International News

Bluegrass Music Introduced to US Schools

The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum has announced the Bluegrass Assemblies program. This program is introduced into local elementary (primary) schools and is led by the Hall of Fame’s education director, Randy Lanham. The program will feature bluegrass bands from Glenville State College in West Virginia and East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee. As part of the Bluegrass in the Schools (BITS) initiative, the assemblies are presented to further the Hall of Fame’s mission of education in bluegrass music. The programs will occur in elementary schools within Daviess County Public Schools, Owensboro Public Schools, and Owensboro Catholic Schools.

The school-wide assembly programs are made possibly in part by the Michael E. Horn Family Foundation, the Lester E. Yeager Charitable Trust, and Champion Ford Lincoln Owensboro.

Students from Glenville State College are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Bluegrass Music and have experience leading educational programs designed for students. The university worked with the Hall of Fame in 2019 at ROMP Fest assisting with workshops and performing for visitors downtown. Megan Darby, Director of the program at GSC commented, “It’s an incredible honor to collaborate and work alongside Chris Joslin, Randy Lanham, and everyone at the Hall of Fame. What the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum is doing aligns perfectly with the Glenville State College Bluegrass Program’s mission.”

Students from East Tennessee State University are working toward a BA in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies. The director of the ETSU program, Dan Boner said, “The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum reflects all that we love about bluegrass music. There is great respect for all of those who have shaped our music through history, and a strong sense of community and sharing through education. We are so proud to join the Hall of Fame by taking bluegrass into Kentucky’s schools.”

Accompanied by the Hall of Fame’s education director, Randy Lanham, the university bands are set to perform for all elementary students in Daviess County, in both public and private school systems, with Glenville State College students featured the week of January 6 and ETSU students leading the week of January 13. The goal of the program is to educate children about the history of bluegrass music and to encourage budding musicians to enroll in the Saturday Lesson Program at the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame’s Saturday Lesson Program begins February 8th meeting every other Saturday through the end of June. The lessons focus on fiddle, guitar, banjo, and mandolin and are offered at an affordable rate, which includes a free instrument loan if needed based upon availability. Registration also includes a t-shirt and the opportunity to perform on the main stage at ROMP Festival in June. The fee for the entire session of Saturday Lessons is $90, and $50 for each additional family member. Parents are encouraged to take lessons alongside their children. Lessons are available to anyone age six to adult, no previous skills required.

KiwiGrass 2020

14 Jan, 20 by Greg McGrath 1 Comment

Kiwigrass – New Zealand’s National Bluegrass Festival.

Kiwigrass is set for 31st Jan to 2nd Feb 2020. In addition to an outstanding line-up of music concerts there will also be great food on hand, with the Podium Café providing meals, ice creams, and coffee. And food trucks: Roam Catering and Greek Souvlaki are returning and will be joined this year by the lovely ladies of the Beach Hutt.

Inside the Sir Don Rowlands Centre, you will find Peter Madill and Johan van der Gaag in the luthiers room with their wares on display, along with a selection of musical necessities from Shearer’s Music of Hamilton. The luthier room will also be the site of the instrument care and repair workshops on Saturday.

Check out the Festival Program here.

Kiwigrass is not just for bluegrass lovers by the way. Lake District Adventures will be at the venue between 10:00am and 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday with mountain bike and kayak rentals for folks who would like to get out and get out on the water or explore the Te Awa River Trail.

If you haven’t done so already, now is a good time to book your camping site at Lake Karapiro. The campground is very comfortable, with level, marked out sites, and clean, up-to-date facilities. They’ve got plenty of powered and unpowered sites still available.

There is still a variety of AirBnB options, quite a lot of which are reasonably priced and close to the venue. If you’re having trouble finding something, check in with Karina at the Cambridge iSite, and she’ll sort you out.

Auckland Folk Festival

Look for the KiwiGrass folk at the Auckland Folk Festival over Auckland Anniversary Weekend. We’ll be in the white marquee right near the main entrance with the Kiwigrass banner and Pipi Pickin’ Parlour sign. Stop in for a chat or a jam.

Darin and Brooke Aldridge Streaming on Crook and Chase.

19 Dec, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Released 17th Dec, 2019 • 35 min – Now Streaming.

Darin and Brooke Aldridge, award-winning husband and wife entertainers, share their story of love and music as they begin their journey into superstardom. Brooke is now a three-time Female Vocalist award winner from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Darin has already received the IMBA’s coveted Mentor Award for using his extraordinary talents to cultivate the gifts of more than 1,000 aspiring singers and musicians. A seemingly low-key and seriously talented couple, Darin and Brooke explode with personality and unexpected humor on-stage AND at the microphones with Crook & Chase.

