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SPBGMA Awards for Rhonda Vincent

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Rhonda Vincent at SPBGMAAlready one of the most decorated artists in Bluegrass, Rhonda Vincent was named “Entertainer of the Year” at the 41st Annual SPBGMA (The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) Convention & Awards Show in Nashville this past Sunday. In addition to being named “Entertainer of the Year,” Vincent, who was inducted into the SPBGMA Hall of Greats last year, took home “Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year.” Earning their title as the most awarded band in Bluegrass Music, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage won “Bluegrass Band of the Year,” while band member Josh Williams was honored with the “Master’s Gold Award,” which commemorates winning “Guitar Performer of the Year” a total of ten times, and band member Hunter Berry took home “Fiddle Performer of the Year.”

It’s an incredible moment in time for us. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. We are so thankful for the support of our music; the promoters and venues who host our shows, and our friends who join us at the shows. We couldn’t do it without you. We appreciate each and every award. I am very honored and so proud of the incredible world-class musicians that make up The Rage – Rhonda Vincent.

Taking a break from winning awards, The Rage hit the stage and performed with legendary Country Music Hall of Fame member Mac Wiseman, before closing the show with Rhonda Vincent. There were three additional awards presented by Rhonda in commemoration of her band members’ years of service, with another special award honoring their agent Herb Sandker of Upper Management for their record-breaking tour schedule.

10 Years / 2012 – Hunter Berry – Rage Member
10 Years / 2012 – Mickey Harris – Rage Member
5 Years / 2014 – Aaron McDaris – Rage Member

You can catch Rhonda on Country’s Family Reunion “Sweethearts,” which airs on RFD-TV at the following times:
Friday, February 13th at 7:00 p.m. CT / 8:00 p.m. ET Saturday, February 14th at 11:00 p.m. CT / Midnight ET

Rhonda recently sat down with The Blaze to talk about her latest album, inspirations and faith. You can read the full article on their webite.

About Rhonda Vincent:
Rhonda Vincent has been one of the most consistent recording artists in the world of Bluegrass Music, winning the IBMA “Female Vocalist of the Year” award a remarkable seven consecutive times and walking away with the top honor of IBMA “Entertainer of the Year” in 2001. Vincent’s band, The Rage is the most award-winning band in Bluegrass music history with over 100 awards. Rhonda Vincent & The Rage maintain one of the busiest schedules in the music business today, recently hitting a personal record number of bookings for 2015.

About SPBGMA:
The Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) is a not-for profit corporation, which sets out to protect this genre of music. They preserve the traditional spirit and art of Bluegrass music, while offering management services for any community desiring to hold a Bluegrass festival. SPBGMA organizes and conducts Bluegrass band competitions. In these events, the instruments must be traditional acoustic instruments. The society encourages professionalism in appearance and showmanship by the performers of SPBGMA events, while also encouraging the support of various Bluegrass publications and associations.

Carolina Road – Country Grass

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LorraineJordanLorraine Jordan & Carolina Road are putting the final touches on their forthcoming album, Country Grass, which will feature collaborations with many Country music hit-makers including T.G. Sheppard, John Conlee, Lee Greenwood, Lynn Anderson, Eddy Raven and Jim Ed Brown. In addition, bluegrass favorites Ronnie Reno and Marty Raybon join the stellar lineup of talent that made some magical memories in the studio.

Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road’s distinct sound sets them apart from many traditional bluegrass bands, now enter The Kentucky Headhunters and you have magic. The new single “Runnin’ Water,” differentiated with Lorraine and Doug Phelps and Richard Young on vocals, shows the band’s warm and welcoming personality. Lorraine JoLorraineJordan1rdan hailing from North Carolina, while The Headhunters hail from Kentucky which attributes to the bluegrass-rich sound this track brings. The single will be accompanied by a music video that was filmed in Kentucky at the legendary Practice House, the location that has delivered all the previous Kentucky Headhunter hit singles.

The first time I heard The Kentucky Headhunters music, I was a fan. The group was different to anything out there in the world of Country music. Being from Kentucky, I knew they had Bluegrass roots, but when they released “Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine” it showed me just what they could do with the music – Lorraine Jordan.

