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!"

Mountain Roots Music Camp - March 24th,25th, 26th & 27th, 2011 @ Pine Mountain State Resort - Pineville, KY

Hi folks.  I guess most of you are wondering where I've been since IBMA.  I know you were all expecting a long narrative of my week at IBMA, and to tell the truth, I had planned to do just that.  But, there were things at IBMA this year that didn't seem quite right, but instead of blowing off steam here (If you want to receive my steam about these problems, send me an email and I'll forward the omitted blog to you) , I decided to let it all go and tell you about this wonderful couple,Vanessa & Darron Nichols, I met at IBMA and the the musical academy they host each year.  Their brochure is so well written that I will simply use their words to describe it all.

"The Cumberland River Academy of Bluegrass and Appalachian Music, Inc. Presents:"

MOUNTAIN ROOTS MUSIC CAMP 2011, March 24th thru 27th, 2011

"Hosted by: Cumberland River Academy Founders: Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley and Vanessa & Darron Nichols; with Alan Bibey, Tim Stafford, Ron Stewart and Missy Raines" (Gary here, Wow! What a faculty!)

"Come and be a part of the musical heritage of the Appalachian mountains. Share with and learn from today's top musicians, singers and song writers of Roots and Bluegrass music."

"We invite you to our mountains to see and learn firsthand of the people and the artistry that has created the music of America.  Come hear for yourself the lonesome cry of the pine, see spring bursting forth in the Kentucky mountains, smell the aroma of a hardwood fire. then set that experience to music, your music that we help you develop and refine."

"Your weekend will include Three Nights accommodations at Pine Mountain State Resort, Six meals prepared at the lodge, a showcase and All Star Concert and Dinner at the Historic Bell Theater in downtown Pineville, Kentucky.  Plus, one-on-one instructions and tips on your playing, singing and writing.  Your experience will begin:

Thursday

On March 24th you will be met by the instructors and have dinner with them at the lodge.  You will be given instructions of the events to come and treated to a little music.  We will give you time that evening to get settled in and enjoy the quiet comfort of the mountains or jam until dawn!

Friday

The 25th will begin with breakfast at the lodge and orientation before breaking up into classes.  Lunch will be at the lodge, then back to class.  Classes will be 50 minutes long and at your pace.  Friday evening will be Dinner and a showcase of Your talent.  After that you will be free to explore the mountains, take a short trip to the Cumberland Gap, or just sit by the fire and relax. (Me again.  You could jam until dawn again!)

Saturday

The 26th will be much like Friday with the exception of Dinner at The Bell Theater and an All Star Concert.

Sunday

There will be an optional "breakfast buffet" and closing devotion.

______________________________

So if you're a picker, singer or song writer and want to further your craft and skills, or if you are a music lover and just want to hang out with the pros, you don't want to miss this opportunity.  We offer all inclusive rates starting at $425.00 for single occupancy.  Packages can be tailored to include just lodging, meals or tuition.  Airport shuttle (MG/TYS) will be available.

For more information on the CAMP contact: Darron Nichols 606-627-0452 or 606-337-3806 or by email crabluegrass@gmail.com.  Or visit: www.cumberlandriveracademy.com.   For more information on the Pine Mountain State Resort visit: http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/resortparks/pm/.   We would like to offer special thanks to our sponsor "LONG GUITARS."

"The Cumberland River Academy of Bluegrass and Appalachian Music"

Mission Statement:

"The music of the Appalachian Mountains can be compared to the creation of the United States as a nation.  The music, like the USA, is a melting pot of cultures from around the world.  Acoustic stringed instruments brought from Europe and Africa, when mixed with the toil. strife and loneliness of the Appalachian settlers, created a music form that has lasted for more than 500 years.  Our mission is to protect, preserve and nurture the artistic creativity of the people of the Appalachian Mountains, to bring international attention to our history and culture, and to earnestly kindle and cultivate self-pride in our heritage for this generation and generations to come."

Purpose

"Our purpose is to foster excitement, provide encouragement and aid in development of personal talents through instructional opportunities.  Community involvement will be strongly encouraged.  Scholarships are to be provided through corporate sponsors.  We will seek funding through the arts, musical and educational grants as they become available.  We will bring revenue to area businesses through our musical camps, concerts, festivals and instruction."

Contact: Cumberland River Academy, 114 West Kentucky Avenue, Pineville, Kentucky 40977; 606-337-3806; crabluegrass@gmail.com.

Hey!  It's me again.  I hope that if you're reading this final note from me that you have read the information above from the Cumberland River Academy.  I see no guile in Darron or Vanessa; only a sincere wish to encourage, teach  and promote Bluegrass.  If you are interested in growing your talent or you know some deserving person whom you can sponsor, I think this weekend of training and fellowship is a no brainer.  What a great way to get a beginner on the right track or to refresh your own, perhaps, stale way of doing things.  Well, until next time......