Bluegrass Ridge Now for Mobile or Desktop

27 Nov, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

The Bluegrass Standard Partners With Bluegrass Ridge Radio to Deliver New Weekly Episodes Available for Streaming Now

The folks from Bluegrass Standard has just announced their partnership with Bluegrass Ridge. Now fans of the popular radiocast Bluegrass Ridge Radio will be able to listen to new weekly episodes. Hosted by Nu-Blu, Bluegrass Ridge Radio consists of 20-minute episodes featuring in-depth interviews with today’s top Bluegrass personalities.

Fans of the hit syndicated TV show Bluegrass Ridge have an even easier way to watch new episodes. For the first time ever, Bluegrass music fans will be able to watch the show from the convenience of their mobile devices via an app download, or at the comfort of their homes in front of a computer. It’s as easy as going to the show’s official website or texting the hosts name “nublu” to 555888.

In the ever-changing entertainment business, it’s necessary to find creative ways to connect with your audience. As I thought about this dilemma, one thing became very clear to me. For the foreseeable future, fans will consume content by streaming it directly to their smartphone or computer. We designed the MAJiiK platform specifically to deliver content to fans in the way they want to receive it. CJM Productions and Bluegrass Ridge TV understand what it takes to produce great content and build an audience. We’re honored to be their partner – Dan Huff, says MAJiiK founder.

In addition to the new streaming platform, music enthusiasts can also catch the show weekly, airing in more than 160 million homes nationwide. Though already airing on networks like Heartland TV, The Family Channel, Keep It Country – UK, Ireland and Country TV – New Zealand, Bluegrass Ridge also recently announced it now airs on the Z Living Channel (available on Dish Network, COMCAST, ATT Uverse, Sling Television, Amazon Fire TV, and more). Each week features new 30-minute episodes hosted by chart-topping acoustic band Nu-Blu, who spotlight music videos from hottest acts in the genre along with special guest interviews.

To keep up with all things Bluegrass Ridge, fans can “like” them on the official Facebook page where viewers will get a special sneak-peek of what’s to come on upcoming episodes.

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. Bluegrass Ridge Radio is a 20-minute radiocast sponsored by Fishman Acoustic Amplification, which can also be heard on Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, The Bluegrass Jamboree, Bell Buckle Radio, BluegrassCountry.org, and CMR Nashville Radio.

Fast Track on the Right Road

19 Nov, 19 by Greg McGrath Leave a Comment

Fast Track is a band formed following the recent announcement of the retirement of long time Cardinal Tradition band leader, David Parmley. Three of the four members decided to form the band and sought out to fill the remaining spots, mandolin and guitar, seeking instrumentalists who were also strong vocalists.

The five members of Fast Track are not only all highly decorated in awards from the IBMA and SPBGMA organizations, but are also veteran players on the Grand Ole Opry stage, across the United States, up through Canada, and throughout Europe. Between all of the gentlemen, they have performed with, recorded on and participated in countless projects with bluegrass and country music royalty throughout their most impressive careers.

Who are they?

The Fast Track members are: Dale Perry on banjo, bass and vocals, Steve Day on fiddle and vocals, Ron Spears on bass and vocals, Jesse Brock on mandolin and vocals, and Duane Sparks on guitar and vocals. This band already has a list of music compiled from favorite songwriters, as well as original music they have written, that they will be choosing from for a project that is set to start immediately, with an EP to be released early next year. That highly anticipated release can not come to soon according to the overwhelming support and encouragement the band has already received from their fans in the bluegrass community.

When we found out David was retiring, our first thought was that he deserved it and we were so happy for him. Our second thought? We aren’t ready, and so Fast Track was born. From our three advancing members, Dale Perry, Steve Day and Ron Spears, we were privileged enough to add two more veteran grassers to our band family, with Jesse Brock and Duane Sparks. Together we have created an incredible sound that we can’t wait to share with all of you. We really enjoy playing music together and are focusing on original music arranged and performed in our own unique and traditional style. We look forward to seeing all of you on down the road and continuing to pick, grin and pick some more – Fast Track.

Wilson Pickins Promotions has been hired by the Fast Track band to handle all of their publicity and booking needs.

We have known and loved these guys for such a long time, musically and as friends. It is our privilege to work with each and every one of them and there’s really no question that the show and the music will be outstanding with these five musicians together on a stage. I am so glad that we are ready to move forward now and all the pieces are in place, it’s going to be amazing – Melanie Wilson.

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.