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AustralianBluegrass.com

bringing bluegrass music news from all over downunder

  • Australian Bluegrass News
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Headline News

Dan Crary on Doc, Earl and Doug

15 Sep, 12 by Greg McGrath

Dan Crary is a musical legend, a pioneer of one of the most intricate, yet powerful, forms of American music. He is a master of the guitar, a flatpicking stylist with an international reputation for innovation, taste and brilliance. With more than 50 years as a performer, Crary is one of the few artists whose work can be said to transcend the boundaries of style and genre.

Dan Crary remembers Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs and Douglas Dillard.

Filed Under: Headline News, International News Tagged With: Dan Crary, Doc Watson, Doug Dillard, Earl Scruggs

Gospel Album for Karen Lynne

5 Sep, 12 by Greg McGrath

News from Karen Lynne this week is that she has selected a studio to record her new Gospel Bluegrass album, and is now planning the recording sessions to best fit with everyone’s schedules. Karen has chosen to record in Nashville at a studio belonging to Tom T Hall & his songwriting partner & wife, Miss Dixie, and Jerry Salley as producer.

Karen says she is looking forward to meeting them, but before they get there we still have lots of things to organise If all goes well though, the recording part of this project should at least be finished in the later months of this year.

Artists confirmed for the project are, Josh Williams on guitar, Mike Bub on bass, Randy Kohrs on Dobro, scott Vestal on banjo and Tim Crouch on fiddle and mandolin.

Filed Under: Australian Bluegrass News, Headline News Tagged With: Karen Lynne

New Band – American Drive

10 Aug, 12 by Greg McGrath

Rural Rhythm Records has announced the formation of the new band American Drive.

This high-octane bluegrass band includes group members of J.D. Crowe & The New South who are carrying on now that J.D. Crowe has announced his retirement. American Drive includes the talents of: Rickey Wasson on lead and harmony vocals and guitar; Dwight McCall on lead and harmony vocals and mandolin; Matt DeSpain on resonator Guitar and Kyle Perkins on bass from The New South. They are joined by Justin Jenkins on Banjo formerly with the bands Grasstowne and Blue Moon Rising.

We are so excited about being a part of the American Drive team. Rickey, Dwight, Matt, Kyle and Justin are about to start a new chapter in their musical journey that will surely delight Bluegrass fans all over the world. THE NEW SOUTH had the absolute privilege of supporting one of our legends in Bluegrass for many years…and now the time has come for them to step into the spotlight and continue to create top-notch Bluegrass for years to come  Sam Passamano, President of Rural Rhythm Records.

Rural Rhythm has also announced today’s new single release, Long Haul Trucking Man from American Drive’s self-titled debut album scheduled for release on 16th October, 2012. The song is now available to radio stations at AirplayDirect.com and the track is also included on the label’s Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks disc mailed to radio today.

clip-LongHaulTruckinMan-AmericanDrive.mp3

American Drive will make their debut at the 2012 International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) World of Bluegrass convention during the band’s Official Showcase next month in Nashville, TN. For more information on the IBMA’s week long Business Conference, Awards Show and Fanfest, please visit ibma.org.

The band is moving in high gear and will soon be launching a brand new website at AmericanDriveBand.com, but fans can check them out now at Facebook.  American Drive is now accepting bookings for 2013. Interested parties should contact Rickey Wasson at 606-481-0240 or Dwight McCall at 513-616-0680. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements regarding American Drive.

Filed Under: Headline News, International News Tagged With: American Drive, JD Crowe

We Remember Chris Duffy

26 Jul, 12 by Greg McGrath

The following comments have been sent to us via our website following the sad news last night of Chris Duffy’s passing. Donal Baylor and I spoke last week at the Redlands Festival about compiling a site to preserve the memory of one of Australia’s great bluegrass pioneers. This is our start:

We’d welcome your comments via the contact form below.

When it comes to pioneering bluegrass music in Australia, there is one person whose contribution stands out amongst all others – Chris Duffy.

Chris was a connoisseur, an entrepreneur and a raconteur all wrapped into one.  He brought professionalism to the scene and a generation of Australian pickers were inspired by him.

It’s long been a joke in the music business that one of the rarest phrases in the English language is ‘a successful banjo player’, but Chris was that and a whole lot more.

