australianbluegrass.com

Gerry Hale from the Guitar Gallery advises that they now run regular monthly workshops.

The Guitar Gallery is located at 30 Johnston St, Fitzroy, and specialises in acoustic instruments. The focus of the shop has broadened to include a great selection of banjos, mandolins, and dobros as well as guitars. The Guitar Gallery is owned and staffed by musicians who also run a range of workshops and take classes and lessons in guitar, banjo, dobro, mandolin in various styles such as Irish and bluegrass.

The tutors have many years of experience as performers and teachers of their chosen instruments. They create a warm and encouraging environment for students, from beginners to advanced.

Workshops run on Wednesday nights 7:00pm  to 9:00pm:

1. the first Wednesday is always banjo workshop
2. the second Wednesday is always mandolin,
3. the thiurd Wednesday is always Dobro
4. the fourth Wednesday is  usually eother fiddle or guitar

News just in from the National Folk Festival is that Limited Early Bird Tickets are now available online from 9:00am Wed 1st Sept 2010.

One of the main acts confirmed for 2011 is one of the original Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys, Peter Rowan with his full band.

Others include:

• Old Time Fiddle Banjo & Vocal Maestro – Bruce Molsky – US
• Renowned Multi-instrumentalist-Vocalist – Joe Newberry – US
• 2010 USA Blues Music Award Nominee – Fiona Boyes – AUS
• Fiddle Legend – Rafe Stefani – Italy/US
• Doyen of Irish Song – Andy Irvine – IRE

News from the International Bluegrass Music Museum:

Owensboro Kentucky – city officials recently announced changes for the downtown and riverfront redevelopment project that will feature a huge convention centre, entertainment arena, outdoor amphitheatre, new hotel complex, parks, gardens, fountains, new restaurants and in all likelihood, an International Bluegrass Music Center that would triple the current museum’s existing space.

The plan proposes moving the International Bluegrass Music Museum from its present location to the old State Building on 2nd and Frederica, which would place it squarely at the center of the two main arteries in town and triple its current size.  This would make bluegrass music the centerpiece of the entire city of Owensboro, with great benefit to the Museum and its amazing collection of artifacts.

This is a developing story, so stay tuned for more information about how you can help.

Are you ready to come help us move? We may have a party and invite you all to come form a LONG line of people all the way across 4 city blocks, passing boxes from one person to the next, with bluegrass bands in the streets keeping us perked and ready. We’re going to really be working on a building, getting it ready for you to come visit.

News from Western Australia and the Bluegrass Parkway team is that they will be performing at the Greenhill’s Inn this Saturday, 4th September from 4:00pm until late.

Bluegrass fans are encouraged to head off to Greenhill’s Inn to join them for a night of bluegrass music at this great little secret just 10 minutes out from York.

This beautifully restored old pub set amongst the foothills surrounding York is an ideal setting for a great night of bluegrass.  The accommodation at the hotel is excellent but limited, although the pub is within easy reach of York where accommodation is plentiful.

Geoff Morris from Bendigo, Victoria, presents a regular radio program featuring national and international bluegrass music artists. Indeed this week Geoff clock up his 325th broadcast.   He tells us that he loves it as much today, if not more, than when the show commenced nearly four years ago.

Geoff also tells us that he is to be featured in a radio presenter profile in the September/October issue of Bluegrass Music Profiles magazine.

Kevin Kurfoot contacted me three months ago suggesting I submit answers to some questions for printing in Bluegrass Music Profiles magazine. I am tremendously thrilled and honoured to have this profile now appear in the September-October 2010 issue.
To be included in such a widely read and highly respected bluegrass publication is both significant and tremendously gratifying. It is a strong recognition that presenters from far-away Australia have a key part to play in promoting fabulous bluegrass music worldwide, though ten thousand miles from the centre of bluegrass activity, especially at this time of year.

On a personal note, I’m just rapt that the wonderful friendship and correspondence with so many people, and those hours beyond calculation spent researching programmes is truly of value and a worthwhile contribution to the joy we all share playing and listening to this fabulous music. Sincere thanks to Kevin and Lori for their recognition of this far distant presenter and, likewise, to Gracie and all at worldwidebluegrass.com for continued support - Geoff Morris.

