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News just in from Rural Rhythm Records is that on Friday, 27th March, Bill Emerson will be honored with the very first Washington Monument Award, presented by the DC Bluegrass Union in recognition of this 50 year career in bluegrass music.  The following night, Saturday, 28th March, Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie will hold their official CD release party for their new album, Southern.

The Washington Monument Award will be presented to Emerson at the DC Bluegrass Festival. The award celebrates Washington, DC-area musicians who have been instrumental in shaping the direction of bluegrass music nationwide.

For more information  you can visit www.dcbluegrassfest.org.

Artists, Bluegrass News, International News Bill Emmerson, Rural Rhythm Records

Once again Steve Martin has secured the award-winning bluegrass group the Steep Canyon Rangers to tour with him in support of his Grammy winning Rounder Records release, The Crow:  New Songs for the Five-String Banjo. The Banjo Tour will begin on 19th April in Detroit and is expected to continue into October, with performances scheduled at the New Orleans JazzFest, MerleFest and Bonnaroo.

I am very excited to begin my banjo tour with the Steep Canyon Rangers. It has been a long time dream of mine to travel around the country with a bunch of guys - Steve Martin.

For their part, the Steep Canyon Rangers also earned rave reviews while on tour with Martin in the fall, during which they had an opportunity to perform songs from their fourth studio album for Rebel Records, Deep in the Shade.
The tour included performances at the 20th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Show, The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, Carnegie Hall, Nashville’s famous Ryman Auditorium, Royal Festival Hall in London, and other venues in cities including Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Washington, Toronto, Chicago, Denver and Santa Fe. The Rangers also performed with Martin on The Late Show with David Letterman, The View, NPR’s World Café, and the BBC’s Later with Jools Holland.

No Australian dates sadly.

Artists, Bluegrass News, International News Steve Martin, The Steep Canyon Rangers

Some good news for all you Bluestone Junction fans in Victoria, is that will be playing support for Uncle Earl at the East Brunswick Hotel, next Thursday, 11th March.

Pete Fidler tells us that the show kicks off at 8.30pm and that Donal Baylor is coming down from the ACT to join them. They will be playing a tune or two from Donal’s new CD.

It will be a great night of home-grown bluegrass and all-girl old timey music.
Tickets are available from Brunswick Music Festival office on ph: 03 93881460.

Bluegrass News, Promotions Bluestone Junction, Donal Baylor, Uncle Earl

Rural Rhythm Records has announced the upcoming 23rd March, 2010 release of two CD’s from first generation bluegrass legends. Bluegrass 1963 by Reno & Smiley with special guests Carter and Ralph Stanley, and Bluegrass 1971 by Mac Wiseman with special guest, Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise.

These are the first two album projects by a new and exciting joint venture between Rural Rhythm Records and Ronnie Reno. These historic albums will be available for purchase wherever bluegrass music is sold including; Walmart, Amazon, Borders, iTunes, Rhapsody, e-music, County Sales, Music Shed, plus the Rural Rhythm website.

Bluegrass 1963 by Reno & Smiley

This album was produced by Ronnie Reno, is a welcomed treasure for those lucky enough to have seen and heard Reno & Smiley perform on their legendary Top O’ the Morning daily TV show in Roanoke, Virginia during the early 1960’s.   This 18 song collection features their long time sideman, The Tennessee Cut-Ups, Mac Magaha on fiddle, John Palmer on bass, guitarist Steve Chapman, plus a young Ronnie Reno on mandolin.  There are fine renditions of their classics like I Know You’re Married, I’m the Talk of the Town, Love Please Come Home, I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could, and I’m Using My Bible for a Roadmap.

Bluegrass 1971 by Mac Wiseman

This album features Mac Wiseman with special guests Lester Flatt & Chubby Wise.  Mac Wiseman has been a very important part of the Country and Bluegrass music scene for many decades recording a tremendous amount of successful albums that have contained a long list of big hits in both genres.  Towards the end of 1970, Mac Wiseman and Lester Flatt talked about teaming up for an album that would re-create the mood and spirit of the late 1940s.  Lester had split acrimoniously from Earl Scruggs, so Lester and Mac began touring and recording together.  During this period, their albums were musically and commercially successful including their album, Lester ‘N Mac reaching #42 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart.

Bluegrass News, CD Release Mac Wiesman, Reno & Smiley, Rural Rhythm Records

Australia’s Hottest Young Bluegrass Group in Melbourne.

Back from another successful US tour, Australia’s hottest Bluegrass group, the Davidson Brothers return to Melbourne for a rare performance. Originally from Gippsland, these National Bluegrass Champions recently won their 2nd Golden Guitar Award.

