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!"

Cabin Fever Pickin' Party March 3rd thru 6th, 2011

That's Right!  The "Cabin Fever Pickin' Party" is right around the corner.  And let's hope ole' Punxsutawney  Phil got it right when he didn't see his shadow on February 2nd.  If so, that means an early spring and, hopefully, some warm weather for Cabin Fever.  We've certainly paid our dues this winter and we are all looking for those first few days of warmer weather.  Cabin Fever is one of the most anticipated events in Bluegrass around the central Atlantic states as it is the precursor of the many Bluegrass festivals to come.  some of the festivals in our area include: "Mr. B's Bluegrass Festival," Central Virginia Family Bluegrass Music Festival," "Grave's Mountain Festival of Music," "Sedalia Bluegrass Festival" "Rockahock Bluegrass Festival" and others. Unfortunately, due to the passing of long time festival promoter, Sterling Belcher, the "Festival In The Pines" has been canceled this year.  All of these promoters support Cabin Fever and are in attendance, so if you have a band you need to be there and find a place to pick so you can be seen and heard.

I guess the first thing I need to share with you is this from the Cabin Fever web site: "Holiday Inn will have a new name - Howard Johnson Plaza and Conference Center and it is part of the Wyndham Hotel Group. This is only a name change - the management, staff and great service will remain."  I took a drive down there a few weeks ago and indeed I see no differences other than banners saying Howard Johnson's.  As always, Cabin Fever is one of the very best bargains in Bluegrass music today.  For and advance fee of $25 you can have a four day weekend of Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel (Only $30 at the door!).  Every year someone misunderstands the ticket pricing, so I will try to make it as clear as possible.  There is one, only one, ticket price.  It will cover the entire 4 day weekend, but if you choose to come for only one day it will still be the same price.  There are no daily rates at Cabin Fever.  The event cost is so modest, how could anyone expect a daily price?  Believe me, they do1  so please understand this and help others to understand it, too.  You can order advance rickets by writing Cathy & Earl Banton at: CAbin Fever, Inc. 909 Francis Road, Glen Allen, VA 23059.

I know there are some who have never attended Cabin Fever, so I want to share some of my fond memories of this great event.  The very first one was held at the George Washington Motel in Williamsburg, VA and attendance was quite small.  Oh, but did we have fun!  Of the 200 or so folks there we found we knew almost everyone at the event.  We laughed and joked and picked our fingers to the bone, much the same way we do now, but there was an intimacy to those early Fevers.  We grew each year by leaps and bounds until in just a few short years it became necessary to move to our present location in Hampton, VA.  I have never missed a Cabin Fever and one year there were many folks who wished I had missed that one.  I had the flu!!!!  I mean I HAD THE FLU!!!!  I was miserable, sneezing, coughing, aching and sharing my flu with everyone I came in contact with.  I should have stayed away because all I can really remember about that weekend was the flu. 

After we moved to Hampton I began presenting the "Night Owl Concerts" in the Holiday Room there.  I've had lots of great bands and this year will be no exception. The "Night Owl Concerts" will begin at 11PM in the Holiday Room with the following bands scheduled: Allen's Mill; Flatland Bluegrass Band; Travers Chandler & Avery County; Mill Run; Plan B Bluegrass Band and Shenandoah Drive.

Make plans to join me and all of your Bluegrass friends at Cabin Fever this 1st weekend of March, 2011.  Until I see you.....

"NUFF SAID!"

Description of Flatt & Scruggs at the Grand Ole' Opry, 1971

Hello Readers.  The following long paragraph came from a book entitled, "Ruby Red," written by William Price Fox which was published by, J. B. Lippincott Company in 1971.  I found the paragraph in the February/March 1979 edition of American Heritage Magazine within an article about the last days of the Grand Ole' Opry at the Ryman Auditorium.  I found Mr. Fox' description to be so strong that I felt I had to share it with you.  Please note that I do not have permission from the author or the publishing company, but hope they both will enjoy seeing these words again in print.  J. B. Lippincott Company is not in business any longer. 

