Tim's Bluegrass Blog

Blue Moon Rising in Bismarck

2007-01-13T10:52:00.000-06:00

From the Bismarck Tribune

If you want to get picky about it, blue moons are only supposed to show up every two and a half years or so.But for the second consecutive January, there will be one in Bismarck.And this time it’ll last for two days.Speaking of being picky, this blue moon happens to be a pickin’ and grinnin’ bluegrass band. Blue Moon Rising, the Tennessee quintet that sold out a concert here last winter, is coming back for two shows later this month.“Everything went so well last year that it just made sense to bring them back again,” Jill Wiese, a Washburn musician and promoter of the concerts, said. “A lot of people last year couldn’t get tickets or were out of town, so we decided to bring back a band that a lot of people know. They’re so fun.”Wiese, a member of the bluegrass band Cotton Wood, met and hit it off with Blue Moon Rising at the Missouri River Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival at Cross Ranch State Park in 2005. Tim Tipton, the bass player for Blue Moon Rising, called Wiese later that year and asked if his band could come up from Nashville, Tenn., to play another show in North Dakota.

Blue Moon Rising will be appearing for two days at the the Lakes Bluegrass Festival, August 24-25 in Pine River, MN.

Introducing Bluegrass College Online!

2006-12-29T15:21:00.000-06:00

The future has arrived for Bluegrass music!

Lakes Music and PlayBetterBluegrass.com are excited to be asssociated with a brand-new online bluegrass educational service called Bluegrass College.

A Who's Who Of Top Players and Instructors!

Bluegrass College is an online bluegrass educational site for banjo, dobro, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bass and voice. The list of instructors is a "who's who" of the top players and instructors in the world. Download a lesson at a time, or subscribe monthly or annually - you can learn from the masters at home, at your convenience.

The best of bluegrass at your level, your speed!

Visit bluegrasscollege.org for a free sample lesson and details of how to give an annual subscription as a Seasonal gift.

2006-12-19T13:56:00.000-06:00

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bluegrass legend Homer Ledford, an Appalachian band leader who crafted hundreds of banjos and guitars, has died from an apparent stroke. He was 79.

Ledford died Monday evening at his home in Winchester after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, his wife, Colista Ledford, said on Tuesday. The disease causes progressive paralysis.

He wanted to string a fiddle up to his last day, his wife said.

"He was best known for the musical instruments he made," she said. "I'll miss his music."

The Tennessee native started making instruments as a youngster and earned a scholarship at 18 to attend John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C.

He later attended Berea College, where he met his wife. The two would have celebrated their 54th anniversary on Dec. 20.

Ledford graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1954 and taught industrial arts in Jefferson and Clark counties for 10 years, Colista Ledford said.

Eventually he devoted his career to instrument-making and the Cabin Creek Band, which performed for 20 years and recorded a half-dozen albums.

The Smithsonian Institution houses a sample of his instrument collection, including a fretless banjo, an Appalachian dulcimer and a dulcitar - an instrument he patented.

The Homer Ledford Bluegrass Festival in Winchester was named after him in 1986 and he was one of the original inductees in the Kentucky Stars. A sidewalk plaque honoring him is in front of the Downtown Arts Center on Main Street in Lexington.

2006-12-12T14:06:00.000-06:00

NASHVILLE, TN. (Rounder Records) -— The Grascals earned a Grammy® nomination for Best Bluegrass Album for Long List of Heartaches, their sophomore release on Rounder Records. Produced by The Grascals, Long List of Heartaches features stellar guest performances by George Jones, Dierks Bentley, Steve Wariner, The Jordanaires, Lloyd Green and Hargus 'Pig' Robbins. This is The Grascals' second Grammy nomination; their self-titled debut was also nominated for Best Bluegrass Album last year.

'This means the world to us,' said Grascals vocalist/guitarist Jamie Johnson. 'We really feel like we defined the Grascals' sound with this new album. And it's even sweeter to share this nomination with the incredible guests who honored us by being part of the project.'

Lakes Bluegrass Festival On for 2007

2006-11-15T16:35:00.000-06:00

Pequot Lakes, MN—November 2, 2006--Tim and Cindy Roggenkamp, promoters of the Lakes Bluegrass Festival, announced today that the Lakes Bluegrass Festival will be held at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Pine River August 23-26, 2007.

