"Bluegrass Ramble" Oct. 2009

I'm gonna start this ramble with some thoughts about what I believe to be Bluegrass and what is being presented as Bluegrass. As most of you know I have always had a fairly strict sense of what Bluegrass is supposed to be. Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys played Bluegrass. Flatt & Scruggs & The Foggy Mountain Boys played Bluegrass. Both bands were comprised of basically five main instruments, Mandolin, Guitar, Banjo, Fiddle and Bass. Flatt & Scruggs later added the Dobro, but that's a whole 'nother story, so don't get me started on that right now. I think Jimmy Martin & The Sunny Mountain Boys played Bluegrass even though there were occasionally drums in his music. At the time Jimmy was simply playing good ol' country music and if he wanted a drum he used it. Thankfully, to my ears, the drums are almost silent. Bluegrass music, true Bluegrass music, must have a Banjo present, even if it never takes a solo break. Now, I know a lot of your are disagreeing with me right now, but even more of you are agreeing. Hey, we all know what traditional Bluegrass is, now don't we?

Well, I suppose a lot of you have noticed that I have been relaxing my strict standards as to what makes Bluegrass Bluegrass. A lot of bands these days don't feature the banjo and some don't even have a banjo at all. I really didn't like this trend, but I have heard some really great music(without Banjo) in recent years that I'm proud to include into my thoughts as Bluegrass. Just recently Brandon Rickman, the lead singer for Sammy Shelor's, Lonesome River Band released a CD of powerful Bluegrass music without a hint of Banjo anywhere. Allison Kraus and Lynn Morris both were some of the first to feature songs without Banjo. And speaking of these two ladies, having women in Bluegrass is also a change I have embraced. There are many women in Bluegrass today. And, since I really like women, I have have truly enjoyed their emergence into Bluegrass. In fact, many times when I have presented my "Night Owl Concerts" at IBMA in Nashville the majority of the groups have been comprised entirely of women or at least were led by a woman. I have been very resistant to the electric bass, but now I find it doesn't disturb me as much as it once did. So, looking back, I would say my outlook on Bluegrass has changed and I am much more flexible these days.

That said, I must tell you about a CD that arrived in my mail, unsolicited. It is entitled "Charlie Daniels & Friends, Joy To The World" subtitled "A Bluegrass Christmas." The first thing I want to tell you is that, indeed, there are many Bluegrass performers on this CD. Performers such as: The Grascals (Terry Smith, Terry Eldridge, Danny Roberts, Kristen Scott Benson & Jeremy Alshire); Aubrey Haynie, Kevin Haynie, Dan Tyminski, Evelyn Cox and Suzanne Cox. These are all great Bluegrass performers; absolutely. But when you add things like drums on most every track along with instruments such as tambourine, shaker, 12 string guitars and a casaba it is easy to see that the album is sorely misidentified as "A Bluegrass Christmas." The drums are featured very prominently in most every track of the CD as are the un-necessary noises of the other percussion instruments. On a positive note, I must tell you the package is wonderfully presented and there is not only a CD, but also a DVD with videos of each of the songs being performed live. The CD comes in a tri-fold cardboard package with both of the CD/DVD slots facing the center to prevent accidental slipping out of the disks. All songs are well annotated with all singers and instrumentalists listed for each. I find it odd that the producers are aware that knowing the details about each recording is important to Bluegrass enthusiasts, but they are not aware of the more strict parameters that identify and define Bluegrass music. The music is varied and features special tracks by Aaron Tippen, Jewel, Kathy Mattea, Evelyn Cox and Suzanne Cox and a well told story, "A Carolina Christmas Carol" written and read by Charlie Daniels. Overall the CD/DVD is well done with high production values throughout. I love the Christmas season and I'm sure I will enjoy "Charlie Daniels & Freinds, Joy To The World" CD/DVD set as well. I just wish the producers at "Blue Hat Records" could have resisted labeling the package as Bluegrass. It makes me wonder, "Is Bluegrass becoming so important, today, that a record label would misidentify a CD in order for it to thought of as Bluegrass?" Could that really be true?

"NUFF SAID!"

