International News

Darin and Brooke Aldridge Hit High on the Charts

6 Nov, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Darin & Brooke Aldridge. (Photo:Chris Hollo)

Bluegrass duo Darin & Brooke Aldridge have made their highest career chart debut as their new album Inner Journey, on Rounder Records, hits the #2 spot on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album Chart. The husband and wife team also debuted for the first time on the trade’s Top New Artist Album chart, Americana/Folk Album chart and Current Country Album chart. Their latest album Inner Journey was released on 18th October.

Darin & Brooke bookmarked their release week by launching the album in front of packed-house in their home state of North Carolina at the Don Gibson Theatre, and two stellar performances on the Grand Ole Opry. The first show (23 Oct) was held at the Grand Ole Opry House, and the second (24 Oct) was at the historic Ryman Auditorium giving them the opportunity to perform on two historic stages in as many days. They spent time before their performance with fans in The Circle Room and autographed copies of the new album following both shows.

Hot on the heels of Brooke’s third consecutive IBMA win for Female Vocalist of the Year, the Aldridges will be appearing on PBS’s David Holt’s State of Music which begins airing across the USA on 13th November. The duo will perform alongside their good friend and occasional touring partner John Cowan.

Fans can check upcoming tour dates on their website.

Restored Print of Bluegrass Country Soul Premiere

17 Oct, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

The sole, surviving 35mm print of Bluegrass Country Soul, an independent film originally released in 1972, has undergone extensive restoration and will premiere at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro, KY, on November 2, 2019.

This theatrically released documentary captures “the sights and sounds” of Carlton Haney’s 1971 Labor Day Weekend Bluegrass Music Festival in Camp Springs, NC. It features the who’s who of bluegrass music, with such notable performers as Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Chubby Wise, The Osborne Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Mac Wiseman, J.D. Crowe, The Lilly Brothers, Tex Logan and Don Stover, and The Country Gentlemen. It also shows many of today’s stars when they were starting their careers, such as Sam Bush, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Doyle Lawson, and Tony Rice. The beginnings of “New Grass” are represented by The Bluegrass Alliance, The New Deal String Band, and The Earl Scruggs Revue. Growing international popularity is seen with The Bluegrass 45 from Japan. Roy Acuff, “the King of Country Music,” appears as a special guest star from the Grand Ole Opry.

The Washington Post’s review of the film in July, 1972 called it “a new high,” and noted that Bluegrass Country Soul was the first bluegrass movie. It was released on DVD by Time Life Music in 2006, and sold out completely before going out of print.

Albert Ihde, Producer/Director, and his wife, Ellen Pasternack, Executive Director, have taken on this preservation as a labor of love.

Working on this project has been a joy. The artists and fans have been incredibly responsive. Albert and I met working in live, professional, nonprofit theatre and love working together, so that’s an added bonus – Ellen Pasternack.

After the new bluegrass museum asked me for film photos and posters for an exhibit, Ellen and I decided to donate an archival copy of our film to their permanent collection. When one of my original partners on this film, Robert Henninger, examined our one remaining print, he saw that the color had deteriorated badly and offered to oversee a digital restoration in 4K high definition, Dolby sound, and in the widescreen (Academy) format in which it was first shown in theatres. If we hadn’t restored it now, the film might have been lost forever – Albert Ihde.

To help cover some of the costs for the film restoration, a brand new “Golden Anniversary, Legacy Edition” in a multi-media box set will soon be available through the film’s website, BluegrassCountrySoul.com.

Even though Bluegrass Country Soul had a small budget, it boasted some top technical talent. Robert Kaylor, the filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed documentary Derby, was the Director of Photography. Noted sound engineer and folklorist John Dildine handled the sound recording, and Washington, DC, Lighting Designer William Eggleston did the lighting. Ihde shot second camera, and Robert Decker shot silent footage on the festival grounds. Joel Jacobson was the Editor, and mandolin player Doug McCash was the Assistant Editor.

Carlton Haney, a successful country music promoter, invented the multi-day bluegrass festival in 1965. He appears throughout the film. Ihde first met Haney at his 4th of July festival in Berryville, VA, in 1971.

