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Vol. 29 No. 5 May 2014
international
bluegrassIB
Showcase Artists AnnouncedDAILEY & VINCENT
CHANCES TO WIN
RememberingGeorge Shuf f ler
Statement 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.”
Editor: Taylor [email protected]
Designer: Erin Erdos [email protected]
Alan Bartram/Director, Artists/Composers/PublishersCindy Baucom/Vice Chair
Becky Buller/At LargeDanny Clark/At Large
Jamie Deering/Director, Merchandisers/LuthiersRegina Derzon/Director, Associations
Henri Deschamps/At LargeCraig Ferguson/Director, Event Producers
Craig Havighurst/Secretary, Print/Media/EducationCarl Jackson/Director, Artists & Composers
William Lewis/At LargeNed Luberecki/Director, Broadcast Media
Stephen Mougin/At LargeBrian Smith/Director, Agents/Managers/PublicistsBen Surratt/Director, Recording/Dist./Marketing
Tim Surrett/Director, Artists/Composers/PublishersAngelika Torrie/Director, International
Elizabeth Wightman/Treasurer, At Large
CONTACT USThe monthly emailed publication of the
International Bluegrass Music Association
608 W. Iris Drive, Nashville, TN 37204 USA615-256-3222 | 888-GET-IBMA
Fax: 615-256-0450 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ibma.org
Jon Weisberger/Board Chairperson
INFO
BOARD
STAFF
Nancy Cardwell Executive Director
Joe LurgioMember/Convention
Services DirectorEddie Huffman
Technology & Office Systems Manager
Taylor CoughlinSpecial Projects Director
Publications Editor
INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS(ISSN #1095-0605)
IBMA: IBMA is the trade association that connects and educates bluegrass professionals, empowers the bluegrass
community, and encourages worldwide appreciation of bluegrass music of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
International BluegrassVol. 29 | No. 5 | May 2014
FeatureS
table of contents
24| Dailey & Vincent
20| A life: George Shuffler remembered
Departments
4 | Letter from the editor
6 | Spring board meeting report
28 | Membership news
31 | welcome new members: May
34| Bluegrass Industry News
News
8 | Bluegrass ramble showcase artists
16 | Contest: Country’s family bluegrass
18| Ramble sponsorship opportunities
26| Berklee roots weekend Scholarship opportunity
27| WOB FIlm festval taking submissions
29| Nominations for special awards -Deadline approaching
32| Fresh sounds
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org4
EDITORIAL Celebrate good times (come on)
by Taylor C oughlin
I love the month of May. It is the best month of the year! Think about it, May has:
• Mother’s Day (Lookin’ at you, Mom!)
• Memorial Day
• School’s out!
• No Diet Day (May 6. You’ll find me eating pie for breakfast)
• Clean Up Your Room Day (May 10. Parents, you’re welcome)
• Buy A Musical Instrument Day (May 22)
• My birthday, as well as Jerry Douglas’ a day later (Joint birthday party, any-one?! In my birthday dreams)
May also sees: National Barbecue Month, National Bike Month, and National Physical Fitness Month. All are reasons fully worthy of celebration, if you ask me.
See, you can’t argue it! May allows us to CELEBRATE! Celebrate people whom we have loved and lost, celebrate the change in seasons, celebrate barbecues and bikes, and shed our cold weather clothes for good and embrace the life and warmth that’s all around us. And did I mention it’s my birthday?
At IBMA, it seems like there is something worthy of celebration every month, whether we launch a new member initiative, reveal a new website and logo, or announce a new and exciting aspect of our World of Bluegrass event. It’s the little things that become the bigger things, and to celebrate them all just seems right. I think that is how all of life should be.
This May, celebrate. Buy a musical instrument, thank your teacher, give your mom some fresh flow-ers, and doggone it, clean up your room! Take the month of May as your chance to celebrate the little things, and live your life as brightly as the afternoon sun is shining through my office window.
If you have something big you’re celebrating, let us know! We always love to hear about your new album, the success on your festival, your new baby (human or instrument).
As for me, I’ll be celebrating my mom, my loved ones, bikes and barbecues… oh, and Jerry Douglas’ birthday.
-Taylor Coughlin Publications Editor, Special Projects Director
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org6
Spring Board Meeting Report
BUSINESS
The 2013-14 Board of Directors held its first face-to-face meeting in Nashville, Tennessee on April 8th and 9th. Attendance was outstanding, with all but one member able to attend the entire session or most of it—including international representative Angelika Torrie, who was virtually present by videoconference.
The Board began its work on April 8th by reviewing and approving actions taken on its behalf by the Executive Committee (Board Chair Jon Weisberger, Vice-Chair Cindy Baucom and elected members Brian Smith, Ben Surratt and Elizabeth Wightman). These included:
-Adoption of statements concerning the Fiduciary Responsibility of and Avoidance of Conflict of Interest by Board members. Statements are being read, signed and filed by current Board members and will be similarly gathered from incoming Board members in the future.
-Approval of a draft Memorandum of Understanding that spells out the relationship between the IBMA, its festival (currently named Wide Open Bluegrass) and the Bluegrass Trust Fund, including the formula for calculating the share of Wide Open Bluegrass profits the IBMA intends to annually donate to the Trust Fund. This Memorandum was subsequently approved by the Trust Fund’s Board of Trustees, under the leadership of
Hall of Fame member Doyle Lawson.Treasurer Elizabeth Wightman reported on our financial reporting and practices. The goal is to make sure financial statements are concise, transparent and timely. While there are still improvements to be made, those already implemented put us in a better position to engage in sound planning and to exercise the necessary degree of oversight to discharge the Board’s fiduciary responsibility.
Elizabeth then presented the Finance Committee’s recommendation for an explicit Operating Reserve Policy. Past deficits have substantially reduced our reserves; with the modest profit we anticipate for the 2013-4 fiscal year, we are in a position to begin rebuilding them. The proposed policy establishes a minimum amount (10%) of annual profit to be added to our reserves, and also outlines the process for withdrawing funds from the reserve fund in the future. The Policy was adopted by the Board.
by Jon Weisberger, Chair
TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM: ELIZABETH WIGHTMAN, STEPHEN MOUGIN, WILLIAM LEWIS, BEN SURRATT, HENRI DESCHAMPS,
JON WEISBERGER, CINDY BAUCOM, BECKY BULLER, TIM SURRETT, REGINA DERZON, NED LUBERECKI, ALAN BARTRAM, CRAIG
HAVIGHURST, JAMIE DEERING, DANNY CLARK
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 7
BUSINESSBoard Report
After a review of financial statements for the current fiscal year, Executive Director Nancy Cardwell presented as the basis for discussion a draft budget for 2014-15 that projected a $15,000+ loss. Discussion of various aspects of the draft followed, considering projected expenses and revenues as well as new revenue possibilities, and the draft was referred to the Finance and Executive Committees for further edits and re-presentation before the end of the current fiscal year (June 30).
On April 9th, the session began with discussion of the future of the Bluegrass Nation website. The Board considered the site’s strengths and weaknesses, the changing online and social media environments in which it exists, and the demands that maintaining and curating the site (as well as other social media) place on staff resources. The Board directed members Craig Havighurst, Henri Deschamps, the IT Advisory Committee and staffer Taylor Coughlin to draft a plan for the Bluegrass Nation site and plan for consideration at a later date.
Returning to the Trust Fund, the Board took note of the difficulties inherent in publicizing a program to which confidentiality is essential, and expressed a desire for improved communication with the Fund’s Board of Trustees. It directed the Executive Committee to look for ways to address these and related issues.