"NUFF SAID!"

VFMA's "Jumpin' Bluegrass '10" - Chesterfield County Fairgrounds - September 16th, 17th, 18th & 19th, 2010

Each year during the last few days of summer the Virginia Folk Music Association (VFMA) presents "Jumpin' Bluegrass '10" at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds.  The first 3 days are simply a very good Bluegrass festival, but what sets this VFMA event apart from other festivals is they they are authorized by the State of Virginia to not only induct deserving Virginians into the VFMA hall of Fame, but to also have contests to select the best Bluegrass performers in the state and name them as champions.  I'd say that makes Jumpin' Bluegrass '10 just a little different.  Oh yeah, there's another thing, too.  The admission price is only $5 per day, with parking costing  only $5 with the purchase of a 3 or 4 day ticket.  So, to make a long story short, if you're planning to stay the entire weekend (4 days) it'll cost you $25 including parking.  There are other fees for camping and the use of electricity.  For more information about these other fees call Lois Gaither at 804-339-7620 or Sigrid Williams at 804-347-2925.

Now, let's get on with the festival.  The groups appearing on Thursday are: Willis River (Youtube videos), Old Time Pickers, Old Stage Road, East of Afton, River City, Sleepy Hollow, Lois & Fred Gaither and more to be announced.  Don't forget that every Thursday at VFMA's Jumpin' Bluegrass there is a free "Cornbread & Beans Pot Lick Supper."  I'll be bringing BBQ as I have over the last several years, except this time the BBQ will be from me alone.  Also, as I've said in the past, please bring a covered dish to add to the meal and make it something you really like.  That way you'll know there is at least one thing there you like!  Some of the best jams occur on Thursdays at Bluegrass festivals and it is no different at Jumpin' Bluegrass.  So, be sure to bring your instrument and be ready to pick.

Things begin to heat up, music wise, on Friday as some great local and regional talent climb up on the indoor stage. Did I forget to mention that the entire festival is held indoors?  The building is large and expansive with insulated walls that help prevent echoes.  Don't forget your lawn chairs!  The Big Boss Combo performs on Friday.  I want to tell you about the Big Boss Combo.  They have been playing around Richmond for probably a decade now and for years I chose not go to their performances.  To me  a 'combo' was a jazz band and I didn't want to hear jazz.  Then a friend told who they were and I have been enjoying their music ever since.  I'm not gonna tell you who plays in the band, but I am gonna tell you to be sure to catch at least one of the Big Boss Combo sets.   Make it their first set because you're gonna like them and you'll want to catch both sets.  Copper Ridge also plays on Friday.  I'm not sure if these guys met at our club, The Virginia Bluegrass Family, but many of them regularly attend on 2nd Tuesdays at the Jahnke Road Baptist Church.  Copper Ridge plays good Bluegrass so make sure you catch them when they are on stage.  Big Country, who were nominated in 9 categories at SPBGMA this year, will be playing on Friday.  Please don't forget to see Borrowed Time as they perform of Friday.  Gary Davis and the band present non-traditional songs in a Bluegrass format along with pleasingly self deprecating  humor and, believe it or not, some songs from the Bluegrass repertoire. North Carolina's Easy Street perform on Friday.  Easy Street has showcased at the Night Owl Concerts in Hampton as part of the "Cabin Fever Pickin' Party."  A group from Pennsylvania, Remington Ryde will also perform on Friday.  This band boasts what I believe is one of the very best Banjo pickers, ever.  Billy Lee Cox plays all styles, all the while not seeming to have to pay attention to what he is doing.  He is amazing.

Saturday is a big day at Jumpin' Bluegrass '10 because Virginia's own McPeak Brothers will be inducted into the VFMA Hall of Fame.  Code Blue will perform their usual friendly and fast moving show.  Bud will probably not tell a joke.  What am I saying!  Of course he'll tell a joke!  Homeward Bound will perform Saturday as will Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain.  We are fortunate to have Melvin Goins at Jumpin' Bluegrass '10 as he is one of the fast dwindling members of the first generation of Bluegrass musicians.  Melvin along with his brother Ray Goins were half of the legendary Lonesome Pine Fiddlers.  From Melvin's web site:

Lexington, KY-  Melvin was honored on March 17, 2010 along with his late brother Ray Goins as part of the 2011 Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. Melvin and his brother Ray formed the Goins Brothers in 1969 after a long stint with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. In 1994 Ray had to quit the road full time because of health problems but still played from time to time with Melvin. Melvin formed his new band Melvin Goins & Windy Mountain after Ray had to quit the road. To see more about their induction see this link.
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/03/18/1185524/montgomery-loveless-among-ky-music.html

Melvin is a great musician and I am pleased to see him honored in his home state.  It is sad that Kentucky could not have moved quicker so Ray could have enjoyed the honor.  Shenandoah Drive will also appear on Saturday.  And, there will be a special recognition award given to the School House at Lucketts, VA.