The event was successfully held for four years at Ski Gull near Nisswa, MN but was cancelled after the 2005 event. With its new location in Pine River, the event will continue to serve as an important fundraiser for a non-profit organization—the Cass County Fair Board in Pine River.

“In our preliminary meeting in Pine River, we had two dozen people show up and already commit to help in various capacities,” said Tim Roggenkamp, Festival Chairman. “We are thrilled with the enthusiasm and support we have found in Pine River. A successful event just isn’t possible without that level of support.”

The festival is adding an additional day and the line up in 2007 will include four national touring bluegrass bands, including Blue Moon Rising (Tennessee), who were nominated for the 2006 International Bluegrass Music Association Emerging Artist Of The Year Award; The Chapmans, (Missourri,) a family group who have taken their place among the best and brightest in a new century of American bluegrass; the popular, Special Concensus of Nashville, Tennessee - a favorite at the 2005 festival - who have been touring nationally since 1975, and the Faris Family (Kansas) who are known for their blend of bluegrass tradition and youthful excitement and were named Entertaining Group of the Year 2005-2006 by SPGMA, Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America.

In addition to the four national groups, the festival features twelve great regional groups including Tommy Brown and County Line Grass a traditional bluegrass group from Kentucky, Monroe Crossing, The Platte Valley Boys, The Lonesome Tradition, String Fever, Tangled Roots, Drive Time, Dick Kimmel and Company and more. And, the popular Berge Family will do a special gospel performance on Sunday. Fans will enjoy 35 professional performances over the weekend. As in past years, the 2007 Lakes Bluegrass Festival promises a great family event with top-quality stage performances, instructional workshops and informal jam sessions. Camping, food, and refreshments will be available on the grounds as well. In keeping with the family nature of the event, no alcohol is served at the event or permitted inside the concert area.

“In the surveys we conducted at prior festivals, not only did people rave about how much they enjoyed the event, but many people also indicated they came from more than 100 miles away and were making the Lakes Bluegrass Festival a vacation destination,” said Roggenkamp. “We had so many people express their disappointment that we didn’t hold the event in 2006, so we are really excited to be able to bring it back to the area at its new location in Pine River.”

“The Pine River Chamber is excited to bring this type of event to the community. It’s a family-friendly environment and a quality show,” said John Wetrosky, Executive Director of the Pine River Chamber of Commerce. “Tim and Cindy have performed for Pine River Summerfest for years promoting bluegrass in our area and we are thrilled they selected Pine River as the new location for the Lakes Bluegrass Festival.”

“We have been looking for additional ways to use the Cass County Fairgrounds at Pine River,” said Brad Johnson, President of the Cass County Fair Board. “With this event it will be the perfect way to wrap up the summer in Pine River.”

Any businesses seeking a wonderful opportunity to promote their business in front of thousands of fans and at a high quality, family-friendly event, should contact John Wetrosky at the Pine River Chamber of Commerce to find out how to become a festival sponsor. 218-587-4000.
For more information on the festival, contact Tim Roggenkamp at Lakes Music, 218-568-7366.

Uncle Josh Graves Passes Away

2006-10-23T16:22:00.000-05:00

Dobro player Uncle Josh Graves, passed away on September 30 from congenial heart failure in Nashville, Tennessee.Josh Graves last performance was September 2, 2006 at The J.D. Crowe Bluegrass Festival in Wilmore, Kentucky. Josh was scheduled to perform at IBMA's Fan Fest Legends show on the evening of Saturday, September 30. The announcement of Josh's passing was delivered to the IBMA main stage audience on Saturday. The news spread quick among the crowd.

IBMA Award Winners

2006-10-23T16:19:00.000-05:00

2006 IBMA AWARD WINNERS

Entertainer of the Year: THE GRASCALS
Emerging Artist of the Year: Steep Canyon Rangers
Vocal Group of the Year: DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER
Instrumental Group of the Year: RICKY SKAGGS & KENTUCKY THUNDER
Male Vocalist of the Year: TIM O'BRIEN
Female Vocalist of the Year: RHONDA VINCENT
Song of the Year: LOOK DOWN THAT LONESOME ROAD
Album of the Year: CELEBRATION OF LIFE: MUSICIANS AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER
Instrumental Album of the Year: LET 'ER GO, BOYS by Michael Cleveland on Rounder RecordsRecorded Event of the Year: BACK TO THE WELL, The Daughters of Bluegrass on Blue Circle Records
Gospel Recorded Performanceof the Year: HE LIVES IN ME, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilveron Crossroads Music

