SWBA Bulletin Board

IN THE NEWS

New items are listed from most recent to the oldest.

• February 6, 2010: Del MCoury CD available for $5 - The Del McCoury Band has some good news for you. For the month of February, their latest release, Family Circle is available for download for only $5. Click HERE for more information.

• February 2, 2010: Bluegrass Grammy Awards: Click HERE to see the awards.

• December 3, 2009: New Recording King RK-Elite Banjo - Hayward, CA - Recording King is proud to introduce our most traditional Pre-war style banjo ever. Modeled after the original Mastertone banjos of the 1930’s the all-new Recording King RK-Elite offers players vintage sound and handcrafted construction. Click HERE to read more.

• December 3, 2009: The Loar Introduces All-New Hand Carved Mandolin - Hayward, CA, The Loar releases an all-new A-model mandolin exquisitely hand-carved by their select team of expert luthiers at The Loar Hand Carved Workshop, the birthplace of the best-selling LM-600 and 700 mandolins. Click HERE to read more.

• Sep. 30, 2008: Rounder to Release Earl Scruggs, Family and Friends at the Ryman - Burlington, MA – American music icon Earl Scruggs helped give birth to bluegrass music when he first appeared on the legendary stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium in 1945. Another historic night for Scruggs came in 2007 when he headlined his first-ever Ryman concert. Rounder Records is proud to announce the release of that concert – The Ultimate Collection/Live at the Ryman – first as a digital only release on September 30 and then in CD format on November 18.  Click HERE to read more  

• Sep. 15, 2008: Mac Wiseman to receive National Endowment for the Arts Award - On September 19th, bluegrass musician Mac Wiseman is to receive his National Endowment for the Arts Award in Washington, D.C. The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans.  Click HERE to read more.  

• September 13, 2008: SWBA Member Band HEADLINE Bluegrass Band won the Pickin in the Pines Band Contest. 

• August 26, 2008: Pacific Ocean Bluegrass last performance at Summergrass - Scott,16, has slowly morphed his group, Pacific Ocean Bluegrass, into a band of seasoned performers currently named The Scott Gates Band. The interactive PacificOceanBluegrass.com site is still available, while the separated, all new Scott Gates web site is underway.

• Jul. 27, 2008: SWBA Member Band musician wins banjo contest - Tyler Walls, banjo player for SWBA Member Band, Headline Bluegrass Band, won the Rockygrass Banjo Contest.in Lyons, Colorado.

• Jul. 22, 2008: Pinecastle Records announces a new marketing company offering free music publicity - Before the doors open for business in September of 2008, MountainRidge is searching for one talented band to which they can offer their publicity services for FREE. Artists must submit a press kit and recording to be considered for this opportunity.  Click HERE for more information.

• Jul. 17, 2008: Rounder Records announces autographed albums - a limited supply of autographed albums available.  Click HERE for more information.

• July 1, 2008 - Bill Bryson in July 2008 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited  - Bass player for SWBA Member Band, The Brombies, Bryson is featured in an excellent article by Yvonne Tatar entitled "Bill Bryson: the stamp of truth." 

• June 6, 2008 - New Bill Monroe video scheduled to be released by MVD Entertainment Group's MVD Visual on July 8th  ills, No single figure in American music so dominated a genre as did Bill Monroe with bluegrass. Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music features performances by Bill Monroe & the Blue Grass Boys, Lester Flatt, Emmylou Harris, Paul McCartney, the Osborne Brothers, Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, John Hartford and a once-in-a-lifetime Blue Grass Boys reunion featuring Del McCoury, Chubby Wise and Bill Keith. The film features archival footage and rare 1990s performances from Monroe's final years.  In addition, it offers unparalleled access to Bill Monroe telling his story in his own words. Other interview subjects include the Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia and country music legend Roy Acuff, in one of his final film appearances. The program runs 90 minutes with all the performances and interviews. You can find out more on the web at mvdb2b.com.