On behalf of the Membership Committee, staff liaison Joe Lurgio reported a proposal to clarify the number of names associated with organizational memberships, and the number of members of an organizational member eligible for member benefits (e.g., festival ticket discounts). Pegging those numbers at 5 and 9 respectively, the proposal was approved by the Board, and the Membership Committee was directed to begin a consideration of our current membership categories and ways in which they might be restructured.
A proposal for a modest budget for the Youth Council was taken up next. After discussion of the Council, its role and its potential for using more financial resources than in the current request, the Board directed that a “placeholder” line be inserted into the draft budget, and that the Board Chair convene a small group, including Board member Danny Clark, Youth Council president Andrew Rigney and staff liaison Taylor Coughlin, to review the Council’s status and make recommendations for its role and organization.
The Board also adopted a proposal to establish a modest IBMA scholarship to be granted to a young musician or musicians enrolling in a bluegrass performance-related college program or programs. The scholarship’s initial funding will come from the performance fee paid for the “Youth On Bluegrass” performance at the Wide Open street festival.
The Board then approved the addition of new members to the Hall of Fame Panel of Electors.
Recognizing that it is a long-term project, the Board directed its Chair and the Executive Director to begin reviewing the current set of committees, with an eye toward combining, reducing, eliminating or restructuring them to maximize efficiency and participation.
The remainder of the meeting was then devoted to a review of the Strategic Plan adopted in 2013. Numerous ideas were discussed, areas of strength and weakness noted, and particular attention was paid to a new proposal to add a staff member – full- or part-time – dedicated to member service, with the working title of “bluegrass concierge.” The proposal was referred to the Executive Committee.
At adjournment, it’s fair to say that the Board is cautiously optimistic about the organization’s future. The establishment of some much-needed financial practices and policies and the return to profitability after a long period of deficits are important steps forward, and give us the room to consider other issues than finances—but we can’t afford to relax and believe that things will henceforth take care of themselves. Fortunately, with an outstanding staff and Board at work, I believe we are in a good position to expand upon our recent advances.
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org8
NEWS Showcase Artists | 2014
Monroe Crossing, Moore Brothers Band, Mr Sun, Mustered Courage, New Country Rehab, Newtown, Rebecca Frazier and Hit & Run, Red June, Sister Sadie, Special Consensus, The Barefoot Movement, The Danberrys, The Earl Brothers, The Grass Cats, The Lonely Heartstring Band, The Railsplitters and The Rigneys.
Bluegrass Ramble artist profiles and links can be seen at https://ibma.org/world-of-bluegrass/bluegrass-ramble/showcase-lineup.
“This year, we had more applications for Bluegrass Ramble showcase opportunities than ever before, and our selection committee has done an outstanding job,” said Jon Weisberger, IBMA board chair. “The quality - and breadth - of the artists chosen to appear are at an all-time high. I believe that every one of them merits the attention of the industry, and I know that audiences attending their performances around Raleigh are going to find a lot to enjoy.”
The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced the artists selected for the Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases that will take place at select venues throughout downtown Raleigh, North Carolina during the IBMA business conference September 30 – Oct 2.
The IBMA’s Showcase Selection Committee looks at a variety of elements when determining who should fill the 30 showcase slots available, including emerging talent capable and willing to broaden the bluegrass market, established bands that are introducing substantial changes to their act and artists that have released significant new recorded material. From among 166 artists/bands who applied, the following were selected as Bluegrass Ramble Showcase artists:
Barbwire, Becky Buller, Compton & Newberry, Constant Change, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Davidson Brothers, Donna Ulisse, Driven, Flatt Lonesome, Helen Highwater Stringband, Irene Kelley, Jeff Scroggins and Colorado, Jim Lauderdale,
SHOWCASE ARTISTS SELECTEDBLUEGRASS RAMBLEIBMA’s
In addition to these “official” showcase performers, artists will also be added to the Bluegrass Ramble via sponsored shows at the venues. The IBMA is also providing privately hosted “After Hours Showcases” (Tuesday – Thursday) as well as the new Friday and Saturday “Wide Open Late Night” showcase format, affording numerous opportunities for bands to perform at sanctioned IMBA events during World of Bluegrass 2014. The full Bluegrass Ramble schedule will be available in the coming months.
In response to IBMA member feedback, an additional showcase stage will be set in the Raleigh Convention Center, which will provide the opportunity for attendees to see all official showcase bands under one roof during the course of three days.
A welcome addition to the Bluegrass Ramble this year is a dedicated transportation system with extended hours, running non-stop between hotels and showcase venues. Provided by the city of Raleigh, the Ramble-dedicated transportation will be available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during World of Bluegrass 2014, from 7pm - 2 am.
MOORE BROTHERS BANDNEW COUNTRY REHAB
GRASS CATS EARL BROTHERS
RAILSPLITTERSNEWTOWN
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 9
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org10
NEWS
MUSTERED COURAGEDRIVEN
DONNA ULISSE
DAVIDSON BROTHERS
DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE
CONSTANT CHANGE
2014 Showcase Artists
NEWS
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 11
THE RIGNEYS
SPECIAL CONSENSUS
SISTER SADIE
JEFF SCROGGINS & COLORADO
IRENE KELLEY
FLATT LONESOME
2014 Showcase Artists
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org12
REBECCA FRAZIER AND HIT & RUNMONROE CROSSING
LONELY HEARTS STRING BANDMR. SUN
JIM LAUDERDALEHELEN HIGHWATER STRING BAND
NEWS 2014 Showcase Artists
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 13
RED JUNE
BECKY BULLER
BAREFOOT MOVEMENT
BARBWIRE
COMPTON NEWBERRYDANBERRYS
NEWS2014 Showcase Artists
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org14
The Architect Bar & Social House: 108 12 E. Hargett Street http://www.architectbar.com/
Kings: 14 W. Martin Street http://kingsbarcade.com/
Lincoln Theatre: 430 S. Dawson Street www.lincolntheatre.com
Pour House Music Hall: 224 S. Blount Street http://www.thepourhousemusichall.com/
Raleigh Convention Center: http://www.raleighconvention.com
Tir Na Nog: 218 S. Blount Street http://www.tnnirishpub.com/
Vintage Church: 117 S West Street http://vintagenc.com
Admission to the Bluegrass Ramble is available to both IBMA Business Conference attendees (with ID) and to the general public via Bluegrass Ramble showcase wristbands. For additional details on the Blue-grass Ramble - and for tickets and registration for all events connected with World of Bluegrass 2014 - go to www.ibma.org/world-of-bluegrass
Those interested in co-sponsoring a Bluegrass Ramble showcases may contact Nancy Cardwell at IBMA: (615) 256-3222 or 888-GET-IBMA or by email at [email protected].
The Bluegrass Ramble showcases will be held in the following venues:
NEWS 2014 Showcase Artists
15
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org16
Want a chance to win a copy of Country’s Family Reunion: Simply Bluegrass, or a signed poster of all the artists who appear on the DVD? You’re in luck!
• Go to www.ibma.org and look around our newly-designed website! Find one new thing you learned about IBMA, The Bluegrass Trust Fund, The Foundation for Bluegrass Music, or World of Bluegrass. Email one thing you learned, along with your mailing address, to [email protected]!
• We will pick one winner for the DVD and one for the signed poster, courtesy of Country’s Family Reunion and Gabriel Communications. The contest will close on Friday, May 30 at midnight.
