6818

Peter McLaughlin Flatpick & bluegrass guitar: Be-ginner & advanced 520-247-1027

Dave Polston Beginning Banjo & Dobro les-sons 520-245-6126

Mike Purdy Guitar, mandolin & Banjo 520-977-9780

Jeff Sanders Guitar & banjo Chicago Store Eastside 520-850-9802

J.P. Thom-Gronachan Banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, theory 520-682-6201

Lora Staples Online Fiddle and Violin lessons RedDesertFiddle.com; RedDesertViolin.com Email: [email protected]

Nate Lee Live Online Mandolin & Fiddle Lessons 469-383-4840 www.TheNateLee.com

INSTRUCTION

TO INSTRUCTORS AND BANDS Would you like your services, band, and or concerts listed on our website (www.desertbluegrass.org)? Current DBA members can be listed by sending their contact information to Andy MacLeod at [email protected]. Refer to the 'Links' tab on the homepage for the bands and instructors. For band concert information I will do my best to get your listing posted in a timely manner onto the 'Events - Concerts' tab. Please send me plain text with the details for the webpage. Varied fonts, colors, formatting, and inserted graphics are extremely time consuming to match in the webpage editor. A link to a pdf flyer you provide me can

PAGE 10 GRASS CLIPPINGS VOLUME 23 ISSUE 1

VICE PRESIDENT REPORT (CONTINUED)

Rocking M Ranch on the Border of Saguaro National Park West. We secured a 4 bedroom Casita for them at a cost way less than the hotel chains. Rebecca said the breakfasts were outstanding as well as the facility. They practiced on the porch of their casita until midnight on Friday to the audience of the owner Lou and his wife, who loved the music so much they purchased weekend passes at the Festival! I also enjoyed heading the workshops where you get to know the performers up close and personal. I found out, by speaking with Rebecca Frazier, that her CD had the dobro player from the Infamous Stringdusters, Andy Hall, on it. Andy used to be her neighbor in Colorado. Andy is also my online Dobro Instructor! Small World. I thank Curt Holmes for Covering on Sunday workshops for me. We Continued on Page 11

callto:+1469-383-4840

http://www.desertbluegrass.org

mailto:[email protected]


also had a great Festival committee and we couldn't do it without the volunteers. Thanks to all. I hope to see you all at our 6th Annual.

Speaking of 6th Annual, the date is a little earlier for 2018, April 13-15. We'll also be in a different park, Gladden Farms Park; about a mile south of Ora Mae Harn Park, Right off I-10 and Tangerine Road. There is plenty of RV parking and general parking. The Festival area is huge. There is even a water park there and path for walking and strolling with your dog. I believe the 2018 Website is up and running but not complete yet and the committee has already started action with the Town of Marana. We're hoping to have band selection complete by early Fall. Putting together a Festival takes time, coordination and lots of hard work.

As for my Summer, I'll be in the Wyoming area for a while, thinking about attending Targhee Bluegrass Camp and attending the Mandolin Workshops. Sierra Hull is one of the instructors whom I'm sure I can learn a lot from. I already have my tickets for Pickin in the Pines coming in September

in Flagstaff. Check out their website, they have quite a lineup. Hopefully we can grow to have that caliber of bands in a few years.

I'd also like to mention my band's, Ocotillo Rain and Thunder, latest escapades. We recently performed at a pancake breakfast for Fisher House. Fisher House helps veterans families while the vet is in the VA Hospital providing lodging and food. It's located on the grounds of the VA Hospital In a beautiful setting. We played to about 70 volunteers, family members and board members, and the food was awesome! Fisher House was one of our Charities this past year. We also chose Jampak as our April Charity. We presented Annie Beach with a check at the Festival, which caught her by total surprise. Jampak also gave me a surprise, not only did they

do a wonderful job on the National Anthem, they sang Happy Birthday to me; well done Jampak.