My Trip to IBMA's World of Bluegrass, Plus More, Part 2

I'm still on Thursday the day of the IBMA Awards.  Prior to attending the Awards Show invited guests were treated to a reception in honor of the Awards nominees, sponsored by BMI.  The Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance was converted into a swanky room with the feel of a night club, complete with music that was decidedly not Bluegrass.  But, that was okay, as having a live Bluegrass Band would have distracted us from moving about the room and wishing the nominees good luck.  The back of the room was in a buzz with lots of TV cameras and bright lights.  Why?  Well, Steve Martin had just arrived in Nashville and come to the reception.  We Bluegrass peons were not able to speak to him as the reporters took all of his time.  I did manage to get a few shots of him while he was being interviewed.    Although the reception lasted only one hour hors d'oeuvres were served as well as fresh fruit, wine and beer and desserts, all included as an invitee to the function.  This was a first for IBMA (They used to have similar affairs after the awards when we met in Louisville.), but this was a much better idea and the hotel handled everything with panache.   I want to thank BMI for sponsoring this event and I look forward to this again next year.  The awards were held in the historic Ryman Auditorium right next door the the Nashville Convention Center, only a short walk of a block from the reception.  The show was well produced with only a few problems, which can be expected with any such live affair.  The list of winners, here are directly from the IBMA web site:

THE RECIPIENTS
of the 2009 INTERNATIONAL
BLUEGRASS MUSIC AWARDS

BLUEGRASS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The Dillards
The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Dailey & Vincent

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Dailey & Vincent

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Dan Tyminski

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley

SONG OF THE YEAR

"Don't Throw Mama's Flowers Away"
written by Chris Stuart & Ivan Rosenberg
performed by Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Wheels by Dan Tyminski
produced by Dan Tyminski for Rounder Records

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR

"Proud To Be a Daughter of Bluegrass" by the Daughters of Bluegrass
for Blue Circle Records

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

"Jerusalem Ridge" by Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
written by Bill Monroe
produced by Jeff White & Michael Cleveland for Rounder Records

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR

"On The Other Side" by Dailey & Vincent
written by Jimmy Fortune, Kevin Denney & Tom Botkin
produced by Dailey & Vincent for Rounder Records

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR

The SteelDrivers

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR

BANJO

Kristin Scott Benson

BASS

Marshall Wilborn

FIDDLE

Michael Cleveland

DOBRO

Rob Ickes

GUITAR

Josh Williams

MANDOLIN

Jesse Brock

Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients

Hylo Brown
Pati Crooker
Jody Rainwater
Dick Spottswood
Joe Wilson
Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year:

Katy Daley; HD Radio WAMU 88.5 Channel 2, 105.5 FM & www.bluegrasscountry.org; Washington, D.C.
Print Media Person of the Year:

Roger Siminoff; Siminoff’s Luthiers Glossary, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Breakdown

Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project:

Steve Martin (writer), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions (label)
Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project:

G. Carr & Salli Ratts (designers), The Crow, Steve Martin (artist), 40 Share Productions (label)

Bluegrass Event of the Year Award:

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival; Oak Hill, New York; July 2008

*************************************Below are a few selected photos taken by me at the awards show:

    There were hundreds of photos from which to choose these few.  If I left out one of your favorites, I'm sorry.

On Friday the IBMA World of Bluegrass Fan Fest got under way.  All of the bands who perform at Fan Fest donate their time for the show.  The funds raised are divided in half with half going to IBMA to maintain staff, etc and the other half going to the IBMA Trust Fund.  The Trust Fund was established very early in the creation of the IBMA.  It makes emergency funds available to musicians that are in need; a very worthy endeavor.  As most of you know about me I rarely attend the performances at Bluegrass festivals.  Sometimes I'll attend a four day event and NEVER go to the stage area.  During Fan Fest this year I did attend a few performances.  All of the shows I attended were quite good, but one really stood out, for me.  Dale Ann Bradley, the Female Vocalist of the year for 2007, 2008 & 2009 really demonstrated why she wins the award.  This woman can sing!!!  She can truly sell a song.  Let me explain what I mean.  She had just completed a great set of Bluegrass and the crowd stood and cheered for more.  Dale Ann came back and performed a song that came from the folk/rock era, "Me and Bobby Magee."  Wow!  I cringed (Because I never was a fan of the folk/rock genre.) when I heard her start the song, but by the time she got to the end I never wanted her to stop.  The entire crowd went wild and cheered so loud it was amazing.  After her performance I spoke with her and suggested she do a live CD and include "Me and Bobby Magee" as the ending song.  She said, "You think?"  I said, "Yes, indeed!"  Here's a photo of Dale Ann & Kim Fox rearing back singing "Me and Bobby Magee."   Well that about wraps up my week at IBMA.  I hope you've enjoyed reading thoughts and my photos of my "trip to IBMA."