Hosted by Hall of Fame Inductee Bill Anderson and 14-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs, the reunion features a cross-section of award-winning and legendary bluegrass artists, from pioneer to contemporary artists.
The series includes performances by Dailey & Vincent, The Whites, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Rhonda Vincent, Jerry Douglas, The Grascals (Jamie Johnson, Terry Eldredge, Terry Smith), Mac Wiseman, Ramona Jones, Jesse McReynolds, Bobby Osborne, Paul Brewster, Ronnie Reno, Doyle Lawson, Sierra Hull, Donna Ulisse, Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, Dierks Bentley, The Gibson Brothers, and The Roys backed by some of the genre’s foremost musi-cians Barry Bales (bass), Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Stuart Duncan (fiddle) and Ron Stewart (banjo).
“The moments we have captured have been unbelievable,” explains Larry Black, creator of the series. “At this reunion, there’s a true reverence by everyone in the room—it is a celebration of sorts for the legendary artists who have built the foundation of the genre and those who will move it forward in the years to come.”
THE WHITES
Feeling lucky?
DOYLE LAWSON
Win a Country’s Family Reunion: Simply Bluegrass DVD and signed poster by the artists!
CONTEST
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org18
WORLD OF BLUEGRASS RAMBLE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsorship opportunities are now available for IBMA’s World of Bluegrass “Bluegrass Ram-
ble” showcase experience in Raleigh, NC.
Focused on IBMA Business Confer-ence dates this year (Tue.-Thur, Sept. 30 – Oct. 2), The Bluegrass Ramble is an innovative series of artist show-case hosted on eight stages from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. in downtown Raleigh. Ramble performances will be fea-tures at: The Lincoln Theatre, Vintage Church (formerly the Long View), The Pour House Music Hall, The Tir Na Nog, The Architect Bar & Social House, Kings, and two stages at the Raleigh Convention Center.
Thirty official showcase bands will be featured at least twice during the week on Ramble stages—including at least one performance in the Con-vention Center. Admission to Ramble sets is included in IBMA Business Conference registration. Separate Bluegrass Ramble passes are also available at $60 (member) or $75 for the full three nights, or for single days (all venues) at $20 (members) and $25 (non-members).
The good news for agents, labels and other groups who have a roster of artists to promote during World of Bluegrass week is that we have 72 sets open to sponsor-presented acts!
Ramble sponsors are invited to select three high quality bluegrass or bluegrass-related artists for three sets/ night. If the sponsor does not have a roster of bands to present, he or she may present official IBMA showcase bands during the evening show. The sponsor’s brand will be displayed at the Ramble venue and in IBMA promotional materials, and a half-page ad in the IBMA Business Conference program book is also included. Ramble showcase bands (official and sponsor-hosted) may sell merch at Ramble venues after their performances. All Ramble bands will be asked to join IBMA. Sponsor presented bands will have admis-sion into the venue they perform at for the evening plus 1 guest per band member where applicable, but admission to the Wide Open Blue-grass festival and the IBMA Business Conference is separate.
Bluegrass Ramble sponsorship pack-ages vary from $600-800/night based on the size of the venue, and are still available on selected nights at Kings, the Architect, the Pour House, and the Masters Workshop stage at the Raleigh Convention Center. Call IBMA at 615-256-3222 or email [email protected] for info on these 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. showcase opportunities while they last!
ALSO IN 2014: IBMA is proud to announce the return of privately hosted After Hours Showcases on Tue-Thur, Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, from 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. at the following ground-floor banquet rooms (vari-ous sizes) at the Raleigh Marriott City Center: Alumni, Chancellor, Congres-sional, University Ballroom, State AB, and State EF.
After Hours Showcases have been extremely popular at World of Bluegrass in Nashville and Louisville, and we’re looking forward to offer-ing more performance opportuni-ties to artists in Raleigh through this privately sponsored & hosted op-portunity. Rooms vary in size and will accommodate acoustic performances as well as small sound systems. Food and beverage in After Hours show-case rooms is catered by the Mar-riott, and Cash Bars are available for the hallway. Sponsors will cover the expense of sound systems and stag-ing if used, as well as any food and/or beverages ordered. The After Hours Showcase rate for 2014 is $700/ night, per room. Contact the IBMA office at 615-256-3222 or email [email protected] for more info. These will go fast!
Sponsorship Opportunities Available Now for IBMA’s Bluegrass Ramble at World of Bluegrass, Privately Hosted AFTER HOURS SHOWCASES Return to World of Bluegrass!
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 19
EDITORIALFrom the Executive Director’s desk
A life George Shuffler remembered By Ron Thomason
21
FEATURE
George Shuffler, bluegrass pioneer, family man, bass-ist superb, guitar stylist,
horseman, friend of IBMA, was born April 11, 1925 in Burke County, NC and passed away on April 7 in the same county. This will be about those wonder-ful years between the dates. It won’t be objective; he was a dear friend and unlike many of the dear friends we all have in this modern age, he was a life-long friend from the time we met in 1967 till the time he died.
In 1950 George courted and married Sue Benfield. This was the signal event of both their lives; they did it right, and they were still in love and together when George died peacefully at home with his family around him. His attitude about home and all it meant to him was well expressed by one of the last things he ever asked Sue: “When will we be home?”
FEATURE
George was 26 years old when they married. This would have been fairly late in life to start a family during those times in the little mountain towns of NC and its surrounds. By then he would have been an impor-tant and rather famous person in Burke County. By the time he was 17 he was already a veteran of local bands and had joined Grand Ole Opry stars, the Bailey Brothers, and played the regional venues and radio shows that were typical of Opry stars at the time. It would be impossible to over-state the importance of radio shows in general and the Opry in particular to mountain folks in communities like Valdese, NC, at that time shortly after the Rural Electrification Act had brought power to those remote plac-es. Having such success so early in life might have made George think of himself as a musician, but he never did. In near opposition to “modern” thinking, he always thought of him-self as a person who plays music—among other things.
George was from a large, musical family with five brothers and three sisters. His brothers, three of which were with him to the end, all per-formed professionally; and they had success doing top-40 songs in the 50s and 60s. Fortunately for what was to become known as Bluegrass Music a decade and a half later, George took his talents in a different direction due to a 1950 phone call from Carter Stanley that resulted in George’s ten-ure as a Clinch Mountain Boy (off and on) for 20 years. During that time George developed and recorded his distinct, “active” (often called “walk-ing”) bass style as well as his guitar style, called Cross-Picking. Both those innovations have influenced the playing of almost all bluegrass musicians who followed. Cross-Pick-ing fit the old-time bluegrass style of the Stanley Brothers like a glove, and manifested itself by helping to define “traditional” bluegrass music. It was represented beautifully at his funeral by the playing of George’s friend and protégé, James Alan Shelton. And
who could argue with John Duffey’s assessment that it was George’s bass work which made his most significant impression on Bluegrass Music? In-deed, of the hundreds in the receiv-ing line at the funeral home to pay their respects were many renowned bass players; like, but not limited to, Marshall Wilburn and Tom Gray with Tom even taking the opportunity to touch the great right hand which was a thing of beauty to see in life as George literally attacked a bass.
But it was his singing as part of the Stanley’s trio which had the most lasting impact on the music at the time. Ricky Skaggs and others have testified to the singular impact of hearing George’s powerful, unique bass line as part of a trio being a sound that changed their emotional reaction to music. George made lines like “miss me when I’m gone” forever his own—no small feat when one considers from whom the line originally came: A.P. Carter. As a musician and vocalist George was the consummate utility man with an unbelievable bluegrass resume: In addition to the old-time bands he performed with, he played extensive-ly with Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Reno and Harrell, The Stanley Brothers, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Moun-tain Boys, and ended his musical
GEORGE SHUFFLER AND RON THOMASON, COURTESTY OF KELLI SHUFFLER
FEATUREGeorge Shuffler remembered
career in a powerful gospel family band, The Shuffler Family, and an old-time duet with Laura Boosinger.
