International Bluegrass

IBInternational BluegrassVol. 28, No. 2February 2013

WORLD OFBLUEGRASS2013

LEADERSHIPBLUEGRASS

BLUEGRASS NATION

Cover story6 | World of Bluegrass

Schedule Announced

Features4 | Welcome to Bluegrass Nation

11 | Leadership Bluegrass Class of 2013

Departments3 | IBMA Office is Moving & You’re Invited

10 | IBMA Webinars to Continue February 2112 | IBMA Members Win With AirPlay Direct

Marketing Campaign12 | IBMA Youth Council Organized

13 | View Grammy Awards Online13 | New & Returning IBMA Members

14 | Recommendations Sought for Board Leadership15 | Fresh Sounds in the World of Bluegrass

16 | Bluegrass Music Industry News

International Bluegrass Music AssocationVol. 28 | No. 1 | January 2013

IBMA StaffNancy Cardwell, Executive DirectorJill Crabtree, Member/Convention Services DirectorKatherine Coe, Administrative/Media Assistant IB | International BluegrassEditor: Nancy Cardwell, [email protected]: Katherine Coe, [email protected]

INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS (ISSN #1095-0605)IBMA: Working together for high standards of professionalism, a greater appreciation for our music, and the success of the worldwide bluegrass community.

The monthly emailed publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association; 2 Music Circle South, Ste. 100; Nashville, TN 37203; USA; Phone: 615-256-3222, 888-GET-IBMA; FAX: 615-256-0450; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.ibma.org

Statements of fact and opinion are made on the responsibility of the writers alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers, directors, staff or members of IBMA. Portions of International Bluegrass may be reprinted provided that explicit citation of the source is made: “Reprinted with permission from International Bluegrass, the publication of the International Bluegrass Music Association, www.ibma.org.”

2 International Bluegrass

International Bluegrass

International Bluegrass 3

Whew! We sure have a lot of stuff!

How about this box of cassette tapes and a Bill Monroe 8-track!

These boxes store a treasure trove of photos from World of Bluegrass’ past. You’ve never seen so many mullets and tight jeans.

And finally…the photo that Cracker Barrel did not want you to see. You, too can be a genius the next time you are waiting for your pecan pancakes.

Official moving day is St. Valentines Day so if you were thinking of sending the IBMA gals some flowers and chocolates, send them to the new address. Our phone numbers, emails and other contacts will all stay the same of course, but expect that staff will be out of pocket from Thursday, February 14 through Monday, February 18.

We’ll take a few weeks to get unpacked and then we want everyone to come see our new digs! You are cordially invited to our first OPEN HOUSE on Wednesday, March 6 from 4:00-7:00 pm. We’ll have free tours with snacks and drinks included!

New Address (effective February 14):608 West Iris Drive Nashville, TN 37204(This is in the Berry Hill area for all the locals.)

IBMA Open HouseWednesday, March 64:00-7:00 pmSnacks and drinks servedRSVP to [email protected]

IBMA OFFICE IS

MOVING & YOU’RE

INVITED!


Welcome to Bluegrass Nation!

Bluegrass Nation, the newest online gathering place for people interested in bluegrass music, is now open to the public at www.bluegrassnation.org.

Developed by the International Bluegrass Music Association and designed by VibeThink.com, Blue-grass Nation is a unique, new site that combines elements of Face-book, Pinterest and Reddit—for bluegrass fans. The site went online just before IBMA’s annual World of Bluegrass conference last September.

“IBMA has needed this for a long time,” said Craig Havighurst, chair of IBMA’s Marketing Committee. "For more than 25 years IBMA has served its members: artists, record labels, promoters and broadcast-ers. But with Bluegrass Nation, we’re taking our passion to music

fans worldwide and developing new lovers of bluegrass music. At last we have a platform that will put links to all the news about our music in one place, alongside original content posted and shared by community members.

“We encourage bluegrass fans and pickers to make Bluegrass Nation a regular stop as they browse for news. And we hope that artists find Bluegrass Nation a great place to engage and promote their art. And with all that activity, I think people who are just discovering bluegrass music will find Bluegrass Nation an exciting and informative place to dig deeper.

“This hasn't been easy. It's something of a shift in outlook for IBMA and a site this complex took time and a lot of discussion. But now that the platform is up, it can become whatever bluegrass fans and artists want to make of it. It integrates with the key social media sites, so artists should find this high-impact/ low-work. For fans who want to post photos, video, original songs or commentary, it will be a field day.”

Artists, organizations (including events, associations and bluegrass-related businesses), and fans may sign up for a free profile page on Bluegrass Nation and start posting immediately. Posting options include original content, links to articles, photographs, links to videos through YouTube.com, and links to music utilizing Spotify or SoundCloud. Artists and organizations may also link Facebook and Twitter feeds to their Bluegrass Nation profile pages.

Members may post messages to other member profile pages, and instead of “liking” posts or


content on Bluegrass Nation, participants “pick” the items they like by clicking on a guitar-shaped icon. A featured article and a new video will be posted on the home page each day—spotlighting the latest bluegrass news from other online news sites and websites, along with new and vintage video mined from YouTube. We will spotlight bluegrass content from great sites like BluegrassToday.com , PrescriptionBluegrass.com , BluegrassCountry.org , Engine145.com , The Bluegrass Situation, Banjo Hangout , Bluegrass Legacy and mainstream sources.

In coming weeks, promotions and giveaways will be presented and regular editorial contributors will be posting new and historical articles, columns and stories. Labels, events, merchandisers and artists who would like to donate merch, services or tickets to be used in bi-monthly drawings will receive a trade ad on the site during their promotion.

Please also join us on the Bluegrass Nation Facebook page at facebook.com/BluegrassNation so you will receive messages about new content and promotions.