"NUFF SAID!"

My Trip to IBMA's "World of Bluegrass," 2009 & More!

I left home on Thursday September 24th, a full 4 days before the IBMA "World of Bluegrass" was slated to begin.  My trip to Nashville is my only out of town vacation and since I am a true Bluegrass "NUT" I use these extra few days to fuel my passion for Bluegrass.

On my way to Nashville I realized I would arrive very early in the afternoon and since I had no plans that part of the day I took a side trip to Sparta, Tennessee to visit Lester Flatt's grave site.  On my way into Sparta I saw a very old and time worn sign proclaiming Sparta as the "Home of Lester Flatt."  It would not surprise me that by the next generation or so that the sign will disappear entirely.  I had no idea where to look, as I had never been to Sparta, so I stopped by a McDonalds and spoke to the "old timers" there enjoying coffee if they know where Lester was buried.  Only a few even knew who he was and none of them could tell me where he was buried.  So, what to do?  I found the Court House in the center of town and went in and asked.  An older gentleman there said he didn't know but asked me to wait and he left the room to ask someone else.  When he returned he told me the name of the cemetery and how to get to it.  Lester is buried in a private cemetery owned by a funeral parlor right there on site of the cemetery.  A fellow there pointed to the area where Lester was buried.  This cemetery is of the type where there are no tomb stones, only brass plaques set into the ground.  I had to brush away the grass clippings to even read it and get a decent picture. Notice the tiny guitar between the dates.  As a Bluegrass fan and lover of the great material of Flatt & Scruggs I am embarrassed that there is nothing beyond this simple brass plaque to commemorate Lester is his own hometown.  Perhaps there is someone who do something to erect a more representative monument to the great Lester Flatt as he has meant so much to Bluegrass and always will.

I stayed at the Red Roof Inn just off I-40 in the west end of Nashville that first night and ate dinner at a very nice restaurant called Darfon's Restaurant.  I've been there before and always look forward to a delicious meal there.  That night I drove down to the Station Inn to hear whatever group might be playing there that night.  It so happened that the Josh Williams Band was playing that night.  He was very good, but it seemed he could not get the audience on his side.  Josh's music was very good and entertaining, but I was very weary from my long drive (600 miles), so I could not stay beyond midnight.

On Friday I drove up to Owensboro, Kentucky and renewed my membership with the International Bluegrass Music Museum (IBMM).  Click on the link here and take a little time to explore all that your IBMM has to offer.  One of the most important projects the museum is undertaking is making video interviews with the first and second generation singers and pickers of our music.  A few have passed before this project was undertaken, but now over 250 have been interviewed and preserved for us and out future generations to enjoy and learn from.  Also, every spring they present "ROMP" the "River Of Music Party."  This is a full scale Bluegrass festival over 4 days.  There's much more going on with the IBMM than I can share here, so check out the web site by clicking on the link above.  One more thing; the inductees into the IBMA Hall of Fame are honored at the IBMM where the official Hall of Fame is located.  I toured the museum again (this was my 5th time there!) and enjoyed a couple of hours reveling in our music.  I contacted Gabrielle Gray, the director of the IBMM and enjoyed a pleasant dinner with her at the Moonlite Bar-B-Q (You simply must eat at the Moonlite when you visit Owensboro!).  I stayed overnight in Owensboro and drove back to Nashville on Saturday.  Again I had plenty of time and decided to take a side trip to Rosine, Kentucky, the birth place of Bill Monroe.  The same weekend as "Fan Fest" at IBMA there is a festival on Jerusalem Ridge just above Bill Monroe's restored ancestral home.  I believe that it is called "Bill Monroe Days Bluegrass Festival."  There were several campers already on the ridge and many people around Bill's house. Below are a few pics around the inside of the house.