Geoff’s popular Wall-To-Wall Bluegrass show can be heard on www.worldwidebluegrass.com each Tuesday morning for three hours from eleven a.m. and each Saturday morning for three hours from eight, Eastern Australian Standard Time.

Rounder Records have advised us that the reigning International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainers of the Year, Dailey & Vincent, are also the lead 2010 IBMA award nominees.

Dailey and Vincent have received ten nominations this week including Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year, for the chart-topping Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers on Rounder Records, which was released exclusively through Cracker Barrel chain in February this year.

Other nominations include Song of the Year for Elizabeth, from the Statler Brothers tribute disc; Male Vocalist of the Year (Jamie Dailey); Bass Player of the Year (Darrin Vincent); Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year for Don’t You Wanna Go to Heaven from the duo’s a cappella CD, Singing From the Heart; and Recorded Event of the Year for Give This Message to Your Heart, from Larry Stephenson’s 20th Anniversary CD.

Additionally, Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers received a nod for Best Graphic Design for Recorded Project, while Singing From the Heart was honored with a nomination for Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project.

10 nominations for the 2010 IBMA Awards to be held in September this year.

Nick Payne has been in touch to let us all know that their gig, which was scheduled at well known Sydney blues and roots venue The Vanguard but had to be canceled at the last minute, is back.  A new date has been chosen and tickets are available for sale now.

The new date is Sunday August 29 and tickets are available online from thevanguard.com.au.

Dear Orphans feature Lyn Taylor and Nick Payne with the help of Mike Kirkley on Dobro and pedal steel, Richard Galuzzi on clawhammer banjo and Lindsay Mar on double bass. Door open 6.30pm with music starting shortly after 8pm.

The folks from Dear Orphans appreciate the support shown to them from the bluegrass community and encourage readers to come along and to especially consider booking a table for a meal. A strong show of support for Dear Orphans will encourage major venues such as The Vanguard to consider more bluegrass acts in the future - Nick Payne.

Full details of the gig are as follows:
Dear Orphans + Indigo Belle playing Sunday August 29
The Vanguard – 42 King Street,  Newtown NSW 2042

To listen to Dear Orphans visit their website at dearorphans.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/dearorphans.

Submitted by John Werner – Victoria

David Long and his entourage have finished up their east coast tour of Australia at one of the country’s newest and emerging bluegrass and acoustic music venues – the Yinnar Hotel.

The band were engaged to play the Redlands Bluegrass Convention earlier in July this year, and thanks to the work of Ruth Hazelton from Across The Boarders Touring in Melbourne, the group went on to play several other gigs down the east coast.

One of those events was the Yinnar Hotel last Wednesday night which saw a packed audience. Midnight From Memphis took to the stage, as part of the monthly presentations organised by local legends, The Strzelecki Stringbusters.

The final gig of their month-long Australian tour was a sold-out affair to a packed house, showcasing the individual and collective talents of these fine musicians who played Bluegrass, Western Swing and well-crafted ‘Americana’ original songs throughout their two 45 minute sets. Their vocal harmony was a particular highlight, along with the intricate weaving in and out of the single condenser mic’s range as each took turns to solo.

David Long, on his 3rd visit to the area in 5 years, demonstrated why he is considered to be one of the new masters of traditional music with a skilful display of Monroe-style mandolin playing. Preston Schmidt on fiddle caused a few jaws to hit the deck within his first few bars, wowing the crowd with his precise and fiery style. Scott Simotachhi on guitar provided solid rhythm playing and delivered his original tunes with great vocal clarity, whilst Eric Thorin on bass impressed all with his perfect timing and some wonderful solo’s that tapped into his diverse musical background.

The boys also entertained the audience between tunes with witty stories of their Australian experiences, and some of the inspirations behind their original offerings.

The large and thirsty crowd stayed on until stumps. As is now customary for all acts coming through Yinnar, the night concluded with all performers from both bands crowding onto the stage for the final 3 tunes, ending well past the usual 11pm finish time. The MFM boys were last seen heading back to Arnie’s farmhouse to kick on into the early hours with the locals.

The Strzelecki Stringbusters. have several outstanding national acts lined up for the rest of the year on their last Wednesday of the month shows.  Coming up in August is Gerry Hale’s Uncle Bill, so jump in quickly and secure your spot by contacting the Yinnar Hotel on Ph 51631263.