-Jeff

VICE PRESIDENT REPORT (CONTINUED)

GRASS CLIPP INGS VOLUME 23 ISSUE 1



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MORE VOLUNTEERS & THE AUDIENCE





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THE VENDORS




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THE SINGER/SONGWRITERS


WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Marana Community

Center 13251 N Lon Adams

Rd., Marana

JAM 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Sierra del Sol Senior Living

8151 E. Speedway

S M T W T F S 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0

1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7

1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 4

25 26 27 28 29 30

JAM 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Sierra del Sol Senior

Living (Dining Room)

8151 E. Speedway

JAM 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Thirsty’s Neigh-borhood Grill

2422 N. Pantano

JAM 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Pinnacle Peak Court Yard

6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

JAM 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Music & Arts 8320 Thornydale Rd Suite 150/170

JAM 12:00pm - 2:00 pm

VA Hospital Bldg 60

6th Ave & Ajo

JAM 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Udall Park Ramada

7200 E. Tanque Verde Road

D BA Ev e nts

J UN E 2 0 17

SLO-JAM

(EAST SIDE) 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Christ Community

Church 7801 E Kenyon Dr

SLO-JAM




WORKSHOP (NW SIDE)

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Marana Community

Center 13251 N Lon Adams

Rd., Marana

S M T W T F S 1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5

1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2

2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 2 7 2 8 2 9

3 0 3 1

JAM 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Thirsty’s Neigh-borhood Grill

2422 N. Pantano

JAM 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Sierra del Sol Senior

Living (Dining Room)

8151 E. Speedway

JAM 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Music & Arts 8320 Thornydale Rd Suite 150/170

JAM 7:00pm - 9:00 pm

Pinnacle Peak Court Yard

6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

JAM 12:00pm - 2:00 pm

VA Hospital Bldg 60

6th Ave & Ajo

JAM 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Udall Park Ramada

7200 E. Tanque Verde Road

Newsletter Inputs Due

D BA Ev e nts

J U LY 2 0 17

SLO-JAM



SLO-JAM




LONGTIME ARIZONA PROMOTER BEN SANDOVAL PASSES

This memorial remembrance of Ben Sandoval is a contribution from Giselle Lee and Bonnie Williams. Ben had been a central figure in Arizona bluegrass and old time circles this past 45 years, starting with handyman work at a Bill Monroe festival in ’74 to his own events across the state until his passing.

Longtime Arizona festival promoter, Ben Sandoval, passed away on April 30, 2017 at the age of 83. From his son Roy Sandoval: “My dad left us this morning at about 3:15. This is the way I’d like to remember him. Hundreds and hundreds of festivals and jam sessions. Hundreds of bands and musicians who felt respected and well treated. Thousands of people who benefited from his tireless commitment to promoting traditional music, particularly in Arizona and the Southwest.”

From Giselle Lee of Jam Pak Blues n ’Grass neighborhood band:

“My introduction to Ben Sandoval occurred through the Jam Pak Blues n’Grass neighborhood band, a group led by Anni Beach. Jam Pak is a group of musicians, ages 5-80, which meets twice a week in Anni’s living room to rehearse. I can remember Ben being present at all the bluegrass festivals we were at, announcing for bands to come on stage, talking to audience members, and shepherding bands to the stage. At that time I had little idea of who he was or why he was always at the festivals we were at. I would later learn that this gentleman organized and ran the festivals. He hired the bands and was in charge of making sure the whole operation went smoothly.

After its founding in 1994, Jam Pak played a few small gigs. However, our big break into the bluegrass scene was because of Ben Sandoval. He was one of the very first supporters of Jam Pak. Being a large band of primarily children of color, Jam Pak’s entrance into the bluegrass scene was one shadowed with difficulty. We did not fit the ‘cookie cutter’ model of a traditional bluegrass band. However, Ben saw the potential in such a talented group of musicians. He saw the importance of incorporating young musicians into a genre of music dominated by older players. There’s no doubt that he took a risk. He was hiring a band of nearly 25 young musicians, mostly of Hispanic descent, for festivals mostly attended by an older, Caucasian audience. Regardless of this risk, he hired us for some of our first festival gigs. Each year he invited us back, treating us with the same respect as the other, more traditional bands. With the addition of new festivals to the Arizona bluegrass scene, he would often call Anni Beach to confirm Jam Pak’s availability before proceeding to hire other bands.