Known for converting crowds with their high-energy performances on banjo, fiddle & mandolin; their music has been referred to as the ‘Punk of Country’. The boys will team up with Compass Bros recording artist, Liam Brew from Qld. He’s been attracting fans to his style of contemporary country off the back of his 2009 Starmaker win.

Artists, Bluegrass News, Events Davidson Bros

National Folk Festival  1st to 5th April 2010.

There is a variety of bluegrass and old time music offerings at this years National Folk Festival.

For five days, Exhibition Park in Canberra becomes a venue filled with colour and sound. Hundreds of the world’s best musicians perform each day on more than twenty stages, offering continuous entertainment across twenty two fabulous venues.

Every day also offers a range of workshops and sessions, where you can join in the dancing, singing and playing and become part of the celebration.

The line up from the bluegrass and old time music camp this year features The Davidson Brothers, Blue Mountain Rain, Beppe Gambetta, Charlie Walden & Mike Bing, Whitetop Mountaineers, Appalachian Heaven and Bluegrass Souls.

Bluegrass News, Festivals Blue Mountain Rain, Charlie Walden, Davidson Bros, National Folk Festival, Whitetop Mountaineers

Claire Lynch has announced the newest member of their band, Matt Wingate.

Winning Merlefest’s Doc Watson Guitar Championship in 1997 at the age of 15, at a time when he was performing with his family band, Matt later honed his bluegrass chops performing across the U.S. and in Europe as Valerie Smith’s lead guitar player.

He began performing with the Greencards in 2004, an experience that immersed Matt in a musically broader, more progressive repertoire, deepening his musical vocabulary and his facility with complex arrangements.

From 2006-08, his work as a member with a hot young band, The Lovell Sisters, opened the door for Matt to play a more significant creative role, lending a strong hand to the selection and arrangement of material. It also gave him the opportunity to return to the Merlefest stage in 2008, coming full circle to play the festival that was so key to launching his career at age 15. That year, Matt also released a solo CD, A Good Dream, to excellent reviews.

Matt brings impressive credentials and a mature, improvisational musicality seemingly far beyond his years, making him a natural for The Claire Lynch Band – Claire Lynch.

Flatpicking Guitar Magazine featured Matt on the cover of its March/April 2009 issue, praising not only his flatpicking prowess, but also his level of musicianship and his considerable talents as a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (including guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, bass, drums and dobro).

…Matt is one of the most exciting young musicians in bluegrass music today. He has great chops, but he’s also got a lot of soul - award winning Dobro player, Rob Ickes.

Find out more about Matt by visiting www.myspace.com/matthewwingate

Artists, Bluegrass News, International News Claire Lynch

On the third Sunday of each month a dedicated bunch of bluegrass musicians gather at the Palmwoods Bowling Club for a Sunday afternoon pick. Set among the lush tropical surrounds of the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the Bowling Club is located at 1 Nicklin Road in Palmwoods, and is  just of the M1 motorway between Mooloolah Valley and Woombye.

The event draws pickers from Brisbane in the south and Gympie to the north and onlookers from as far afield. The afternoon is very relaxed and caterers to pickers of all levels.

About 15 to 20 pickers make the trek regurlarly and the event runs from around 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Anyone is welcome both onlookers and pickers of any level.

For any further details you can contact me – Terry Cook on 54921727 or Email Terry.

Bluegrass News Palmwoods Jam

Submitted by Allen Shaw

The Pluckers have been performing at the Australia Day celebration in Mount Isa for several years past. The City Council organises a morning of entertainment on the lawn area in front of the City’s civic theatre in the main street. A free breakfast is provided to all who attend and the entertainment covers a period between 7am and 9am.

From this casual setting the focus moves inside the theatre where a Naturalisation Ceremony takes place in a more formal atmosphere. The Pluckers are usually asked to provide an item or two to complement this program and John Williamson’s ‘Chains‘ and the Queensland version of ‘Waltzing Matilda‘ have been the songs of choice for several years now.

Sarah Barker has played fiddle with the Pluckers for the past couple of years and she brings her Scottish Dance background with her as well. The group performance takes on a different aspect when Sarah puts down the fiddle and dances to ‘The Irish Washerwoman‘ before finishing with another fiddle break.

The longer term members of the band are Bazza Rodgers on vocals, guitar and mandolin, Stretch (Rob) Addington on vocals, guitar, dobro and bass, Spoons (Greg) Poppell on spoons, bass and vocals and Al (Allen) Shaw on five string banjo.

The Pluckers repertoire is eclectic. The group also performs many songs written by Stretch and Bazza. We all enjoy playing Blues numbers, have Paul Kelly, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and John Williamson songs in there; some American Bluegrass and Traditional; and of course, good ol’ Aussie Bush and Traditional Music.