That August, when we found funding for a feature, Carlton agreed to let us film his next festival and to have his performers sign contracts with our production company. Carlton told them, ‘If you don’t sign a release, you won’t be in the movie.’ In return, the production company agreed to give 10% of any profits to help build a bluegrass museum in North Carolina, a project which never came to fruition. And now, 48 years later, we’re able to donate a copy of our film to the bluegrass museum in Owensboro, Kentucky, where Carlton has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. This bluegrass story has come full circle – Albert Ihde.

Fred Bartenstein, a prominent bluegrass historian and chair of the IBMA Foundation, worked with Haney at that time and was the festival’s director.

I remember how excited and proud the musicians were when they learned that someone wanted to make a movie about their music. It was a very big deal in 1971, and it was a big deal recently at the IBMA’s ‘World of Bluegrass’ in Raleigh. The bluegrass museum put up an impressive exhibit of large stills from the film in the convention center’s main lobby – Fred Bartenstein.

The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s exhibit.

Bluegrass Country Soul is an iconic documentary and provides a wonderful snapshot of the festival experience in the early 1970s. The music crosses all cultural boundaries in this film, and first-generation bluegrass artists are leading the charge inspiring a new generation of musicians and fans. It is an incredible film, and we are so pleased to host this premiere and to welcome the film maker and the wonderful artists who appear in the documentary Chris Joslin, Museum Executive Director.

Bluegrass Country Soul is our big family’s home movie; it’s our youth – Sam Bush.

A celebratory reception and dinner for the artists who performed at the 1971 festival, and the filmmaking team, will be held prior to the screening.

Screening: Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 at 7:00pm.
Place: Terry Woodward Theatre, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Address: 311 West 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301

Tickets are free of charge but reservations are suggested. For tickets, please go to bluegrasshall.org or call 270.926.7891.

Photo captions:

1 – Sam Bush and Tony Rice as seen in Bluegrass Country Soul. This was the final performance of The Bluegrass Alliance. Sam Bush started The New Grass Revival and Tony Rice joined J.D. Crowe to form The New South.
2 – Ralph Stanley and Keith Whitley as seen in Bluegrass Country Soul. Ralph Stanley sings “Man of Constant Sorrow” in the film, 29 years before O, Brother, Where Art Thou? rocketed the song to fame.
3 – Bluegrass Country Soul was filmed in Camp Springs, NC in 1971. Bob Kaylor, the Director of Photography, moves in for a close-up while filming J.D. Crowe and The Kentucky Mountain Boys.
4 – The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s exhibit of stills from Bluegrass Country Soul in the convention center lobby at the 2019 World of Bluegrass in the Raleigh Convention Center.

Bluegrass Country Soul at IBMA

15 Oct, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Bluegrass historian Fred Bartenstein, Albert Ihde, and Hall of Fame inductee Bill Emerson

Every fall, (autumn) the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) holds its week-long celebration in Raleigh, North Carolina, called “World of Bluegrass.” The folks producing the restored Bluegrass Country Soul video, attended the convention and announced their donation of an archival copy to the bluegrass museum and of the forthcoming Golden Anniversary, Legacy Edition Box Set. Thanks to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s generous offer of space in their booth, producers were able to show a mock-up of the box set to thousands of convention visitors over a four-day period.

The films restoration team were absolutely delighted by the exhibit the bluegrass museum set up in the lobby of the Raleigh Convention Centre. It was impossible to miss. There were large photos from frames in the film that captured the attention of visitors, including many of the movie’s performers.

Below is a short video of their whirlwind trip.

A very special thank you to Robert White, aka Quail, for his extraordinary help in the exhibit hall. His energy and enthusiasm were infectious. While in Raleigh, it was wonderful to see Leroy Savage, Frank Greathouse, and Gene Knight, and to hear them perform together with Quail. They are all original members of The New Deal String Band – Bluegrass Country Soul Team.

Savannah Church Goes Solo

12 Oct, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Savannah Church, of the highly acclaimed band The Church Sisters, has announced the launch of her solo career.

For the last eight years The Church Sisters have toured various parts of the world showcasing their stunning sibling harmony. Hailing from the mountains of Southwest Virginia, Savannah and Sarah Church recorded four albums including their latest release A Night At The Opry on The Valory Music Co. label in 2018. They have also been a part of two collaborative albums including the highly acclaimed and star-studded Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited.