As one would expect, he received many awards for his pioneering work. In 1996 he garnered IBMA’s Distin-guished Achievement Award. In 1997 he was presented with the North Carolina Heritage Award, and in 2011 he was inducted into the Interna-tional Bluegrass Hall of Fame. These awards late in his life gave those who came later to bluegrass music a chance to meet and be around one of the friendliest, most accessible pio-neers of Bluegrass Music. He would often show up in surprising places like Wintergrass and MerleFest and was always willing to be a “guest” on stage. He was a supporter and friend of IBMA and attended many IBMA events. Folks who encountered him at these sundry gatherings met one of the most respected and respectful gentlemen in the industry.
What is often omitted from his biog-raphies are the things that overshad-owed music in his life. He was a pro-fessional horseman—a horse-trader. He knew horses and his son, Stevie, who preceded him in death, was said by George’s brothers, who are also successful horsemen, to have been “able to ride anything.” With nearly 25,000,000 horses in the U.S. the key to success in Horse Trading is one’s reputation for being knowledge-able and being true to one’s word. George had both.
So much of what defined him were the things he said more so even than the things he sang. I remember once trying to thank him for all he had done for me, and he responded; “I wish it had been more.”
When trying once to see if he ac-knowledged or understood what an important impact both emotion-ally and personally that he and the Stanley Brothers had had on so many individuals through their music, he said, “If we’d known folks would be listening to that music all these years later, we’d a-tried to do it bet-ter.” Above all George had a seri-ous, thoughtful side that resulted in profound reactions. When he visited Colorado a few years back and we were talking about my climbing in the mountains and what I “felt up there,” I expressed that when I was lost or scared I felt pretty close to God but doubted that I’d get to heaven. George thought about that for a while in silence. Just when it seemed the topic was concluded, he put his arm around me and said, “Well, if I get there you surely will because it won’t be heaven without you.”
So it ends where it started, George was first and foremost a Christian family man who loved being home more than anything else. His second love was his friends of which he had many. I remember coming across the country to surprise him at his 85th birthday party. When I got there the large meeting room at his church was packed—friends and family in such numbers that the crowd had of ne-cessity spilled out onto the surround-ing grounds. And George greeted me as he had everyone else—as if I were his dearest friend. He was that way throughout all the years I knew him: Always, emphasis on always, living life with the greatest sense of humor, no sense of self-importance, friendli-ness towards everyone and literally—quite literally—malice towards none. I can barely believe that a heart so strong and full of love could stop beating.
COURTESTY OF KELLI SHUFFLER
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org24
EDITORIAL Dailey & Vincent - 2 pages - photo
It’s no secret that Dailey & Vin-cent, led by Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, have made quite
the impression since their formation in 2007 with their ability to put an original spin on bluegrass, country and gospel music. Their versatile, signature sound perks the ears of listeners, evidenced by an extensive collection of awards and honors, in-cluding three Grammy nominations, three consecutive IBMA Entertainer of the Year Awards, and three con- and three con- con-secutive IBMA Vocal Group of the Year Awards.
This year Dailey & Vincent take another career step with headline performances at three iconic venues to add to their repertoire: The Library of Congress (May 30), Carnegie Hall (June 8), and the historic Ryman Au-ditorium (July 17).
In a recent interview Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent give insight into the preparation required for their upcoming tour. “We are beyond ex-cited to be playing in these ‘Musical Landmarks of America’” said Dailey. “We’ve been rehearsing and strate-gizing how to change the shows over for each venue. A lot of work goes into it but when you’re as excited as we are, it no longer feels like work.”
Despite their household names in the bluegrass and gospel worlds, both Dailey and Vincent pride themselves on being just a couple of fun-loving guys with a passion for entertain-ment. “It sounds cliché, but for us it’s all about bringing the best time pos-sible to our fans,” said Vincent.
Dailey & Vincent make a concerted effort to involve their fans when at all possible. Recently the duo worked with Springer Mountain Farms and
the Ryman Auditorium to launch a special fan-engaging sweepstakes in conjunction with their performance at the Ryman Auditorium on July 17 in Nashville, TN. The “Fly-Away” sweepstakes is free to enter, and of-fers an exclusive Nashville experience prize pack to one lucky winner and a guest.
Dailey and Vincent made their debut as a duo on the Ryman Auditorium stage in 2007 to a sold out audience, so every opportunity to return to the stage of the Mother Church of Coun-try Music is special. “It’s almost like a grand ole Nashville homecoming, isn’t it Darrin?” says Dailey. With his inimitable, infectious laugh, Vincent responds, “It’s exciting for us because we have so much respect for the Ryman and what it stands for—not just to us personally, but to all fans of bluegrass. Our fathers and mothers, they grew up listening to WSM 650
Set to perform at prestigious musical landmarks in next three months
and host events on land & on water by C laire C layton
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 25
FEATURE
live at the Ryman. That’s where all of our favorite country and bluegrass artists started out.”
In addition to taking their powerful music to prestigious venues, the duo has also made plans to invite fans to two uniquely new events—begin-ning with an ocean cruise. Batten down the hatches, because Dailey & Vincent are setting sail on the inau-gural Dailey & Vincent Water Fest: a five night / six day music cruise in the Western Caribbean from Febru-ary 14-19, 2015. Along with some of their most loyal fans, renowned bluegrass singer/mandolinist Don Rigsby and country music duo Wilson Fairchild will also be joining in on the fun and the adventure.
“We’ve come up with ideas to give our fans an amazing experience out on the ocean,” Vincent says. “We have planned multiple themed nights: a bluegrass night, a gospel night, a Statler Brothers tribute night, a karaoke night, and even a celebration of Valentine’s Day. We’re going to have the audience partici-pate in ways that are new to us and our live show.”
Before the guys embark, however, they will invite fans to join them on land for a few days for year two of the Dailey & Vincent Land Fest Sep-tember 18-20, 2014, at the Denton Farm Park in Denton, NC. In an effort to provide fans both the Land and Water Fest experience, the first 200 Water Fest cruise registrants will receive free, 3-day general admission tickets to Land Fest.
“We thought it was a great idea to merge the concepts together by ti-tling the two festivals ‘Land Fest’ and ‘Water Fest,’” Dailey says. “We’ve es-
sentially branded them together, and we’ve had a lot of fun bringing these ideas to our fans.”
Dailey & Vincent’s Land Fest is es-pecially meaningful to Jamie Dailey. “I have a lot of history there at that facility [Denton Farm Park]. It’s a familiar stage for me,” he said. Before co-founding Dailey & Vincent, Dailey performed with Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver; the only other group he’s played with professionally. Doyle Lawson hosted his own festival in Denton, the very same place that Dailey and Vincent will host their Land Fest.
A third day will be added to the festival this year, and fans can expect to hear plenty of high, lonesome bluegrass music from artists like Rhonda Vincent, Bobby Osborne, The SteelDrivers, comedian Carl Hurley, and more.
“It’s really fun because we never know from one minute to another what’s gonna happen out there,” said Dailey. “We just love bringing good times to good people. We’re beyond blessed to be able to bring these experiences to our fans, and we wouldn’t be able to do all of this without the love and support from everyone who has played a role in moving Dailey & Vincent to where we are today.”