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERSOF THE YEAR:
Banjo: JIM MILLS
Bass: MISSY RAINES
Fiddle: MICHAEL CLEVELAND
Dobro: ROB ICKES
Guitar: BRYAN SUTTON
Mandolin: ADAM STEFFEY

Bluegrass Music Hall Of Honor Inductees

2006-09-11T17:19:00.000-05:00

Two inductees to the Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor were announced Aug. 15 by the International Bluegrass Music Association at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Receiving the 2006 Hall of Honor designation are The Lewis Family and Syd Nathan. The Lewis Family is known as "America's First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music." Nathan, a record shop owner, was the founder of King Records in Cincinnati in November 1943.

The induction of the honorees will be a highlight of the International Bluegrass Music Awards Show scheduled Sept. 28 at the Grand Ole Opry, which will take place during World of Bluegrass Week, Sept. 25 through Oct. 1, in Nashville. Last year, World of Bluegrass had an economic impact on the local economy of $3.5 million. David Crow, IBMA president, says it has been a great year for bluegrass, with legends and founders, such as Earl Scruggs, Mac Wiseman and Ralph Stanley, still making great records and touring and great new talent bursting on the scene.

Larry Stephenson's Life Stories CD Now Available

2006-09-11T17:16:00.000-05:00

The follow up to Larry Stephenson's highly successful Clinch Mountain Mystery is available today. Life Stories is a collection of emotion evoking tales that Stephenson believes everyone can relate to. Each song touches on a different aspect of life whether it be longing for a loved one at home in "Old Kentucky Hills" or the gravely serious tale "Behind Those Big Closed Doors" which is about Ruby, a girl who was molested as a child, and offers us the advice "Take heed, don't laugh, don't criticize' don't judge anymore for you have never lived their life behind those big closed doors."

Adding on to the story of one of the most well known murder ballads, "The Knoxville Girl," Tom T. and Dixie Hall penned "The Knoxville Boy,” which carries on the tradition of the murder ballad brought to America by the English, Scots, and Irish. "The Knoxville Girl" is a simple adaptation of the old world ballad, "The Wexford Girl," with the setting changed from Ireland to Tennessee. Along with the Americanization of these ballads, the supernatural elements that were often associated with the old world ballads were left out. "The Knoxville Boy" retains the old world superstitions by warning that even though the Knoxville boy was hung for murdering his lover, "he won't stay in his grave."

The 4 time Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) Male Vocalist of the Year has found success with murder ballads in the past when his song, "Clinch Mountain Mystery," from his 2005 release by the same name, was praised as the song of the year by SPBGMA and reached #1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited music chart.

Deering Banjos Lawson Peets at MBOTMA Festival

2006-08-15T14:40:00.000-05:00

Deering Banjos Marketing Director, Lawson Peets, attended the MBOTMA Bluegrass Festival held Agust 10 - 13 and was demonstrating Deering banjos along with us at the Lakes Music and PlayBetterBluegrass.com booth. He also hosted his popular workshops, Banjo Mania and Banjo Maintenance.

We had a great time telling folks about Deering banjos and made a lot of new friends!

COUNTRY GENTLEMEN'S GARY CREED RELEASES NEW ALBUM

2006-08-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

Country Gentlemen bassist Gary Creed releases new gospel album Inside The Gate with special guests The Country Gentlemen, David Parmley, Dale Perry, Ricky Keen, and Dan Bolt. Order your copy from www.garycreed.com.

Tim Roggenkamp to Host Banjo Showcase

2006-08-09T16:25:00.000-05:00

Tim Roggenkamp will host the Bluegrass Banjo Showcase at the Minnesota Bluegrass And Old Time Music Festival, Saturday August 12 at 3:00 PM.

Featured banjo players include Alan O'Bryant (Nashville Bluegrass Band), Graham Sharp (Steep Canyon Rangers) and Scott Hass (Randy Kohrs and the Lites).