He made records – LP records – when it was a big deal to make a record.  You needed contractual arrangements and distribution deals and it was a far more expensive process than the current plethora of self-produced CDs.  His records were influential and many Australian pickers were introduced to bluegrass through them. 

He sold banjos – he put dozens of young pickers behind a Stelling banjo, exposing them and countless others to their first professional grade instrument.

He gave a generation of Australians their first taste of live bluegrass from the USA when he brought out in successive years: Byron Berline, John Hickman, Vince Gill, Mark O’Connor, Dan Crary and Bill Keith – all at the height of their careers.  I will never forget the effect of seeing Byron play – it was incredible and I still feel influenced by that moment 29 years later.  He also gave Australians the opportunity to play in bands supporting some of these artists.  I spent an unforgettable east coast tour as part of his band with Dan Crary – another of my teenage heroes.

He also arranged for these musicians to judge the fiddle, banjo and guitar competitions at the Tamworth country music festival – giving the event real credibility.  Under his leadership, this was one of the marquee gigs of the festival, attracting enormous crowds and at the time, was the meeting place for Australian bluegrass pickers during an incredibly active period in the music’s growth.

Chris was also the consummate performer.  Together with his partner, John Kane (and Ian Tredinnick & Ian Jane when they had a full bluegrass band), they bought the music to more people in more places than anyone had done before or since.  Their show was full of great picking, songs and their easy-going humour made the music accessible to audiences everywhere.  I met Chris and John during this period while I was studying and found it inspirational.  We soon got to jamming at Paul Wookey’s house whenever they were in Melbourne (which was a lot) and we had many great times.  Chris was enormously supportive of me, and offered me gigs here and there, which was a huge thrill to me.

Chris was a natural leader and knew the music business extremely well. He had worked out a way of playing what he wanted to and yet firmly remain in control of his own direction.  This is something very hard to do and takes considerable planning and resolve.  He had learned this from various sources, not least of which was from Slim Dusty with whom he toured with in the 1970s.  This gave him a great knowledge of Australia and a determination to keep control of one’s career.  Through his constant touring, he had contacts everywhere and an incredible recall of places to source good coffee, pasta and French food!  Some years later when I was part of the Slim Dusty show, Michel Rose and Colin Watson and I used to award each other with a ‘Chris Duffy Award’ for whoever could find the best place to eat in some of the blandest country towns imaginable.

Slim used to use Chris as a sounding board whenever he needed a new musician.  Chris always knew who was up and coming and (and critically) who would socially fit in to the group.  Quite a few pickers owe their big break to a quiet recommendation from Chris.

I know I have benefited enormously from Chris’ influence and I know many others have too.  John Kane was able to learn his craft from Chris and go on to form his highly successful band ‘Flying Emus’. I had many opportunities to tour with Chris and they were always exciting, rewarding and fattening.  He had sophisticated tastes in food, cars as well as music and a wide range of interests that made conversation over long drives endlessly fascinating.

In late 1989, I was finishing my stint as Slim’s fiddle player when I received a call from Chris.  He was in rehearsal for a Broadway play about to open in Sydney and they needed an onstage fiddle player.  He thought of me and I was quick to say yes.  Soon it was packing them in for eight shows a week, and Roger Miller’s ‘Big River’ (starring John Bell, Jon English, Cameron Daddo) was big hit.  The money I made from that formed the deposit for the house that we still live in, so I have Chris Duffy to thank for all that he has given me.

There is no doubt that Chris Duffy had a vital influence on me.  He taught me what is possible in music in Australia if one is determined enough.  He was able to achieve so much and all of us have so much to thank him for.  I treasure the memories that we shared and will miss his humour, lovable eccentricity and undeniable skills and achievements. There will never be another like him – Donal Baylor, Canberra.

There are many bluegrass music fans in Australia whose interest in the genre was kindled by Chris Duffy’s pioneer touring through regional Australia in the 70 and 80’s. Chris introduced us to people like John Kane, Paul Wookey, Dan Crary, Bill Keith, Byron Berline, John Hickman, Mark O’Connor and such. Then came the inaugural Bluegrass Championships in 1979. Chris became Australia’s first National Banjo Champion and subsequent adjudicator along with his touring entourage of international guests.

Chris Duffy played such a significant role in the development of Bluegrass Music in Australia and in my life. His passion for fine instruments, good food and good wine took him on a tour of life that many would fail to comprehend. However, this has sadly come to an end.