BLUEGRASS NATION TIPS & TRICKSGo to BluegrassNation.org .

Click JOIN BLUEGRASS NATION in the upper right corner.

Select “artist,” “organization,” or “fan” to follow the steps and fill out registration information, email preferences, and musical tastes.

Once you have completed these steps, you will see details explaining the site’s front page, pick it button, how to post something, and details on how to share content from YouTube, SoundCloud, and Spotify.

If you have an article or video you would like featured on the front page, email [email protected] for details!

Most of all, have fun and share your favorite bluegrass news with everyone on Bluegrass Nation! If you have additional questions, please consider signing up for the Webinar on February 21 hosted by IBMA Board member, Craig Havighurst and IBMA staff member, Katherine Coe.


WORLD OFBLUEGRASS

HOTEL RESERVATIONS, REGISTRATION & TICKET SALES LAUNCH MARCH 1Raleigh, NC | September 24-28

Register at ibma.org or by calling 1-888-GET-IBMA, and then make your hotel reservations!

Registration for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Events and hotel reservations will open March 1, 2013, for bluegrass music’s annual industry gathering and family reunion in Raleigh, North Carolina. The five-day event will feature the best in bluegrass networking, showcasing and professional development, with lower prices across the board for all tickets and hotel rates.

Please call 1-888-GET-IBMA or go to www.ibma.org to purchase World of Bluegrass Registration, IBMA Awards tickets, Wide Open Bluegrass weekend festival passes and Music Passes—and then call or go online to make reservations in our hotel block with discounted rates. We’ll be starting with four-night minimum stays at the Sheraton and the Marriott.

The business conference part of World of Bluegrass will feature new tracks for music presenters, emerging bands and youth, along with expanded showcase opportunities and a pro-active effort to reach out to new attendees in the roots music community, as well as local bluegrass fans in the Carolina region.

The festival portion of the week on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28 will be called “Wide Open Bluegrass” this year. Attendees will hear bands


that play full throttle, “wide open,” driving, traditional-edged bluegrass alongside edgy bands that draw from old-time string band, progressive, classical and jamgrass influences.

The entire community in Raleigh is eagerly awaiting our arrival for World of Bluegrass, and plans are in the works already for banners in the street, fireworks, a North Carolina Pork Barbecue Championship, a street fair surrounding IBMA weekend events, presentations at local schools, youth events, free transportation and shuttles around town, music in local clubs and cafes, camping at the nearby fairgrounds with full RV hook ups and showers…and more!

World of Bluegrass 2013 will take place at the Greater Raleigh Conven-tion Center, the Progress Energy Theater for the Performing Arts, and the Red Hat Amphitheater—all within easy walking distance. Evening and Afterhours Showcases will take place at the anchor hotels, plus stages at five more venues in town (just blocks away, or a short ride on the “R-Line” bus).

We’re getting started with ticket sales much earlier this year, so keep an eye on your email In Box and ibma.org for exciting updates and new details throughout the summer!

You won’t want to miss IBMA’s first World of Bluegrass in Raleigh!

WORLD OF BLUEGRASS 2013: RALEIGH, NC

Tuesday, September 24

10 am-8 pm Registration Open10 am-noon Leadership Bluegrass Alumni MasterclassNoon Orientation for Attendees1-2 pm Keynote Address2:30-5 pm Seminars 6 pm-2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites

Wednesday, September 25

8 am-9 pm Registration Open9-10 am Story Telling Sessions 10-10:30 am Check in for Music Presenters Day10:30-Noon Seminars 10:30-Noon Talent Buyer Pitching Event Noon-1:30 Showcase Lunch, Momentum Awards presented1:30-6 pm Exhibit Hall open3-4 pm Seminars 3-6 pm Artist Showcases 6-7:30 pm Receptions (DJ & Artists, Songwriters & Producers, Agents & Talent Buyers)6 pm – 2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites

Thursday, September 26

8 am-5 pm Registration Open9-10 am Storytelling Session9-11 am Seminars 10-11 am Gig Fair11 am-1 pm Special Awards Luncheon1-5 pm Exhibit Hall open


1-4 pm Seminars 2-3 pm Song Demo Listening Session3-4 pm Songwriter Showcase 4-5 pm Song Circles5:30-7 pm Nominees & Press Reception, “Blue” Carpet 7:30-10 pm International Bluegrass Music Awards (Progress Energy, Memorial Auditorium)10 pm-1 am Post Awards Show party 10 pm-2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites

Friday, September 27

8 am-10 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Ticket Sales open10-11 am Town Hall Meeting 10 am-7 pm Exhibit Hall open Noon-6 pm Wide Open Bluegrass stage 1 open (Conv Ctr Ballroom)11 am-Noon Emerging Band Track Check in, group sessionNoon-2 pm Seminars, Celebrity Jams Noon-6 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Street Fair6-11 pm Wide Open Bluegrass stage 2 open (Red Hat Amphitheater)Noon-6 pm Workshop Stage open1-3 pm Emerging Bands program block 1 3-5 pm Emerging Bands program block 26 pm-2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites

Saturday, September 28

8 am-10 pm Wide Open Bluegrass Ticket Sales open9 am-6 pm Street Fair, Barbecue Competition winners announced at noon

Noon-6 pm Wide Open Bluegrass stage 1 open (Conv Ctr Ballroom)10 am-7 pm Exhibit Hall open 11 am-Noon IBMA Youth Council Event Check-in, group session Noon-2 pm Seminars, Celebrity Jams6-11 pm Wide Open Bluegrass stage 2 open (Red Hat Amphitheater)Noon-5 pm Workshop Stage (Conv Ctr foyer)1-3 pm Youth program block 1 3-5 pm Youth program block 25-6 p.m. Youth Showcase 6 pm-2 am Artist Showcases & Afterhours Hospitality Suites

*Times and events subject to change.