As the years went by, the bluegrass fans of Arizona began to embrace and love Jam Pak and the smaller bands that branched from it. Many reported to Ben that they attended festivals for the main reason of seeing us perform. Jam Pak is thankful for and blessed by the outpouring of support over the years from the bluegrass community. These days, we perform at a handful of festivals each year, often traveling around the state of Arizona to perform. And what about the man who gave us our start? Ben Sandoval can always be seen on the side of the stage, showing the same love and support that has allowed us to thrive.”

In Ben’s own words…I have lived a good life, I have a wonderful family and God has already prepared a place for me.”

R.I.P., Ben Sandoval.

http://www.jampak.com/




(Continued)

THE HEADLINER - REBECCA FRAZIER

THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM


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THE BANDS

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THE BANDS (Continued)


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Southern AZ Old Time Fiddlers Assn. Southwest Community Center Cardinal Ave, Tucson, AZ Tuesday 7 PM Info: Wilbur 520-743-7086

Catalina Mountain Chapter of the AZ Old Time Fiddlers Association Fiddler’s Workshop 3rd Monday at 7 PM Info: Rusty 520-981-8152

Open Mic at The Hut on 4th Ave Every Sunday 6 - 9:00 PM Info: Rudy [email protected]

Kibbey’s Jam and Open Mic Info: Jim Howard, 520-825-9413 Twin Lakes Drive, Catalina, AZ Every Friday Night 6:30 PM–9:00 PM

1st Baptist Church Jam and Open Mic Wilds Road, Catalina, Arizona

Info: Jim Howard, 520-825-9413 Every Saturday, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM

JAMS & OPEN MICS

DBA sponsored jams are listed at www.desertbluegrass.org & on the enclosed calendar.


Eric and Leigh Gibson were born in Plattsburg, New York, both in the month of October - 1 year apart They are an American brother duo who have been performing bluegrass music since 1987. The first time I saw them at a festival in the northeast, I thought "these young boys borrowed their name from my guitar". Little did I realize that Eric and Leigh were to be among the most prolific songwriters, among the finest bluegrass musicians and among the most talented singers in bluegrass music. I am forever fascinated

by sibling harmonies. Eric and Leigh can send shivers to you with their harmonizing. They learned to play banjo, fiddle and guitar from their dad Kelley. Leigh explains that part of the magic is genetic, part is the vocal tonality and the rest is work!

So... lucky me ... Rounder records sent me their brand new CD "In The Ground". Every song is written by them. Kelley Gibson, Eric's oldest son, co-wrote "Everywhere I Go". Shawn Camp co-wrote "Quiet My Mind" with Leigh. All the others are written by Eric and Leigh, either alone or together.

You may like to see some of the awards these guys have earned over the years.

International Bluegrass Music Association Awards

Emerging Artist of the Year – 1998 Song of the Year – “Ring the Bell" – 2010 and “They Called It Music” - 2013 Vocal Group of the Year – 2011 and 2013 Album of the Year – “Help My Brother” - 2011 Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year - “Ring the Bell” – 2010 and “Singing as We Rise – Gib

son Brothers with Ricky Skaggs – 2012 Songwriter of the Year – Eric Gibson - 2013 Entertainer of the Year – 2012 and 2013

Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America Awards

Bluegrass Album of the Year – “Help My Brother” – 2012 Song of the Year – “Help My Brother” – 2012 Songwriters of the Year – Leigh & Eric Gibson - 2012 Song of the Year - "They Called It Music" - 2014 Gospel Group of the Year (Contemporary): The Gibson Brothers - 2015 Vocal Group of the Year: The Gibson Brothers - 2015

Mike Barber has been the bass player with the band for 23 years! Always a pleasure to see and hear him play!! Clayton Campbell, a fine fiddler, has been with the band for 10 years. Jesse Brock, mandolin player, is a relative newcomer to the band, but not new to bluegrass music. Jesse is a polished veteran. He sings, he struts and he plays so great!!! Jesse Brock makes me happy!