In addition to their stellar singing and band, Dailey & Vincent are respected in the bluegrass music industry for their professionalism and their ability to present themselves in a way that’s always big fun for the audience.
More information about the Ryman sweepstakes, Dailey & Vincent Water Fest, Dailey & Vincent Land Fest, and all upcoming tour dates can be found at www.DaileyAndVincent.com.
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org26
SCHOLARSHIPoffers American Roots Weekend scholarships to IBMA members
Sometimes getting to the next level in your artistry is only a workshop away. And while the workshop at your local bluegrass festival has served you quite well over the years, it may be time to stretch your music muscles at the Berklee American Roots Weekend in Boston, Massachu-setts, June 20-22, 2014.
Berklee College of Music has been kind enough to offer two scholarships to IBMA members for their jam-packed, renowned musical work-shops.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Roots American Weekend allows students to learn from Berklee fac-ulty and some of the world’s leading roots musicians and educators. Stu-dents will play and explore in depth a wide variety of roots music styles, including bluegrass, blues, folk, coun-try, acoustic jazz, etc. Through partici-pation in ensembles, labs, and group lessons, you will be developing your improvisational and reading skills.
Classes on Friday, June 20 and Sat-urday, June 21, will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will take the form of ensembles, master classes on instrumental proficiency, and lectures on core musical concepts from the Berklee curriculum. The evenings will feature faculty concerts and jams.
In addition to the ensemble partici-pation, students will choose from a host of classes including Variations on a Simple Melody as an Intro to Improvisation for Folk Musicians, Country Blues Guitar, Music Theory, and Intro to Ear Training.
All right, we saved the best part for last: The instructors! Learn from greats in the industry like:• Viktor Krauss – Eclectic composer and double bassist• Matt Munisteri – Music director, acclaimed jazz guitarist, singer and songwriter• Alison Brown – Co-owner of Compass Records and decorated banjo player• Paul Rishell – Fingerstyle guitar virtuoso and country blues legend• Mark Simos – One-of-a-kind multi-genre and multi-instrumentalist • Annie Raines – Harmonica ace and Paul Rishell duo partner• Maeve Gilchrist – Celtic harpist, Berklee College of Music grad• Matt Glaser - Artistic Director of the American Roots Music Program at Berklee • Darol Anger – Fiddler, composer, educator and innovator• Joe Walsh – Mandolinist extraordinaire and educator
To be considered for one of the two scholarships, email your name and contact information along with an mp3 or YouTube link of a sample of you playing music. Please also include a short paragraph describing why you’re interested in going. Email to [email protected], subject: “Berklee Scholarship Application.”
• Attendees must be 15 years of age or older. • Attendees must cover travel expenses.• Scholarship winners will be contacted by May 15, 2014 by IBMA.• More information on the Roots American Weekend can be found by
clicking HERE
Good luck, and play on!
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 27
SUBMISSIONS
World of Bluegrass to host Bluegrass Film FestivalAccepting Submissions now
Selection Conditions 1. The committee will choose the following:
• 2 films to be featured during the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Business Conference (September 30 and October 1, 2014). Featured films will require a rep-resentative to be present at the World of Bluegrass. Representative may be called upon to introduce the film prior to screening. Featured films will also be shown during the weekend screening of the non-featured films.
• 4-8 films will be selected for screening during the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival’s Bluegrass at the Mov-ies. Each film will be shown twice (once on Friday, October 3, 2014 and once Saturday, October 4, 2014).
Trade in your banjo for some popcorn (don’t worry, you’ll get it back) and grab a seat for IBMA’s first Bluegrass Film Festival at World of Bluegrass, September 30-Octber 4 in Raleigh, NC!
Bluegrass’ biggest family reunion and business conference is the perfect place to showcase quality films produced around the music, and IBMA is taking submissions.
Interested? Here’s what you need to know:
Prerequisites
Rules & Conditions(* The term “film” is used here in reference to both film and video.)
Submission deadlinE is June 15, 2014
Fees: 1. Submission Fee: $25
2. Screening Fee: $100 (to cover costs of au-dio and visual, after invited to participate)
3. All selected films shown must have a repre-sentative listed as a professional and/or an organizational IBMA member.
1. All entries submitted must not have been screened publi-cally prior to the 1st January 2011.
2. The maximum running time for feature films sent to the IBMA World of Bluegrass Film Festival must not exceed 240 minutes in length (including titles and credits).
3. Films submitted to the IBMA World of Bluegrass Film Festi-val must either be in English or have English subtitles.
4. For pre-selection purposes, all entries must be submitted via online link.
5. The IBMA will have the right to show any of the films submitted to non-commercial audiences at the World of Bluegrass. Extracts of no more than 1 minute may also be shown on television/web as a promotion for the World of Bluegrass.
6. All films selected for the World of Bluegrass will be screened on DVD, Blu-Ray or digital format.
7. The IBMA retains the right to hold a copy of films submitted for archival and promotional purposes.
8. IBMA will not upload a completed film to the Internet with-out the filmmaker’s consent.
9. The applicant declares that he/she has obtained all neces-sary rights and permissions to present the film and music at the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass events. The filmmaker must own or have cleared copyright of all aspects of the submitted film. This includes all music and images used. The IBMA accepts no responsibility, financial or otherwise, in regard to clearing copyrighted material.
For delivery and film return specifics, please click here, along with complete criteria.
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org28
MEMBERSHIP
As head of the membership commit-tee, it’s my vision to make IBMA bigger and better by bringing in new members. We’re looking at doing this by tout-ing the Awards Show voting process to attract new members, and to add new benefits on the Grassroots and profes-sional levels. I’ve had the privilege of working with a very motivated IBMA staff and an outstanding group of bluegrass artists and industry professionals to work toward this goal. We meet monthly over teleconference and are working hard in conjunction with the IBMA Board to add new membership benefits that will enhance the value of being part of this organization.
IBMA is expanding and will continue to do so! For example, Grassroots member-ships are as high as they’ve ever been. It is the hope of the committee that more professionals will join or renew, partici-pate in voting, and take advantage of
services and discounts available through their membership.
Every touring musician who plays blue-grass-related music should consider join-ing IBMA! Why? Because it’s challenging and exciting to work towards providing representation and benefits for musi-cians, no matter what branch they hang from on the bluegrass tree! The com-mittee is working hard to make inclusive changes that will keep the organization up-to-date with the music and workings of the industry, while preserving and respecting its rich history and integrity.
So, take note: June will be our official Bluegrass membership month. We hope to roll out some exclusive contests and prizes while also reevaluating the bluegrass survey that goes out to current members. Keep an eye and an ear out for those incentives, and help us work to-gether for the future of bluegrass music!
Bluegrass lovers, we’d like to encourage you to reach out with new ideas to the IBMA office at [email protected]. As IBMA approaches record membership levels, I’m honored to be a part of the member-ship committee.