Well, that about does it.  Oh yeah!  Don't forget that the Bluegrass Championships will be held on Sunday, so make sure you practice real hard and enter.  There's a $1000 prize to the 1st place band!  As they say about the lottery, "You can't win if you don't play!"

Please make plans to join me and all of your friends at VFMA's "Jumpin' Bluegrass '10."

"NUFF SAID!"

Grottoes Family Bluegrass Festival - Sept 9th, 10th & 11th, 2010 - Grand Caverns Regional Park - Grottoes, VA

September is upon us and with it is the "Grottoes Family Bluegrass Festival" held at Grand Caverns Regional Park in Grottoes, VA on the weekend of September 9, 10, 11, 2010.  The park at Grand Caverns is a cozy and seemingly small park, however it's size is larger than you might think.  There is a beautiful flat camping area with lots of trees and plenty of pavilions all around the park.  It is the perfect place for Bluegrass.

Thursday get underway with Next Best Thing, a band comprised of Rhonda Vincent's two daughters, Sally & Tensel.  These girls have inherited the singing gene from their mother.  They can really sing bluegrass.  The above link is to their Myspace page.  Click here to access their Facebook page.  Just to be sure the days proceedings are absolutely Bluegrass, Country Fried Grass is up next.  These guys combine country songs which they have adapted to Bluegrass and traditional Bluegrass together to blow you away with their strong Bluegrass music.  Next, Sally & Tensel had better mind themselves because Mama is here at Grottoes on Thursday, too.  That's right, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage wraps up the day. Rhonda understands Bluegrass and sings it as it should be sung.  Don't for get the Pot Luck supper at 6PM.  Just bring your favorite dish and join the fun.

Friday gets underway with Allegheny Blue.  Here is a short blurb 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."  Next up is Jerry Butler & The Blue J's.  Jerry recently left the Carolina Road band to form his new group.  I just love the way Bluegrass continues to expand with each new group that grows from other groups.  Lost & Found is up next presenting their own easily recognizable brand of Bluegrass.  Nobody does it quite like the Lost & Found! The Bluegrass Brothers is the next band to play.  There have been many changes in the group over the last few months as family dynamics can change.  I think you're gonna really like what you hear.  Last up, but certainly not least, is the great Sammy Shelor & The Lonesome River Band, better known and loved by most of us as simply the LRB.  Sammy's dynamic and original style of Banjo playing has yet to be given the moniker "Shelor Style"  but rest assured it will.  Nobody plays it like Sammy!

Another big day of Bluegrass gets started on Saturday by The Little Mountain Boys.  I just recently heard this band at the Amelia festival and they are very good.  Don't miss them.  Next up is the James King Band.  Before proceeding any further I wanted to share a brief notice I received via email this week concerning James.

Bluegrass artist James King has been admitted to the hospital with blood clots in his lungs and leg. Please keep him in your prayers. Get well cards can be sent to: James King, P.O. Box 10179, Danville, Virginia 24543

I don't have any further information about James, so I suggest you listen to the Sweet Brenda & Him Show this Sunday from 7 to 10AM on WBBC 93.5 the Bobcat, Blackstone, VA for more details.  Lexington, VA's Nothin' Fancy is up next.  These guys are distinctly different and will entertain you.  The Bluegrass Brothers are back again on Saturday followed by the great Audie Blaylock & Redline.  Audie is at the top of his game right now and will amaze you.  He is truly dedicated to Bluegrass music.

Advance 3 day tickets are only $50.  I don't know when cutoff for these prices will occur, so I suggest you hop to it right now!  Either contact them via email at: lawsonentertain@aol.com or via phone at 804-561-0705 or by snail mail at Grottoes Family Bluegrass, C/O Brenda & Calvin Lawson, 5401 Cralles Road, Amelia, VA.  I hope to see you there!

"NUFF SAID!"

"Central Virginia Family Bluegrass Music Festival" - aka - "Amelia Bluegrass Festival" - August 19, 20 & 21, 2010

Boy-o-boy it sure has been hot, hasn't it?  We've had more than ten days of 100 plus degree weather and we're only half way through the summer.  Why did me have all this heat?  Well, just for one word, "Bluegrass."  Yeah, for Bluegrass because you know that every year during the dog days of August we celebrate Bluegrass at the "Central Virginia Family Bluegrass Music Festival" at the Amelia Family Campground.  After all the heat we've suffered through in June and July August will be a piece of cake.  So, now I better get busy and tell who's gonna be there.

