Graves' Mountain Festival of Music - May 31st & June 1st & 2nd, 2012 - Syria, VA

Yes, the time has, once again, rolled around for the Graves' Mountain Festival of Music, this being the 20th year.  My time does fly when fun is being had.  Graves Mountain Lodge and the grounds surrounding it are, indeed, a beautiful spot in Virginia.  Nestled just below the crest of Virginia' Blue Ridge Mountains, there is hardly a more spectacular spot for Bluegrass music to ring through the air.  

So now I think you have an idea of the beauty at Graves' Mountain lodge; now lets talk about what you can expect when you arrive.

First and foremost, this has been the most mis-understood thing about The Graves' Mountain Festival of Music. camping completely free with the purchase of a 3 DAY TICKET!  If you arrive on Saturday expecting to purchase a one day ticket and to camp. Forget it.  Clearly the flyer and all ads for the festival state that camping is free with a 3-Day ticket. not a one day ticket.  So, if you come in Saturday with a camper you will be expected to buy a 3-DAY TICKET and then camping is free, as it is to everyone. Understand??? So, my question to you is, if you're planning to come and camp, then why not come for all three days like the rest of us?  The cost will be the same and you'll get to hear lots more Bluegrass that way.  It's just common sense.

Food!  FOOD!!!  Now, you can bring your own, if you wish, but the Graves' Mountain Lodge is famous for the great meals they serve and the festival is presented by Jimmy Graves and his family, so why would you expect less at the festival?  On Thursday night the serve up some mouth watering and tasty BBQ Ribs with all the expected fixing, panned apples, fries and other veggies.  But wait, while you can get this great meal for the entire weekend, or until supplies run out, on Friday they serve up a spectacular Rainbow Trout dinner.  Saturday is their traditional Steak Night with a very tasty Rib Eye (The King of Steaks!) Steak dinner with baked potato, fries, etc.  So, yeah, bring along your own food and cook and clean and worry about ice, etc.  But why???

This year, I've heard many folks say, has a very different line-up.  Okay, they didn't say, "very different" but you get my drift.  I want to quickly go through the list for each day.  Let's start with Thursday, appearing will be: Dark Hollow; The U.S. Navy Band Country Current; Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice; Goldwing Express and The Gibson Brothers.  Coming up on Friday is another, but distinctly more varied list of groups, Shenandoah Drive; The Snyder Family; Monroeville; Stetson & Cia (Of Cherryholmes fame); The Rockin' Acoustic Circus and The Carolina Chocolate Drops.  Saturday boasts an even more eclectic mixture of performers, The Moore Brothers Band; Mark Templeton & Pocket Change; Mark Newton's Stillhouse Band; Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen; The Cleverlys; Balsam Range and The Quebe Sisters.

So there you have it.  The Graves' Mountain Festival of Music.  Make plans to attend.  I'm afraid budget constraints and the price of gas may well keep me home this time, (Gosh I hate to miss it!) but I want to hear lots of stories from you as you tell me about your trip to the 2012 edition of The Graves' Mountain Festival of Music.

"NUFF SAID!"

Earl Scruggs - My Experiences - Gary Robertson

A very good friend and a fellow blogger (Who by the way hasn't sent me notice of a blog posting in months!) read my blog entry concerning Earl Scruggs which quoted a long and sincere letter to all of us Banjo nuts, from Kristen Scott Benson, about how she experienced Earl and her feelings.  I thought her letter to be well written and all-encompassing, however, my friend wanted to hear my thoughts on Earl.  Soooo, here goes.  Get ready, this could be a long ride.

First I must tell you that I only met Earl Scruggs on three occasions and on two of them he was simply sitting at a table autographing whatever we had to offer.  The first time was on my second trip to Nashville to attend the 18th annual SPBGMA weekend.  I was walking around the exhibit hall when I heard and felt a commotion going on.  "What in the world," I thought and then I saw him.  There's Earl Scruggs and a hush fell over the room as he was guided through the crowd to an anteroom toward the back.  We found out through very fast word of mouth that he was there to sign autographs.  I had nothing for him to sign and was feeling more than a little frustrated.  A long line quickly formed and it was then that I saw folks coming out of the room carrying the large Gibson advertising poster with a huge picture of Earl on it.  And he was autographing them. I got in line right away.  This was gonna be cool.  The line stretched all the way the length of the exhibit hall and then zig-zagged back and forth in the room where Earl was. . . . . . .  Now, let me back up in time just a bit.  I created a t-shirt in 1984 that reads "No! I'm Not Earl Scruggs."  I'll tell you later why I created it, but for now let me tell you that Little Roy Lewis is a Scruggs man through and through and the first time he saw me wearing that shirt he just about busted a seam laughing.  It sort of opened a dialogue between Little Roy and me as it has with many strangers.  Little Roy laughed and laughed and asked where I got such an idea.  I told him the story and he loved it.  Anyway, he told Earl about my shirt and he told me about it the next time I saw him.  Little Roy said all Earl could say was, "Why would he do a thing like that."  Real dry like.  Little Roy told me Earl didn't have a great sense of humor and he just didn't get it. . . . . . . So, I'm standing in line waiting and I'm about ten people back in line from getting to Earl and they ran out of the Gibson posters.  Dang!  Of all the rotten luck!  All i had on me was a advertisement from one of the display tables, so I got Earl to sign that.  Today, I have no idea where that autograph is.  To say I was really disappointed is an understatement.  I guess that's why I don't know what I've done with his autograph.  But, there's more to this meeting.  While I was getting his autograph I proceeded to ask if he remembered Little Roy telling him about a guy in Virginia that made up a T-shirt that said, "No! I'm Not Earl Scruggs."  He said he remembered and asked me the same question he asked Little Roy, "Why would you do that?"  I tried to explain, but Earl was just too serious and rooted in the real world to see that even for humor it didn't make sense.  I had to leave it at that,  at least for the moment.

The second time I met Earl Scruggs was probably the best one, except I sorta froze because it was sudden and totally unexpected.  This time I was attending my third IBMA ""World of Bluegrass" event in Louisville, KY.  It was mid-week, if I recall correctly and I was walking in a nearly empty hallway toward the  exhibit hall and as I rounded the corner, really not paying much attention to what I was going I nearly ran right into him as he was walking toward me.  I was flabbergasted and not being prepared, all I could think to do was say hello and offer my hand.  We did shake hands and he said something like, "Nice to see you." or something like that.  Then he kept walking and so did I.  So, there goes my real chance to perhaps talk one on one with the great one and I say, "hello."  Just a star struck fool, I guess.

The third and last time I was able to speak and shake hands with Earl was long anticipated.  Sigrid Williams, the president of the Virginia Folk Music Association, hired Earl to appear at the VFMA Jumpin' Bluegrass Festival.  I knew months in advance and I came up with idea to make a shirt that said "No! I'm Not Gary Robertson" and present it to Earl.  Pretty funny, I thought.  Ha Ha!  So, I made up the shirt, just like I do mine, with a black magic marker.  After listening to him perform, and quite well I might say, he sat at a table and a line formed for autographs.  I asked him sign the cover of the VFMA program booklet and then gave him the shirt.  He stood up and held the shirt up in front of him and I stood next to him in my shirt.  He almost instantly threw the shirt on the ground, but not before someone got a picture of us together.  It's been a while, but if memory serves me right, it was Randy Grigg who took the picture.  Randy, if it was you, I never got a copy of the picture.  Hint, hint!  Another funny thing about that day was that Earl's wife, Louise, was with him.  She saw my shirt and she really eyed me carefully.  I had heard most of my life that Louise was a shrewd business woman and had everything with Earl's likeness or name on it copyrighted.  I was sure she was gonna ask me for money, but she didn't, after all.  Also, Marty Stuart was there that day helping Earl out and he saw and liked my shirt.  He got out his 35MM camera and took a couple of pictures of me and with me.  I have heard from some friends that Marty has several videos on the market and that one of them shows me in the shirt.  Sure would like to see that some day.  BTW: There were a bunch of middle aged women there shouting at Marty, wanting his autograph.  I told Marty, "Those women want your autograph."  He looked their way and back at me and said, "Forget 'em, this is Earl's day."