• May 19, 2008 - Scott Gates wins again at Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival Agoura Hills, CA – Scott went to the contest with two of his dearest friends, Cate and Molly Pearce to compete in the band competition as a trio called "The Muddy Buddys."  They entered this years contest and performed two songs, "Fisher's Hornpipe" and "The Fox."  When the awards came out, the Muddy Buddys had won best band for 2008! So now Scott has won with two separate bands in back to back years in the Best Band category in this prestigious contest, joining with such previous winners as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Nickel Creek.

• Mar. 22, 2008 - New classic-style arch top guitar - BRISBANE, CA— Modeled after American designs from the early 20th century, The Loar’s new archtop guitar is hand-carved from select, graduated woods and features a nitrocellulose lacquer finish and unparalleled acoustic projection.  Click HERE to read more.

• Mar. 16, 2008 - Flat & Scruggs Videos to be released - Goodness Gracious There's More Flatt & Scruggs Videos! The Country Music Hall of Fame(r) and Museum has announced they will be releasing The "Best Of The Flatt & Scruggs TV Show" is a series of DVDs drawn from the Flatt & Scruggs TV shows which were aired during the late 1950s and early 1960s.  Click HERE to read more.

• Mar. 14, 2008 - Bluegrass Now goes digital - After 19 years of publishing an innovative and successful magazine in a traditional print format, May 2008 will be a landmark issue for Bluegrass Now, as they cease publication of their print edition and evolve as an equally innovative and totally electronic magazine.  Click HERE to read more.

• Feb. 5, 2008 - 34th Annual SPGMA Awards Announced - Rhonda Vincent and Rage receive three,  Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year (contemporary). Click HERE to see the full list.

• Jan. 03, 2008 - Orange Blossom Special Songwriter to be Recognized - Who in bluegrass hasn't heard the "Orange Blossom Special", the famous fiddle and bluegrass song? The man who authored the piece, Ervin T. Rouse, is to be honored in North Carolina later this year.  Click HERE to read more.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

(NOTE: Bluegrass events, such as festivals and concerts  in the 

Western United States are posted  on our EVENTS  page)

Announcements are listed from most recent to the oldest.

• Southwest Bluegrass Group (not affiliated with the Southwest Bluegrass Association) provides an opportunity for bluegrassers throughout the southwest and the the rest of the US to share information, pictures and discuss bluegrass related topics.  Click HERE to read more.

• Rounder announces Dan Tyminski Band's video "Wheels" -  The video is from his latest release which includes bandmates Adam Steffey, Barry Bales, Justin Moses, Ron Stewart and Tim Austin.  Click HERE for sample of video and Click HERE to read more  

• Flatpick Guitar Magazine has created The Flatpicking Guitar Network - Designed like many online social networks, such as MySpace and Face Book, users can post their own material (picturs, news, videos, etc.) and communicate with each other.  Click HERE to visit the web site. [posted 7/3/08]

• Dr. Ralph Stanley's portrait painted by renowned artist, Kenneth Hari - Click HERE for more.  To read more click HERE. [posted 7/3/08]

• 2008 National Bluegrass Playoffs Band selected - California Band, Sawmill Road, was chosen Saturday, June 14^th at Huck Finn Jubilee.  Others appearing in the playoff were Palmer Divide, from Colorado, Burnett Family Bluegrass from Arizona and The Brombies from California. [posted 6/16/08]

• New Survey Tells About Current Bluegrass Consumers - The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) solicits data from Simmons Research every couple of years in order to get a glimpse at the Bluegrass Music consumer. The 2007 data is in and the report covers the period of January to November 2007  Click HERE to see the findings. [posted 7/3/08]

• 50th Annual Grammy Awards - "The Bluegrass Diaries," Jim Lauderdale, Best Bluegrass Album of the Year.  Click HERE to hear samples from the album, and click HERE to see the full list, click HERE to comment on the SWBA Blog. [posted 2/8/08]