I remember Dan Crary once telling me that Chris was a walking encyclopedia of fine dining establishments in Australia. No matter to what town he and Chris arrived at, Chris knew where the best restaurant was and often knew the chef by name.

Chris had a passion for music, art and fine-food and wine. During my time in Victoria, I had enjoyed many a night out in Melbourne as Chris would lead me to his favourite restaurants where we’d enjoy a night of fine-food and wine along with conversation that generally solved the world’s problems. I especially enjoyed his ability to define what brought him joy, caused him frustration and to generally seek out all that was good in life.

There is no doubt that many others, who have enjoyed Chris’s company, his often quirky slant on life, his bizarre sense of humour and his lightning fast wit, who will miss him too – Gregory McGrath, Caloundra.

I could never forget Chris. His interest and application to the music over so many years was infectious … he along with John Kane raised the awareness in many of us in the ’70’s and ’80’s to the pleasure and joy of bluegrass and acoustic music. I enjoyed his lovely banjo style and mandolin picking and of course his wit and humour. It was always a delight to be in his company and to see and hear him perform. Chris’s presence and contribution meant a lot to my personal development in learning the banjo and bluegrass music and I’m so sorry to hear of his passing – Laurie Grundy USA.

Thanks for some amazing music over the years. You were, and still are, one of our bluegrass icons. Your contribution to Aussie Bluegrass was extraordinary and you will be sadly missed. We can see you now just pickin’ away with Earl and Doc… wow, what a sound! Our condolences and sympathy to the Duffy family – Graeme J.

Peter Hisco, Leslie Avril Bowker and Maggie Duncan.

Last tune played with him, just last year – Remington Ride at a Melbourne, Paul Wookey gig near his place. Properly met at the Hanson Hotel Bluegrass nights of the early 80s in Adelaide with John Kane. Always remember the ol newspaper solo and extended banjo neck gag. He had me open for Dan Crary around that time ay Adelaide Uni. Then hardly saw him again till he popped up at the Yarra Junction Fiddlers Convention perhaps in 2006 (jpeg date but was likely earlier) and joined Leslie Avril for a casual set. Always a fascinating gentleman and could play to anything. And funny to boot. Too few notes shared but all the more treasured – Andrew Clermont

I had the pleasure of knowing Chris in a different capacity, as a nurse on the Acute Trauma Team ( Psychiatric ) based at Rozelle Hospital in the inner west of Sydney.
His stories of that time for him were sometimes sad, but very revealing of the human condition. His quirkiness (for want of something of a better description) helped him in this arena.
I didn’t work with Chris in his chosen nursing field, but his parties or impromptu get-togethers at his home always were like the man himself, never ordinary. Keep playing that banjo Chris – Robyn Brennan.

Just today I picked up a new banjo, as I sat on my verandah playing, I thought back to days listening to Mr Duffy and his picking magic.
This evening I heard he is lost to us.
Chris and I worked together in acute mental health services years ago and he brought his gentle intelligence to so many in his life and was a professional, musical and personal inspiration – Greg Norton-Baker.

I did my first professional gig with Chris and John at The Troubadour in Melbourne. I was still at school and after convincing mum & dad to let me go, took my first ever flight to Melbourne to join them for their show. I was bitten by the bug and the rest is history.
I also met my husband at a Chris Duffy & John Kane gig at The Alley Cat in North Sydney where they played a residency in the early 80’s. So I guess I have quite a lot to thank you for Chris. Travel easy old friend – Genni Kane.

My first contact with Chris was over 40 years ago – In 1970 I had just returned to Sydney from Canada and I heard Chris play 5 string banjo at the Liz. At the time he was with a lively group called “Southern Comfort”, and I enjoyed many of their gigs at the Liz back then. Little did I know that later on I would enjoy Chris’s company partaking of fine French food at the Bagatelle restaurant on many occasions (especially on Bastille day!!), and also play bass in several of the many bluegrass lineups that Chris featured in on banjo, mandolin, and guitar. Chris came up with some very subtle names for the bands – one in particular come to mind…. it was called “Just Bluegrass”. When placing adds for gigs, all we usually got in the listing would be “Bluegrass”!!! Chris was a fun guy the be around, and unfortunately we lost the connection with him when he moved to Melbourne many years ago…. though conversations with other old band members would usually get around to “what’s Chris up to these days”? Chris – gone but not forgotten…. As the ancient Egyptians said – “Speak my name and I will live forever” – Ian Jane.

