HAPPY EASTER! - VFMA Hall of Fame Museum Grand Opening June 11th, 2011 - Hazel Dickens Dies @ 75

I would like to start off wishing everyone a Happy Easter.  While I'm at it, a buddy of mine and I were discussing how it is that Easter is on a different day each year and sometimes nearly a month difference from year to year.  Well, if you're wondering and never took the time to look it up;  here's the crazy way it is determined.  Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.  Sometimes the equinox falls one day after a full moon making Easter really late in the spring.  Other times the vernal equinox will happen the day or so before a full moon making Easter very early in the season.  Okay now, just so you won't get confused; it's on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.  No, wait!!!  That's election day.  Oh well..... just forget it!  HAPPY EASTER everybody!

I am proud to announce that after many long years the Virginia Folk Music Association will finally have an actual physical Hall of Fame Museum located within the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.  The Grand Opening is from 3:00 to 7:30PM on June 11, 2011.  All activities will be free of charge and we will be treated to great Bluegrass music from Danville, Virginia's own Lost & Found and other groups as well. 

All Hall of Fame members have been invited as well as the public.  Admission is free.  So, bring your lawn chairs and a picnic lunch and come to this great and long awaited event.  From Sigrid Williams, president of the VFMA, the following note: "This is an historical event as the Virginia Folk Music Association, a non-profit, volunteer (organization), was founded in 1947.   Sanctioned by, then, Virginia’s Governor Tuck to hold the annual Music Championship Contests and induct Virginia artists into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame.  Since then a Scholarship Fund and a Special Recognition Award and the only $5 per day Quality Festival have been established.  Virginia has contributed many artists to the world of music."

I am saddened to have to report the passing of a pioneer in Bluegrass music; Hazel Dickens.  She was among, if not the very first, of the few women to act as leaders of a Bluegrass band back in the early 1960s.  While not possessing the voice of a bird, Hazel had a quality to her voice that reached deeply into the soul of anyone who truly listened to her.  Her mournful laments are unmatched.  On a personal note, I must admit I knew nothing of Hazel Dickens until I purchased a inexpensive 2 CD set from Rounder Records entitled "Hand Picked Bluegrass."  While listening to the CDs I heard this rough, but soulful voice singing her own song "West Virginia, My Home."   As I listened to her sing it I could feel her longing for home and even I, not from West Virginia, felt that same sort of homesickness and I became an instant fan of her music.  I sought out everything of hers I could find.  She made three very groundbreaking records with Alice Gerrard, and several solo projects.  If you are unaware of Hazel and her music, as I was, may I recommend that you seek out the DVD of her life entitled: "You Can't Tell The Singer From The Song."  Several years ago, Lynn Morris (Note:  Lynn Morris will perform one set of music at the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, Virginia on May 1st, 2011.  I shall attend this historic event!) had a number one song called "Mama"s Hand" written by Hazel.  Hazel was a great Bluegrass performer and Bluegrass song writer, but she was also a staunch supporter of the coal miners and wrote many protest songs in support of them.  This part of Hazel's life and career should not be overlooked.  Many of the songs she wrote, including "Black Lung" and "Which Side Are You On" were instrumental is forcing mine owner's to provide better medical care, safer working conditions and simply a better life for their hard working employees.  To have heard Hazel's strident a cappella voice singing "Black Lung" one could not be anything but moved.  Hazel is gone now, but her voice will live on through her songs.

A few years back I ran into Hazel just outside of the FanFest hall at IBMA in Nashville.  As we chatted, I saw Pete Goble heading toward us in his wheelchair and took the opportunity to introduce Pete and Hazel.  What I really managed to do was introduce oil to water,  because Hazel was a very liberal Democrat and Pete was a very conservative Republican.  I actually was afraid they would come to blows, but they were very cordial to each other as they gently argued.  They hugged before going their separate ways.  I have proof of that hug in this photo taken my my dear friend Debbie Adams of Taylor, Michigan.          

HAZEL DICKENS & PETE GOBLE

"NUFF SAID!"