Reminder... ARTIST SHOWCASE APPLICATION DEADLINE:February 15

More details at ibma.org

Raleigh Convention Center

WORLD OFBLUEGRASS

Our series of professional development webinars will continue in the WebEx.com video conference format Thursday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. Central with a session led by IBMA Marketing Committee chair/ Music City Roots producer Craig Havighurst and IBMA’s Katherine Coe.

The topic is How to Utilize Bluegrass Nation Effectively. Class size limit is 25, and the fee to participate is just $20 for IBMA members and $40 for non-members.

If you’re excited about the full roll-out of BluegrassNation.org and want to check out all the bells and whistles with a couple of the folks who have been involved in the creation of the site and managing content on a day-to-day basis, here’s your chance! Learn how to set up a free profile; how to post a performance or festival date on the calendar; and how to post original content, links to favorite articles or videos, photos and music.

To sign up, call the IBMA office at 888-GET-IBMA or (615) 256-3222 or email [email protected] . Spots will fill on a first come, first served basis.

IBMA WEBINARS TO CONTINUE FEBRUARY 21 HOW TO UTILIZE BLUEGRASS NATION EFFECTIVELY

Keep an eye on this publication and ibma.org for future webinar dates. Some are popular topics that bear repeating, some are reprised from World of Bluegrass 2012 sessions in Nashville, and some are totally new. Make plans to join us, and please email [email protected] if you have a topic you would like to suggest (or lead) as an IBMA webinar!

Upcoming webinar topics:

Managing Your Band from a Cell Phone

Sharing Live Performances on the Web with Stageit and Concert Window

How to get your Music on the Radio (Tips to make DJs your best friends)

Stage Presence: Developing a Connection with Your Live Audience

Digital Music Discovery & the Independent Artist: Latest Trends

The Legal Basics of Songwriting & Publishing

Recording Acoustic Music: Tips & Tricks of the Trade

How to Make Money from Your YouTube Channel

Creative Music Arrangement

How to Write a Bluegrass-Related Book

Time Management & the Art of Juggling

Co-Writing: How Does this Work Exactly?

New Options for (Easily) Creating & Updating Your New Website

Event Volunteer Management & Support

Craig Havighurst Katherine Coe


The International Bluegrass Music Association is pleased to announce the following participants in the 2013 class of Leadership Bluegrass:

Darin Aldridge; Darin and Brooke Aldridge; Cherryville, NCMelissa Armstrong; Detour; Sand Lake, MIAndrea Ball; Make Welcome Entertainment; Washington, DCKatherine Coe; IBMA; Nashville, TNJeremy Darrow; The Erin McDermott Band/Freelance Musician; Nashville, TNJohn DeMarce; DC Bluegrass Union; Washington, DCSusie Glaze; Hilonesome Music, Susie Glaze & the Hilonesome Band; Burbank, CAKC Groves; Artist & Composer; Lyons, COKayla Hotte; Kayla Hotte & her Rodeo Pals; Ardrossan, Alberta, CACaroline Isachsen; Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Delmar, NYSteven Johnson; MerleFest; Wilkesboro, NCLori King; Bluegrass Music Association of Iowa; Drakesville, IAJordan Laney; Appalachian State University; Vilas, NCRon Murphy; Muddy River Band; Wilmington, OHAmy Reitnouer; The Bluegrass Situation; Los Angeles, CA Carolyn Routh; Nu-Blu, Red Squared Audio; Siler City, NCSheila Selby; Boston Bluegrass Union; Brookline, MACarly Smith; International Bluegrass Music Museum; Owensboro, KYErin Stamper; WAMU’s Bluegrass Country; Washington, DCShannon Turner; Freelance Writer/Journalist; Hermitage, TNMissy Werner; The Missy Werner Band; Liberty Township, OHJill Wiese; Bluegrass Association of North Dakota; Washburn, NDKristi Wilcox; Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP; Nashville, TNCourtney Wothen; PineCone – The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music; Raleigh, NC

Leadership Bluegrass, now in its 14th year with more than 300 alumni, is an intensive three-day program of advanced level, interactive learning experiences that invites participants to examine the challenges and opportunities facing our music, along with related leadership issues.

Leadership Bluegrass will be hosted this year at BMI and Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC in Nashville, Thursday – Saturday, March 7-9 and will be facilitated by Trisha Tubbs. Our Platinum Sponsors this year include BMI, The Bluegrass Heritage Foundation and Bone McAllester Norton LLC. Please contact the IBMA office for information on future Leadership Bluegrass programs: (615) 256-3222, [email protected] .

LEADERSHIP BLUEGRASS CLASS OF 2013


IBMA MEMBERS WIN WITH AIRPLAY DIRECT MARKETING CAMPAIGN


AirPlay Direct has partnered with IBMA to give members a $50.00 gift credit toward any AirPlay Direct Marketing & Awareness Campaign.

So far, five winners were selected at random from IBMA’s membership roster and have been notified of their prize. Congratulations to:

Philippe WeberKarl KerseyAmy Reitnouer

There are more prizes to be awarded, so look for more winners to be announced soon!

AirPlay Direct is a digital delivery system developed for artists, radio programmers and music industry professionals. AirPlay Direct makes it possible to send secure broadcast-quality music and digital press kits to radio stations, booking agents, promoters and music supervisors worldwide.

Angela YoungScott Barnett

and Daniel Boner (ETSU Bluegrass Dept.) serve as consultants.

The group held its first organizational meeting last September during World of Bluegrass in Nashville.They are still working on the final version of a mission statement, but their goals so far include speaking collectively for the youth of IBMA, facilitating youth projects and industry mentoring opportunities, and working to share bluegrass music with more young people.