These were the three time I actually met Earl and shook his hand and spoke with him.  Other that these, I have seen him perform on several occasions.  The first time was a very long time ago when he and The Earl Scruggs Revue appeared as part of a package show touring the country after the great success of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" album.  Larry Stephenson was there at the tender age of 16, performing with his dad in the very first Larry Stephenson Band.  I've spoken and emailed several times with Larry about that show.  He even sent me a copy of the show schedule for that day.

I've enlarged this as big as I can and I am hoping you will be able to read it.  Also, I got a picture of Earl signing autographs that day. I think the most poignant of the times I saw Earl Scruggs was at the IBMA Awards in 2010.  Earl was old and he looked the part.  He was stooped and could barely walk, but he made his way to the chair there waiting for him, center stage.  His son, Randy, draped the guitar strap over his shoulder as he handed Earl his guitar.  Moments later, Earl began playing his wonderful song, "You Are My Flower," and it melted the years away and I felt moved to tears hearing this great man play that beautiful melody with all the strength and vitality of his youth.  What a special moment in my life that was.

{I don't understand all of the intricacies of how computers work.  I cannot make this picture appear as part of the article, but if you click inside the box it should appear on a separate page.  Sorry for the problem. - Gary}

When this performance was over, Earl was helped from the stage and his guitar was left and all of the lights went down except for a soft spotlight on the guitar.

"NUFF SAID!"

VMRE/WSVS Presents Lynryrd Skynyrd @ Hooper Park, Crewe, VA IMPORTANT PARKING INFO!!!

Hi Folks.  The Lynyrd Skynyrd concert is going to be a huge success.  Ticket sales have been brisk and a very large crowd is expected, therefore to make your experience the best it can be, VMRE has issued a large essay on parking and other rules.  Tickets are still available, so if you want to see Lynyrd Skynyrd at a wonderful outdoor park, this is you chance.  PLEASE read over everything below, so there will be no surprises when you arrive.  My understanding is that VMRE has hired the company that handles parking for NASCAR at the Richmond International Speedway (RIR), so things should go smoothly.  All information below is directly from Penny Parsons, the media contact for VMRE.

"On Friday, May 11, 2012 at 6:30 PM the Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment is pleased to present iconic rock band LYNYRD SKYNYRD at The Virginia State Park Pavilion at Hooper Park, on Melody Lane in Crewe, VA.    Tickets are $25.00 advance, $30.00 at the gate, and $45.00 for Gold Circle seating.  They are available through
www.ticketstobuy.com and at select Benchmark Community Bank locations. 
TICKETS ARE LIMITED, SO ORDER EARLY!  Hooper Park is easily accessible from Highways 360 and 460.  For more information, visit:
www.virginiacrossroadslive.com and click on Event Info.

IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE,
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS:
TRAFFIC:

Hwy 360 West Traffic (coming from Chesterfield/Powhatan/Amelia/Richmond)
Traffic arriving on Hwy 360 West should follow concert signs, turning left onto Hwy 49, then right onto Melody Lane.

Hwy 360/460 East Traffic (coming from South Boston/Farmville/Lynchburg)
Traffic arriving on Hwy 360 East and Hwy 460 East should bear left on Hwy 360 East (at the 360/460 split) and immediately move into the right lane.  Follow concert signs, turning right onto Melody Lane.

Hwy 460 West Traffic (coming from Blackstone/Petersburg/I-85)Traffic arriving on Hwy 460 West should SLOW DOWN while driving through the town of Crewe.  Just west of Crewe, Hwy 460 West expands to 2 lanes in each direction.  Concert traffic should remain in the right lane and
follow concert signs, turning right onto Hwy 49, then left onto Melody Lane.

 
STARTING AT 3:00 PM, TUNE TO 800 AM WSVS FOR CONCERT TRAFFIC AND
PARKING INFORMATION!
PARKING:

ALL PARKING AREAS WILL OPEN AT 3:00 PM
Free parking will be available at Hooper Park on a first come, first served basis.  No vehicles will be allowed into Hooper Park prior to 3:00 PM and no vehicles will be allowed to park along Hwy 360 or Hwy 460 waiting for the park to open.

Paid parking (to benefit the Crewe/Burkeville Recreation Association) will be available at Beamer Field on Hwy 460 in downtown Crewe.  Shuttles to and from Hooper Park will run regularly from 3:00 PM until 11:00 PM.

Paid parking will also be available behind Weston’s Motel & Restaurant on Melody Lane (walking distance from Hooper Park).

PLEASE NOTE: There may be private property owners offering paid parking
services near Hooper Park.  The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment
is not responsible for privately owned parking areas or for the fees charged by private individuals during any Virginia Crossroads Live event.

 
CONCESSIONS:
BEER & WINE SALES:
Beer, wine, and other food and beverage concessions will be available at Hooper Park.  Patrons must purchase beer tickets in order to be served beer and wine.  Cash WILL NOT be accepted at the beer and wine
service areas.  Anyone wishing to consume alcoholic beverages within the pavilion area will be required to present a photo ID in order to obtain a wristband that indicates the wearer is of legal age.  No
patron will be served without a valid wristband.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a strict limit of 5 alcoholic beverages per person in effect for the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert.  In addition, anyone who appears to be inebriated will be denied service.   For the safety of all in attendance, any patron who appears to be inebriated upon arrival at the front gate will be denied admission without refund.  This will be strictly enforced by security and police during all Virginia Crossroads Live events.

 
NO TAILGATING:
There is absolutely no tailgating permitted in the parking areas provided by The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment.  These areas include the Hooper Park, American Legion, and Weston’s Restaurant
parking areas.  Tailgating is also prohibited in the Beamer Field parking area.  Anyone caught tailgating within these areas will be
asked to leave the area without refund.
Virginia State ABC law prohibits ANY open containers of alcohol or consumption of alcoholic beverages anywhere outside of the concert pavilion area.  Virginia ABC agents will enforce this law.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.  OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND
PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OF OUR PATRONS."   end quote

So, Folks, please follow these rules which ensure enjoyment for all concert goers. The main thing is have fun and leave your contrariness and belligerence at home! (You know who you are!  ;~})   And, hopefully this is. . . . . .

"NUFF SAID!"

The "Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment" (VMRE) Presents The Quebe Sisters @ The Kenbridge Community Center - May 30th, 2012 @ 7:00PM

Yep!  You read that right.  The Quebe Sisters are coming back to the Kenbridge Community Center on May 30th at 7:00PM.  Honestly, I must tell you that I missed their first performance and, sadly, I will miss this one, too.  Why?  I attend the "Graves Mountain Festival of Music" each year and it's always this same weekend.  Fortunately, The Quebe Sisters will also make an appearance at the "Graves Mountain Festival of Music" that same weekend, so I will get to see them.  Luckily, you won't have to travel 100 plus miles and camp out to see them.  All you have to do is purchase a ticket for $12 in advance or $15 at the door and simply show up in Kenbridge and enjoy the show!  Below is the majority of the official press release from Penny Parsons, the media contact for the VMRE.