Bluegrass News The Pluckers

I Just Want to Thank You Lord – Larry Sparks

Emerging from the Stanley Brothers’ Clinch Mountain Boys band, Larry Sparks has an impressive 40 year career, performing and recording the sounds created by bluegrass music’s first generation.

Sparks has been honored numerous times during his career including recent wins by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) for both the 2004 and 2005 Male Vocalist of the Year, and the 2007 Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year. He was also the featured performer at the Southern Gospel National Quartet Convention in 2009.

Larry’s recording of, I Just Want to Thank You Lord released last October, has been nominated for a 2010 Dove Award.

The 41st Annual Dove Awards Show, presented by The Gospel Music Association, will be held on 21st April, 2010 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN.

Bluegrass News, International News Dove Awards, Larry Sparks

News from the USA’s Dove Awards is that Ricky Skaggs has been nominated for a 2010 Dove Award in the Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year category.  The song This World Is Not My Home by Albert Brumley is on his newest album Solo: Songs My Dad Loved.

Also nominated is Dailey & Vincent for Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year for On the Other Side, from their Rounder Records album, Brothers From Different Mothers.

In addition, Darrin Vincent has received a nomination as producer of Lord, Bless This House by Nothin’ Fancy, which is up for Bluegrass Album of the Year.

The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards Show will take place on April 21.

Bluegrass News Dailey & Vincent, Dove Awards, Ricky Skaggs

Michael Martin Murphey Hits Top 50 Chart with two albums.

Rural Rhythm Records has announced this week that Michael Martin Murphey lands in two spots on Billboard Magazine’s Top 50 Bluegrass Char:t. Buckaroo Blue Grass II – Riding Song released on the 9th February is riding at number 15.  At number 22 on the charts is the Grammy nominated Buckaroo Blue Grass that also appears in the #1 spot on the Roots Music Bluegrass Report.

Both Michael Martin Murphey and his son, Ryan Murphey, certainly set the tone with the original “Buckaroo Blue Grass” with its appeal to a wide range of music fans – blending bluegrass, country, cowboy, roots and Americana music with the drive and energy Murphey has become known for. “Buckaroo Blue Grass II – Riding Song”, continues the journey - Rural Rhythm Records

Read a review at Lonsome Road Review

Bluegrass News, International News Michael Martin Murphy, Rural Rhythm Records

Earlier this week, Phil Leadbetter announced his departure from his band Grasstowne. Today he has advised that he will be joining up with with Don Rigsby, Richard Bennett  and his son Matt Leadbetter to form a new band,  Rigbsy, Leadbetter and Bennett.

Don Rigsby will continue in his own band Midnight Call, and  Matt Leadbetter will continue his band  Brand New Strings. Phil advises that this will be a side project for them all.  Phil, Richard and Don worked together as J.D Crowe’s Newsouth when J.D came back out of retirement in the mid-90s , and they were also part of J.D. Crowe and The New South’s  Grammy nominated album Flashback.

I am really looking forward to playing with Richard and Don again.  Two of my very best friends in the world, and it’s so awesome to get to play in a band with these wonderful musicians and singers. I can’t say what a pleasure it is to play in a band with my son Matt as well. I’m hoping to do this for a short term, and then start my own band in 2011 - Phil Leadbetter.

Bluegrass News Grasstowne, Phil Leadbetter

News from Donal Baylor is that he will be presenting a fiddle workshop in Melbourne next month that might be of interest.

The workshop is at Fancy Yourself Fiddling located at 316 Park St., Carlton. The workshop will run from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on Saturday 13th March.

Workshop space is limited to a maximum of six students participating.  The workshop fee is $60.  If you are interested you can contact Sean Kenan on  Phone: (03) 9380 5643  or email: seankenan@hotmail.com.

Sean is a great fiddle teacher for anyone in the Melbourne area.  He is particularly good with adults who want to take up the instrument.  Here’s a link to a recent article in The Age about him and his success with students.  The Age Newspaper link

Bluegrass News, Workshop Donal Baylor, Fiddle

Peter Nahyusen has announced the dates for the next Australian Banjo Conference as 6th to 9th January 2011.

I am very happy to announce officially the dates for the next Australian Banjo Conference. I have called it Conference 2010/11 just for now, because the dates have been moved 4 weeks back from the regular December spot to early January. This means the Conference is 6th to 9th January 2011 – Peter Nahyusen.

The final list of instructors is yet to be confirmed and will be determined by the final numbers that register. However in 2011 there will be 50 places available with potentially 5 instructors on the faculty.

Ross Nickerson will once again be the principal instructor, ably accompanied by Gary Vann and Peter Nahyusen. Other instructors will be confirmed closer to the date.

The band and undoubted conference sensation Hungry Hill will be in attendance for the 2011 conference to provide their invaluable support and instruction once again.

Artists, Bluegrass News Australian Banjo Camp, Hungry Hill