Spring is Here! Mr. "Bs" Bluegrass Festival - April 28th, 29th & 30th, 2011

Hello Dear Readers,  Yes, Spring has arrived and to prove it the entire southern half of the United States was pounded by severe weather that included Thunder Storms, Hail Storms and Tornados.  I'm no meteorologist, but over the course of my lifetime I have come to believe that we really can't say spring has arrived until we have been initiated into it by a course of severe weather.  I'd say we've been initiated!  So, now that that's done the next logical thing is Bluegrass!  And, what better way to get the season started in Central Virginia than with "Mr.B's Bluegrass Festival" just off I-95 at Ladysmith, Virginia.  Mr. B built his Bluegrass park a few years ago with a large forest and a bull dozer.  He shaped the park they way he thought it should be and he has done it right.  The park is beautiful and functional with plenty of shade at the stage area and generous camp sites with hook-ups for those who desire them.  Back stage is a large pavilion to get out of the weather and to sit at picnic tables and enjoy Mr. B's fine foods all three days.  Now, I'm thinking you want to know about the festival coming up on April 28th, 29th & 30th of 2011.  Am I right?  Well, here goes.

Thursday is a big day with lots of important music.  Joey Tippett & The California Ramblers get up on the stage providing great Maryland style Bluegrass music.  I know, you thought I was gonna say California style.  Well, it is, but it isn't.  You see these guys are from California, Maryland!  I  hear a lot of the old Johnson Mountain Boys sound in the group.  Here's how they describe themselves on their web site: "The California Ramblers is a Traditional Hard Driving Bluegrass Band from Southern Maryland.
All of the members are from musical backgrounds that has continued generation to generation. They have all been inspired by many musicians before them. Just to name a few would be The Stanley Brothers, Red Allen, Bill Monroe, Johnson Mountain Boys, and the list continues. They put their heart and soul into every song that they do as well as an excellent performance on stage, you can just feel the energy when they perform. You can see, hear, and feel their love for bluegrass music with every performance ."  Visit their web site here for some samples of their music.  Also playing on Thursday is a great band from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Allegheny Blue.   I'll let the band describe themselves with this, taken from their web site: "All born and raised in the beautiful Shenandoah valley, bluegrass is in our blood. From the lonesome sound of Bill Monroe to the deep soul of Larry Sparks, music that has filled our ear’s and our hearts. The desire to create good music is what we are after, and the result of hard work, dedication, and a dream, is Allegheny Blue. We are a hard driven, progressive traditional bluegrass band- with a whole lot of edge. We don’t want to sound country, nor modern but bluegrass the way it ought to be. With soul, and heart. A music that reaches far beyond a bar seat, or a broken heart. Allegheny Blue strives to keep this tradition of straight from the tap music, alive! With originals and standards written by those that have a understanding of the music we play. We hope that Allegheny Blue is a group that does just this; in carrying to the next generation the heart and soul of what it means to play bluegrass."  Thursday's not over yet, not by a long shot!  Also playing on Thursday is one of the most entertaining bands on the circuit today, Goldwing Express.  While I can't say their music is the best out there, I can say that you won't be disappointed by their live performance.  They are funny, yet at times and can rip your heart out with emotional songs.  I have never been less than entertained by them.  To better describe their approach to music I've included this paragraph from their web site: "Dedicated to their Native American heritage, the Goldwing Express rides in with an incredible mix of hard-driving acoustics and heart-felt melodies - bringing the music of America to life for crowds across the country! From classic Southern Gospel and contemporary country favorites, to the historic blue-grass roots that started it all, Goldwing Express delivers a mix of the lonesome cowboy and the hard-riding brave - all wrapped in song, comedy and tears! Coupled with some of best instrumentalists on any stage, this award-winning father and 3 sons live and breathe this musical heritage - and every time they hit the stage - it's plain to see!"  Last up on Thursday is the Bluegrass Storyteller, the James King Band, featuring James King.  To me, James King has one of the very best lead voices in Bluegrass.  Even when singing well worn old standards of the business, James breathes emotion into them.  James has had some health concerns over the last year or so and I feel it best that I allow you to read about them in this paragraph from his official web site: "Since the same health concerns (pulmonary embolisms) that James has been facing since last fall still persists, there will be some dates that will have to be canceled, due to the limitations on his travel. However, we feel at this moment there is no need to cancel ANY dates until the individual situation arises. We have an NEW band to introduce, with NEW merchandise coming again for the SUMMER of 2011. Also, James heads back into the studio soon for what will be another great Rounder release. In the meantime,James encourages everyone to stop by his record table to say hello while he is on tour." 