"Highway" is the up tempo beginning of the album. "Homemade Wine" comes next. The tempo stays happy. "Remember Who You Are" is inspired by their Dad. Don't let

IN THE GROUND THE GIBSON BROTHERS

Review by Marilyn Ryan Hulbert



anyone change the person you are inside. Great and heartfelt lyrics. "Making Good Time" - happy folks on life's ride. "My Quiet Mind" - the tempo slows and the fiddle sings in three quarter time to a song of being alone. "I Can't Breathe Deep Yet" - so much excitement out in the big old world! "Fool's Hill" - their Mama talked about the folks that made foolish mistakes, warning them to think first. She said not to be climbing "fool's hill". "Friend of Mine" - beautiful guitar kick off. Sounds like Leigh is referring to his brother - cannot be sure, but this brings a very emotional response from your reviewer!" Little Girl" is a song about some one who is dearly loved. Wonderful lyrics, up tempo and beautiful musical breaks! "I Found a Church Today" is also a meaningful and beautiful song. "Look Who's Crying" - big tears of sorrow. Rob Ickes plays his usual gorgeous resophonic music. "Everywhere I Go". A song about missing someone and feeling low, with some haunting chord changes. "In the Ground", the last song on the album, is about farming and losing the farms and the beloved small farmers.

This album is so good!!!! Through the years, the Gibson Brothers have written some really fine songs and recorded some wonderful albums, but this is by far, the best of all. Every song, without exception is brilliant, lyrical, emotionally charged, important, melodic and pure bluegrass.

What a pleasure this is to own and listen to while riding down the highway, leaving Tucson and heading to Maine. Once there, I will be occasionally on The Bronzewound Bluegrass Music Radio Show on WERU.org and there I can share the new and old music I love so much!

Have a cool Summer! Marilyn

IN THE GROUND THE GIBSON BROTHERS

(Continued)


MY "THANK YOU"! By Jim Wagner

Hello fellow "Pickers and Grinners",

I want to say a huge "THANK YOU" to everyone who volunteered for our 2017 fifth anniversary bluegrass festival! Your efforts were vital to the success that the festival was. I also hope that everyone had a fun time while you were volunteering and en-joyed each other's company as much as I did yours.

I am grateful to each and every one of you!

Jim Wagner

SINGING THOSE TIGHT BLUEGRASS HARMONIES By Marshall Vest

Dede Wyland is a hero and legend in Bluegrass circles. She’s a singer, recording artist, and vocal teacher extraordinaire. She’s the go-to vocal instructor for music camps across the country, including Camp Bluegrass! We were fortunate to get her to present a 2-hour workshop during her recent visit to Tucson.

Twenty-five participants learned about the mechanics of singing – and how to sound better. Takeaways: relax your upper body, especially your jaw; open your throat by yawning; sing with support that comes from your core. If the mechanics are right, you’ll sound better. But once you start singing, the

last thing you want to think about is mechanics. So, practice doing it correctly and muscle memory will take over automatically when it’s time to sing.

Dede then launched into singing harmonies. Although many students are mystified, it’s rather simple. We know that a chord is defined by the 1

st, 3

rd, and

5th notes in the scale. The lead will be singing one of these three notes. The

“tenor” part is typically a third chord-tone above, and follows the lead. The “baritone” part adds the missing chord tone; it has its own “melody” and therefore is harder to find. In a typical “stack,” the baritone is below the lead. (The use of the terms tenor and baritone in bluegrass is different than church terminology which includes soprano, alto, etc. In church, the terms refer to the range of the voice; in bluegrass, the terms simply refer to a part.)