Tennessee Banjos and Tut Taylor Dobros now at PlayBetterBluegrass.com

2006-08-04T16:03:00.000-05:00

We are very pleased to announce that Lakes Music, Inc. and PlayBetterBluegrass.com are now dealers for the great American-Made Instruments from Crafters of Tennessee. This includes the Tennessee Banjos, Tut Taylor Dobros and the Tennessee Flat Top Guitars. We will have a large inventory in stock at very competitive prices.

Ron Satterfield, Sales Manager for Crafters of Tennessee, says "We are very excited about our opportunity with Lakes Music and PlayBetterBluegrass.com." It is a great combination of a company building excellent instruments and a company building an excellent reputation as a world-wide retailer of bluegrass instruments and accessories.

Grey Fox Music Festival Brings Together Top Bluegrass Performers

2006-08-03T17:12:00.000-05:00

By Katherine Cole Washington31 July 2006

The lineup at this year's Grey Fox Bluegrass festival reads like a "who's who" of modern bluegrass: Grammy-winners Ricky Skaggs, Tim O'Brien, Steve Earle, and Jerry Douglass all traveled to take part in the musical weekend. Also traveling to the tiny Berkshire Mountains town of Ancramdale, New York, was The Del McCoury Band, nine-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award.

Ross Nickerson Hosts Banjo and Guitar Cruise

2006-07-31T16:06:00.000-05:00

Featuring Tom Adams for Banjo and Brad Davis for Guitar

The workshops on the cruise feature the best-of-the-best in banjo and flatpicking guitar instruction which cover all levels and styles of performance – there's room for any level musician. This year's event will be leaving January 22, 2007, from Port Canaveral, Florida and is heading to the luxurious Bahamas for a 4 night, 5 day cruise which concludes on January 26, 2007.

For anyone who's wanted to learn to play the banjo or guitar or just improve on their talent – this is the opportunity to do so. The instructors are top notch, well respected, are some of the best in their field and are willing to share their time and talents. Instructors confirmed to-date include: Three time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year, Tom Adams, Ned Luberecki, Ian Perry and your host, Ross Nickerson. Joining us with flatpicking guitar instruction will be Earl Scruggs' and Marty Stuart's band member, Brad Davis. These fabulous instructors will be offering numerous classes on bluegrass banjo, flatpicking guitar, and jamming for all skill levels – beginning, intermediate, and advanced.

Martin Guitar Introduces the Cowboy Guitar

2006-07-26T16:27:00.000-05:00

The Cowboy Martin Guitar Rides Again

C. F. Martin Guitar Company is pleased to introduce the Cowboy V Limited Edition guitar, the fifth issue in this unique and fun collection. Begun in 1999, the Cowboy Limited Edition series showcases original western art by illustrator Robert Armstrong on sturdy HPL (high pressure laminate) Martin guitars that sound as good as they look.

The Cowboy V Limited Edition’s colorful top features C. F. Martin Guitar Chairman Chris Martin, wife Diane Repyneck and young daughter Claire Francis Martin on horseback in a western landscape near sunset, with Chris serenading his wife and daughter on guitar while their trusty dog “Buddy” trots alongside. Although Chris Martin appears on previous Cowboy Limited Editions (he is the man with the branding iron on Cowboy IV), this is the first time the entire family has been portrayed. http://www.mguitar.com/news/articles.php?id=58
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For great prices and selection of Martin Guitars, visit www.PlayBetterBluegrass.com

Ricky Skaggs Releases New Instrumental CD

2006-07-25T17:14:00.000-05:00

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Instrumentals hits store shelves August 1. A collection of material all written by Ricky Skaggs, himself, once again showcases the power of Skaggs and his award winning bluegrass band. It’s no wonder why Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder are 7-time International Bluegrass Music Association award winners. Fans and critics alike have often requested a collection of instrumentals for this group of players who are known world-wide for their master musicianship. This is the first time they have released a full CD focusing on that musicianship.

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Instrumentals, features a brilliant collection of long awaited and requested instrumentals. The album includes 11 tracks, all written by Ricky, ranging from a traditional Irish tone, such as "Goin’ To Richmond," "Crossville," and "Goin To The Ceili," to a jazz and classical feel in a brilliantly orchestrated, "Crossing The Briney," with The Nashville Sound Machine, yet sweetly continues to capture the traditional sounds of bluegrass in such tracks as "Spam Jelly,"" Polk City," "Missing Vassar," and "Wayward To Hayward." Guest musicians are Andy Statman, lending his personal sound on the clarinet that is unmistakable and Jeff Taylor with his unique sounds on the accordion and pennywhistle. Once again, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder deliver jaw-dropping instrumental performances that are sure to dazzle acoustic music fans. This is a "must have" for your collection!