"On Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 7:00 PM the Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment is pleased to present THE QUEBE SISTERS BAND at the Kenbridge Community Center, 511 West 5th Avenue in Kenbridge, VA. 
Virginia's own Appalachian Express will open the show.  Kenbridge is about 15 miles north of South Hill, just minutes off of I-85.  Tickets are $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door, and are available through
www.ticketstobuy.com, at select Benchmark Community Bank Locations, and
at WSVS radio in Crewe, VA.

When Grace, Sophia and Hulda Quebe (pronounced Kway-bee) raise their
fiddles and play, audiences marvel. When the girls sing their vintage style three-part harmony, audiences are blown away. Add the extraordinary rhythm guitar of Joey McKenzie and the swinging upright bass of Drew Phelps, and The Quebe Sisters Band becomes a force of nature. The QSB's unique brand of music has taken the Americana music scene by storm. They perform a refreshing blend of western swing, vintage country, bluegrass, jazz & swing standards, and Texas style fiddling.  Though still in their twenties, after more than ten years of performing together, the sisters sing and play like seasoned veterans.

Awarded the Crescendo Award by the Western Music Association and winner
of the Western Swing Album of the Year from the Academy of Western Artists, The Quebe Sisters Band is touring behind their latest album, "Timeless."  Performance highlights include appearances at the Grand
Ole Opry, the Kennedy Center, NYC's Lincoln Center, the Ryman Auditorium, the Marty Stuart Show, the Eddie Stubbs' Show on WSM, The Birchmere, the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree, the Smithsonian Folklife
Festival, and the National Folk Festival.
Anyone who saw the Quebe Sisters Band at their 2011 performance in Kenbridge knows what an exciting, dynamic, and fun show it was.  Don't miss this special return engagement!"

A note from Gary:  As with many of the live music performances sponsored by the VMRE, The Quebe Sisters do not perform Bluegrass music.  They play and sing authentic Cowboy Western and Western Swing music as you have never heard it before.  Trust me on this.  I also know that my blog is called "Bluegrass Virginia" and that I created it to promote Bluegrass music in Virginia.  In a round about way, by promoting these shows presented by the VMRE and WSVS radio I am supporting one of the last bastions of daily Bluegrass music programming in Virginia and, the USA, for that matter.  Not only does WSVS AM800 radio present three hours of recorded Bluegrass music daily Monday through Friday (3 to 6PM), but they also present live Bluegrass, Old Time and Acoustic Country music at 12 PM each Saturday as part of the "High Noon Hoe-Down."  As I have stated before, As long as WSVS supports my Bluegrass addiction I will support the live music shows they present, whether they be Bluegrass or not.

"NUFF SAID!"

Earl Scruggs, BANJO Man!

Folks, I tried to come up with a clever title for this, but I think it is said best to simply state that Earl Scruggs was THE banjo man.  I wanted to write something poignant about Earl Scruggs, but upon receiving an email from The Laughing Penguin Publicity Agency, with a heartfelt letter to all of us from Kristen Scott Benson, anything I might try to say would sound hollow.  So, now, I have attached, in it's entirety this wonderful essay from Kristen.  Read it and then wait a day or so and then come back and really read it.  It is a letter filled with awe and love for a man all five string banjo enthusiasts owe their very lifeblood to, Earl Scruggs!

"Thoughts on the Passing of Earl Scruggs from Kristin Scott Benson;
4-time winner, IBMA Banjo Player of the Year award and member of the multi-award winning band, The Grascals

Like everyone else that loves bluegrass music and the banjo, I was saddened to hear the news of Earl Scruggs' passing.  Terry Smith, bass player with The Grascals, called me at my parents' house in South Carolina to give me the news.  Though I didn't know him well, I immediately felt a void because his life has had so much impact on mine.  In fact, anyone that plays traditional 3-finger, bluegrass banjo (which is almost every banjo player in the world) owes their craft to Earl Scruggs.  Even the players that unfortunately haven't listened to him first-hand, should understand that their primary influence is still Earl Scruggs. 

Bluegrass banjo playing is odd.  The goal, in many ways, is to replicate the past.  For many listeners, and players alike, your worth as a bluegrass banjo player is gauged by how closely you can emulate what Earl did back in the late 1940s, 50s, and 60s.  I'm not aware of any other instrument, in any other genre of music, that places such a strong emphasis on recreating the past.  Perhaps it is because Earl set the standard so high, that it is quite simply impossible to reach or surpass.  This is what sets the rest of us on a lifelong pursuit with the beloved instrument that Earl Scruggs introduced to the masses. 

The banjo is amazing, capable of doing whatever the player can imagine.  Earl understood this, as well as anyone.  While there is debate over whether he was the very first person to use the 3-finger style, he is certainly the man that brought it to the forefront, in his intricately, refined way.  Listen to players like Bela Fleck or Noam Pikelny, and you will get a glimpse of what the banjo can do, in any arena.  I am sure that Earl celebrated the banjo's journey into every musical environment because he, too, was an innovator that loved the instrument itself, not just its role within a bluegrass band.  The banjo is bigger than that.  Within the bluegrass world, however, the truth is that banjo playing hasn't changed that much.  It has evolved, for sure, but many people regard that evolution as "watered-down" Scruggs style. I celebrate all things banjo, but the older I get, the more I understand their sentiment.  You learn these cool, new things and you are enthralled with awesome players of recent years, yet when you go back and listen to Earl, the purity and perfection of his playing still stands taller than the rest, all these years later.  I would encourage players that haven't spent time with his music to go back and do the work to understand why his mark is so indelible.  Music is art; art is subjective, and creativity is the lifeblood of it all, but there are "right" and "wrong" ways to play bluegrass banjo.  You just can't get around it, even if you disagree or wish it wasn't that way.  And the "right" way, most would agree, is Earl's way.  Eventually, we all figure out we will never be able to sound like him, so we create and settle for our own niche, but Earl is the foundation that supports us all.

Finally, I am very thankful for a couple of personal moments with Earl Scruggs.  The first was having my grandfather, who was a professional musician and friend of Earl's, introduce me to him, at a show at Gardner Webb University in NC.  I was very young and had never considered playing the banjo yet, but I clearly remember it.  I realized it was a special opportunity, even then.  I treasure the second encounter, even more.  Sonny Osborne used to host parties at his house.  He would have a bass and guitar player, and the rest of the musicians all played the banjo!  The special guest was usually Earl Scruggs and Sonny was kind enough to invite me to one of the gatherings.  For once in my life, I was bold!  I took the seat next to Earl, on Sonny's living room sofa, realizing it was literally the chance of a lifetime.  For hours, I mustered up the courage to play alongside the greatest banjo player that ever lived.  I will forever be indebted to Sonny Osborne for that experience and I will forever be indebted to Earl Scruggs for creating what we all enjoy as Bluegrass Banjo Playing.  It has defined my life.

Kristin Scott Benson

March 29, 2012"

"NUFF SAID!"

The "Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment" (VMRE) is presenting Four live concerts this Spring

This is the first of FIVE brand new posting to my blog today!  There are four more, so keep on scrolling down to read each of them.

The second posting is about the Sierra Hull & Highway 111 concert coming up on March 31st at the Kenbridge Community Center.  Don't be an APRIL FOOL and miss this one!

The third posting is about the Dark Star Orchestra with special guest Jesse McReynolds coming up on May 17th, 2012 at the Pocahontas State Park as part of the "Pocahontas Live" Concert Series,

The fourth posting is about Delbert McClinton appearing live at Powhatan Village in Powhatan, VA on June 1st at 6:30 PM as part of the "Powhatan Live" Concert Series.