• 2008 Northern California Bluegrass Society's Bluegrass Awards Announced - Sidesaddle and Co. from San Jose was named Northern California's "Bluegrass Band of the Year" for 2008 at a ceremony held on Saturday, February 16 in downtown Redwood City. The first time "Northern California Bluegrass Awards" were presented by the Northern California Bluegrass Society as part of that organization's inaugural "Bluegrass On Broadway" Festival.  Click HERE to read more. [posted 2/20/08]

• Working Girl Blues: The Life and Music of Hazel Dickens - The University of Illinois Press has announced another valuable book, Working Girl Blues: The Life and Music of Hazel Dickens. Working Girl Blues is the life story of singer and songwriter Hazel Dickens, the inspiring voice of a whole generation of women and workers. This latest book is another volume in the University of Illinois Press Music in American Life series.  Click HERE to read more. [posted 1/22/08]

• Bluegrass in Russia - Click HERE to visit the webs site of a bluegrass group in Russia that recently contacted SWBA, seeking interest in their music here in the United States.  Music samples are also available online (not exactly traditional bluegrass). [posted 11/19/07]

• The Rainbows of Fall.  Not exactly about bluegrass, but nice.  Turn on your speakers and click HERE for some pictures of fall splendor.  [posted 11/19/07]

• Bobby Osborne Joins Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music Faculty.  Dean Osborne revealed the addition of Bobby Osborne to the faculty of the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music in Hazard, Kentucky.  Bobby Osborne is teaching bluegrass music history.  Click HERE to read more about Bobby Osborne's appointment to the faculty, and click HERE to read more about the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music. [posted 9/13/07]

• Rounder releases of Clair Lynch CD.  Burlington, MA – Claire Lynch, one of bluegrass's most beloved vocalists, songwriters, and bandleaders, released Crowd Favorites October 9 on Rounder Records. Crowd Favorites is a collection of some of the most-requested songs from Claire Lynch's impressively rich repertoire. Click HERE to read more. [posted 9/8/07]

• Homer Ledford featured on Kentucky Luthiers Exhibit and Web Site. The Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Historical Society has a special exhibit and companion website featuring the art and tradition of Kentuckians who are considered masters in the making and repairing of guitars, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, dulcimers and other original stringed instruments.  Click HERE to see the article about Homer Ledford, and from there possibly visit the other web pages that are part of the web site. [posted 9/8/07]

• Video  clips of Silverado performance available online.  These are video clips of a concert for Bluegrass Association of Southern California at the Braemer Country Club. BASC reports that Silverado set an attendance record for their Tuesday night concerts.  To view the clips click HERE.

• New book published about fiddler, Howdy Forrester:  Fiddler of the Opry: The Howdy Forrester Story, by Gayel Pitchford, has been published by Viewpoint Press in California.  Click HERE to read more about the book and how to obtain it.  [Posted 5/1/07]

• Website features vintage Bluegrass Posters: Mitch, aka the Kardboard Kid, has been collecting posters all his life.  He's posted them on his own website, where they are divided into several categories, including Country and Bluegrass.  Click HERE to go to his website and view his vintage bluegrass posters.  [Posted 3/10/07]

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MUSIC REVIEWS

• Infamous Stringdusters - Fork in the Road

Sugar Hill

Song List: No More To Leave You Behind, Fork In The Road, Starry Night, 3 X 5, 40 West, Tragic Life, Poor Boy's Delight, No Resolution, My Destination, Letter From Prison, Dream You Back, Moon Man

For a bluegrass band, the Infamous Stringdusters are an uncommonly large group, with six members, encompassing all the commonly used bluegrass instruments: guitar, mandolin, Dobro, banjo, fiddle and bass. Many bluegrass bands establish their sound based not only on the instrumentation in their group, but also which of the key instruments is absent. The Stringdusters have them all, and the members come with impressive resumes. Two are second generation bluegrass players. Guitarist Chris Eldridge performed with his father in the Seldom Scene. Fiddle player Jeremy Garrett is the son of Nashville bluegrass player Glenn Garrett who wrote a song that appears on this CD. The younger Garrett also played with Lee Ann Womak and Bobby Osborne.

Click HERE to read more of this review.