There's a ton of great music coming up on Friday starting with The Rye Holler Boys.  Here are a couple of excerpts from their web site that I believe describes the band and their music quite well: "......If you love to listen to Bluegrass and Gospel music then you are at  the right place.  We may be young but we love picking and singing this special type of music that we hope to keep alive for generations......Our goal is to try and please our crowd everywhere we go......Our members include Alan King, who just recently turned 17, he plays the Banjo and Guitar.  Alan’s younger brother Adam King, age 16, is on mandolin and vocals.  Will Howell, age 15, is the Lead Vocalist, and Lead Guitar, and plays some on the upright bass.  Jacob Jones, age 15, plays Upright Bass, Clawhammer Banjo, Fiddle  and Vocals."    Also playing on Friday is Lonesome Highway.  Here is a brief description of Lonesome Highway from their web site: "Lonesome Highway is truly one of the great bluegrass groups on the rise. Based in Romney , WV, Lonesome Highway has been performing throughout the regional area for the last 15 years. Their superb solo and harmony singing accompanied with tight instrumentals and fresh new songwriting skills will leave you with an unforgettable bluegrass experience."  Country Current, Navy Band will perform on Friday.  Started by Bill Emerson in (Are you ready for this!) 1973, Country Current has always held high to standards musically and have spawned several great Bluegrass bands.  There are so many superlatives about Country Current that I cannot begin to list them here, so please check out their web site.  Bill Yates & Country Gentlemen Tribute are part of the Friday line up.  Bill Yates, former partner with Charlie Waller, loved so much the distinctive sound of The Country Gentlemen that he sought out musicians to recreate that great sound.  He has done it with the Country Gentlemen Tribute Band.  The great Crowe Brothers will also perform on Friday.  I remember years ago when Raymond Fairchild was in his prime that he said the Crowe Brothers were the only pickers who could keep up with his very fast Banjo playing.  Since those days the Crowe Brothers have matured into a fine duo featuring that great brother style harmony.  Another great band wraps up the day on Friday; Darren Beachley & Legends of The Potomac.  Darren spent a few years lean years as a band leader before joining with Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, where he honed his skills as a performer and band leader.  Now, along with his band Legends of The Potomac, Darren is presenting some of the best high lead and high trio sounds in Bluegrass today.

Saturday is another full day of Bluegrass at Mr. B's, beginning with The Church Sisters.  These two young ladies present some of the very best Bluegrass Gospel you are likely to hear.  Their close sister harmony is unmatched in the business.  Probably what makes their singing all the more incredible is the twins are only fourteen years old!  With Savannah on lead and Sarah adding wonderful harmonies both above and below Savannah's lead they are, indeed, a treat to hear.  Don't miss them.  Saturday only gets better as the day goes by with The Bluegrass Brothers adding their boisterous style of Bluegrass to the mix.  Featuring a great edginess often missing in today's smoother Bluegrass, The Bluegrass Brothers are a welcome change of pace on the festival stage.  Keeping with the traditional sounds of The Bluegrass Brothers we will be treated to the ever popular Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice.  Junior was the lead voice of the great band Blue Ridge and has continued his great lead singing with his re-formation of his band Rambler's Choice.  If you like great Bluegrass leads and perfect Bluegrass harmonies then look no further than Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice.  Little Roy Lewis is back with his daughter in a group called The Little Roy & Lizzy Show.  Roy continues to play some of the hardest driving Banjo in the business and together with his daughter, Lizzy, has a very entertaining show.  Click here to visit their web site and to hear some samples of their music.  Topping off the day Saturday is one of the most popular bands in Bluegrass today, The Grascals.  This group has won so many awards that it impossible for me to list them here.  Rest assured, you will be entertained by some of the best in the business when you hear The Grascals live.

Wow ! What a weekend of Bluegrass music.  I can only attend one day, but I'm having a hard time deciding which day.  They are all filled with rock solid Bluegrass music.  Make plans, right now, to take that short drive up to the  "Mr. B's Bluegrass Festival."  I hope I see you there.

"NUFF SAID!"