The Youth Council is currently working on ideas for World of Bluegrass 2013 in Raleigh, including a special track of events on Saturday, Sept. 28. Youth Council members are also researching ideas for an environmentally friendly, "green" focus to suggest to Wide Open Bluegrass Festival producers.

IBMA's new Youth Council met by video-conference January 29 and elected Andrew Rigney, with The Rigneys, as chairperson. Current Youth Council members include: Casey Campbell, Danielle Yother, Frannie Digiovanni, Susannah Armstrong, Brandy Miller, Jacob Moore and Rigney. Katherine Coe is the IBMA staff liaison, and Danny Clark (International Bluegrass Music Museum, IBMA Board of Directors), Kim Fox (IBMA's Kids on Bluegrass, artist/songwriter),

IBMA YOUTH COUNCIL ORGANIZED

VIEW GRAMMY AWARDS ONLINEFebruary 10

The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held Sunday, February 10, 2013, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET). For a complete nominations list, please visit www.grammy.com .

To view awards presentations, watch GRAMMY Live.com online at www.grammy.com/live , beginning at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.

Bluegrass Album Nominees:The Gospel Side Of Dailey & Vincent, Dailey & Vincent [Rounder/Cracker Barrel]Life Finds A Way, The Grascals [Mountain Home Music Company]Beat The Devil And Carry A Rail, Noam Pikelny [Compass Records]Scratch Gravel Road, Special Consensus [Compass Records]Nobody Knows You, Steep Canyon Rangers [Rounder]


NEW & RETURNING IBMA MEMBERS!

Nancy AdamsJim AlbrittonDustin BlacksonJohn BreeseDaniel GreesonBrian GullifordJack HoneycuttTracy JenkinsJordan LaneyPaul RaffertyVeronica SamsKen SmithLin StognerSkip TaylorJill WieseKristi Marie Wilcox

Mike AndesDick BeckleyLouis BennettDaniel BonerPatrick BouldinKelly Bozeman

Steven BrechterKeith BrockLaura BrownEthan BurkhardtEd CarnesMichael ChamplinLarry CordleJon CornatzerClarence DreherMike FinnArnie FleischerRobert FrakerSusie GlazeSilas KevinRobert GribbleHoward HarrisVicki HastCharles HaymesByron JillJames HortonCarl JacksonMartha JonesRoyce Jordan

Eddie JordanMichael KellyMike KosterLonnie LassiterLaura LehningTed LolleyJoel LongCountry Music FoundationWayne MillingtonBarry MitterhoffAlan MundeLukas MurphyLora MurphyRon MurphyJordan NanceLarry NixonDennis NovakLarry NunleyAlan O’BryantPatrick O’NealDan PehaKen PerlmanTom Pittman

Clifton PreddyMark RamseyDeirdra RansomJim SeldinWayne SherryEarle SimmonsMatthew SlocumDanna StrongB.J. SuterKenji TakeuchiTed ThompsonWally ThulinCarl ViscontiPriscilla WarnockBetty WestmorelandBetty WheelerJoe WillisRichard WilsonAlbert WorthyCelia Wyckoff


IBMA is seeking written recommendations for members interested in serving on the organization’s board of directors. The seats to be filled by election by fellow members during 2013 include representatives for:

Artists, Composers & Music PublishersAssociationsInternational repMerchandisers & LuthiersAt Large

The board is the policy-making body responsible for IBMA’s mission achieved through its programs, functions, business affairs and property. The board is also responsible for appointing its officers and delegating day-to-day management of the association to committees and staff. They serve without compensation and are expected to bear the cost of attending all board meetings and IBMA functions. (For a complete list of expectations of board members, contact IBMA.)

Any person being recommended for a particular board seat should be a current professional member of IBMA and belong to the membership category for which he or she is being consid-ered. The best candidates are those who bring special knowledge and skills to the board, who are willing and able to commit the time to be productive board members, and who help IBMA’s board represent the diversity within our membership.

From the full list of eligible candidates, the committee will select and recruit a slate of at least two (but not more than four) nominees for each board seat for which an election is being held.

Recommendations should be received in writing before February 15 and should include a brief outline of the proposed candidate’s credentials, previous experience on boards, and vision for the future of IBMA. Each letter or email should also include a return address, email and phone number in case the nominating committee needs additional information.

Mail emails or letters of recommendation to:

IBMA Board Nominating Committee 608 W. Iris Drive Nashville, TN 37204 USA [email protected]

RECOMMENDATIONS SOUGHT FOR BOARD LEADERSHIP


FRESH SOUNDS IN THE WORLD OF BLUEGRASS

February 2013

Jesse Dee, On My Mind/ In My Heart, www.jessedee.comJohn Lowell, I Am Going to The West, www.johbnlowell.com

Tim Smith & Friends, Fiddler Tim Smith & Friends, TRS Records, [email protected]

Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, The Farthest Horizon, www.sleepymanbanjo.comVarious Artists, God Didn’t Choose Sides—Civil War True Stories about Real

People, Rural Rhythm Records, www.ruralrhythm.comThe SteelDrivers, Hammer Down, Rounder Records, www.rounder.com

Wood & Wire, Wood & Wire, www.woodandwireband.com

photo by Mark Stultz


BLUEGRASS MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWSFEBRUARY 2013

AGENTS, MANAGERS & PRJunior Sisk & Ramblers Choice have signed with Make Welcome Entertainment for public relations for the band in 2013.