• LITTLE ROY LEWIS, EARL SCRUGGS & LIZZY LONG - Lifetimes (CD & bonus DVD)

  Vine Records / Mountain Home MH11182

  http://www.amazon.com/Lifetimes-Scruggs-Long-Lewis/dp/B000NVSZ8U

  Playing Time – 47:19

  Song list: All the Good Times Are Past and Gone, James White, Heaven is a Small Town, Obelisk Flour, The Has Been, The Preacher and the Bear, Gotta Travel On, One More Yesterday With You, I Will Find You Again, The Bluebirds Singing for Me, Catamount Chase Breakdown, The Five-String Song, I'm Not Falling for You, The Road Before Me, (posted 7/19/07)

  Buegrassers are familiar with the many accomplishments of Earl Scruggs and Little Roy Lewis who are given top billing on this album despite their fairly understated roles. Scruggs appears on five cuts, and Lewis only on four.

• Windy Ridge Bluegrass Band - Old Windows
  http://www.windyridgebluegrass.com/
  windyridgeband@aol.com
  Song list: My Little Girl In Tennessee, Ashes of Love, Bury Me Beneath the Willow, Lonesome Pine, I Still Miss Someone, I Saw The Light, Orphan Girl, Think of What You've Done, Are You Teasing Me, Jesus Savior Pilot Me.

  The nice thing about the bluegrass community is that there are niches for everyone involved with the music. California-based Windy Ridge is a quartet that acknowledges their strength comes from their kinship, camaraderie, chemistry, and love of the music. Windy Ridge is Tim Bryant (guitar, mandolin), Cary Jones (bass, mandolin, fiddle), Frank Bayuk (resophonic guitar) and Claire Wagner (banjo). In this set of classic jam favorites, they work collaboratively to let each band member grab a share of the spotlight. As an example, their set features each band member assuming lead vocalist duties on a few numbers apiece. I think my favorite on the album is their rendition of "I Saw the Light" because this is their one quartet number and because every member gets a piece of the action in the breaks. Claire's singing and banjola on Gillian Welch's reflective "Orphan Girl" is another favored choice. Windy Ridge chose "Old Windows" as the title for their album because their goal was to "take a look back at some old gems, well-recorded and well-liked in the bluegrass genre."  [Posted 6/10/07]

   

  Click HERE to read more of this review by Joe Ross.

   

• J.D. Crow and The New South - Lefty's Old Guitar  

  J.D. Crowe and The New South

  Rounder Records 11661-0512-2

  One Camp Street, Cambridge, MA 02140

  SONGS - Mississippi River Raft, Lefty's Old Guitar, Just Loving You, Rovin' Gambler, In My Next Life, You Can Be A Millionaire With Me, I Only wish You Knew, Loneliness, I'm A Hobo, Too Often Left Alone, Blue Bonnet Lane, She Know When You're On My Mind Again

  Playing Time – 34:10

  From Kentucky, J.D. Crowe began his career as a member of Mac Wiseman's band in 1955. Thus, "Lefty's Old Guitar" is also somewhat of a half century celebratory milestone for J.D. ."

   

  Click HERE to read more of this review by Joe Ross.

   

• Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder - Instrumentals

Skaggs Family Records

This first all-instrumental release from Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder features an entire collection of music penned by Skaggs himself.

Selections: Goin' To Richmond, Missing Vassar, Wayward To Hayward, Montana Slim, Crossing The Briney, Crossville, Gallatin Rag, Dawgs' Breath, Spam Jelly, Goin' To The Ceili, Polk City