Preceding the paragraph below the author wrote in the American Heritage article the following: "When I was in Nashville the last time, I walked through the old Ryman, trying to remember my favorite performance.  The church pews are still slick from the years of wear since since Captain Tom Ryman had them carved for Reverend Jones, and the sunlight streaming through the high and pointed red, yellow and blue tabernacle windows still washes color over the Confederate Gallery, the front rows and across the big stage.  The watchman's dog was sleeping in the center aisle, and as I moved around him, the old wooden floor creaked.  Thinking back, it wasn't hard to remember one night back in the sixties when Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs were riding together on the Martha White portion of the show.  I was sitting in the orchestra in the middle of the fried chicken, the sausage biscuits, the beer.  I took no notes that night because I needed none.  But later I jotted some down at the Alamo  Plaza and still later they found their way into the novel I was working on.  While this description doesn't catch the music, because I know of no way to do that, it does point to it as it goes winging by, which may be all we can ever do."

Now, please enjoy the paragraph and see if you can't put yourself right there, the excitement, the joy.....

" Flatt and Scruggs and "The Foggy Mountain Boys" came on like race horses, steel sharp and right as railroad spikes.  The high pitched banjo climbed up on top, the low fiddle growl held at the side, while the steady driving dobro underneath pushed it all together and straight out at us.  It curled and skipped, danced and broke and raced forward, ricocheting off sheet metal onto some wilder level where heat lightning flashed and forked and waited.  "The Foggy Mountain Boys" held the frenzied bridge for eight straight bars and Earl Scruggs tipped his white hat and stepped in tight.  The rest backed.  He came on somber-faced, expressionless, placid and picking like a madman.  High, shrill, and quick as a lizard.  His jaw was set and his eyes were riveted to the twin spider hands as his ten fingers with twenty different things to do walked back and forth on the ebony-black and mother-of-pearl five string frets.  He went to the top of where he was going, held it, and then slid down in a machine-gun shower of sharp G, C and A notes that moved like a ribbon and streaked out over the crowd to be heard a country mile away.  He bowed quickly and stepped back as Lester Flatt, his guitar up high with the box to his ear, moved in.  He sang with his eyes closed, his head cocked for range, and threw out his nasal perfect tones in a short sowbelly arc that rose and fell gathering in all the mountain folds, wood smoke and purple twilights of the Cumberlands.  He was unconscious of the crowd and the back-up men, of himself.  He heard only the music which raised him up high on his toes and twisted him around until his jaw was pointing to the top of the long curved ceiling.  No one in the crowd spoke, coughed of shifted.  They strained forward, not wanting to miss a beat, a sound, a flash.  It was an old Carter song,"I Still Think the Good Things Outweigh the Bad."  It wasn't gospel but the words hung in the heat and the hundred year old oak of the Ryman, it was gospel for Lester Flatt.  The back-up men moved in to pick him up.  They were dark-eyed and haunted-looking under their big shadow-throwing hats.  Too many years and nights on the road had ground them down, but it had sharpened them and their music into the close grained group they were.  They heard each other and they listened.  They blocked for one another and dovetailed right, building, breaking, and backing up with tight close counterpoints.  The fiddle player swooped in with wild slides and dips, stops, and double stops and high, close, screech work at the top of the neck.  They peaked and held, and then easing off they stepped aside as Mister Earl Scruggs moved back in.  He cranked the D tuner down, then up on the peg head and slicing into a fresh key brought the house down with his blinding showering finish. . . . . The crowd rose, shouting, whistling, stomping and rebel-yelling and the flash bulbs exploded from every angle and I was screaming louder than any of them."

I hope you've enjoyed reading Mr. Fox' words.  I intend to find a copy of this book and read it avidly from cover to cover. I found this to be a wonderful description of a moment lost in time, but forever remembered in the printed word.

"NUFF SAID!"