A message from Steep Canyon Rangers’ Charles Humphrey III
24692457250427882226205325832650
Total Membership
20072008200920102011201220132014*
Year
-‐0%2%11%-‐20%-‐8%26%3%
% Change
577 -‐ -‐576 0% -‐576 0% -‐541 -‐6% -‐423 -‐22% -‐383 -‐9% -‐856 123% 22933 9% 25
Grass Roots % Change Friends
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014*
Total Membership
Prof. Members
Grass Roots Members
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014*
Total Membership
Prof. Members
Grass Roots Members
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014*
Total Membership
Prof. Members
Grass Roots Members
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014*
Total Membership
Prof. Members
Grass Roots Members
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014*
Total Membership
Prof. Members
Grass Roots Members
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014*
Total Membership
Prof. Members
Grass Roots Members
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014*
Total Membership
Prof. Members
Grass Roots Members
IBMA Membership Breakdown As of April 7, 2014
(Does not reflect the 200+ members from April as seen on page 31)
Students enrolled in bluegrass college programs may receive one year comped memberships from IBMA*
Individual Organizational Lifetime Student*Total
Professional % Change1447 388 57 -‐ 1892 -‐1460 360 61 -‐ 1881 1%1570 289 69 -‐ 1928 8%1899 270 78 -‐ 2247 21%1485 226 92 -‐ 1803 -‐22%1376 199 95 -‐ 1670 -‐7%1378 217 103 7 1705 0%1357 218 108 9 1692 -‐2%
Professional
There is no greater time to join than now
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 29
SUBMISSIONSNominations Open For Special Awards Deadline: Monday, June 16
Nominations are currently being accepted from IBMA members for the following awards, to be presented dur-ing World of Bluegrass Week on Oct. 2 in Raleigh, North Carolina: Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year, Print Media Person of the Year, Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year, Bluegrass Event of the Year, Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project, and Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project.. The eligibility period for special awards is April 1, 2013 – March 31, 2014. Broadcasting and print media accom-plishments during this time frame should be considered by those writing letters of nomination. Bluegrass events nominated need to have taken place during this time frame, and writers/designers nominated for the Liner Notes and Graphic Design awards should have their work included on CDs released for the first time commercially during the eligibility period. The Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year Award recognizes contributions to bluegrass songwriting during the eligibility period. IBMA members or individuals involved with an album be-ing considered may send a letter of nomination. You are welcome to nominate yourself. Broadcaster & Print Media: Please email [email protected] your nomination stating why you believe the person is deserving of the award during the current eligibility period, along with an mp3 or YouTube example of their work. Links to a writer’s articles online, photocopies of ar-ticles or copies of books are helpful, too. Sending through email makes it easier to get out to the committee. If you submit through the mail, six (6) copies of all materials are appreciated—particularly if it’s something that cannot be photocopied easily. Scoped airchecks are requested from radio broadcasters. Bluegrass Event: Please email [email protected] a letter of nomination stating why you believe the event is deserving of the award during the current eligibility period. Event programs, links to websites, photos & videos are helpful. Liner Notes & Graphic Design: If available, please email [email protected] a pdf or online version of the graphic design and liner notes and include a note saying which should be considered for either (or both) categories. Or, send SIX (6) copies of each nominated CD and include a note saying which award is to be considered (or if it’s both).
Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year: Please email [email protected] a letter listing the achievements of the candi-date during the eligibility year. The letter may be accom-panied by a compilation CD or mp3 of songs from the writer that year. Following are examples of items to be included in a nomination letter:
• Songs released as singles, on CDs, or as digital downloads during eligibility period
• Songs achieving chart success (sales, radio airplay, etc.)
• Significant airplay on terrestrial or satellite radio
• Songs used in television or films
• Songs used in live performances
• Professional involvement in songwriter-relat-ed work like workshops, books and articles.
Five nominees per award will be determined by small committees of individuals with expertise in the various areas represented. The final recipients will be determined by a larger panel of electors, drawn from the professional membership of IBMA. Panel of Elector members also vote on the Bluegrass Hall of Fame ballots, and all have more than ten years experience in the bluegrass industry.
To ensure a more organized and efficient process, please email your recommendation letters and material to [email protected] or share via Dropbox, no later than Mon-day, June 16. If you must send in the mail, please send SIX copies of submitted material (letters, CDs, liner notes, etc.) please send to:
IBMA Special Awards
608 W. Iris Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
PRESENTS
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NATIONAL SPONSOR
If bluegrass music moves you, come to theevent that moves bluegrass music!
IBMA BUSINESS CONFERENCESEPT. 30 - OCT. 2
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SPECIAL TALENT BUYERS FOCUS OCT. 1 - 2
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T. 30 OCT. 2
SCHEDULE & TICKETSIBMA.ORG | 888-GET-IBMA
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 31
From the Executive Director’s deskNEW MEMBERS: APRIL
Lisa AdamsSean Ahr
Linda AldridgeMichael AndersonZebulon Anderson
Susan AutryClinton Banner
Thomas BarefootJoe Beckett
Louise BennettColee Biller
George BinderAndrew Bing
Ronald F. BlockLarry BloomfieldRobert BragdonMike Brantley
Gregory BrewerRonald BristerEdward Brown
Thomas BurkhartFederica Calvino Prina
Glenn CampKaren CarnesTim Chalmers
Phillip ConnollyLeslie CooreJesse CoorePam Craven
Rhonda CreechDavid Culler
Nicholas CurcioTrudie Cushing
Timothy DarrowBruce Day
Frannie DigiovanniPhillip DoucetteKevin Dougherty
Linda Dowdy-GrundyJoseph Edwards
Caren ErmelTracy Evans
Isabel Ferrall
Joe FikeJonathan Finder
Cathy FinkSteven FormoAlfred Frawley
Giuseppe GambettaBob Gelineau
Bob GrayLaurie GreenbergKenneth Greene
Debra GreerDaniel GreesonAnnet Hagwood
Ryan HaighKathy HansonJessica HarrisHope Harvey
George HedrickLeo Heile
Sylvia HendleyKaren Hodges
Fred HoltJ Brooks Hornday
John HuffhinesJames Hunt
Richard HutterJames IngramTom IngramGena IngramTodd Inman
Gary InternicolaGarlands Johnston
Gregory JolyRobert Jones
Steen JorgensenJim JubelirerThomm JutzMichael Kaiz
Marvin KingsleyThomas Kingsley
Elaine KubichTammy Lewis
David Ley
David LittlefieldChristopher Long
Gary LymanDaniel MackJohn Mackin
Sheila ManessPamela MarpleJulie MarquezLamar Martin
Lloyd MattinglyJohn Mayes
Alfred McconnellEric Mcelveen
Jere McKeithenStanley MerrittWilma MillerBradley Miller
George MillsapsNick Mirisis
Gary MobleyDonald Moore
Lynn MorrisArthur MorrisDonna MuirBarry MyersLinda MyersScott Myers
M. Paul Myers, JrChuck NationTom NicholsJohn Niehay
Sharon NolenWilliam Norman
Amy NulmanRegina OliverBob OverbyLarry Parker
Tammy ParkerJonathan Peik
James PetersonDonna Petherbridge
Brent PharesIvy Phillips
Terry PopulusKirk Port
BIlly PowellMack Powers
Steve PritchardIra Pugh
William PurcellSharon Ramsey
Don RaneyWilliam RawsonRonald RaxterDavid Raynes
Raynae RedmanWilliam Reece Jr
Karen RhodesBobby Rice
Virginia RolfeGregory RosePeggy Rose
Friends RossSusan RunkleBarry Runkle
Camille Magritte RussellSteve Rymers
velvet satterwhiteCandace SawyerRobyn SeamonDoug Sebranek
Julie SeibertDavid Sewell
Kendall SherrodAlan Short
Earle SimmonsKatherine Skinner
Jean SkinnerCindy Smearman
Lucy SmithGary Smith
Robert SmithJohn Wm. Smyth
Bruno SperberLen Springer
Kathleen Stinehelfer
Dennis StinehelferAngelia Stokes
Kim StornioTammi Stover
Garland StoverKevin Stroud
Alan StruthersTakayuki Suzuki
Henry TannerGeorge Tatum
Charles ThompsonBruce Thompson
Buck ThrailkillBarbara TillmanRoger Tompkins
Steve TothDavid TrivetteSteve Turnbull
Bert TurnerGary Urbanski
Craig VanderhoefEsther Villiard
Nicholas VossburgSteven Ward
Randy WatkinsGary WeaverPamela WellsLynn WessonMark White
Brian WicklundJane Wier
Shannon WilliamsSamantha Williamson
Peggy WilsonKerrick WilsonHarold Wilson
Brenda WinebrennerTerry Winebrenner
Patrick WingoBrenda WootenKathleen WormRobyn Yackell
John and Pam Zornick
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org32
MAY 2014FRESH SOUNDS
Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie, Dancin’ Annie: With legendary banjo picking that has come to be expected from Bill Emerson, Dancin’ Annie shares traditional and progressive sounds on his fourth album from Rural Rhythm Records. The delicate balance be-tween traditional bluegrass with contemporary thought, Southern gospel, and classic country isn’t easy, but pulled off effortlessly with Bill behind the wheel. Vocal-ists Chris Stifel, Teri Chism and Wayne Lanham leave harmonies in your ears that will ring for days, and the song selection is sweet indeed with originals from Pete Goble and Leroy Drumm, Bill Em-erson, Rob Mills and more.