Ricky Skaggs has featured instrumentals on his various albums before (where they're often among the highlights), but this set is the first time Skaggs and his Kentucky Thunder bluegrass ensemble have released an album solely of instrumentals, which makes this a special treat. From the Irish feel of the opening "Going to Richmond," Skaggs and the band hit a confident and assured groove that is at times as much string band jazz as it is bluegrass, and on the absolutely huge-sounding "Crossing the Briney," which makes used of the Nashville String Machine, the sound shifts closer to classical music, complete with massive, swelling crescendos. But this set has a traditional side, too, highlighted by the easy-rolling "Missing Vassar," and while Skaggs wrote all the pieces here, it isn't difficult to imagine Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder as an old-timey string band hanging out on the porch and playing a set of local favorites on a Saturday afternoon. It is this ability to stretch the boundaries of bluegrass while still adhering to a traditional base that makes Skaggs and company so interesting, and when Andy Statman brings his clarinet to the gentle, bright "Gallatin Rag" in a guest spot, the music ceases to be bluegrass or jazz or traditional or anything in particular, but emerges instead as a hybrid of everything at once. ~ Steve Leggett, All Music Guide

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• Boohers - Grandma’s Songs (CD, 2005)

Lonesome Day Records LDR-008; 143 Deaton Road, Booneville, KY. 41314;

TEL. (606)398-2369; EMAIL murraymusicgroup@hotmail.com;

www.lonesomeday.com OR http://www.theboohers.com/; Playing Time - 37:01

The Boohers are a captivating family band that makes their debut on Lonesome Day Records with "Grandma’s Songs” which is actually the group’s fourth album overall

Click HERE to read more at Bluegrass Works.

• Cherryholmes - self-titled (CD, 2005)

Skaggs Family 6989020142

PO Box 2478, Hendersonville, TN. 37077

www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com OR www.cherryholmes.net

Michelle Nikolai michelle@skaggsfamilyrecords.com

INFO: Kissy Black TEL. (615)298-1144 OR kissyblack@lotosnile.com OR jocelyn@lotosnile.com

Playing Time - 45:51

The Cherryholmes' pendulum of repertoire swings from Bill Monroe ("Tallahassee") to the Dirt Band ("Workin' Man"), and Hazel Dickens ("Workin' Girl Blues") to the Louvin Brothers ("No One to Sing for Me").

           Click HERE to read more at Bluegrass Works

• David Grier - I've Got a House to Myself

Dreadnought Records (David's own imprint)

www.davidgrier.com

david@davidgrier.com

Available from Tricopolis Records

Playing Time - 46:24

David Grier's been a giant of the bluegrass guitar for a good while now....and a lot of folks out there will tell you with good reason.  One of Acoustic Guitar magazine's Artists of the Decade, Davis takes a big step here with an album completely and exquisitely performed on solo guitar.

Click HERE to read more of this review at Tricopolis Records.

Here are some internet website that have Bluegrass reviews: http://www.talentondisplay.com/joeross7.html and http://www.bluegrassworks.com/reviews.php; 

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BUY/SELL 

Fore Sale: Bass and Dobro - The Dobro is a Dobro brand with an extra nice case.  Asking $600.  The 1/2 bass is a German brand with a cloth case and a stand.  Asking $800.  Call John or Peggy- Home (928) 632-5338, Cell (928) 713-3616. [posted Dec 4, 2008]

For Sale: Upright, 3/4 Kay Bass, blond, 1965 Serial #50969 Excellent Condition. All original, w/bridge mount underwood pick-up. Includes soft padded bag/cover. Rare find in this area. Priced just below market value. Click HERE for online ad on Craig's List, Orange County  For more information about Kay Basses visit www.kaybass.com. Serious interest only, please. Sandy (714) 337-2224 [posted Oct 27, 2008]

For Sale: Original 1930 Model A four door Briggs.  A fun car we drive it daily.  Asking just $6000.  Call Carl Brusehaber at (760) 240-3668. [posted Oct. 16, 2008]

For Sale: 1968 original Dobro built by Ed Doypera with original had shell case.  Good sounding Dobro in good shape for a 40 year old instrument.  Asking $1550.  Contact Harley Morris (951) 688-8203, or e-mail hmfiddler@yahoo.com [posted Sept. 10, 2008]

For Sale: Great starter motor home, 1973 Dodge Fireball with good engine and transmission plus roomy interior.  Asking $1200 OBO.  Call Cheryl (909) 214-5349.