How the voices are stacked depends on the ranges of the singers’ voices and who is singing lead. The Osborne Brothers often put the two harmony voices below Bobby’s lead. The Stanley Brothers often put the two harmony parts above the lead, with Ralph on top. Most bands will tell you that they spend a large percentage of their practice time working on the vocals. When it’s right, all three voices will be indistinguishable and no one voice will stand out. And it’ll ring like the horn on a train…

We spend a lot of time practicing our acoustic instruments. But bluegrass is all about vocals. If you don’t sing, you should give it a try! It’s your most important instrument!

In mid-July, you can spend an entire week with Dede at this year’s Camp Bluegrass in West Texas:

https://campbluegrass.com/. Dede also offers private lessons virtually, which you can arrange by

sending her email at [email protected].

https://campbluegrass.com/

mailto:[email protected]


ASSOCIATIONS Arizona Bluegrass Association 11411 N 91st Ave #213 Peoria, Az 85345 Leslie Rhodes President 602-565-3285 [email protected] www.arizonabluegrass.com

International Bluegrass Music Association 2 Music Circle South, Suite 100 Nashville, TN 37203 615-256-3222 Toll Free: 1-888-438-4262 http://www.ibma.org

International Bluegrass Music Museum Museum Entrance: 117 Daviess Street Mailing Address: 207 East Second Street Owensboro, KY 42303 270-926-7891 888-MY BANJO (toll-free)

So. Arizona Old Time Fiddlers Association 3020 W. Avenida Cresta Tucson, AZ 85745 Info: Wilbur 520-743-7086

Tucson Friends of Traditional Music Info: 520-408-6181 www.tftm.org

Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association PO Box 26531 Tucson, AZ 85726 www.tkma.org

Tucson Old Time Music Circle [email protected] Brad 520-818-0260 www.totmc.org

WELCOME TO OUR NEW & RETURNING MEMBERS

Richard Munyon ` Sauarita Jim Shamp Cheney, WA Cindy (CJ) MacNider Tucson Julie Katana Tucson Trudy Smith Marana David Michaud Tucson Tom Anderson Tucson Craig & Marcia Zimmerman McNeal

Jerry Farnsworth Tucson George Rinard Mesa Bill “Slim” Rost Tucson Rick Sparks Reno, NV Henry Kaldenbaugh Camp Verde Eddie Couch Phoenix Dot Jones Tucson Jim Dubois Tucson

DESERT BLUEGR ASS ASSOCIATION

8205 E . CROOKED TREE TRAIL

TUCSON, ARIZONA 85715

First name: Last name:

Street Address: City: State: Zip:

Home phone: Cell phone:

Email address:

Do you wish to be included in the Membership Directory? (check one) YesNo

What instruments do you play? Banjo BassFiddle Guitar MandolinResonator Guitarother

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM

Phone: 520-400-8853 Fax: 520-722-3173

E-mail: [email protected]

Membership dues for the Desert Bluegrass Association are $20 annually per family, due March 1st, and includes bulk mailing of the bi-monthly newsletter to each member. Members joining after November of any year will have their membership extended through the next year. Those joining before November must renew the following March 1st.

Complete this form then mail it, along with your personal check or money order payable to Desert Bluegrass Association, to:

Mike Headrick (DBA Membership Secretary) 13308 Placita el Algodon

Tucson, AZ 85749

WWW.DesertBluegrass.org

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

TUCSON, ARIZONA

PERMIT NO. 1830

MEMBER OF THE DESERT BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

Cut out this box The mailing label is now your DBA membership card

June/July 2017 Volume 23 Issue 1

GRASS CLIPPINGS - Desert Bluegrass...

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