Rock House Entertainment is a new enter-tainment company started by Joey Jones and Jamie Dean of the bluegrass band Cumberland River. Rock House offers book-ing, management, and publicity services for bluegrass and bluegrass gospel bands as well as music venues and festivals. Their roster includes the bands Raisin’ Cain, The Velvet Blue, Laurel River Line and Cumber-land River. Info: (606) 574-8918, [email protected]

Donica Christensen announced recently that she has left the staff of Sugar Hill Records, after five fulfilling years, to take a new position at All Eyes Media. LLC, based in East Nashville. For Sugar Hill publicity, please contact Lucy Sabini at Vanguard Records ([email protected]). Here’s Donica’s new contact info: Donica Christensen, All Eyes Media, LLC, PO Box 60539, Nashville, TN 37206-0539, P: (615) 227-2770, E: [email protected], www.alleyesmedia.com

ARTISTS & COMPOSERS

Congratulations to the following artists whose music is topping charts at press time.

The Spinney Brothers, “Memories,” written by Marshall Warwick (Mountain Fever) – Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey

Balsam Range, Papertown, (Mountain Home) – Bluegrass Unlimited Top 15 Bluegrass Albums Chart

Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, “Bottom of a Mountain,” written by Don McKinnon, (Rebel Records)

Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Timeless Hits from the Past: Bluegrassed (Cracker Barrel)

Billboard magazine is not including a Blue-grass Albums Chart in its 2013 print publica-tion, but the chart may be found online at www.billboard.com/charts/bluegrass-albums . The chart is also at Billboard.biz .

Following are some statistics from the Billboard Bluegrass Albums Chart for 2012:

Top charting artists: Trampled by Turtles, Dailey & Vincent, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Old Crow Medicine Show, Punch Brothers.

Top charting bluegrass albums: The Goat Rodeo Sessions, by Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile (Song Classical/Sony Masterworks); Stars and Satellites, by Trampled by Turtles (BanjoDad/Thirty Tigers); The Gospel Side of Dailey & Vincent, by Dailey & Vincent (Rounder/Cracker Barrel); Paper Airplane, by Alison Krauss & Union Station (Rounder/Concord); Carry Me Back, by Old Crow Medicine Show (ATO); Rare Bird Alert, by Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers (40 Share/Rounder/Concord); Who’s Feeling Young Now? by Punch Brothers (Nonesuch/Warner Brothers);


Leaving Eden, by the Carolina Chocolate Drops, (Nonesuch/Warner Brothers); Why Can’t We, by The Isaacs, (Nonesuch/ Warner Brothers); Follow Me Down, by Sarah Jarosz (Sugar Hill/Welk).

Top bluegrass album imprints: Rounder, Sony Classical, Nonesuch, BanjoDad, and ATO.

Top bluegrass album labels: Sony Mas-terworks, Concord, Warner Brothers, Thirty Tigers, Cracker Barrel.

Top bluegrass album distributors: Inde-pendents, Sony Music, Universal, WEA, EMM.

The new group featuring legendary blue-grass artists J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Del McCoury, Jerry McCoury and Bobby Osborne, “The Masters of Bluegrass,” debuted Jan. 26 for a sold out crowd in

Bowling Green, KY. “I’ve been knowing all of these guys for a long, long time,” chuckles Del McCoury, “and it just feels good to stand on stage with them. We all know all the old songs, so those just fall into place, and we’re working on each other’s songs—and some new things, too. It’s exciting to see the way it’s all coming together.” Check out the new superband’s practice video at www.youtu.be/6q6ZUcsrsi0 .

Charlie Sizemore has been recognized by Big Sandy Community & Technical College in Prestonsburg, KY. as Distinguished Alumni of the Year for 2012. Sizemore attended the school from 1986-88. Over the past ten years Charlie raised more than $70,000 to fund schol-arships that helped deserving students in East-ern Kentucky to attend the college.

Don Wayne Reno, Dale Reno and Mitch Harrell have formed a new band, Reno & Harrell. Also included: Robbie Wells on fiddle and Billy Rose on bass. They’re working on an

The Masters of Bluegrass


album of their fathers’ greatest hits, which will be released later this year.

The Grascals performed “Mystery Train,” from their Grammy-nominated album, Life Finds a Way (Mountain Home), on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Jan. 25. Two-time Oscar winner Robert DeNiro was also a guest and met with the band backstage. The Grascals also performed Jan. 21 at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, for a celebration of the Inauguration of the President of the United States.

Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, featuring Edie Brickell will perform songs from their album Love Has Come for You as well as songs from Rare Bird Alert and other new tunes at their North American tour which kicks off May 22 in Ft. Meyers, FL. The new collaboration is set for release on April 23 on Rounder Records. Info: www.stevemartin.com

The Tina Adair Band will be celebrating the release of a new album Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. at The Station Inn in Nashville, TN. The new album is called Born Bad.

The Gooseneck Rockers is a new Virginia-based bluegrass band featuring Tom Adams on guitar, Marshall Wilborn on bass, and Casey Henry on banjo. Info: www.gooseneckrockers.com

The Greencards, an Australian band now based in Nashville, are touring Kansas and Oklahoma in February. Info here: www.thegreencards.com

Cats and the Fiddler will close out their 12-year run as a bluegrass band with concerts March, April and May in Michigan. Thanks for the music, guys! Info: www.catsandthefiddler.com

Congratulations to Nashville-based fiddler and entertainment business attorney Stephanie Taylor and her husband Dave, on the birth of their daughter, Coralee Beth Taylor, on Jan. 8.

Attention, Songwriters:Nashville songwriter Julie Pennell is hosting Open Mics at Memorial, a songwriter round scheduled for the last Saturday of each month, 4-7 p.m., at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nashville, TN. Address:1211 Riverside Drive, Nashville, TN 37206.

The Sandra James Music Foundation Songwriter Contest is now underway, Jan. 1-March 31. First place is $3,500. For an entry form, go to www.sandrajames.com or the foundation’s Facebook page.