One of my earliest memories of discovering bluegrass music was having the opportunity to see Chris and John Kane when they visited Perth as a duo in the early eighties. They had a profound effect upon me because of the quality of their musicianship and obvious discipline they displayed.
The most powerful memory I have however was of how approachable these guys were. Really nice guys who wanted to share their music.
Chris was a unique banjo player, prepared to take the instrument places I had never witnessed.
He will be sorely missed – Paul Duff, Perth WA.

I first met Chris in Brisbane in about 1964. He was among the first of the local banjo pickers I heard who seemed to have really captured the spirit and style of Scruggs Picking. Chris was always the consummate performer, he knew how to entertain a crowd and awe them with his musicianship. I learned a lot from Chris’s observations ” get ’em to laugh” and they will enjoy your show. And on potential Hecklers ” Pay us an Aussie song mate”. Chris’s response “Ok. This is a tune from New South Wales – Foggy Mt Victoria- it was on the B side of a special re- release of his hit “When The Rain Tumbles Down In July” in March 1956″ . Not too difficult to figure out what Tune Chris really played.
Chris’s laconic and ironic observations, his musical ingenuity will be sadly missed by all. He has left a legacy in a yet to be released CD- make sure you get a copy – Rod Jones, Sydney.

Hard to know what to say. Thirty years ago , Bluegrass in Australia was such a fledgling genre of music. There were but a handful of “top pickers” and look how well the music has grown and spread, now sustaining dedicated Bluegrass Festivals and Conventions, almost unthinkable back then . Chris was a major inspiration to so many to pick up a banjo or take up playing Bluegrass. One of the “pioneers”; it feels like the end of an era. The great legacy Chris leaves behind is in the number of talented and enthusiastic younger pickers he inspired, who have or will step into his shoes to carry the music on. Thank you Chris. May you rest in peace – Pamela Hay, Perth WA.

Extremely saddened about Chris’ passing. Most banjo players say that Earl was their inspiration, but the day I heard Chis play “Grey Eagle” that was it for me. I was totally consumed with this great instrument. I even had Chris import my Stelling Bellflower and still have it to this day. I’m no Chris Duffy but still enjoy playing a lot of his arrangements – Glen deTenon, Gove N.T.

Chris would have been so pleased to see these memories. In his last days he often spoke of the people he knew around the world. He was the only person I’ve ever met who started a conversation with these words: “When I was driving to Tamworth with Mark O’Connor …” Chris was lucid to the end, and gave his family and friends the rare gift of being able and willing to talk about death and dying, life and living — openly and candidly, withholding nothing. His death was sweet and peaceful, just as he often said he wanted, with his family and close friends around him.

In his last months, Chris became more fundamentally Chris – affectionate, compassionate, caring for the trivial concerns of others, clever as ever and with his photographic memory intact, and somehow wiser than he had ever been. He said he had shed his embellishments and felt more himself than he ever had before.

His CD is available today (Friday 27th July) “Banjo Time” a wonderful, quirky collection of ragtime, bluegrass standards with the Duffy twist, and classical pieces. He lived to hear the final mix and the artwork though sadly not the completed product. We’ll post details of the memorial concert (in September, in Melbourne) on this site, with Greg’s help – Peggy Daroesman.

Didn’t know Chris that well but was able to share a coffee with him a couple of years ago where we discussed our new banjo purchases. Also had the chance to tell him that I had some old ABC video of his playing in the 80’s which was very inspirational for me as a beginner – Jack Melbourne.

Back in the early 1980’s I saw Chris & John Kane entertaining in a Hotel in Hobart and also another gig at The Uni. A wonderful evening of great music, superb musicianship and the one thing many music performers forget – great entertainment including the ‘paper sketch’ and that dry, dry humour which he had by the bucket load. Really sad to hear of his passing. I must go and dig out my favourite LP of his ‘Bull Ants In Bushland’ – Andy Cooke.

I met Chris in the 70’s when he did some sessions for Rolling Home soundtrack. He was such a fine musician on so many instruments including Pedal Steel which he played on that soundtrack. He is now far beyond the pain and alive in our hearts – David M Stewart.

