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News from Rural Rhythm Records:

The International Association of Independent Recording Artists, IAIRA, who recognizes and honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in sound recording by monitoring chart activity has qualified the song, Amanda Lynn, written by James Cain and Ronnie Vines and performed by Lou Reid and Carolina, as a Certified International Top 10. The song appears on Lou Reid and Carolina’s album, My Own Set of Rules, released in July 2009 on Rural Rhythm Records.

Amanda Lynn, achieved significant chart success including, but certainly not limited to, holding the #1 spot in April 2010 on both Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine Top 30 Song and Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine Top 30 Song charts.  Amanda Lynn was also one of Bluegrass Radio Network’s Top Picks of 2009 and received the Society and Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) 2010 Song of the Year Award.

Lou Reid and Carolina were featured on the cover of Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine in April of this year and are this month’s featured bluegrass poster in the same publication.

We have received news this week of James King’s recuperation. He was hospitalised due to a  number of blood clots in his lungs and his legs.

Julie King has told of Jame’s release from the hospital last Friday evening.

James is currently on numerous blood thinners, and a very strict diet, managing to keep the fever away. Prayer definitely works.  I printed and/or read every message sent to him the last few days. For James, that was the best medicine Once again, thanks to all who sent well wishes, and hopefully he’ll be back on stage, at least for a part-time schedule soon - Julie King.

For forty years, Rounder Records has been on a singular mission, recording a glorious range of American roots music – bluegrass, New Orleans R&B, old time fiddling, singer-songwriter, blues, country, rockabilly, roots rock, Cajun and a few that cross enough boundaries to be genres of their own.

On 12th October, Rounder Records will release The Rounder Records Story, a 4 CD box set that includes 87 songs (see complete list below) selected to tell the label’s 40 year story and show the true breadth of their catalog.  From the old time folk music of Ola Belle Reed to the Grammy sweeping triumph of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, it is fascinating to hear both the underlying consistencies and the ongoing evolution of the label’s vision.

The list of musicians includes many of the defining names in roots music. The discs are arranged by decade, and the package also includes extensive notes by Washington Post journalist Geoff Himes in a 100 page book.

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.

Back in May last year we brought you news of Brandon Rickman’s new release from Rural Rhythm Records.

The International Association of Independent Recording Artists, IAIRA, who recognizes and honors artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in sound recording by monitoring chart activity has qualified the song, Always Have, Always Will written by Brandon Rickman and Chris Stapleton as a Certified International Top 10.  The song appears on Brandon Rickman’s debut solo album Young Man, Old Soul.  Not only is Brandon an award-winning songwriter, he also contributes his distinctive lead vocals and guitar talents to the award-winning  Lonesome River Band.

The album, Young Man, Old Soul was released mid 2009 on Rural Rhythm Records and has achieved tremendous chart success and accolades along with three of his original songs also gaining attention:  Always Have, Always Will, I Bought Her a Dog, and Wearin’ Her Knees Out Over Me.

Australian bluegrass fans will remember James King and his band who traveled to Australia in 2004. We have news from the USA this morning that James has been admitted to the Danville Regional Medical Centre yesterday with blood clots in his lungs and leg. He may be in the hospital until the clots have dissolved and his blood flow returns to normal.

Anyone wishing to  to send get-well-soon cards or wishes are welcome to do so, via Post Office Box 10179 in Danville, Virginia 24543, or via this blog. Send emails via this link and we’ll forward them on.

His condition is stable at this point, but still very serious.  He is not taking phone calls, nor visitors until the infection and clotting subsides.

I will appreciate everyone’s thoughts, prayers, and concerns during his recovery.  Thank you and we will see you all down the road. P.S.  I did get him into a ‘Bed By the Window’ - Julie King.

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.

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the list of people to receive this year’s Distinguished Achievement Award. This is an honour which recognizes individuals in the bluegrass music industry who have fostered the music’s image with developments that will broaden the genre’s recognition and accessibility.

The following people will be honored at a special awards luncheon in Nashville, during the IBMA Business Conference:

• Benjamin F. “Tex” Logan,
• Sherry Boyd,
• Lynn Morris,
• Richard Weize
• Pete Wernick.