(www.ruralrhythm.com)
Holly Norman, Appalachian An-gel: A strong debut album for a strong singer/songwriter from the hills of East Tennessee, Holly Nor-man’s Appalachian Angel shines. With seven originals, five well-done covers (including a surprise from The Eagles), and one fine Rhonda Vincent appearance, Nor-man proves herself in the arts of songwriting, singing, and storytell-ing. Norman’s gift for delivering content of all subjects including an abusive relationship, nostalgia of home, a moving tribute to an obvious idol, and more are found on Appalachian Angel.
(www.hollynorman.com)
Tammy Jones Robinette, Let It Shine: Little Creek Records’ first al-bum with Tammy Jones Robinette, Let It Shine, shares a message of faith through gospel and bluegrass music. Infused with tremendous talent such as producer Mark Fain, who also plays bass, Robinette is joined by Andy Leftwich (mando-lin), Rob Ickes (Dobro), Ron Block (guitar, banjo), and Aubrey Haynie (fiddle). Background singers are strong with the likes of Jamie Dai-ley, Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gul-ley, Herb Pedersen, Cheryl White and Sharon White Skaggs, and Jeff Parker. Robinette’s self-penned tunes blend greatly with favorite hymns, making this debut album worth owning.
(www.tammyjonesrobinette.com)
Danny Roberts, Nighthawk: The Grascals’ mandolin master Danny Roberts shows his creative side on his May release of Nighthawk from Mountain Home Records. Chock full of his modern, smooth sound, Roberts showcases his range and experience. Highlights include vocals from his daughter, Jaelee, who was 12 when the album was recorded (you’ll be impressed), and his wife Andrea. Notable guests include Roberts’ contemporaries Sam Bush, Ronnie McCoury, and Mike Compton on mando, with Kristin Scott Benson (banjo), Tim Surrett (bass), Tony Wray (guitar) and Aubrey Haynie (fiddle) serving as the band.
(www.crossroadsmusic.com)
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 33
FRESH SOUNDS
Infamous Stringdusters, Let It Go: The ‘Dusters self-produced album from High Country Recordings was highly anticipated, and for good reason. Let It Go holds on to the band’s exciting pushing-the-en-velope style, while digging a little deeper with introspective mate-rial. Within the studio-recorded tracks, there is raw energy and jamming that are so familiar from their live shows, it’s a great primer for festival season. Traditionalists and progressive listeners alike will find their groove throughout the excellent selection of introspec-tive, wistful, wise, fun and sum-mer songs all written by members of the band, with co-write credits to Jon Weisberger, Adam Chaffins, and Josh Shilling.
(www.thestringdusters.com)
Bryan Sutton, Into My Own: On Sutton’s fourth solo album from Sugar Hill, musical energy and in-telligence are evident. After years of success, Into My Own places Sutton in a place that will remind people of his esteemed acoustic guitar playing, but recognize him as a strong songwriter and singer, too. His arrangements on stan-dards are creative and respectful, and his originals are saturated with his signature virtuosity. Guests on the album include Bill Frisell on guitar, Noam Pikelny and Rob McCoury on banjo, Jason Carter, Stuart Duncan and Luke Bulla on fiddle, Ronnie McCoury and Sam Bush on mandolin, with Greg Garrison, Alan Bartram and Dennis Crouch on bass.
(www.sugarhillrecords.com)
Darol Anger, e-and’a: Anger’s latest project includes Joe Walsh (mandolin), Courtney Hartman (guitar), Sharon Gilchrist (bass) and Lukas Pool (banjo). The prod-uct sports a tightly-knit groove, ripe with delightful twists and jaw-dropping turns as each instru-mentalist is given the spotlight on the Anger and Walsh-produced album. Imagination, humor, and fun are the name of the game on what sounds like an intimate picking session with legends and those who most likely will be in time. The rare collaboration is exciting and inspiring, sparking discoveries of unique musical ex-pression that could only originate with someone like Anger.
(www.darolanger.com)
MAY 2014Industry NEWS
On the Charts as reflected at press time
Association Assertions
Billboard: Nickel Creek, A Dotted Line at number one, where it debuted four weeks ago; The Bluegrass Album by Alan Jackson at number two, and Live by Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell at number three.
Bluegrass Today Monthly Airplay: “Busy City” by Rhonda Vincent (written by Jesse Daniel) at number one; “The Game” by Blue Highway (written by Shawn Lane, Barry Bales) at number two; “All I Was To You” by Newtown (written by Charles James Cain) at number three.
Bluegrass Unlimited songs: “The Devil’s Train” by James King (written by Cliff Carlisle, Mel Foree) at number one; “Wild Mountain Honey” by Junior Sisk & Joe Mullins (written by Arthur Smith) at number two; “That’s Ken-tucky” by Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road (written by Dixie Hall, Tom T. Hall).
Bluegrass Unlimited albums: The Streets of Baltimore by Del McCoury Band (McCoury Music) at number one; The Game by Blue Highway (Rounder Records) at number two; Three Chords and The Truth by James King (Rounder Records) at number three.
Singing News Bluegrass Chart: “Way Up On The Moun-tain” by James & Jeff Easter (Sonlite/Crossroads) at number one; “When I Get Home” by Primitive Quartet (with Smoky Mountain Reunion) (Mountain Heritage/Crossroads) at number two; “It Could Happen In a Mo-ment” by Mountain Faith (Mountain Home/Crossroads) at number three.
The San Diego Bluegrass Society has announced the Summergrass San Diego Bluegrass Festival will take place August 15-17, at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Mu-seum in Vista, California. Click here for tickets, schedule, camping and more!
The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) announced their festival: August 7-10 in Rich-mond, MN with Russell Moore & IIIrd Time Out, and The Boxcars headlining, and more! Visit www.minnesotablue-grass.org for tickets and schedule.
The 7th Annual IAMA (Intermountain Acoustic Musician Association)Songwriter Academy takes place June 27029 in Salt Lake City, Utah with instructors Kate MacLeod and John McCuthcheon. Tuition is $150 per person. More info can be found by clicking here.