ASSOCIATION NEWSBean Creek and Snap Jackson & The Knock on Wood Players tied for Best Blue-grass Band at the Northern California Bluegrass Awards held in Redwood City, CA Jan. 26. The Awards were part of the Northern California Bluegrass Society’s Bluegrass on Broadway Festival. Four Bay Area women bluegrass music pioneers, Kim Elking, Laurie Lewing, Kathy Kallick and Beth Weil, received Lifetime Achievement Awards. More info: www.scbs.org/events/bob

Steven BrechterKeith BrockLaura BrownEthan BurkhardtEd CarnesMichael ChamplinLarry CordleJon CornatzerClarence DreherMike FinnArnie FleischerRobert FrakerSusie GlazeSilas KevinRobert GribbleHoward HarrisVicki HastCharles HaymesByron JillJames HortonCarl JacksonMartha JonesRoyce Jordan

The Grascals with Robert DeNiro


The California Bluegrass Association (CBA) has named Della Mae as the Emerging Artist for 2013 who will perform at their 2013 Father’s Day Festival Jan. 13-16 at Grass Valley, CA. The CBA has also hired Kate Hamre, director of Bluegrass Camps for Kids, to organize a bluegrass camp for children during the Father’s Day Festival this year. Info: www.bluegrasscampsforkids.com

SEBA, the Southeastern Bluegrass Asso-ciation, chartered its 14th chapter at the Blueridge Music Academy in Clayton, GA in December, to represent the far northeastern Georgia and southeastern North Carolina area. The Blueridge Academy is a music school where instruments are also built and repaired.

The newsletter of the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) is now titled Minnesota Bluegrass. Info: www.minnesotabluegrass.org

The Kansas Bluegrass Association’s 24th Annual Winter Bluegrass Festival will be hosted Feb. 15-16 at the Marriott Hotel in Wichita, KS. The Gibson Brothers, Special Consensus, Shadow Ridge, Triple L Band, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado and The Greenhorns will headline. Info: www.kansasbluegrass.org

Balsam Range will perform Feb. 9 at the next Seven Mountains Bluegrass Association Music Series show, at the Goodwill Fire Company in York, PA. Info: (717) 395-7128

Scenic Tennessee has been awarded $100,000 by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to produce a series of quick-paced videos that apply the power of Tennes-see music to the problem of Tennessee litter. Tentatively called “Tennessee Speed Clean-ups,” the project involves videotaping dozens of litter pickups across the state, digitally accel-erating the footage, then setting it to original or traditional music performed by amateur as well as professional musicians. Enhanced with

captions, credits and images from 20 years of Scenic Tennessee photo contests, the completed videos will be shared via tradi-tional media as well as sites like Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. UT Knoxville’s student environmental group SPEAK will oversee the social media side of the project. Information will soon be available at www.tnspeedcleanups.org. In the mean-time, parties interested in knowing more can contact Marge Davis at [email protected] or 615 294-2651. Bluegrass journalist Doug Fulmer is on the board of Scenic Tennessee, and has been appointed to the committee that will coordi-nate the new project.

The Americana Music Association announced its revised mission statement, newly appointed Executive Committee and goals for the 2013 calendar year during its annual Board of Directors retreat in Nash-ville, TN in January. The mission of the Americana Music Association is to advocate for the authentic voice of American Roots Music around the world. Additionally the Board has appointed a new Executive Committee: Holly Lowman, artist manager from Ramseur Records has been named President; independent consultant Brad Paul will remain on the Board as Past-President; producer Mark Moffatt will serve as President-Elect; and the Grammy Museum’s Lynne Sheridan will serve as Secretary. The three At Large Executive Committee members are Amanda Hale, New West Records; John Ingrassia, Vector Management and Jessie Scott of Music Fog and Hill Country. Kurt Vitolo will continue in his role as Treasurer. These positions are held for one-year terms. The 2013 Board brings new directors Shauna De Cartier of Six Shooter Records, Ingrassia; Paradigm’s Jonathan Levine and Lynne Sheridan from the Grammy Museum. The incoming direc-tors join Ashley Capps of AC

Entertainment, Rodney Crowell, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Mary Gauthier, Hale, Nashville attorney Wayne Halper, Voice of America’s Joan Kornblith, Austin City Limits’ Terry Lickona, Lowman, Buddy Miller, Moffatt, Al Moss, Paul, Scott, Vitolo and Emilee Warner from Crash Avenue.

BROADCASTERSReno’s Old Time Music Festival hosted by Ronnie Reno on BlueHighways TV, is now on television in 60 million homes, with the recent acquisition of 20 million additional homes on FamilyNet TV.

Congratulations to IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award recipient Bill Knowlton, who celebrated 40 years on central New York airwaves with his show, the “Bluegrass Ramble” Jan. 21, 2013.

650 AM WSM marked the 30th radio anniversary of longtime evening show host and Country Radio Hall of Famer Eddie Stubbs January 14 with an evening of music and celebration at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. The live show aired on 650 AM and WSMOnline.com. Visit www.wsmonline.com to access the special on-air content. WSM morning man Bill Cody hosted the event that featured performances and speeches from Country Music Hall of Fame members Bill Anderson, Ray Price and Jean

Shepard, along with Josh Turner, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Dailey & Vincent, Gene Watson, Riders In The Sky, Duane & Norah Lee Allen, Cheryl White, Bobby Wright, Larry Stephenson, Shawn Camp and Ronnie Bowman, plus a pre-recorded message and gospel performance of “Wonderful” from the Chuck Wagon Gang. Recorded messages and letters were also presented from long-time friends Hairl Hensley, Steve Wariner, Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard. Tennessee Music Commissioner Hank Adam Locklin presented a proclamation from Governor Bill Haslam naming Jan. 14 a day of recognition for Stubbs in Tennessee. ““I was truly blessed by every participant of the evening,” said Stubbs. “Aside from their status in the industry, those talents were delivered by some of my personal favorites in the business.” Stubbs began his radio career in 1983 at WYII in Williamsport, Maryland, moving the following year to WAMU in Washington, D.C. where his programs were heard until 2007. His WSM career started in 1995 doing historical research and on-air work, later that same year becoming a Grand Ole Opry announcer. He began the 7 p.m. to midnight shift on July 8, 1996, and now 16 years later, he holds the record as the longest consecutively tenured host for that time slot since WSM began. He was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. (Photo by: Anthony Scarlati)