Country Grass will be released in Spring 2015 on Pinecastle Records. It was produced by Lorraine Jordan and Josh Goforth. Track listing and more information coming soon.

For more information on Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road visit:
Website or Facebook or Twitter: @CarolinaRdBand

2015 Manjimup Jamcamp

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The Warren Arts Council have announced that enrolments for their 2nd jam camp are now open. Wernick

Jamcamps Australia has posted details of the enrolment process on its website for the Warren Arts Council. The camp is scheduled for three nights and three days from Friday 29th May to Monday 1st June this year.

The camp will feature a Friday night post dinner get-together jam. The camp tuition will start on Saturday morning at 9:00am (after breakfast) with group sessions, small-group practice throughout each day until late Monday morning.

Costs for the camp are $410.00 with an early bird offer of $380 until the 15th March 2015.

This year’s camp includes all tuition and accommodation, as well as breakfast and dinner for the three nights and days from 29th May to 1st June. Both shared and (some limited) single accommodation are available at the Manjimup Hotel.

The camp commences with a get-together and welcome jam on Friday night after dinner at the Manjimup Hotel.

Bookings are now open and deposits are being accepted via the Jamcamps Australia  website.

Wernick Method Jam camps and day sessions have been operating in Australia since 2007. There have been several camps run in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. future camps are being planned for NSW an South Australia.

Visit the Jamcamps Australia Website for details of the Wernick Method and to read of student’s testimonials from previous camps.

Mustered Courage – Kiss From a Rose

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Mustered Courage’s brand new double single “Kiss From A Rose” & “Candle Creek” is available now.

Mustered CourageBased in Melbourne, Australia, Mustered Courage bridge the gap between traditional bluegrass and modern roots music. The quartet – consisting of three Aussies and a Texas expat – has risen to the top of Australia’s folk and roots scene on the strength of their energetic live shows and an eponymous debut album that won them a string of glowing reviews, loads of national radio support, an endorsement from Seal, and a trophy at the 2012 MusicOz Awards.

Mustered Courage’s quick ascent has not gone unnoticed in music industry circles, both in Australia and abroad. These pickers have played many of the major Australian festivals, have showcased in the at the International Bluegrass Music Association Conference’s “2014 Bluegrass Ramble” and are lining up the follow-up 2015 US tour.

Like the Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show or Nickel Creek, Mustered Courage breathe new life into the bluegrass scene with a style that appeals to both traditionalists and newcomers alike.

We’re excited to be signing this deal with Lost Highway and feel the label understands us artistically, which is extremely important to us as a band. We’re looking forward to growing as recording artists under the Lost Highway label.” Julian Abrahams – Mustered Courage.

I first encountered Mustered Courage jamming at a back-yard party; real blue-grass harmonies, extraordinary musicianship, but with a modern new take on it all to their style. They played like their life depended on it – and that was at a BBQ! Just wait to you see them perform at a club or venue – or hear their new recordings. Urgency isn’t a word one associates with Alternative Country Bluegrass music – but that is just one of the special elements that makes Mustered Courage the leader in their space and so enjoyable to get wrapped up into – Michael Taylor Managing Director, Universal Music Australia.

33rd Yarra Junction Fiddler’s Convention

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Yarra JunctionThe 33rd Yarra Junction Fiddler’s Convention will be held from 20th to 22nd February, 2015 at Camp Eureka, Tarrango Rd, Yarra Junction, Victoria, Australia.

Australia’s oldest and biggest old-time music festival for fans and players of String Band, bluegrass Cajun Old-Time Roots, Concerts, workshops, dances, fun, and of great sessions.

Expected to play are High Times String Band, Hill Williams, , Appalachian Heaven String Band, Snowy Mountain Ramblers, Nine Mile Creek, Faux Grass, My-T-Fine String Band, Kissin’ Cousins, Cat & Clint, Mama’s Mountain Jug Band, The Pups, Chilli Strings, Fruit Jar, Passionate Fools and Flying Engine String Band, Special guest Richard Klein fiddling with the Le Blanc Cajun Band.