Savannah has decided to venture out and pursue the next phase of her career as a solo artist. Her incredibly powerful voice has already created fans around the world and the next round of music being created will take that sound to another level.

We’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world with our music and work with some amazing artists along the way. We’d like to thank everyone that has helped us: our fans for loving us and our music; our friends and family for being so supportive; our bandmates that have given their talent and time; the promoters that have hired us; and all of the people that have mentored and encouraged us to follow our dreams. We set out to bring joy to people through music and are extremely grateful for all the opportunities that we’ve been given. As much as we’ve enjoyed making music together for 11 years, we both just realized that we want to pursue different dreams and career opportunities. I will miss Sarah as she starts this new chapter of her life after choosing to step back from the music business. She will always have my full support in whatever path she chooses to take – Savanah Church.

The Church Sisters will perform two remaining dates together including:

Friday, November 1, 2019 at the Laurel County Public Library in London, Kentucky. Free event.
January 23, 2020 at the Frith Fine Arts Center at Averett University in Danville, Virginia. Free event.

The Church Sisters’ music is available at their website, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and more streaming and purchase sites.

Steep Canyon Rangers – Be Still Moses Video.

12 Oct, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Be Still Moses effortlessly contrasts the sonorous, bluegrass-flavored baritone of Steep Canyon Rangers’ Woody Platt with the timeless vocal arrangements that defined Boyz II Men’s stratospheric rise in the ’90s. The studio version was produced by Michael Selverne (who had the original idea for the project), Boyz II Men and Joe Mulvihill, and features Steep Canyon Rangers’ hometown Asheville Symphony, 12 of whose members also played on the live version from Nashville. It was released in August of this year, and coincided with the Rangers’ return to North Carolina-based Yep Roc Records.

Be Still Moses marks the beginning of a busy year-end for Steep Canyon Rangers, who are about to embark on an international tour with their frequent collaborator, banjoist and comedian Steve Martin on his upcoming dates with Martin Short. They’ll be announcing additional recording projects in the near future.

We hope to bring you more information on the Australian New Zealand component of the tour in our next post.

Vocal Group of the Year Goes to Sister Sadie

4 Oct, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Sister Sadie Becomes First All-Female Group to Win “Vocal Group of the Year”

Sister Sadie made history last week at IBMA’s yearly award show. After a huge year, the band was awarded one of the biggest achievements of the night, taking home “Vocal Group of the Year.” This marks the first time ever that an all-female band has won the award. It is also the first award collectively as a group for Sister Sadie.

“It is such an honor and complete humbling experience to be recognized by all of our peers in Bluegrass for best vocal group of the year,” says Sister Sadie. “Every band nominated in this category is more than deserving of this award. We hope that we represent what this award is all about to the best of our ability for everyone! Thanks to all who voted for us, play our music on the radio, come out to see our shows or just love us from afar.”

Hosted by the International Bluegrass Music Association, the 30th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards were part of Raleigh’s World of Bluegrass, which took over the entire city of Raleigh. Throughout the week, the biggest acts in the genre all traveled to North Carolina to have their sound on full display for a record crowd.

Sister Sadie is made up of critically-acclaimed singer Dale Ann Bradley (5-time IBMA winner for “Female Vocalist of the Year”), Tina Adair (fronted her own band for over 20 years), ACM winner Deanie Richardson (performed with Bob Seger, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless and The Chiefains) and Gena Britt (played banjo with several critically-acclaimed bands over the years). Prior to forming the band, each member already had roots planted deep within the genre. They formed after a ‘one-night only’ performance at the Station Inn in Nashville, which later developed into Sister Sadie.

With the release of their sophomore project, Sister Sadie II, the group has had a breakout year. Earlier in 2019, they were a finalist for “Best Bluegrass Album” at the Grammys, traveling to Los Angeles to walk the red carpet and attend the awards. Another bucket list item happened in March, when they made their debut on the legendary Grand Ole Opry. During the performance, they did a stripped-down version of their song “900 Miles” which was met with a standing ovation. As a result, they have been invited back several times since.