The fifth and last posting of the day concerns the appearance of the legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd ay Hooper Park in Crewe, VA on May 11th at 7:00PM as part of the "Virginia Crossroads Live"  Concert Series.

Please read all of my postings and attend as many of the shows as you can.  Hey, I know most of these shows are very far removed from Bluegrass.  But, as i stated in several of my posts, The "Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment" as part of WSVS Radio AM 800 present Bluegrass every weekday between the hours of 3 and 6 PM and also present an hour of live Bluegrass (usually) at 12PM on Saturdays.  As long as these two entities present Bluegrass music as part of their programming I shall support them in any way I can.  And so should you!

Read on!!!!!

"NUFF SAID!"

The "Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment" (VMRE) partnering with Lunenburg County Schools Presents and Evening with SIERRA HULL & HIGHWAY 111 on Saturday, March 31st, 2012 at The Kenbridge Community Center

Okay, the VMRE is presenting a lot of concerts over and throughout the spring, but this is the only one, so far, that is truly a Bluegrass event.  The lovely and vivacious Sierra Hull with her group Highway 111 will present an evening of Bluegrass and acoustic music.  sierra, now just 20 years old, has been performing professionally for six years and has only gotten better with each passing year.

 

I hope this picture along with my strong recommendation will influence you to attend this show.

It's on Saturday March 31st!  Don't be an APRIL FOOL and miss this one!!!

Advance tickets for $10.00 each are still available.  please call: 434-645-7734 to reserve "will call" tickets right now!  Tickets, if still available will be sold at the door for $14 each.  Hope to see you there!

"NUFF SAID!"

The "Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment" (VMRE) presents the DARK STAR ORCHESTRA with special guest JESSE McREYNOLDS as part of the "Pocahontas Live" concert Series at Pocahontas State Park on Thursday, May 17th @ 6:30PM

Yes, another very long headline , but I gotta get it all in there!  I don't know how many of you have been to the amphitheater at Pocahontas State Park, but I must tell you it is an under-utilized and wonderful concert location.  Take a lawn chair or a blanket or sit in the provided bleachers; any way you choose this is a great place to hear live music.  From reading Penny Parsons press release, which I shall provide, I know that the Dark Star Orchestra was formed after the death of Jerry Garcia and presents Grateful Dead music as nearly as possible as it was originally done.  As an added treat Bluegrass Great Jesse McReynolds will guest star, performing songs form his Grateful Dead project.  Hey, don't listen to me, read Penny Parsons email representing the VMRE as Media Contact and member of the Board of Directors.

"On Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 6:30 PM the Virginia Museum of Radio
Entertainment is pleased to present Grateful Dead tribute band DARK
STAR ORCHESTRA at Pocahontas State Park, 10301 State Park Rd,
Chesterfield, VA.  Bluegrass legend JESSE McREYNOLDS will make a
special guest appearance with DSO, performing several songs from his
"Songs of the Grateful Dead" CD, released in 2010.  Pocahontas State
Park is just a few miles southeast of Richmond, and is easily
accessible from Highway 360 or Interstate 95.  Tickets are $16.50
advance/$20.00 at the door, available through www.ticketstobuy.com.  
For more information, visit: www.pocahontaslive.com

For eleven years Dark Star Orchestra has presented its critically
acclaimed live show at esteemed venues all over the world.  Dark Star
Orchestra's concerts are built off the extensive catalog of the
Grateful Dead. On any given night the band will perform a show based on
a set list from the Dead's 30 years of extensive touring, or use the
Dead's catalog of songs to create a unique set list for that show. 
Grateful Dead classics are performed in the same way that an orchestra
interprets music of classical composers.   Precision is king with DSO;
the band members adapt their stage positioning, vocal arrangements,
specific musical equipment and instruments to fit the era of the show
they are performing. Following each performance the band announces the
date and venue of the original Grateful Dead performance.

The band's determined commitment to "raising the Dead" has drawn
national media attention.  Rolling Stone praised their "fanatical
attention to detail."  The Washington Post called them  "...the hottest
Grateful Dead tribute act. A cover band for people who don't like cover
bands."  Critics aren't the only ones singing Dark Star Orchestra's
praises. Five original members of the Grateful Dead have played
alongside DSO.  Vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux-McKay, a  frequent guest,
says, "Playing with Dark Star Orchestra feels just exactly like it felt
when I was playing with the Grateful Dead!"

Bluegrass legend Jesse McReynolds began his career in the late 1940s,
alongside his brother Jim.  Jim & Jesse made their first recordings in
1952, and became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1964.  They were
inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 1993
and received a National Heritage Award at the White House in 1997. 
Though Jim passed away in 2002, Jesse has continued to perform, and
this year he celebrates 65 years in music.  He has always been known as
an innovator, having created his own unique and intricate style of
mandolin playing now referred to as "the McReynolds style."
Jim & Jesse frequently pushed the boundaries of bluegrass and country
music by incorporating material from other genres into their
repertoire.  Now Jesse has gone a step further, by recording an entire
album of Grateful Dead covers, with a group of musical friends
including David Nelson and Stu Allen!   "Songs of the Grateful Dead"
was released in 2010, and in November of that year Jesse made a
surprise guest appearance with Dark Star Orchestra at a concert in
Nashville.  Over the last two years he has performed at numerous Jerry
Garcia tributes, alongside such artists as David Nelson and New Riders
of the Purple Sage.  The May 17 concert at Pocahontas State Park will
be Jesse's second guest appearance with Dark Star Orchestra, and is
sure to be a special event, for the musicians as well as the audience!

The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment (VMRE) is a non-profit
501(c)3 organization based in Crewe, Virginia.  The mission of the VMRE
is to archive, sustain, and perpetuate roots-based American music, and
to enhance public awareness of central Virginia's rich musical
heritage.  In addition, the VMRE partners with school systems in
several counties, presenting special programs to educate students about
music business.  Since its formation in 2010, the VMRE has hosted
concerts with some of the top names in acoustic music, including Riders
in the Sky, Sierra Hull, Curly Seckler with The Steep Canyon Rangers,
and The Quebe Sisters.  This year the VMRE has  expanded its concert
series to include several new and bigger venues!  Visit: www.vmre.org
to see a list of venues and upcoming events.

The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment welcomes donations, which
are tax deductible, and may be made on our web site or sent to: VMRE,
PO Box 607, Crewe, VA 23930.  For more information about the VMRE or
for concert information, call: 434-645-7734.
Like us on Facebook at: The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment"

"NUFF SAID!"

The "Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment" (VMRE) Presents, in person, DELBERT McCLINTON as part of the "Powhatan Live" Concert Series on Friday, June 1st, 2012, @ 6:30PM in Powhatan Village

As stated in other columns, as long as WSVS and the VMRE support and presents Bluegrass music as part of the daily programming at WSVS AM 800, I shall support any endeavor they may take to support themselves.  I must be completely honest at tell you I know nothing whatsoever about Delbert McClinton, therefore, I shall let you get your information from an email posting sent to me from Penny Parsons, member of the Board of Directors and the Media Contact for the VMRE.  Her email appears below in italics.