Eddie Stubbs & Ray Price

EVENT PRODUCERSRob Ickes, IBMA’s Dobro Player of the Year, announces: “On Feb. 12, I'll be participating in a special performance of Mike Auldridge music at The Birchmere (in Washington, D.C.), along with other friends of Mike, includ-ing Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, David Bromberg, John Starling, Tom Gray, Fred Travers and The Seldom Scene, Sally Van Meter, and many more. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster. If you are in range, I hope to see you there - or if the Birchmere is too far, I hope you'll join us in spirit on February 12 to celebrate this legendary life.”

The Mockingbird Sings will be performed at the Z. Alexander Looby Theater in downtown Nashville February 1 & 2 at 8:00 p.m. The play centers around the origins of country through main character Eddie Snow, who forges his ideas into a new style of music, joined by the ranks of common folks all over the region of Appalachia who did the same. It was produced and created by Nashvillian songwriter/playwrights Sharon Cort, Terry Harkleroad and Blounteville's noted historian Dr. Nancy Hamblen Acuff. The play is set in 1927, as Eddie records his first song at the famed Bristol Sessions in Bristol, Tennessee/Virgina alongside Jimmie Rodg-ers, and The Carter Family, becoming what now is commonly held as the birth of country music. Tickets are available online at www.ticketsnashville.com or at the door.

For more than 60 years Neila Hyatt has been hosting bluegrass music in her Asheville, NC home, known by many as Mrs. Hyatt’s Music House. Recent events, however, have threatened the very existence of this trea-sured landmark. Anderson Nissan, owner of the adjacent dealership, has offered to host the weekly Thursday night jams through the end of April when the Music House must either be moved or demolished. A series of

events has been planned to raise the needed $200,000 to relocate the Music House to another nearby property in Ashe-ville before the April 30, 2013 deadline. The kickoff will take place February 10 at the VFW Club on Leciester Highway from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This occasion will feature a day of music and a Chili Cornbread Cook-off. “The Battle of the Bands Unplugged,” scheduled for April will take place in various locations throughout the five counties surrounding Asheville and will feature a wide range of acoustic musicians and songwriters from the region. The event will also include a motorcycle “Poker Run.” Info: (828) 633-1136, [email protected]

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver will make their second appearance on Song of the Mountains at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, VA on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Also appearing: The Grass Cats, the Smith Family Band and Dixie Ridge. Tickets and information is available at www.songofthemountains.org or by calling 276-783-6093. March 2, 2013 Song of the Mountains will feature the Kruger Brothers, Nathan Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, Mark Newton and Steve Thomas, Paula Dellenback and Fox River and West Wend. Song of the Mountains/The Lincoln Theatre is a non-profit organization under-written for public television. Info: Tim White, 423-383-7829, [email protected], www.songofthemountains.org

Patuxent Music will be the primary sponsor for The Mid-Atlantic Bluegrass Band Contest on Friday, February 22, 2013 at the Holiday Inn in College Park, MD. This event will feature some of the best regional bluegrass talent as they compete for cash prizes totaling $1,300 and a performance slot in the DC Bluegrass Festival on Satur-day, February 23, 2013. The Mid-Atlantic Band Contest is presented by the DC


Bluegrass Union as part of the DC Bluegrass Festi-val, honoring the 70-year tradition of bluegrass music in the greater DC area. This family-friendly event offers a full day of bands, vendors, instrument workshops and much more. WAMU’s Bluegrass Country and Holiday Inn are also participating spon-sors of the DC Bluegrass Festival. Visit www.dcbu.org for the latest festival details and announcements.

LUTHIERS & MERCHANDISERS The Deering Banjo Company has created the limited edition Goodtime “Sweet 16” banjo to com-memorate the 16th anniversary of the Goodtime series that was first launched in September 1996.

Bourgeois Guitars of Maine announce their Aged Tone Series line of premium guitars. The Aged Tone tops are cured by a process known as “thermo curing,” or “roasting.” Tops treated by this process are notably lightser, more stable and louder.

OVER JORDAN (sources: Bluegrass Unlimited, Bluegrass Today)

Willie Ackerman, 73, a Nashville session drummer who played on several bluegrass recordings in the 1960s (Flatt & Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, The Osborne Brothers, Mac Wiseman), died Dec. 13, 2012 at the age of 73.

Walter Hensley, best known for his banjo playing with Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys, died Nov. 24, 2012 at the age of 76. Referred to as “The Banjo Baron of Baltimore,” Hensley recorded two solo banjo albums on Capitol and Rebel Records in 1964 and 1969. In the ‘70s he led his own group, the Dukes of Bluegrass; he performed with Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass; and more recently he teamed up with James Reams to record James Reams, Walter Hensley and the Barons of Bluegrass on the Copper Creek label in 2003.

Banjo player Red Spurlock, 82, who helped pioneer bluegrass music in Dayton, Ohio along with the Osborne Brothers, Red Allen, Frank Wakefield and others, died Nov. 12, 2012. His band was called the Rainbow Ram-blers. Spurlock was teaching banjo at Sinclair community College and performing with Evan Lanier & the Bluegrass Express last year.

William B. Biltshire, 84, died Dec. 7, 2012 in Virginia. He began his career as a teenager on WRVA’s Old Dominion Barn Dance, and later worked with Mac Wiseman, the Bailey Brothers, and Bill Clifton. As a Dixie Mountain Boy, Biltshire played fiddle on Bill Clifton’s 1953-58 recordings for Blue Ridge and Star-day. During the 1970s and ‘80s he performed with the Richmond, VA band, Blue Ridge and some local Western Swing bands.