Curly Seckler Releases "Down In Caroline"

2006-07-25T09:39:00.000-05:00

Curly Seckler's first new recording in over 10 years has met with critical acclaim. At 86 years of age, he's most likely the oldest performing bluegrass musician on the circuit. An engaging musician, he is revered by his many fans and his performances rarely end without standing ovations and shouts for "More!" A professional musician for 70 years, he is regarded as one of the greatest tenor singers in the history of bluegrass music, and a role model for other singers who have followed him.

"Down In Caroline" showcases Curly's keen lead and harmony vocals as well as his stellar songwriting abilities. Featured among 14 tracks are vintage Seckler compositions, songs of recent origin, and a few bluegrass classics. Ably assisting Curly is a stellar cast of pickers and singers including Kent Blanton, George Buckner, John Carter Cash, Laura Weber Cash, Dudley Connell, Rob Ickes, Josh McMurray, Russell Moore, Larry Perkins, Andrea Roberts, Chris Sharp, Herschel Sizemore, Kevin Sluder, Larry Sparks, Tater Tate, Leroy Troy, and Doc Watson.

Curly is pleased, grateful, and humbled that "Down in Caroline" has been nominated for IBMA's Album of the Year and Recorded Event of the Year. Copper Creek Records thanks you for your support of this recording.

Marty Stuart to Host 17th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards

2006-07-24T15:29:00.000-05:00

IBMA award winner Marty Stuart will serve as host for the International Bluegrass Music Awards September 28, 2006 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee. Taking place in Nashville for the second year, the broadcast production begins at 8:30 pm (CST), and will feature live musical performances from bluegrass music’s most outstanding artists, award presentations in 17 different categories and two inductions into the Bluegrass Hall of Honor.

With a stellar career that began on the bluegrass festival circuit and morphed into Grammy winning mainstream country, Stuart recently focused on his love of bluegrass with the 2006 release, Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives - Live at the Ryman. A working musician at age 12, Lester Flatt heard Marty play at an Indiana festival and hired him to play rhythm guitar. He was 13 years old. With Flatt for six years, Stuart has also played and produced projects with Johnny Cash, Doc and Merle Watson, Vassar Clements and Travis Tritt.

Nominated for multiple awards in the music world, Stuart received a Golden Globe nomination for his work on the movie soundtrack, All The Pretty Horses. “The IBMA has become an event that presents some of the greatest musicians in the world,” said Stuart. “I'm honored to have been asked to host the event and I'm counting on an evening of magic.

”The International Bluegrass Music Awards are determined by the professional membership of the association and recognize outstanding achievement in the bluegrass genre. The show is syndicated to over 300 radio stations across the country and around the world and will be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio.

National sponsors for the show are GHS Strings, Martha White Foods, MerleFest and Deering Banjos. Tickets go on sale to the public on August 11 via Ticketmaster and the Grand Ole Opry House Box Office. IBMA members may purchase tickets now at www.ibma.org or by calling the IBMA office. For more information visit www.ibma.org or call 888-GET-IBMA (888-438-4262).

Berge Family Bluegrass Festival

2006-07-21T10:32:00.000-05:00

This should be a good gospel and bluegrass festival in a very scenic location. The Berge's are wonderful people and I wish them much success with the festival.

Here is the information they sent me:

Are you looking for ways to make lasting family memories this summer?! We would like to invite you to come out to the 1st annual “Lake Itasca Family Music Festival” which will be held August 4 - 6, 2006. Bring your friends and enjoy a fun filled weekend of great Entertainment! The festival will be held next door to Itasca State Park, the birthplace of the Mississippi River. Rough camping is available (see below for prices). For directions and more information, visit the festival website at www.FamilyBluegrass.com. We hope to see you there!

Tim's Bluegrass Blog

2006-07-18T11:33:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my bluegrass blog! I'll use this space to post information about instruction, practice tips, instrument reviews, new products and just about anything else to do with bluegrass music.