"On Friday, June 1, 2012 at 6:30 PM the Virginia Museum of Radio
Entertainment, in partnership with the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce, is
pleased to present DELBERT McCLINTON at Powhatan Village in Powhatan,
Virginia.   This is the inaugural concert in the VMRE's brand new
POWHATAN LIVE series!
Powhatan is about 20 miles west of Richmond, just off Highway 60, and
is easily accessible from Interstates 64 and 95.  Tickets are only
$12.50 advance/$15.00 at the door, available through
www.ticketstobuy.com.  For more information, visit:
www.powhatanlive.com

The quintessential Texas blues rocker singer/songwriter, Delbert
McClinton has known few genre boundaries during his more than five
decade-spanning career. Born in Lubbock (hometown of such other musical
notables as Buddy Holly and Joe Ely), McClinton came of age in the Fort
Worth joints.  He received his musical education playing harmonica with
The Straightjackets, the house band at a local R&B club, backing
artists such as Jimmy Reed, Howlin' Wolf, and Sonny Boy Williamson. 
McClinton first became known for his outstanding harmonica skills and
reportedly gave John Lennon a few lessons in the early '60s.

With the release of his 1975 solo debut, Victim of Life's
Circumstances, McClinton firmly stamped his Fort Worth-bred blend of
blues, country and blue-eyed soul onto the pop musical landscape.  In
1980, McClinton scored the top 10 hit “Giving It Up For Your Love,”
which pushed the accompanying Capitol album, The Jealous Kind, into the
national Top 40.   In 1991, he won his first Grammy Award for his vocal
collaboration with Bonnie Raitt on “Good Man, Good Woman” (from Raitt’s
Luck Of The Draw).  After spending the late ‘80s and ‘90s cutting
consistently powerful albums for Alligator, Curb, Mercury, and MCA,
McClinton arrived at New West Records in 2001.  He has since won two
Grammy Awards in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category, for 
Nothing Personal in 2001 and Cost of Living in 2005.  The long list of
artists who have covered McClinton's original songs includes Emmylou
Harris, The Blues Brothers, Vince Gill, Wynonna, Lee Roy Parnell,
Martina McBride, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.

McClinton, one of the greatest American vocalists, released his
thirteenth studio album, Acquired Taste, in 2009.  It is a juke joint
blend of country soul, infused with blues, rock and jazz.  The
reflective lyrics provide one of the wisest and most introspective
albums of the Texas roots music legend’s musical career.  “I’m an
acquired taste in that my kind of music’s not for little kids,”
McClinton says. “It’s adult rock ‘n’ roll. I write from the sensibility
of the people I knew growing up, and I grew up with all the heathens,
the people who went too far before they changed and tried to make
something out of their lives. There are a lot of beautiful colors and
sad stories and much-deserved joy in that.”

The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment (VMRE) is a non-profit
501(c)3 organization based in Crewe, Virginia.  The mission of the VMRE
is to archive, sustain, and perpetuate roots-based American music, and
to enhance public awareness of central Virginia's rich musical
heritage.  In addition, the VMRE partners with school systems in
several counties, presenting special programs to educate students about
music business.  Since its formation in 2010, the VMRE has hosted
concerts with some of the top names in acoustic music, including Riders
in the Sky, Sierra Hull, Curly Seckler with The Steep Canyon Rangers,
and The Quebe Sisters.  This year the VMRE has  expanded its concert
series to include an even greater variety of music in several new and
bigger venues!  Visit: www.vmre.org to see a list of venues and
upcoming events.

The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment welcomes donations, which
are tax deductible, and may be made on our web site or sent to: VMRE,
PO Box 607, Crewe, VA 23930.  For more information about the VMRE or
for concert information, call: 434-645-7734.
Like us on Facebook at: The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment."

"NUFF SAID!"

The "Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment" (VMRE) presents as part of the "Virginia Crossroads, Live, Concert Series" LYNYRD SKYNYRD at Hooper Park, Crewe, VA - Friday, May 11th, 2012 @ 7:00PM

Hey!  That's a huge and long Headline, but I wanted to get it all in.  Now, I know that Lynyrd Skynyrd is not Bluegrass, but be it known to all who read this that WSVS Radio AM 800 is the physical location of the VMRE and they play three hours of Bluegrass every day between 3 and 6 PM and also produce a live one hour show each Saturday as part of the "High Noon Hoe-Down,".  As long as WSVS and the VMRE support Bluegrass as they do now, they will have my support, no matter what the musical style or venue. 

I want to inform you that ticket sales fir Lynyrd Skynyrd began today, Friday March 23rd, 2012.  Tickets are $25 in advance and only 8 tickets will be sold to any one individual.  My understanding is that sales are running along briskly today, so hurry and get your tickets ASAP!  The following information, in italics,  was provided to me via email from Penny Parsons, a member of the Board of Directors for the VMRE.

"On Friday, May 11, 2012 at 7:00 PM the Virginia Museum of Radio
Entertainment is pleased to present iconic rock band LYNYRD SKYNYRD at
Hooper Park, on Highway 460 West in Crewe, VA.    Tickets are $25.00
advance, $30.00 at the door, and $45.00 for Gold Circle seating.  They
are available through www.ticketstobuy.com and at select Benchmark Bank
locations.  TICKETS ARE LIMITED, SO ORDER EARLY!  For more information,
visit: www.virginiacrossroadslive.com

With a catalog of over 60 albums and sales of over 30 million, Lynyrd
Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to all generations.  Known
for its driving, hard-edged live performances and signature hits
including "Freebird," "Sweet Home Alabama," and "Gimme Three Steps,"
the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
Beyond the history, the raging guitars and the killer songs,
ultimately, Lynyrd Skynyrd is about an indomitable will.  It's about
survival of spirit - unbowed, uniquely American, stubbornly resolute. 
Driven by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant
(vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer
Michael Cartellone, Lynyrd Skynyrd very much lives up to the legacy
begun some 38 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, and halted for a
decade by the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members,
including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines.  Since then, the band
tragically lost Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson, Hughie Thomasson,
founding member/keyboardist Billy Powell and longtime bassist Ean Evans
- yet they rock on.

In 2008-2009, Lynyrd Skynyrd teamed with noted rock producer Bob
Marlette and guitarist John 5, drew from a wealth of material written
by the band and a cadre of elite Skynyrd-minded songwriters, and a
remarkable album emerged.  With a backbone of Southern rock and
country, passionate Van Zant vocals, and trademark layered guitars,
"God & Guns" manages to maintain the iconic Skynyrd punch while
sounding completely contemporary.  It is an album laden with attitude,
heart and purpose.

This is a band well aware of the responsibility that comes with putting
the name ‘Lynyrd Skynyrd’ on anything, be it an album or a concert. “We
feel like we have to keep the standards high,” says Rossington. Van
Zant adds. “We love the music. We have to make a living, sure, but it’s
about the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and what it stands for, what the
fans are all about. There’s nothing like getting out there playing a
great show with Skynyrd and seeing people love this music.”

Don't miss your chance to rock out with the legendary LYNYRD SKYNYRD on
May 11 in Crewe, Virginia!  Your ticket purchase will help to sustain
important community service programs.  The VMRE thanks Lynyrd Skynyrd
for supporting our mission!

The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment (VMRE) is a non-profit
501(c)3 organization based in Crewe, Virginia.  The mission of the VMRE
is to archive, sustain, and perpetuate roots-based American music, and
to enhance public awareness of central Virginia's rich musical
heritage.  The VMRE works with public service agencies, including
Virginia State Parks and Virginia's Retreat marketing group, to provide
educational programs and promote tourism in the region.  In addition,
the VMRE partners with school systems in several counties, presenting
special programs to educate students about music business.  Since its
formation in 2010, the VMRE has hosted concerts with some of the top
names in acoustic music.  This year the VMRE has  expanded its concert
series to include an even greater variety of music in several new and
bigger venues!  Visit: www.vmre.org to see a list of venues and
upcoming events.

The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment welcomes donations, which
are tax deductible, and may be made on our web site or sent to: VMRE,
PO Box 607, Crewe, VA 23930.  For more information about the VMRE or
for concert information, call: 434-645-7734.
Like us on Facebook at: The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment"

"NUFF SAID!"