Multi-instrumentalist Billy Joe Foster, died at the age of 51 in Oklahoma Jan. 23 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Foster performed with the Country Gazette and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thun-der. He was also the banjo player with a band called Special Edition in the 1980s which included Joe Diffie with Craig and Terry Fletcher.

RECORD LABELS & PUBLISHERSRural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the new Bluegrass single, “That Janie Baker” by Marty Raybon & Full Circle released in January to radio via the label’s Fresh Cut & Key


Tracks CD and at AirplayDirect.com. The song appears on Marty’s straight-up new bluegrass album, The Back Forty, releasing in March celebrating his 40 years entertaining audiences around the world.

Also from Rural Rhythm: Award-winning singer-songwriter, Dale Pyatt has released the first single, “Run Secretariat Run” to radio. The song was written by Dale Pyatt and Charlie Hall and is now available to radio stations at AirplayDirect.com. Dale Pyatt, the album, is now available for digital purchase at CD Baby and the physical version is set for release on Tuesday, February 5, 2013. The album features original Americana, bluegrass and country music by Pyatt, who collaborates with song-writers including Bill Castle, “Brink” Brinkman and Steve Thomas.

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to present a special event album God Didn’t Choose Sides: Civil War True Stories About Real People. The album release date is February 12 on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. Project creator Sam Passamano, II explains, “Even as a young child I have always been drawn to the events and people during the Civil War, probably because of the importance these years had on our American history and culture. Being a second generation record executive and the president of Rural Rhythm Records, I have had a dream for a long time to do a different type of Civil War album project. There are many songs available about the popular military commanders, battles and the politics, but I wanted to focus on real stories about the common soldiers, citizens, slaves and immigrants whose lives, and the lives of those around them, were changed forever because of the Civil War…these true stories and people should not be forgotten or lost through the years”.

Produced by Steve Gulley, God Didn’t Choose Sides contains songs written by: Paula Breedlove, Mark Brinkman, Brad Davis, Ray Edwards, Mike Evans, Terry Foust, Steve Gulley and Tim Stafford with performances by artists including Marty Raybon, Russell Moore, Ronnie Bowman, Lonesome River Band, Dale Ann Bradley, Carrie Hassler, Bradley Walker, Tim Staf-ford, Steve Gulley, and more. Accompany-ing the 13 song album is an extensive 16 page booklet filled with historical notes, photographs and lyrics on the songs. “I’m Almost Home” written by Steve Gulley and Tim Stafford and is performed by Steve Gulley has been sent to radio stations and is available on AirPlay Direct. More info: RuralRhythm.com

Pinecastle Records is proud to announce they have signed Mark Newton and Steve Thomas to its roster. Their debut album is titled Reborn and will be released on April 9, 2013.

HEARD ROUND THE WORLDThe Spinney Brothers, billed as “Canada’s International Bluegrass Band,” are proud to announce that “Memories,” the first single from their latest Mountain Fever Records CD by the same name, has reached #1 on Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top 30 Songs chart for February 2013. From the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, Canada, brothers Allan Spinney on guitar and vocals and Rick Spinney on banjo and vocals debuted their band in 1992.

The European Bluegrass Music Associa-tion is happy to confirm the arrangements for the 5th European Bluegrass Summit on the weekend of 15 - 17 March 2013.


The event will take place in the beautiful city of Prague and will be hosted by Rosťa Čapek and Ivana Louková. The Summit will be held under the auspices of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

The summit is open to all, professionals and non-professionals, members and non-members of the European or other national associations, who think they may benefit from sharing ideas and best practices with like-minded people doing similar work in other countries. This includes fans, musicians, promoters, journalists, webmasters, national association reps and anyone else with a personal, professional, or organizational inter-est in bluegrass in Europe.

Goals of the 5th European Bluegrass SummitIn line with EBMA's mission to work together to support bluegrass music across borders, the summit aims to provide bluegrass enthusiasts and activists with a forum for exchange on subjects in which they take a personal and active interest. New subjects will hopefully be raised.

Topics for group sessions in 2013The group sessions are essential forums for interested parties to exchange best practices and ideas on the subjects in question. The EBMA board suggests the following topic for discussion in 2013:

- IBMA: relationship and relevance for Europe- EFN, EBMA Festival Network- Touring Europe

- Touring the U.S.- Make a PR concept (for bands, festivals, organizations)- Organizing workshops, for music teachers and workshop organizers.

Saturday concertA bluegrass concert will star Pete and Joan Wernick, Bill Keith and some more European and Czech bands and musicians. More information soon at www.capek.us.

European Bluegrass Pioneer and Per-sonality AwardsIt is the first time the EBMA will be giving away Awards. The committee of respected experts (Lilly Pavlak, Richard Hawkins, Paolo Dettwiler, Christian Seguret, Bruno Steffen, Eberhard Finke) has been working on the selection process since 2012. The Awards will be presented at the Saturday concert.

Trading T-ShirtsIf you want to get rid of the old T-shirts from your festival or organisation (as well as stickers, badges, CDs...) BRING THEM! The other participants might like them, take them, wear them and promote your event in another part of the world!

Petr Brandejs is the president of the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA), and the following individuals are members of the EBMA Board: Angelika Torrie, Rienk Janssen, Dagfinn Pedersen, Martino Coppo, Christopher Howard-Williams, Chris Keenan.

Contact Information / European Bluegrass Summit Organization: Iva Louková: e-mail; tel. +420 603 907 416

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IBInternational BluegrassVol. 28, No. 2February 2013

International Bluegrass

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Transcript of International Bluegrass