Unpowered camping in 30 acres of beautiful bush, in a Heritage listed site. With a beautiful creek. Some (free) bunk-house spaces (contact Ken). Hot showers. Communal kitchen. Food van all weekend. $50 all weekend including cabins, bunkhouse or camping. All you need is a pillowcase and sleeping bag. Day tickets & concessions less. Under 18 free. Under-cover dance, concert & workshop areas. People start arriving on Thursday from 2.00 p.m., and we wake you up and throw the last of you out on Monday.

One hour drive from Melbourne central via Lilydale. Regular suburban train & bus.
For more information go to our website yarrajunctionfiddlersconvention.com, or phone Ken McMaster, (03)9481 7662, 0451 680 266 kennithmcmaster@gmail.com or Max Amos at 95512123,0428306687 amosmax@bigpond.com

Check us out on YouTube for lots of great videos of our concerts, dances, sessions and workshops.
It’s definitely not just fiddles. Truth is we named it after the Galax Old Time Festival in Virginia. It is the longest running old-time and bluegrass festival.


Strzelecki StringBusters – Old No.4

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Strzelecki Stringbusters Old No.4As we come to close of this year we have one last CD announcement from the Strzelecki Stringbusters. Although this CD was released mid-year we have waited patiently for a copy to reach us up here in the north. I am pleased to say this album is perhaps their best to date and well worth the wait.  This is an album full of old acoustic standards. Those familiar with the Stringbusters will enjoy many of their old favourites – finally – made it to disk.

This is the Stringbusters first move away from the old crystal case with a fantastic black cover and incredible artwork by Wendy Schlipalius and photography by Debbie Coady. If for no other reason this album is worth the money just for the album cover.

The album features their usual mixture of traditional string band tunes along with many Alt-country and Americana flavoured numbers. Lead vocal duties are shared around virtually all the band members as usual and instrumentation is thick and varied and tasteful.

This album is a Stringbusters classic. Well it will be shortly. This is a hot favourite for Christmas hampers this year.

Strzelecki Stringbusters Old No.4 now available on AustralianBluegrass.com.

 

Davidson Brothers – Wanderlust

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WanderlustTheir previous album ‘Here to Stay’ (2011) not only enjoyed airplay on Triple J, it also received a 4-star review from The Age, which declared, “All music should be this much fun.”

‘Wanderlust’ contains 10 originals and follows the theme of a desire to travel. Tracks include ‘Travelling Bluebird’ an ode to Hamish’s first car, ‘It’s Time To Go’ which draws on new sounds and roots influences. Lost in Amsterdam (as well as a rock remix) alludes to a Davidson Brothers adventure in which Lachlan woke up on a bridge in Amsterdam. The aptly named Bottle Cappin’ Back Crackin’ Blues, which is one of three instrumentals.

An engineer working in a bottle cap factory for wine and spirits by day, Lachlan said, “Wanderlust was a hugely satisfying project. It’s the first album we’ve recorded in Melbourne in ten years. It’s pretty intense working all week and spending after hours sweating it out in the studio, but so excited to finally release some new songs.”

In addition to being a Doctor of Chiropractic and a new father, Hamish has kept himself busy this year driving up and back from Bendigo countless weekends for gigs all over Melbourne. With recording sessions for the album through the week, he’s also recently been playing banjo with Dan Sultan.
Hamish says, “Melbourne has been really good to us. Since focusing on playing loads of bars to reach new fans, new opportunities have come our way. Our sound has benefited from new influences and we’ve enjoyed sharing our music with a broader alternative audience, too.”
Wanderlust was produced by Hamish and Lachlan and engineered by Adam Rhodes (Cat Empire, Paul Kelly, Angus Stone, The Waifs) and recorded at Sing Sing South Studios with their live band Jacob McGuffie on acoustic guitar and Louis Gill. Mixed in Nashville by Larry Marrs & Mark Thornton and mastered in Sydney by Ted Howard.

Songs like ‘Every Time I Leave’ and ‘Take Me to the Mountains’ feature traditional bluegrass elements, sterling musicianship and trademark Davidson Brothers harmonies throughout, reinforcing the brothers’ superb reputation as Australia’s finest representatives of bluegrass music.