I saw and heard Chris play several times over the years. I have a couple of his early vinyl’s and hope to get a copy of his last CD when available. My condolences to his family – Stanley Hill, Dandenong.

Sad news of Chris,s passing. First met Chris Duffy and John Kane in a small cafe in Byron over 35 years ago, myself and my friend were totally captivated with this new guitar and banjo music. After the gig we asked them of this style, and thy gave us some info to join the Bluegrass Society of Australia, and since that day have played this style of music ourselves. Again sorry to hear of his passing – Carl, Central Tilba, New South Wales.

Sad news indeed for all bluegrass musicians’ and fans at the passing of Chris.
More than just a pioneer of Australian Bluegrass, Chris was a most creative and competent musician.
I consider myself most fortunate, and will always treasure the memories of having worked with him many times over the years.
Along with his humour and expertise on banjo, guitar and mandolin he was an inspiration to all those who played with him and listened to his music. He was also greatly respected by many great american bluegrass musicians.
Chris will be sadly missed by us all.
“There’s a better home awaiting in the sky, Lord in the sky”
R.I.P. – Trev Warner, South Australia.

I remember Chris’s banjo workshop at Beechworth. It was due to start at 10.00am. Nothing happened.
At 10.30, someone saw him in the town getting a coffee, and mentioned the workshop. He turned up 10 minutes later with his coffee.
He didn’t actually play any tunes, but suggested some computations by which it was possible to combine all the strings and frets of the banjo with all the known stretched positions of the left hand and all known and unknown right hand rolls to play a facsimile of all music ever created, or never created but which could be.
He illustrated this with some disturbingly unfamiliar chords and rolls. This Turing-like observation was typical of Chris whose restless mind didn’t recognise obstacles, only possibilities, only ways of knowing – musical, entrepreneurial, purely conceptual or essentially quizzical.
At first the workshop was lost on me. Then it wasn’t – Geoff Bridgeland, South Australia.

I am not a muso but I was a great waitress at the Troubador in the 80’s and I remember many a night spent in awe at the brilliance of Chris and John as I wrestled with plates and customers butting their ash in anything but the ash trays and I marvelled at the sounds of these two. My birth to bluegrass. I thank you Chris Duffy ( and John ) for providing me with fabulous music to get me through the nights of people who had left their manners downstairs on Brunswick St. Bluegrass for me began with these nights and continues throughout my life, again I thank you. So very sad to have heard the news of Chris’s passing my thoughts to your family and those who knew you better than me, a mere waitress – Anne-Marie.


Filed Under: Australian Bluegrass News, Headline News Tagged With: Chris Duffy

A Lifelong Hero Remembered

5 Jun, 12 by Geoff Morris

It seems to be a truism, certainly one often quoted to me, as: “when you lose one of your senses the others sharpen and compensate for the one lost.” This particular piece of folk wisdom has never really struck a chord with me. I know, for instance, of many blind people whose sense of direction or spatial orientation is not above average and who don’t appear to have developed remarkable skills or talents in any particular area of living.

Another comment goes along the lines of: “well, without your eyesight you don’t have the distractions that we in the visual world do” , perhaps there may be some truth in this. We live in a world so dominated by visual impression and information often to the detriment of the perhaps subtler and more sensitive information about people and the world around us that our other senses are endeavouring to communicate. Nonetheless, for whatever mixture of reasons, there are many blind or vision impaired people who are musically or artistically brilliant, outstanding communicators, teachers, business leaders, and so on. We often say that such people are “gifted” and quite possibly they are, the brain being better able to focus its immense drive and energy in specific channels that may otherwise have become blurred or less effective under the sheer weight of visual information.

Arthel (Doc) Watson lost his sight at the age of one. His parents were determined that he should learn to play music, harmonica initially, later claw-hammer banjo, the better to give him a hand when out in the world beyond his family. His encyclopaedic knowledge of early recordings of the old-time or roots variety would allow him later on to play and sing from a hugely recalled repertoire of music which may otherwise have disappeared from our knowledge.

Folklorist, Ralph Rinsler came down to North Carolina in 1960, principally to meet and record Clarence Ashley, doyen of old-time songs. Rinsler was initially reported to have found Doc almost too good to be considered a genuine folk musician, an impression which he radically amended later.