The Tri-State Bluegrass Association announced the release of their 34th annual “Bluebook, Band & Festival Guide” for 2014. It includes over 180 pages of national bluegrass events, associations, RV parks and camp-grounds, special events and more. To order your guide, send your name, mailing address, email and phone num-ber, plus a check for $26.00 to:
TSBA, Pat Davidson 1508 Silver Valley Court Wentzville, MO 63385
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org34
INDUSTRY NEWS
Mac Wiseman’s induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame was an-nounced April 22. He joins Ronnie Milsap and the late Hank Cochran for 2014. He was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
Augusta’s Bluegrass Week will be held July 27-August 1 in Elkins, West Virginia. This year the teaching staff includes Laurie Lewis, Kathy Kallick, Mike Compton, Russ Barenberg, and four-fifths of the SteelDrivers. Check out a video and see if it doesn’t make you want to go!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYhjtx4TEfY. Find all details at www.augustaher-itagecenter.org.
Memorial Day Songwriter Retreat (May 24-25) at Woodsong Farm in North Georgia with Louisa Brans-comb and guest instructors Jeanette and Johnny Williams has a few spots open! Visit www.louisabranscomb.com for more info.
Music City Roots in Nashville will be moving its home from the Loveless Café Barn to the Factory at Franklin at the start of their Summer 2014 season on July 9. The show will con-tinue to be broadcast live over local radio partner Hippie Radio 94.5 FM and webcast via its own website at www.musiccityroots.com. RootsRa-dio.com will build a broadcast booth, opening up opportunities for live programming and interviews along-side its regular 24/7 stream of great Music City Roots performances.
The Lonesome River Band signed with North Carolina-based label Mountain Home Music Company. The group begins recording in April with the new release planned for this summer.
Jeff Austin is leaving Yonder Moun-tain String Band after 15 years. Aus-tin plans to pursue a solo career. The band will be continuing their sched-uled tour with special guests filling in until a replacement is found.
Jim VanCleve is leaving Mountain Heart to pursue various other proj-ects in the Nashville music commu-nity, and to be able to spend more time with family.
Mountain Fever has announced the formation of a new brand for releas-ing and promoting music outside the bluegrass realm: Travianna Records. The new label will cover the broader Americana genre.
GuitartownCT Productions an-nounced its benefit for Tony Rice raised $10,000 in Hamden, CT. The evening featured Josh Williams, Rob Ickes, Jesse Brock, Mike Bar-nett, Paul Kowert, Gary Filgate, Tony Trischka, Phil Rosenthal, Chris Eldridge, and Dominick Leslie all playing favorite tunes by Rice.
Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show have signed an endorsement deal with Pointer Brand clothing of Bris-tol, TN, makers of denim outerwear.
Local Raleigh partners for World of Bluegrass, PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, is celebrating 30 years this May! They are helping us out tremendously with World of Bluegrass and Wide Open Bluegrass, and we wish them so many more years of great music!
For the Record
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 35
World of Bluegrass needs Request For Proposals! Anyone interested in receiving an RFP in the following areas: Convention Décor, Print & Design, Sound & A/V, and merchandise production, please
contact the IBMA at 888-GET-IBMA prior to May 15, 2014.
Heard ‘round the world
International Bluegrass www.ibma.org36
INDUSTRY NEWS
Wookalily is excited to announce they have launched a Kickstarter campaign for their debut album; the money raised will cover the cost in making the album. You can donate to the Irish band’s fund here.
The France Bluegrass Music Association is hosting a Tony Rice benefit concert on May 11 with Sanseverino, Massoubre & Séguret, Quartier Français, Grasstics and Muddy Hill Boys. The concert will be at La Maroquinerie, 23 rue BOYER, 75020 Paris at 7:00 pm. Visit www.lama-roquinerie.fr for details.
The 6th Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival will be held on September 26th -28th 2014 with 6 top class acts from Scotland, England and the United States of America. Visit their website by clicking here: Moniaive Michaelmas Bluegrass Festival.
Our friends in Japan send us Moonshiner each month. Although we can’t read it, we love looking at the pictures! Thanks, friends!”
Matt and Juliana Munsey have welcomed James Alan Munsey into the world! Matt is the mandolinist for Monroeville. Mother and baby are healthy, and big sister Liliana loves her new baby brother.
Mountain Heart lead singer Josh Shilling and his wife, Aleah, are celebrating the birth of their first child: Isabella Katherine Shilling. Both mom and baby are happy and healthy!
John Chapman, of The Chapmans, and his wife Vickie are celebrating the birth of their first son, and third child, Ev-erett Nathan Chapman. Everett has big sisters Kylie and Ellie, who are excited about their new sibling.
Barry Berrier (Lost & Found, Summer Wages, and Lone-some River Band) and his wife Tyra are celebrating the birth of their first child, Reagan John Edward Berrier.
Standing ‘O! (special baby edition)
Review: A Fiddler’s Diary by Byron Berline Reviewed by Nancy Cardwell
In Remembrance
www.ibma.org International Bluegrass 37
INDUSTRY NEWS
Harmonica stylist and 60-year radio host Otis Head, age 94, of the Plainview Community in Georgia passed away. Head was also a prizefighter, Western and Appalachian music promoter and performer and record producer.
Bluegrass Hall of Fame member George Shuffler, long time member of both The Stanley Brothers and Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, passed away April 7, just short of his 89th birthday. A full tribute to Shuffler can be read on page 22 of this issue.
Legendary fiddler Byron Berline’s recently published autobiography, Byron Berline: A Fiddler’s Diary, co-written with Jane Frost (published by New Forums, 2013), is a “must read” for anyone interested in the history and evolution of bluegrass music, country & bluegrass fiddle, country rock music, or the West Coast record-ing & live music scene during the past 40 years. The musical and personal influence of the immensely talented, yet understated Oklahoma fiddler runs like a golden thread through the tapestry of contemporary popular music. Byron (always introduced on-stage as “Barn Berline” by Bill Mon-roe when he when playing with the Blue Grass Boys), performed with a wide variety of important artists and profoundly influenced the careers of many more.
The journal format of Berline’s book presents four decades of entries—listing gigs he played, with whom and where, and frequent pauses to share both hilarious and heartfelt stories along the way. The three-time National Fiddle Champion’s gig list documents the L.A. recording indus-try from the Rolling Stones to the
Byrds and Alvin & the Chipmunks. Berline was a member of the ground-breaking Flying Burrito Brothers, and a founder of the Country Gazette, the L.A. Fiddle Band, Sundance, Califor-nia, and Berline Crary & Hickman. He performed and recorded with Bill Monroe, Mickey Mouse, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Mark O’Connor, Doug Dillard,
Clarence White, Rod Stewart, Ann Murray, Earl Scruggs and the Beatles, among others. He played on Suzy Bogguss’ first album, and he was influential in getting Emmylou Harris her first solo record deal after Gram Parsons’ tragic death. In addition to an immense catalog of studio work, Byron’s fiddle has been heard in soundtracks for numerous television and movie scores, and even a band of singing bears at Disneyland. The Monroe stories alone are enough to warrant a bluegrass fan’s interest in this book.
Berline and his wife Bette moved back to Oklahoma in recent years, where Byron operates the Double-stop Fiddle Shop and produces around 20 shows a year at his Music Hall in Guthrie, OK. He also continues to tour and teach, and he produces the annual Oklahoma International Bluegrass Music Festival in Guthrie the first weekend of October. ( http://www.oibf.com/) Berline was inducted into the National Fiddler’s Hall of Fame in 2013, and was awarded IBMA’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 2012.