Walnut Valley Autoharp Championaships

20 Sep, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

The Walnut Valley Association has let us know the winners of the 2019 International Autoharp Championship. This year’s contest hosted 10 contestants from 7 states. Each of the top 3 winners received a trophy along with a custom made autoharp.

The International Autoharp Championship is held annually on the 3rd weekend in September during the Walnut Valley Festival, which is the home of the International Autoharp Championship, the International Fingerstyle Guitar, the National Mountain Dulcimer, the National Flatpick Guitar Championship, the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship and the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship. Other contests held at the Walnut Valley Festival are the National Mandolin Championship and the Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle.

1st Place Winner: Doug Pratt, Cary, NC	Prize: Whippoorwill Acoustics A18 Autoharp provided by Whippoorwill Acoustics of Columbia City, IN
2nd Place Winner: Steve Luper, Andover, KS	Prize: d’Aigle Cascade SP G-D Diatonic Autoharp provided by Peter d’Aigle of Sea Tac, WA
3rd Place Winner:Ivan Stiles, Phoenixville, PA	Prize: An Oscar Schmidt OS11021AE Autoharp provided by Oscar Schmidt Autoharps/US Music Corp., div. of JAM Industries of Buffalo Grove, IL

The Walnut Valley Festival, held Sept. 18-22, 2019, draws a crowd of 10,000-12,000 people to Winfield, KS, to celebrate a blend of all kinds of acoustic music, including bluegrass, folk, Americana, a little bit of cowboy, some Celtic, blues, jazz, swing and more. This will be the 48th annual festival organized by the Walnut Valley Association (WVA). WVA also organizes eight national and international instrument contests, ranging from the flagship National Flat Pick Guitar Championship, to the International Finger Style Guitar, International Autoharp, National Mountain Dulcimer, National Mandolin, National Hammer Dulcimer, National Bluegrass Banjo and Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championships. Winfield also hosts a series of workshops on the Wednesday of festival, where patrons can learn from some of the best musicians in the business on instruments ranging from guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin, to the hammer and mountain dulcimer.

Photo Caption: Pictured L-R: Steve Luper of Andover, KS (2nd Place), Doug Pratt of Cary, NC (1st Place), and Ivan Stiles of Phoenixville, PA (3rd Place)

Women Smashing the Bluegrass Glass Ceiling

16 Sep, 19 by Greg McGrath 3 Comments

Bluegrass is often maligned either as one of the whitest American music genres, or one of the most male-dominated. Certainly, the main foundational figures of bluegrass were all men such as Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Jimmy Martin, Ralph Stanley. Nevertheless, women have played a significant part of bluegrass music from the very beginning.

Let’s take Sally Ann Forrester who played accordion in Bill Monroe’s first band, and later with exceptional pioneers such as Louise Scruggs, Earl’s wife and a powerful businesswoman in the bluegrass music industry. Then we have Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard, a duo most often quoted as paving the way for women in bluegrass music.

Today, it’s not as hard to point to powerful and hugely successful women in bluegrass music, from Alison Krauss who has received more Grammy nominations than any other female artist, to popular Americana artists like Sierra Hull, Sarah Jarosz or Sara Watkins, both of whom emerged in the bluegrass scene at young ages.

Let’s not forget that here is the southern hemisphere we have New Zealand’s Hot Diggity featuring Deborah Mackenzie, Jenine Abarbanel, Heather Carrigan, Sue Drake and Slávka Franclíková.

Streaming Bluegrass Ridge Goes International

5 Sep, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Folks at the internationally-syndicated TV program Bluegrass Ridge have announced that it’s now available for streaming. Beginning today, fans can watch full episodes online by visiting bluegrassridgetv.com. The move expands the show’s presence, which will continue to broadcast on all of its regular networks featuring an array of bluegrass and old-time music.

To celebrate the launch of the online streaming, a special month of shows have been selected for viewers. Two special episodes featuring Nu-Blu will air as an opportunity for new viewers to get to know the show’s hosts Daniel and Carolyn Routh. Also slated for this month are featured interviews with the Grammy-winning Earls of Leister and 5-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Dale Ann Bradley of Sister Sadie.