A few notes from Gary

Hey folks.  I guess a lot of you are wondering why I haven't written very much over the last few months and I'll have to admit I do have, as Ricky Ricardo used to say to Lucy. "got some explainin' to do."  I live in a big old two story farm house.  The walls are not insulated and when the wind blows candles will flicker.  Therefore being a thrifty sort of guy, I simply choose to not heat most of this old house.  I do keep my "apartment" nice and cozy in the winter, but allow the rest of the house to remain unheated.  So what has this got to do with me not writing entries into the blog, you might ask?  A good and fair question and here's the answer.  My computer is a desk top model and I keep it in the unheated part of the house.  Right now my fingers are frozen just typing this much.  We've had an unusually cold winter here in Central Virginia and this house has felt even colder.  I hope this helps explain why my blog entries have been few and far between this winter.

Tonight I am driving out to Appomattox, VA to see Travers Chandler & Avery County at Baines Books & Coffeehouse (Should be warm in there!).  The show starts at 7PM for those of you who might want to come.  Listen to the clip as you go to the Avery County web site.  Travers describes his music and "Baltimore Bar-room Bluegrass."  What an apt description for some really great traditional Bluegrass.

Then tomorrow I'll be driving down to Kenbridge, VA to see Missy Raines & The New Hip at the Kenbridge Community Center on 5th Avenue.  Now, it seems I have some more "explainin'" to do.  Most of you know I am a Bluegrass man through and through and many of you might wonder why I would go see a band called The New Hip.  Doesn't sound too bluegrassy does it?  Well, I must confess I have not been to see Missy with her new band, but I have been a friend of hers for many years and followed her music as she played with Eddie & Martha Adcock and others.  Out of her continuing friendship with me and my deep respect for her, I look forward to seeing her again so close to home.

Well, my fingers are now officially numb from the cold, so, for now, I'll say......

"NUFF SAID!"

The Appomattox County High School Athletic Boosters Club presents the "2011 Appomattox Bluegrass Series"

Happy 2011 everyone!  Here's hoping your year is prosperous and better than the last.  Now, let me tell you about the Bluegrass at Appomattox this winter.

I'll get the preliminaries out of the way first.  All of these shows are presented in the Appomattox County High School auditorium at 2:00 PM on Sunday afternoons.  Admission to each show is $15 ($5 for children between 6 and 12 with kids 5 and under free) whether purchased in advance or at the door.  That being said, I would like to recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance as these shows have been known to sell out.  You may mail in a check in the amount of $60 per person to cover the entire series.  Or, you may order each ticket as the series advances along.  Just don't miss out on something you really wanted to see and hear.  You may also reserve tickets at "will call" to be picked up the day of the show.  Tickets may be purchased in person at several outlets around the Appomattox area; including Carquest, Jamerson Building Supply and Baines Books & Coffeehouse in Appomattox, Taylor-Forbes in Farmville, and at Lynchburg Music Center in Lynchburg.  You may telephone Allen or Kelly Smith @ 434-248-6105 or email then at kellyandallen@yahoo.com. 

Okay!  Dailey & Vincent will perform on January 23rd to get the series off to a running start.  Last year at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA)Bluegrass  Awards show Dailey & Vincent won awards as "Entertainers of the Year," Album of the Year" and 'Vocal Group of the Year."  In addition to the awards they have been nominated for Grammys, Dove and SPBGMA awards of which they have garnered many wins.  If you enjoy great harmony and a fast paced and entertaining Bluegrass show then you will not want to miss Dailey & Vincent at Appomattox.

Then coming up on February 13th (Just in time for Valentines day!) Russell Moore and 111rd Tyme Out will grace the stage at Appomattox.  Here again you will be treated to an IBMA award winner as Russell Moore won the 2010 "Male Vocalist of the Year."  If you know the music of IIIrd Tyme Out I really didn't have to tell you of Russell's award to convince you to attend the show as you are fully aware of his fantastic vocals.  But, there is a lot more to IIIrd Tyme Out than Russell's vocals as the band is a 'super group' all of which have great talent and singing abilities.  Take your Valentine out for a great Bluegrass performance.