Watch the behind-the-scenes making of ‘Wanderlust’ on YouTube here:

July Show Dates:

  • Sunday 20th July, 2014 with The Shivering Timbers, The Gasometer Hotel 4:30–6:30PM, 484 Smith Street, Collingwood VIC. $10 Cover Charge. 03 9417 2725.
  • Saturday 26th July, 2014 with The Little Stevies, Meeniyan Town Hall 8:00pm South Gippsland Highway, Meeniyan VIC. Tickets via email lyrebirdarts@hotmail.com or 03 5664 9239.

In September the three-time Golden Guitar winners and Australia’s most celebrated purveyors of bluegrass head off to the US where they’ve been invited to showcase at the World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The new album ‘Wanderlust’ by the Davidson Brothers is supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria.

Wanderlust is available for purchase on CD and Digital Download exclusively at davidsonbrothersband.com.
Follow them on facebook here: www.facebook.com.

Grant For John Flanagan to Record in Nashville

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John Flanagan2013 Gympie Muster Talent Search winner John Flanagan has received a grant through Arts Australia Council to record his next album in Nashville.

John will be working with producer Viktor Krauss, the brother of Alison Krauss, who is a world-renowned musician and composer in his own right. Through a combination of self-funding, crowd funding and the grant, John plans to create an album that is on par with the quality of a record company release. John will travel to Nashville in Sept to record with Viktor and top session musicians who have played with the likes of Bob Dylan and Robert Plant.

Classic-yet-refreshing songwriting and captivating lyricism –Inpress Magazine.

In the past few years John has brought his banjo driven alt-bluegrass to major folk festivals around Australia and he has toured to the US. Audiences are drawn to the timeless melodies and honest lyricism of the songs. John has been a two-time finalist in the Toyota Starmaker Competition in Tamworth and in 2013 he took out the Gympie Muster Talent Search, an accolade he shares with past winners such as the McClymonts, Drew McAlister and Mark O’Shea. John plays regularly with fiddle player Jane Patterson whose strong, soaring vocals harmonise perfectly with John’s low, warm vocal timbre. Together they combine traditional old-time instrumentation with contemporary sensibilities to create an alt-bluegrass/folk sound that is both familiar and new.

John Flanagan has a gentle gravity in his voice and words, the kind that makes you stop and listen – Wally De Backer (gotye).

John will be using crowd funding to cover one-third of the album budget. People will have a chance to be a part of this album by pledging financial support through pozible.com and receiving rewards in return. Rewards could include: a signed copy of the album, a thank you in the liner notes, a personalised song written for you, or a concert by the band in your very own home.

The crowd-funding campaign will run from June 14th-Aug 13th, for more information visit: pozible.com/johnflanagan

John will be promoting the crowd-funding campaign with gigs in Melbourne and Sydney.

Melbourne: 4th July – 8:00pm Songwriters in the Round @ The Wesley Anne – 250 High St Northcote
Sydney: 26th July – 7:00pm Little Features @ Hibernian House, 342 Elizabeth St.
Sydney” 27th July –  4:00pm Menagerie @ The Welcome Hotel, 91 Evans St Rozelle.

Hot Diggity Debut

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Hot DiggityHere’s news of a new bluegrass ensemble from the across the ditch. New Zealand group Hot Diggity have recently formed and have wasted little time in putting together a schedule of appearances. This may well be the only  all-female bluegrass band in Australasia currently.

Who are they?

Deborah Mackenzie: Deborah has always loved to sing.  Growing up in the Salvation Army gave her a great introduction to music and harmony.  Previously Deborah sang in a three-part harmony trio in Auckland called the Wendy Lus. In 2010 she released an album of originals, “The Ride”, with Peter Neumegen. Deborah plays in an acoustic group called Rainberry Pie which explores many acoustic styles from alt-country, western swing, bluegrass, and pop. She is a singer-songwriter who enjoys her guitar, but loves to sing.