Living in Australia, I first came across Doc when presented with one of those wonderful big, thick Folkways covers, with an equally thick twelve-inch record in one pocket and copious liner notes in the other. The second track ion the album was Doc, performing Every-Day Dirt, a rough and ready old song. However it was not so much the singing or the lyrics that captured me so completely but the scintillating guitar taking him at breath-taking speed through the song. Here was someone at the peak of his artistry and in complete control of anything he sang or played.

From there it was a short if tantalising wait till the first of a series of wonderful Vanguard records came along. Doc’s clear, down-to-earth, confident voice and unmistakably phenomenal playing was there on every track and would ever more remain so.

When I won a scholarship to work in Denver, Colorado, in 1981, my wife and I went along to see Doc with, I think, Merle and T. Michael Coleman at a nearby theatre. Doc had laryngitis that night and couldn’t sing, something my wife has held against him ever since, and yet there was his wonderful playing just rolling on through the night. I never actually met or spoke to Doc at length but in 2007 journeyed across to the Black Mountain Festival in North Carolina. By the time we arrived the festival had ended, but we managed to race up the hill, jump out of the cart and say hello, exchange a few words before Doc was whisked away: an anticlimax? Quite the opposite; it was a high and unforgettable experience.

For over half a century Doc was, and of course shall remain, a hero of mine. If his lack of sight focused and gave him the tremendous drive to conquer all obstacles, so be it, but his blindness was completely irrelevant to every aspect of his life, whether thrilling his audience or fixing shingles on his roof. As a musician without peer he was, simply, the best of the century.

Along with countless others, I am very sad he has gone.

Thanks Geoff. “Pioneer” and “Legend” hardly do Doc justice but, “The Best of The Century” says it all.
Geoff Morris presents two three-hour radio shows each week. These are scheduled on Mondays from 8:00pm and Fridays from 6:00pm, Eastern Daylight Saving Time (U.S.). They are  called Wall-to-Wall Bluegrass and feature on www.worldwidebluegrass.com – Editor.

 

Filed Under: Australian Bluegrass News, Headline News Tagged With: Doc Watson, Geoff Morris

World of Bluegrass Moves to Raleigh

18 May, 12 by Greg McGrath

IBMAThe IBMA Board of Directors have recently announced plans to move World of Bluegrass events to Raleigh, North Carolina for the next three years, 2013-2015.

World of Bluegrass Week includes the four-day IBMA Business Conference, the International Bluegrass Music Awards Show, and the three-day Bluegrass Fan Fest. The annual industry summit/ bluegrass family reunion draws over 16,000 attendees, providing opportunities for showcasing, professional development and networking at the largest concentrated week of powerful, live bluegrass music on the planet.

The following World of Bluegrass dates have been announced, with the option for a five or seven-day event each year:

  •  September 23 – 29, 2013
  • September 29 – October 5, 2014
  • September 28 – October 4, 2015.

World of Bluegrass 2013-2015 will be hosted at the Raleigh Convention Center, the Raleigh Amphitheater and Memorial Auditorium, with hotel blocks at the Raleigh Marriott City Center, the Sheraton Raleigh and six additional nearby hotels.

 We can’t wait for you to see this place. Here are some of the details we can look forward to in Raleigh:

  • A compact “campus” with options for hosting Fan Fest indoors or outdoors—or both, with more stage options
  • A state-of-the-art, Silver LEED certified convention center that incorporates a bright and open atmosphere (lots of windows and solar panels on the roof!)
  • Substantially lower hotel rates, with the host hotel at $139/night and other lodging in our block as low as $66/night. The Raleigh Marriott City Center is connected to the Raleigh Convention Center and the Sheraton Raleigh is half a block away across the street, connected by an underground walkway (both $139/night).  The Clarion Hotel State Capital ($85) is five blocks away.  MORE: The Hampton Inn Glenwood Avenue (1 mile, $139), the Doubletree by Hilton Brownstone (2 miles, $154), the Hilton North Raleigh (5 miles, $101), Holiday Inn Express-Suites NCSU (2 miles, $89.99), Red Roof Inn NCSU (1 mile, $65.99). Note: These rates will not be available until spring 2013.
  • Plenty of parking at the Raleigh Convention Center, $7/day
  • Free shuttle rides in downtown Raleigh to its five entertainment districts. This shuttle also has access to the Marriott, Sheraton, Clarion and Hampton.
  • Free Wi-Fi for individual World of Bluegrass attendees in the lobby of the Raleigh Convention Center and in designated outside hotspots downtown
  • Substantial savings and value from Raleigh both for individual World of Bluegrass attendees and for our trade association as a whole, plus help with media promotion and sponsorship connections
  • A strong network of volunteers already working bluegrass concerts at PineCone events (Piedmont Council of Traditional Music)
  • A performing arts hall-style venue for the IBMA Awards, with a few more (and softer) seats
  • Accessible by air, interstate highway or Amtrak
  • And more!