Third Annual Bluegrass Marathon Jam to be held at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen - Saturday, February 25th, 2012

Due to the closing of one of my favorite restaurants and Bluegrass night-spots, Grampa Eddies, the 3rd annual Bluegrass Marathon Jam has been moved.  For details about Grampa Eddies's future and reasons for closing, click here. 

But, do not fear, the Bluegrass Marathon Jam will continue, this year at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen (CATGA) beginning at 12:00 Noon and continuing until 12:00 Midnight on Saturday, February 25th, 2012.

Bands scheduled to perform are:Highway 249, Some Assembly Required, Willis River, Slack Family, Copper Ridge, East of Afton, River City Band and more bands to be announced.  Check out the web site for the 3rd annual Bluegrass Marathon Jam.

I must tell you I was immediately concerned about the thought there would be no food or "adult" beverages available at this great event which provides funds for the Fisher House Foundation which provides free housing to families of military that need hospital care or rehabilitation.  We owe these wonderful men and women our support and comfort.  I have been assured, just today, that there will be BBQ provided by a National BBQ cook-off competitor and that the adult beverages will be provided by Legend/Brown.  So fear not!  Come out and have some money along to spend of food and drink and to support the Fisher House.

For more details on the event and ways you might participate click here.  This is a marathon event, so obviously seven bands can't do it all.  Do you have a band and want to be heard, then check it out, but hurry!

Okay, mark your calendar and be ready for a great day of Bluegrass music at CATGA when the 3rd annual Bluegrass Marathon Jam kicks off the day at noon of February 25th, 2012.  See you there!

"NUFF SAID!"

Appomattox Bluegrass Concert Series, 2012 & So Long, Jody, Old Friend

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!!!!  Yep! Another year has begun.  I'm only 62 years old, but I can remember back when I was in high school thinking that living to see the 21st Century would be impossible, and now look, I'm twelve years into this century now.  Amazing!  Enough of this, I've got a great concert series to tell you about, so I better get started.

The first headliner to appear as part of the Appomattox County High School's Booster Club Bluegrass Series will be Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper.  Michael consistently wins the International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) Fiddle Player of Year Award.  Why?  It's quite simple.  A lot of award winners are part of a popularity contest, but with Michael, it is simply there is no-one today that has a more innovative style and ability.  It's fun to watch the faces of his fellow band mates when Michael strikes out on a new and unexplored tangent when taking his fiddle breaks.  They look at him in awe and amazement.  So, you know if they are amazed, we fans are or should be totally blown away.  Michael's show starts at 2PM, but wait, before Michael blows us all away, there is another local bluegrass group, the James River Cut-ups to get things started off.  I'll let the band describe themselves in this excerpt from their web site:

"We started out as a family band from Nelson County, Va. Two of my brothers, Michael and Kenneth, have been playing together since they were kids. It all started when Michael got a guitar and Kenneth got a mandolin for Christmas. Soon after, my brothers started playing with other family members and friends.

In 2002, I got married and I asked them to play at my wedding. My brother Wendell joined in, a friend of the family, Carroll Turner helped on bass and Tom Hogge (with the Courtney Hollow band) helped on banjo. I joined them in a song to remember our dad who passed away in 1999. Our father was not one for flowers or poems, but instead a man who loved God, Bluegrass music and family. What better tribute than a family band preaching, praying and singing!

We practiced for months and once the wedding was over, we really didn’t want to stop! We continued to get together and make Bluegrass music, occasionally doing some benefits. When contacted to perform for a benefit, we realized we lacked a name. At this point, we were just family and friends who loved to get together, cut up, eat some homemade food, and play some music. However, thanks to a good friend of the family, and Michael’s very witty wife, the James River Cut-Ups were formed.

In the spring of 2010, we were so pleased to have Jered Gillispie join us. You HAVE to come out and hear him pick that banjo Stanley style!! He came into the band and it was the perfect fit."

Following pretty close behind Michael Cleveland on February 12th, Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-press will perform at Appomattox with a 2 PM show.  Bobby, once part of the enduring Bluegrass 'second generation' group, The Osborne Brothers, decided to stay in the business when his brother, Sonny, chose to retire.  Not intending to offend anyone, I must say I have never seen Bobby smile as much as he has since striking out on his own.  There's not much I need to tell you about Bobby Osborne, so I want to tell you that leading off the show that Sunday at 1PM will be a local group called Dixie Ridge.  Here's just a little about the band from their "bios" page of their web site:

"Dixie Ridge was formed in the winter of 2010 by the husband and wife duo of Adam and Amanda Clifton. Both have always loved playing and singing bluegrass music. Amanda has been singing since a very young age and her powerful lead vocals are without a doubt the foundation of the group. Adam serves as the bass player for the group and is also Dixie Ridge's bandleader and manager.
Adam and Amanda are very proud of Dixie Ridge's debut, self-titled album recorded on the Blue Moon Records label in Mount Airy, N.C. The ten track album features the band and guest musicians: Scott Vestal, Rob Ickes, Jimmy Edmonds, Andy Leftwich, Jared Easter, and Russell Easter Jr. who by the way is the owner of Blue Moon Records."

Following Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-press just two short weeks later on February 26th at 2 PM, is none other than Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.  Doyle is well known to folks all around Virginia for his flawless execution both vocally and instrumentally.  His show will begin a 2 PM, but at 1 PM a well known local Gospel Bluegrass group, True Spirit, will get the day started.  I'll let the band tell you a little about themselves with this short excerpt from their web site:

FIFTEEN YEARS OR SO AGO, GOD CALLED THE TRUE SPIRIT GOSPEL BAND TO SERVE AND MINISTER HIS GOSPEL IN SONG AND MUSIC.

IT IS OUR MISSION TO LIFT AND PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME AND TO GIVE HIM THANKS FOR OUR SALVATION.

IT IS OUR HOPE AND PRAYER THAT MANY WILL BE SAVED THROUGH THE MESSAGE THAT JESUS CHRIST DELIVERED TO US!

As I look at the schedule, it seems that all shows are two weeks apart through-out the coldest part of winter.  Who says there's no Bluegrass in the wintertime?  Next up on March 11th at 2 PM the Appomattox Bluegrass Series will present Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out. I was gonna say that Russell Moore was schooled in the Doyle Lawson School of Bluegrass, but in all actuality, I believe that Doyle has been searching for another singer of the caliber Russell Moore.  He hasn't found one yet.  Russell's voice is distinctive and is as open and clear as I have ever had the privilege to hear.  There's just no-one to match him.  Russell coupled with his great band and harmony vocalists makes for a Bluegrass performance that is unequaled anywhere, period.   IIIrd Tyme Out's show gets under way at 2PM, but prior to Russell is  a group entirely new to me, The Epperson Brothers.  They will get the show started at 1PM.  I could find nothing on the Internet about The Epperson Brothers (Hey guys, if you're reading this you need to get on the Internet either on Facebook or a web site.), so I guess we'll have to find out all about them by attending the show.

The final concert of the Appomattox Bluegrass Concert Series is what can only be described as a Bluegrass Super Group.  Dailey & Vincent were met with great success from their very first concert at IBMA (I was there!).  Jamie Dailey after ten years with Doyle Lawson and Darren Vincent after many years with his family band The Sally Mountain Show and then after nine years with Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder have joined together to form Dailey & Vincent. Aided by great sidemen, Daily & Vincent has become one of the most sought after Bluegrass groups today.  Their show will begin at 2PM and there will be no other group on stage that day.