Two short weeks later on February 27th, the "daddy" of Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out and one half of Dailey & Vincent takes the stage at Appomattox, namely Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.  I, more correctly, should have spoken of Doyle as the 'teacher' of these other performers as they both played in Doyle's band Quicksilver at one time or another. Doyle is a demanding boss and I, as a fan, am glad he is.  When attending a Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver show you'll see and hear his latest "crop" or performers and you can be assured of top notch talent and great singing.  Doyle will accept no less.

 

Just a few short days before the start of spring on March 13th, Appomattox High School will reverberate with the great traditional sounds of Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice.  While the three previous shows at Appomattox will have exhibited the influence of Doyle Lawson (And, I can assure you there's nothing wrong with that!), Junior Sisk approaches Bluegrass from and entirely different angle.  He grew up listening to the traditional sounds of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and many of the other 1st generation of Bluegrass performers.  This influence can be heard in his singing and choice of material.  Junior sings new songs, but with an earthiness that makes them seem old and eternal.  His most recent CD, "Heartaches & Dreams" went to number 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited Bluegrass charts.  Junior is humbled by this acclaim as can be attested to this quote from his web site: "[Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice] is celebrating 'Heartaches and Dreams' reaching the #1 Album spot on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey Chart and the Bluegrass Music Profiles Chart!  "Train Without a Track" (#9 BU & #1 BMP) and "Workin' Hard Ain't Hardly Workin' Anymore" (#19 BU) continue to move up the single charts as well.  Thank you to all of the fans, promoters and broadcasters who have supported us and contributed to the success of this album."  Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice wrap up the all too short winter  of music at the Appomattox Bluegrass Series.

Don't forget to get those tickets early and I look forward to seeing all of you at Appomattox this winter.

"NUFF
SAID!"

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2011!!!!

Yes, I know it's been a long time since I've written anything and I apologize for not keeping you informed, as I should.  I've been going through some minor health problems and have decided that I must control my type II diabetes. 

Back about 4 or 5 months ago I went to bed feeling fine and woke up with my right ear all plugged up.  There was drainage, but I simple could not get it to clear.  I made many trips to my ENT and was treated for fungal infections and bacterial infections separately and even in tandem, but that ear seemed to fill more and more and hearing went to almost nothing in that ear.  Intuitively, I suspected I knew what I had to do to get this ear cleared up.  As long as my diabetes was running wild and out of control it would never get well.  Soooo, I went to my family doctor, who happens to be a very pleasant and attractive young nurse practitioner.  Her smiles are radiant and hey, we guys are pretty easy.  Turns out my sugar was higher than I even thought.  My A1C (you diabetics know what I'm talking about) was 15.4 and my first meter reading the next morning was 488!  Definitely in the danger zone.  Mary, my nurse practitioner, decided it was time that I be put on insulin.  I both wanted this and didn't because even though I've had dozens of people tell me that little needle is painless I simply did not believe them.  As it happens, they are all correct, it does not hurt 99% of the time.  Every once in a while I will hit a nerve directly and there will be a brief and minor stinging sensation.  My diabetes is now under good control and I am feeling 100% better.  I am working on saving my life!  Oh yeah, my ear has cleared up and I am hearing quite well.

There's not a lot of news to report about Bluegrass, but I'll tell you what I know.  If you like jazzy flavored acoustic music (Are you listening Wally & Tim?) Missy Raines & The New Hip will be at the Kenbridge Community Center on January 29th, 2011.  Call WSVS radio in Crewe for ticket information.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.  I am not a huge fan of jazzy Bluegrass, but Missy is simply the best acoustic base player on the planet and it would be an huge error in judgement for me not to attend this performance.  Check out Missy on Facebook here.

January is right around the corner and that means the Appomattox Bluegrass Series will soon commence.  I haven't heard from promoter Kelly Smith in Appomattox yet, but I'm sure she will get in touch and I'll let you know all about the concerts early next month.

It's the Christmas season and I know you don't have a lot of time to read blogs, so I'll make this one short and wish all of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

"NUFF SAID!"