We’re looking forward to working with a local organizing committee in Raleigh to plan World of Bluegrass and a city-wide celebration, with showcase and performance opportunities for dozens of bands in the Raleigh Convention Center, the headquarter hotels, local schools, and up and down the streets in local music clubs and cafes –  IBMA Board of Directors & staff.

If we had designed a perfect venue for our events, it would look a lot like the facilities in Raleigh – IBMA Board chair Stan Zdonik.

North Carolina has a rich bluegrass music history. A number of our Bluegrass Hall of Fame members hail from the Tar Heel State, including Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Red Smiley, Carlton Haney, Curly Seckler, Carl Story and George Shuffler.  Pre-bluegrass pioneers Wade Mainer and Charlie Poole are from North Carolina, and the Monroe Brothers (Charlie and Bill) made their first recordings in Charlotte, N.C., including the classic What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul?  Some argue that Bill Monroe might not have made it to the Opry to unveil his new genre of music if not for Raleigh, N.C., he place where he and his brother Charlie famously parted ways in 1938, beginning the chain of events that would lead the younger brother to form the Blue Grass Boys.

North Carolina is also the home of Smilin’ Jim Mills, Tony Williamson, Bryan Sutton, the Steep Canyon Rangers, Tony Rice, Balsam Range, The Grass Cats, Kickin Grass Band, Nu-Blu, Steve Dilling, Cindy & Terry Baucom, Lou Reid & Carolina, The Skip Cherryholmes Quintet, Si Kahn, The WBT Briarhoppers, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, The Snyder Family Band, Lorraine Jordan, Tommy Edwards & the Bluegrass Experience, The Shady Grove Band, Town Mountain, The Kruger Brothers, The Avett Brothers, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Chatham County Line, David Holt, the Red Clay Ramblers and more.

World of Bluegrass is moving to Raleigh through 2015, but IBMA’s office will remain in Nashville.  IBMA’s 2012 dates for World of Bluegrass are Sept. 24-30, in Nashville, Tennessee.  Call 615-256-3222 or email info@ibma.org for more information, or visit www.worldofbluegrass.org for event updates throughout the summer. For reservations at Nashville’s Renaissance Hotel and surrounding properties during World of Bluegrass 2012, please call 877-259-4716 or (615) 259-4700.

IBMA Members, check your mailbox for World of Bluegrass brochures the end of May, and call us if you’d like us to send you an extra one or two to share with a friend. Registration begins June 1, 2012. Give us a call at 888-GET-IBMA or register online at

Filed Under: Headline News, International News Tagged With: IBMA

Updates From The Stetson Family

9 May, 12 by Greg McGrath

We have recently received some news from the Stetson Family which we though we should pass on. Having played the Avoca Festival in March, the Apollo Bay Music Festival in April, the band then headed for Beechworth for the Golden Horseshoe Festival held over the Easter weekend.

In August this year we learn that some of the band are off to Colorado to check out the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, which, by the way, has for the first time in its 39 year history completely sold out.

The Stetson Family will be playing at The Union Hotel in Brunswick (this Saturday 12th May, from 9pm) and on Sunday 13th May from 6:00pm at The Drunken Poet in West Melbourne.

Sat 12 May, The Union Hotel, Brunswick, 9pm, free
Sun 13 May, The Drunken Poet, West Melbourne, 6pm, free

In August this year the band will appear at, Tanswell’s Commercial Hotel, Beechworth, St Leonard’s Winery, Wahgunyah and Troubadour Weekend, Kyneton.

Check their website for details.

Filed Under: Australian Bluegrass News, Headline News Tagged With: The Stetson Family

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