Get that calendar and mark down all these dates so you won't miss a single show and be sure to get those tickets ordered as any one of these shows could possibly sell out.  You certainly wouldn't want to make the drive only to be turned away at the door.  All tickets are $15 each for adults and $5 for children 6 to 12 years old.  All children 5 years or younger are free.  For more information or to purchase tickets call Tony Clifton at 434-660-7101.  You may reserve tickets as "will call" is available for these concerts.  To purchase tickets in the Appomattox area go to Carquest Auto Parts or Baines Books & Coffee.  Visit the web site at www.appomattoxbluegrass.com.

JODY RAINWATER passed away on Christmas Eve at ten minutes to midnight.  He was a friend to all who met him and I am especially proud to have gotten to know this fine gentleman.  My earliest memories include my Mother listening to "Little Jody Rainwater" on WSVS every morning.  My two older brothers went to school but I was home with Mama and we listened to Jody.  In my mind he always sounded like a granddaddy and I seem to recall referring to him that way.  Jody was out of the public eye for many years as he helped his wife, Emma, take care of her aging mother.  After her passing, Emma & Jody began to attend Bluegrass events and shows all around Virginia and North Carolina.  It was during these later years in his life that I met and became friends with both Jody and Emma. 

I interviewed Jody a few years ago with the plans to write an article about him for Bluegrass Unlimited, but I never completed the project.  If I can find my notes I hope to do a series of blog entries about Jody.

I've rambled too long here.  I simply want to say that we all have lost a close friend with the passing of Charles E. Johnson, better known as Jody Rainwater to most of us.  We will miss him, but we know that Jody was a Christian man and that he is now enjoying eternal life with his savior.

"NUFF SAID!"

WSVS, 800AM & The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment Present an Interview and live performance by John Cowan - Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 @ 11:00AM

Hey guys I know that is a very long headline, but I wanted to be sure all of the important stuff was there for you.  Yes, you read it right, John Cowan, most famous to my readers as part of the seminal New Grass Revival, will be in the WSVS studios.  John, along with Sam Bush, Courtney Johnson and Ebo Walker formed the original New Grass Revival.  Several of these guys had also been part of the band who bred so many Newgrass styled band, The Bluegrass Alliance.  These two longhaired, hippie Bluegrass bands became the "Fathers" of a new and still continuing and growing and expanding branch of Bluegrass music known simply as newgrass.  John Cowan will be in the WSVS studios for and intimate interview and to perform some of his music on this Wednesday, December 14th, 2011.  Please, this is important.  The studio will be CLOSED to the GENERAL PUBLIC for this live show.  Do not attempt to enter the building as the doors will be locked.

Today, John is a member of the long-lived rock band, The Doobie Brothers, but the band is taking a short holiday break and, so John is using this time off to take a tour of the eastern United States on a solo tour.  WSVS was chosen as a stop along the way.  But, why is this, you may ask?  Good Question.  Read on.  WSVS first went on the air in April of 1947 and believe it or not, they occupied the same spot on the dial as the famous WSM radio of Nashville, Tennessee, 650AM.  Back then country music fans never had to adjust their radio dial.  They had great local programming of WSVS and when darkness fell they were treated to WSM and the Grand Ole Opry at night.  In 1952, Jody Rainwater (Real name Charles Johnson) left as Bassist and comedian for Flatt & Scruggs and joined the staff of WSVS as their morning air personality.  I, personally can recall hearing Jody on WSVS as early as 1953 when I was just four years old, since my mother listened to WSVS every day.  Jody, and his lovely wife, Emma, still live in the Crewe area. 

For about six months, from August 1954 until January 1955, Flatt & Scruggs made WSVS their home radio station and recorded many of the "live" shows for Martha White Mills at WSVS.  These "live" shows were sent to Nashville where they were aired every morning on WSM's early morning "Martha White Show."

Since those heady early years WSVS has continued to bring the best of traditional country music to south side Virginia, but in the not too distant past began bringing live music, specifically Bluegrass and Old Time music, back to the station with the Saturday live show, The High Noon Hoedown.  This live show hosted by Mel Payne has presented most local and regional Bluegrass bands for hour long performances.  There have also been bands from far and wide, such as Missy Raines & The New Hip, The Quebe Sisters and most recently, one half of the famous Hazel & Alice duo, Alice Gerrard, for a few great songs and an in depth interview.  The studio used is called "The Flatt & Scruggs Studio" because it is the actual studio in which Lester & Earl recorded their shows.  It has been totally restored and is a beautiful piece of radio and Bluegrass history and that brings us back to my question; why would John Cowan choose to stop at a little out of the way country radio station?  Well, you just read the reason, WSVS is a most important part of the early life of Bluegrass music and John recognizes this.  WSVS is as important today as it ever was, but our economy is handing many small radio and TV stations very small paydays.

Therefore, the decision was made to apply for a non-profit charter as, "The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment" (The VMRE), which has since been granted, allowing the VMRE to raise funds through public performances and public donations.

This is quoted from www.BluegrassToday.com, "Board members include the WSVS station manager since 2007, Chris Gowin, Bobby Wilcox, the Broadcast Projects Director for VMRE, Jim Eanes (no relation to the late singer with the same name), the Historical Projects Director, and the Director of Public Relations Penny Parsons, who is well known for her work in various capacities in the bluegrass music industry for over 30 years. The organization is in the process of creating an advisory board, which will include prominent veterans from the bluegrass, country and Americana music fields."  To read the entire article announcing the formation of the VMRE in BluegrassToday click here.

The VMRE is a most important endeavor and may I ask you to support their efforts by mailing donations, in any amount, to The Virginia Museum of Radio Entertainment, Crewe, VA, or call the station at 434-645-7734. Help keep live music on the airwaves!

The word was spread and various performers and personalities have made the pilgrimage to the WSVS studios.  One such pilgrim appeared as a surprise during the performance of The Quebe Sisters on the High Noon Hoedown one Saturday.  None other that Eddie Stubbs, announcer for The Grand Ole Opry and former Fiddler for the famed Johnson Mountain Boys walked through the front door.  He knew of WSVS from his very early interests in the history of Country and Bluegrass music (Eddie is a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge of early Country and Bluegrass).  He came by to help and support WSVS in it's efforts to preserve traditional Country and Bluegrass music and WSVS and the VMRE in keeping live music on the radio.

 

And for that very same reason, John Cowan is giving of his valuable time to help WSVS and the VMRE continue in their quest.  So, please plan to listen to this important live interview and performance by John Cowan on WSVS this Wednesday at 11:00 AM.  Those of you too far from Crewe, Virginia and the 10,000 Watt range of WSVS may listen on-line by going to www.wsvsam.com/ and click on the the "Listen Live" button.  And remember: The doors to WSVS Studios will be locked and the general public is asked to not attend this show.  It is a closed studio performance, but do listen in on WSVS, 800 AM or on-line. (Note: if I should, somehow, be invited to this show I will write another blog with pics and quotes from the show in the very near future.)  With that I'll say.....

..... "Nuff Said!"

Wesley P. Phelps: A Real Life World War II Hero in Cemetery with Bill Monroe

Most years when I attend the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Nashville, Tennessee I take a drive north to Owensboro, Kentucky to tour the International Bluegrass Music Museum (IBMM).  During either the drive up to Owensboro or during the drive back toward Nashville I usually stop by the little Kentucky town where Bill Monroe was born, Rosine, Kentucky.  Each time I visit Rosine, I make my way to the cemetery there to pay my respects to Mr. Monroe. During one visit, a few years ago, while searching for Uncle Pen Vandiver's grave site I happened upon a rather large headstone with the name Wesley P. Phelps, PFC, USMC.  On the stone it stated that PFC Phelps was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  This is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a military man.  The highest! 