Things get started of with Copper Ridge, a band from the Richmond, VA area.  Most of the guys in the band make regular trips to jam with us at the Virginia Bluegrass Family on 2nd Tuesdays in the Jahnke Road Baptist Church on Richmond's south side.  Following Copper Ridge is a great band from the area surrounding Smith Mountain Lake; I guess that's why they call themselves Smith Mountain Grass.  Next up is the unmistakable voice of Eddie Gill & The Grassmasters.  Eddie hails from around Roxboro NC and sings with a volume and clarity that is quite rare.  The next band up has a leader who has been simply fading away.  What?  Yep, Donnie Mason & In The Tradition follow Eddie.  I've missed many opportunities to see Donnie since his lifesaving gastric bypass surgery, but I will see him in Amelia for sure.  The North Carolina based Rye Holler Boys are up next on Thursday.  The last group to appear on Thursday is the Lonesome River Band (LRB) headed up by Sammy Shelor whose taste and timing is always there; LRB boasts the strong lead singing of Brandon Rickman.  While you're at the CD table buying the latest LRB project don't overlook Brandon's "Young Man, Old Soul" project.

Friday gets started off with the wonderful sister harmony sounds of The Church Sisters.  These twin sisters really do love to sing and it shows.  Make sure you catch at least one of their sets.  You'll be glad you did.  If you like your Bluegrass a little raucous and full of good humor then look no farther than Code Blue, the next band on Friday.  Following Code Blue is another "blue" band called Virginia Blue.  I couldn't find a web site for this group so I guess I'll just have to go down to the stage and see them.  The next band is Shallow Creek.  The first time I saw these guys they were just in their early teens and were struggling but determined to play Bluegrass.  Well, they can play Bluegrass!  I had a power outage here at home this past week and got my battery powered boom box out and began playing CDs.  I had this CD by Shallow Creek that was a tribute to Reno & Smiley that I had never listened to.  WOW!  It is good.  If you're a fan of Reno & Smiley be sure to pick up this CD from Shallow Creek.  The last band up is the Josh Williams Band.  Josh has assembled a great band to back up his strong vocals.  Josh readily admits that he is a huge Tony Rice fan and he learned every Guitar break Tony ever played, but more than that Josh is well on his way to becoming the new Tony.  That combination of great innovative Guitar work coupled with his increasingly strong lead voice makes Josh a force to be reckoned with.  Therefore, I reckon I'll be at both of his sets in Amelia.

The Saturday morning Gospel at Amelia gets started with Mark Templeton & Pocket Change. Mark sang Southern Gospel before coming to Bluegrass full time and he brings a few elements of Southern Gospel into his act.  Following Mark is the inimitable Bluegrass Brothers from out around Salem way.  The next group is the Little Mountain Boys.  Now, I must admit when I first heard of this group I was looking for a bunch of little guys.  Oops!  It's the mountain that is little, not the boys.  By the way, these guys are good!  The Wildwood Valley Boys are up next featuring Tony Holt, the only remaining member of the original band.  If that name Holt strikes a chord with you, you're right.  Tony's dad is Aubrey Holt, one of the founders of the Boys from Indiana.   Next up is a good ol' Virginia boy made good, The Larry Stephenson Band.   Larry hails from the Fredericksburg area,but has been living in White House, Tennessee most of his adult life.  I saw Larry for the first time when he was 16 years old and participated in a big Bluegrass show held at The Robins Center on the University of Richmond campus in the mid-Seventies.  Others that headlined that show were The Earl Scruggs Review, Doc Watson, John Hartford and Richmond's own Uncle Leroy.  What a day that was!  Now, if you like your Bluegrass straightforward and traditional with a little Jimmy Martin here and a little Stanley Brothers there, then look no farther than Kody Norris.  I was talking to Kody one very late night at IBMA in Nashville a couple of years ago and he told me he believes (much as I do) the band should respect the audience and dress well.  He told me he makes sure all of the bands suits are cleaned and ironed the entire band's suits before each performance.  That's dedication to the fans!  Last up at Amelia on Saturday is one of my favorite Bluegrass singers, Audie Blaylock & Redline.  Audie spent ten years with Jimmy Martin and if he learned anything from Jimmy that was timing and singing with conviction.

That covers the weekend and boy it's gonna be a good one for sure!   The cut-off date for advance tickets was August 5th, but even at the gate price of $60 that's a weekend of fine Bluegrass.  So, come join me and all of your friends and picking buddies at the "Central Virginia Family Bluegrass Music Festival."  We're gonna have some fun!

"NUFF SAID!"