In addition to already airing on networks like Heartland TV, The Family Channel, Keep It Country – UK and Country TV – New Zealand, Bluegrass Ridge has just been added to the Z Living Channel. As a result, viewers can now watch the hit program on Dish Network, Comcast, ATT Uverse, Sling Television, Amazon Fire TV, and more (find full list of Z Living Channel affiliates HERE). With the recent partnership, Bluegrass Ridge now moves into the top spot as the No. 1 media source for Bluegrass music, and is now available in over 160 million homes throughout the world.

Years ago I realized that Bluegrass music was very limited in where it was heard and seen. Bluegrass Ridge offers a platform for viewers worldwide to see their favorite Bluegrass artists. Hosts Daniel and Carolyn Routh of Nu-Blu with their talent and relationships in the Bluegrass community add an even greater dimension to Bluegrass Ridge. Bluegrass Ridge TV and Bluegrass Ridge Radio through our partners of quality airing networks gives Bluegrass music a huge platform to reach millions of Bluegrass fans worldwide – Jeff Moseley, “Bluegrass Ridge” creator / executive producer.

About Bluegrass Ridge:

Each episode is hosted by husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Carolyn Routh of the chart-topping band Nu-Blu. The popular weekly 30-minute program features music videos from Bluegrass’ biggest acts, along with artist interviews and behind-the scenes content, allowing viewers a rare first-hand look at a genre that’s never been hotter. The TV Broadcast is also affiliated with the internationally syndicated RadioCast Bluegrass Ridge Radio. Also hosted by Nu-Blu, Bluegrass Ridge Radio is a 20-minute radiocast featuring in-depth interviews with today’s top Bluegrass personalities.

Mike Scott to Tour UK

28 Aug, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

It’s not often we get the heads up on news from the UK but recording artist for Rural Rhythm Records Mike Scott will be a featured artist on the upcoming 15 day tour with the popular Irish group Stephen Rosney & The Back Axels. Nasville fiddler Travis Wetzel will also be a featured artist on the tour. The tour dates will cover many key cities in Ireland and the United Kingdom commencing on 12th September.

While playing music around the open heart fire at a traditional session of singing and storytelling in my home house long ago, the local priest suggested a band name and so I thought it appropriate to call ourselves this name “The Back Axles” , as the music of old Ireland plays a big part in our music and song writing today. The band members come from all parts of Ireland bringing with them their own style of music which forms the unique sound of The Back Axles. Hope to meet you all along the way - Stephen Rosney

Highlights of the tour include three days, September 17, 18 and 19, performing at the Irish National Ploughing Championship which will draw an estimated 320,000 audience.

Throughout the tour Mike Scott will be performing music from his four albums. To promote the upcoming tour dates and his music Mike Scott will be on “The All Nighter” with Marcia Campbell live on WSM 650am on Wednesday September 4th at midnight central standard time.

Below is a partial list of the tour dates:

Sept 12th, 2019 Birmingham / UK
Sept 13th, 2019 London, England
Sept 14th, 2019 Crydon, England
Sept 15th, 2019 Uxbridge, England
Sept 16th, 2019 Ruislip, England

Sept 17th, 2019 Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow / Ireland
Sept 18th, 2019 Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow / Ireland
Sept 19th, 2019 Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow / Ireland
Sept 22nd. 2019 Birmingham/ UK

Scott who has over 450 Grand Ole Opry performances is seen by millions of TV viewers each week during prime-time on RFD-TV, (60 million households), performing with Ronnie Reno & The Reno Tradition on Reno’s Old Time Music Show. Country, Gospel and Bluegrass fans also enjoyed Scott’s stellar banjo playing for many years as a member of the Virginia Boys who backed Bluegrass legends Jim & Jesse during the 80’s.

Mike Scott has released four albums on Rural Rhythm Records and Rural Rhythm Christian including; Take Me Lord And Use Me, Blue Moon Of Kentucky (Tribute to Bill Monroe), Home Sweet Home (Civil War Era Songs) and The Old Country Church. In addition, Scott was the Host and performed on the TV Christmas Special Christmas The Mountain Way which aired on BlueHighways TV and Family Net.

For more information on Mike Scott go to the Mike Scott website.