I also went to the cemetery and took some pictures of Bill's and Uncle Pen's graves.

From there I drove back to Nashville and went back down to the Station Inn to see Ronnie Bowman & The Committee. Ronnie is there every year on the Saturday before IBMA.  I must tell you that I had grown tired of seeing him each year, but now I really don't think my trip to IBMA would be complete without seeing Ronnie Bowman at the Station Inn.

On Sunday I drove down to Bell Buckle, Tennessee to enjoy the "Dare To Be Different" showcase acts presented by Valerie Smith & Becky Buller along with the Bell Buckle Records label.  There was food served as well as several Bluegrass bands on stage.  Seven hundred dollars was raised and presented to the IBMA "Bluegrass in the Schools" program during the Thursday awards luncheon in Nashville later that week.  Here a a few pics taken in the quaint little town of Bell Buckle.

Also, here are a couple of pics taken during the Dare To Be Different showcases.       

Monday morning and the IBMA World of Bluegrass officially began.  I must tell you I don't attend many of the seminars offered at IBMA, but I do so enjoy meeting up with old friends and meeting new people each year.  I spent my Monday morning moving about the hotel and the Nashville Convention Center visiting and generally getting re-acquainted with the IBMA layout.  Finally the exhibit hall opened at 3PM and I spent the next 3 hours going from booth to booth.  While walking around the exhibit hall I happened upon Becky Buller trying out a new Louzee (Brand Name) Banjo and took these three great photos.

I was disappointed this year when I learned the Geoff & Sherry Stelling weren't going to be at IBMA.  Lagging sales due to the worsening economy coupled with some other issues combined to make the trip to IBMA one they simply couldn't justify this year.  I consider them great friends and they were missed by me and many other folks, as well.  With Sherry Stelling not around I was forced to make friends with the wife of another Banjo maker, Janet Deering.

Most of you should be aware that I decided to not present our after hours showcases this year.  I was therefore free to wander about from showcase to showcase each evening and while, at first, I felt a little odd not doing the "Night Owl Concerts" I soon began to enjoy myself.  I must do a lot of thinking and getting advice before deciding to do them next year.  The first three days at IBMA were filled with showcases by day and night and were greatly enjoyed.  A very special treat for me, since I booked them into our Night Owl Concerts sight unseen and unheard was the official IBMA showcase set by Gold Heart.  This family band transplanted themselves into Virginia about five years ago and have since played many small and large venues and were just this year picked up by Rural Rhythm Records.  Congratulations to Gold Heart! I gradually re-set my internal clock and by Wednesday I was able to stay up until 3:30AM with ease and get up at around 9AM the next day.  Thursday was a very special day at the IBMA World of Bluegrass as it is on this day that the "Special Awards Luncheon" and the "IBMA Awards Show" occurred.  First, during the luncheon there were awards given for Bluegrass Broadcaster of the Year, Katy Daley of WAMU Radio; Bluegrass Event of the Year, The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in Oak Hill, New York; Best Graphic Design for a Recorded project, Greg Carr & Sally Ratts for The Crow by Steve Martin; Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project, Steve Martin, writer for The Crow; Print Media Person of the Year, Roger Siminoff for Siminoff's Luthier Glossary, Banjo Newsletter and Bluegrass Breakdown.   To me, the thing that made this luncheon so special was the five distinguished achievement awards that were given to Hylo Brown, Pati Crooker, Dick Spottswood,  Joe Wilson and our very own Jody Rainwater.  The speech for Jody was given by Penny Parsons and was well presented with many photographs.  I have included a few here.  I do not know the original photographer, but rest assured these photos are not mine.

 

There's a lot more to tell you about my trip to IBMA, but this has gone way too long as it is, so I'll end up here and let you digest this before inundating you with more.  Next time I'll cover the awards show with lots of photos! By the way, I just learned how to add invisible captions to my photos.  Simply move the mouse pointer over the photo and the caption will appear.  Until, perhaps this weekend.....

"NUFF SAID!"