Jenine Abarbanel: Jenine came to music late, learning to play the upright bass in 2006 as a way of combatting her relocation blues after moving to NZ from the US in 2005.  A singer since childhood, her vocals are most often compared to Natalie Merchant and Gillian Welch. Jenine is the lead vocalist and bass player for popular NZ Bluegrass band The Pipi Pickers. Jenine often says that what she lacks in talent and skill she makes up for with energy and enthusiasm. (For those who have seen Jenine in action with the Pipi Pickers will know there is no lack of talent there – Editor).Hot Diggity

Heather Carrigan: Heather has been involved in music from an early age, enjoying the mandatory education that comes with having performing musicians as parents performing throughout her childhood. She explored many genres before finally finding a musical home in Bluegrass. Having played in bluegrass bands in Australia and the United States, Heather is enjoying a new Bluegrass adventure, playing with Hot Diggity. She’s thrilled to have her original material performed by such a great group of talented women.

Sue Drake: Sue started playing guitar when she was a kid and bought her first banjo on impulse about four years ago, she’s been hooked ever since. While Sue enjoys playing all types of music, including a regular gig with covers band Triple S she’s started a serious love affair with Bluegrass music. Sue says the biggest draw card to playing banjo in Hot Diggity is “access to a whole group of women as mad about their music as me.”

Slávka Franclíková: Originating from the Czech Republic, Slávka is a classically trained violinist (she started playing the violin in 1992). In 2004 she met the Czech bluegrass band Namodro and joined them for the next 8 years. In 2012 she came to NZ and played for a short time with the girls band “Manuka Hunnies” in Christchurch and with guitar & violin duo  Slingshot & Seashell. She has since moved to Auckland and is enjoying adding some solid fiddle licks to Hot Diggity.

They’ve got two appearances scheduled to-date:

  • First will be on July 9th at the Auckland Bluegrass and Old Time Country Music Club at the historic Devonport Bunker.
  • And we’ll be at the Thirsty Dog Folk Club on Karangahape Rd in Auckland later  in October.

Jenine tells us that they are quite a diverse bunch of women with their ages ranging from 26 to 60. Each live in towns hundreds of kilometres apart they meet in Leigh New Zealand for their rehearsal gigs. Jenine lives in Leigh, while  Slåvka and Deb in Auckland, and Heather and Sue in Dargaville and Whangarei, respectively. The one thing they all have in common is a love of Bluegrass and a great joy in playing and creating together.

We are primarily playing original compositions by Heather and Deb, with a few traditional Bluegrass songs thrown in.

Look out for the group in 2015 as they begin the process of applying for festival in New Zealand and Australia. Perhaps an all-female line up for MountainGrass 2015?

IBMA Showcase to Feature Australian Bands

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Mustered CourageMustered Courage and Davidson Brothers have been selected to showcase at this years Bluegrass Ramble as part of the 2014 The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) conference. The Bluegrass Ramble is an innovative series of showcases that will take place at select venues throughout downtown Raleigh, North Carolina during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass 2014 event, September 30 – Oct 4.

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 Kelly, Jeff Scroggins and Colorado, Jim Lauderdale, 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. 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 – Jon Weisberger, IBMA board chair.

In addition to these “official” showcase performers, artists will also be added to the Bluegrass DavidsonBrosRamble via sponsored shows at the venues.  The IBMA is also providing privately hosted “After Hours Showcases” (Tuesday – Saturday) as well as the new Friday and Saturday “Wide Open After Hours” 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 Centre, 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 7 pm – 2 am.

The Bluegrass Ramble showcases will be held in the following venues:

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 Bluegrass 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 nancyc@ibma.org.

IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event, an annual bluegrass music homecoming, consists of four parts: the IBMA Business Conference, September 30 – October 2, the 25thAnnual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday evening, October 2, the Wide Open Bluegrass Music Festival, October 3-4 (which includes both free stages and ticketed performances) and the Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases, taking place September 30 – October 2 in downtown Raleigh and at the Raleigh Convention Centre.

The Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau reported that last year’s World of Bluegrass event generated $10 million in direct visitor spending for that region, with total attendance for the week’s activities estimated to be over 154,000, exceeding expectations for the event’s first year in Raleigh. Over 300 performances by more than 160 different artists took place during World of Bluegrass 2013.

IBMA – the International Bluegrass Music Association – is the professional trade organisation for the global bluegrass music community. The organisation’s three-year stay in Raleigh is the result of a partnership with The Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau, PineCone—The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, the City of Raleigh and a local organising committee.