I was recently watching a TV program on PBS about famous graveyards around the country and my memory of that headstone was jogged.  I knew I had taken a picture of it, so I dug through my photo files and found the picture.  Here it is. After locating the picture I was spurred on to find out more about PFC Wesley P. Phelps.  I found out a lot about PFC Phelps in a Wikipedia entry. 

Wesley Phelps (June 12, 1923 – October 4, 1944) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life during the World War II Battle of Peleliu.

Wesley Phelps was born in Neafus, Kentucky on June 12, 1923. He was educated in the Ohio County, Kentucky, elementary schools and graduated from Horse Branch High School in 1942. Radio was his hobby and he had built some one-tube sets. Deciding to turn his hobby into an occupation, he went to school in Owensboro, Kentucky, for four months where he studied basic electricity, then took a three-month course in radio repair work at the Lafayette Trade School at Lexington, Kentucky. He followed that with studies in field radio repair work, and radio repair work on aircraft receivers at the Johnson Pre-Frequency Modulation School.

Although he was the sole support of his aged parents who owned and operated a 70-acre (280,000 m²) farm with his help, he was called up by the draft and was inducted into the United States Marine Corps on April 9, 1943 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

After boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Pvt Phelps was assigned to the Signal Battalion at the Marine Base at San Diego for one month and then was transferred to the Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Elliot, California. He successfully completed an eight-week course on the Browning Heavy Machine Gun, 30 caliber, and was classified as a heavy machine gunner. Pvt Phelps joined the 27th Replacement Battalion in September and left the United States on October 23, 1943, joining Company M, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines of the 1st Marine Division in December, just a few days before the unit left for the combat landing on Cape Gloucester, New Britain. After the Cape Gloucester campaign, all machine gun companies in the division, of which Company M was one, were broken up and their personnel were assigned to rifle companies. In this shuffle, Pvt Phelps became a crewman on a light machine gun in Company K of the same battalion. He was promoted to private first class in April 1944.

After a so-called "rest" at Pavuvu Island in the Russell Islands, the 1st Division left for the little-publicized Peleliu Island operation. After nineteen days of bitter and costly fighting, the night of October 4, 1944 found Company K strung out along the military crest of one of the coral mountains for which Peleliu is noted. With the Marines on one slope of the hill and the Japanese on the opposite slope, rifles became useless and a series of hand grenade battles took place over a period of several days. During the night of the fourth the enemy launched a particularly vicious counterattack. PFC Phelps and a fellow Marine were in a foxhole when a Japanese grenade landed with a thud between them.

Private First Class Phelps shouted, "Look out, Shipley!" then unhesitatingly rolled over on the grenade, taking the full force of the explosion with his own body. Phelps was killed while PFC Richard Shipley received only a small scratch. The Kentucky farm boy had sacrificed his own life to save that of his buddy.

Private First Class Phelps was initially buried in the United States Armed Forces Cemetery on Peleliu, but was later reinterred in Rosine Cemetery, Rosine, Kentucky.

The Medal of Honor was presented to the hero's mother in Rosine, Kentucky, on April 26, 1946 by the Commanding Officer of the Naval Ordnance Plant at Louisville, Kentucky.  Below is the offical citation signed by President Harry S. Truman.

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS WESLEY PHELPS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, during a savage hostile counterattack on the night of October 4, 1944. Stationed with another Marine in an advanced position when a Japanese hand grenade landed in his foxhole, Private First Class Phelps instantly shouted a warning to his comrade and rolled over on the deadly bomb, absorbing with his own Body the full, shattering impact of the exploding charge. Courageous and indomitable, Private First Class Phelps fearlessly gave his life that another might be spared serious injury and his great valor and heroic devotion to duty in the face of certain death reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.^[1]

/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN

Folks, I know there isn't much here about Bluegrass music, but I feel it such honor that I stumbled upon PFC Phelps headstone and have had the opportunity to learn about this great young man.

"NUFF SAID"

A Re-cap of the IBMA Awards for 2011

I'm back from my journey to Nashville to participate in the week long IBMA "World of Bluegrass."  I had a very good week although I must admit there were a few times when I grew weary and had that 1,000 yard stare thing going on like you see in the war movies.  There were changes this year that improved the overall experience.  Gone was the $160.00 "after hours pass."  A really stupid idea from the very start.  We tried to tell them last year, but no-one would listen.  Even Dan Hayes didn't seem to realize what was happening last year.

But ,enough about last year.  Gone was the check stand that you had to show your stamped hand at every time you passed by it, and believe me I passed by it a lot over the years.  There were some events that were completely open to the public, even though I paid good money to go to them. Okay, I'll stop fussing and since the heading is about the awards so here goes.

[There are two photographs below that I simply cannot get to stay on the blog, however if you click on the empty block (At least on my computer) they will be shown to you on another page.  Sorry for the problem]

The Master of Ceremonies of the 2001 IBMA Awards show was a pioneer of the Bluegrass idiom known as "Newgrass," Mr. Sam Bush.

The Banjo player of the year was the only tie this year.  Imagine out of all the ballots cast there were exactly the same amount cast for Ron Stewart and Kristen Scott Benson.

The winner of the IBMA Award for Fiddle Player of the year was Michael Cleveland.      

The winner of the IBMA Award for Male Vocalist of the Year was Russell Moore.

Just a few short minutes after being named Fiddle Player of the Year, Michael Cleveland was back on stage to accept the Award as Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for his band Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and the song, "Goin' Up Dry Branch.".

The winner of the IBMA Award for Female Vocalist of the year was Dale Ann Bradley.  

The winners of the IBMA Award for Emerging Artist of the Year were The Boxcars.  Adam Steffey accepted the award for the group.

The first of the two IBMA Hall of Fame inductees was George Shuffler.

The winners of the IBMA Award for Vocal Group of the Year were The Gibson Brothers.

The second inductee into the IBMA Hall of Fame was Del McCoury.

The winner of the IBMA Award for Song of the Year went to Balsam Range for their recorded performance of "Trains I Missed."

The winners of the IBMA Award for Album of the Year were The Gibson Brothers for their album entitled "Help My Brother."

The winners for Instrumental Group of the Year were also Awarded as Emerging Artist of the Year, The Boxcars.  Accepting the award, Adam Steffey.

The IBMA Award for Gospel Recorded Performance of the year and the Award for Recorded Event of the Year both go to the album "Prayer Bells In Heaven" by J. D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson and Paul Williams.

Adam Steffey was busy at the 2001 IBMA Awards as he also won as Mandolin Player of the Year, 2011.

The 2011 IBMA Award for Guitar Player of the Year went to Bryan Sutton who was not in attendance.  Accepting the award for Bryan was Pete Wernick.  Pete told us that Bryan was attending his son's softball game.  His priorities are in order.

The 2011 IBMA Award for Bass Player of the Year went to Marshall Wilborn, whom I somehow failed to photograph.  My apologies.

The last award each year goes to the group voted as IBMA Entertainer of the Year.  This year's recipient was Steve Martin & The Sreep Canyon Rangers.  Accepting the award is Steve Martin.

At the end of the show the two inductees into the IBMA Hall of Fame were on stage together.  George Shuffler can still do some mean cross-picking on the guitar and, of course, Del McCoury is still at the peak of his performing skills.

Okay, so I know my writing here hasn't been awe inspiring, but ,hey, I feel lucky I was able to simply get the pictures into the article.  So, don't be fussing at me!  I know who you are.  And with that I think there has been......

"NUFF SAID!"