For Sale: 1958 Kay model M-1B 3/4 BLONDE acoustic bass in outstanding condition. Has Amp pickup Comes with padded case and stand. Bow newly rehaired. See Pictures at http://cosprings.craigslist.org/msg/738481869.html Located in Colorado Springs, CO Local Violin Repair Shop will help ship if needed. $4000 + shipping. Can arrange to get on Skype if you desire to hear tone. Contact us at sale-738481869@craigslist.org Deadline Aug 15 [posted 6/30/08]

For Sale: 1951 KAY Standup bass C1 model. Retails for $3290; a bargain @ $2000.00. Call Chris Ruud (714) 227-0733 [posted 6/30/08]

For Sale: 25" 2000 Allegro Motor Home for sale.Milage 16000,g ood condition; features, Hydraulic levelers, Microwave, coffee maker, Oven/fridge, Generator. Roof Air, TV&CD Player, CB Radio 454 Workhorse Chassis,4 Awnings, Automatic Stepts.Asking,24900.00.Contact Ken Allen e-mail kmallen2@verizon.net, or Ph 909-982-8485 [posted 12/08/07]

For Sale: Silver Princess 5-string banjo with hard shell case, $800.00  Kay bass (ser. no.: 41202) Model C-a full size upright, tuners black and brass with no engraving; excellent condition; circa 1959; $1000. (951) 372-8266 Debbie McBriety [posted 10/03/07]

For Sale:  1988 Southwind 28' CL A basement model motor-home, good condition, new tires & brakes, plus more.  Chev 454 engine, 63,000 miles.  Special price for SWBA member.  For more information call Dave at 310-978-8196.  [Posted 6/10/07].

For Sale:  2003 Martin HD35 Guitar & Martin Case. Original owner, excellent condition, pick-up installed under bone saddle, strap button installed. This guitar has a beautiful 3pc Rosewood back accented by the heringbone trim. $2,150.00 405-830-3631 505-377-9476 or blbarnes@brightok.net for more info. [Posted 4/1/07]

For Sale: Applause guitar, around 20 years old and  in excellent condition, asking $150.  Contact Ken Allen at kmallen2@verizon.net

Wanted: A reliable transportation car for sale (or give-away);  please call Sharon Stanton (760) 244-8233.  [Posted 3/1/07]

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 JUST FOR FUN 

Q: What would a Bluegrass musician do if he won a million dollars?

A: Continue to play gigs until the money ran out.

Q: Why do fiddle players pick on banjo pickers? 

A: Cause they can’t pick on their fiddles.

   Q: Why aren't there tubas in bluegrass bands?

   A:  Because they are HEAVY METAL!!!

Q: What does a banjo player do when asked "Give me a five"? 

A: He says, "Go get your own banjo."

Q: What does it mean when a guitar player is drooling out both sides of his mouth?

A: The stage is level.

   Q: What did the guitar say to the guitarist?

   A:  Pick on someone your own size!

   Q: How many guitarists does it take to change a light bulb?

   A:  Twenty. One to change the bulb and nineteen to say, "Not bad, but I could've done better".

   Q: What is the difference between a guitarist and a Savings Bond?

   A: Eventually a Savings Bond will mature and earn money!

   Q: What is the difference between a guitar and a tuna fish?

   A: You can tune a guitar but you can't tuna fish.

   Q: How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb?

   A: Only one - but the guitarist has to show him first.

   Q: How can you tell the difference between all the banjo songs?

   A: By their names.

Q: What's black and blue and laying in a ditch?

A: A guitarist who's told one too many banjo player jokes.

   Q: How can you tell if a violin is out of tune?

   A: The bow is moving.

Q: How many upright bass players does it take to change a lightbulb?

A: 1...5...1...5...1...5...

   Q: How do you keep your mandolin from getting stolen?

   A: Put it in a banjo case.

   Q: What does a mandolin player say when he gets to his gig?

   A: Would you like fries with that?

   Q: Why did the Boy Scout take up the Dobro (i.e., resophonic, slide guitar)?

   A: They make good paddles.

   Q: Why don't banjo players play hide and seek?

   A: Because no one will look for them.

Q: Why do many bluegrass bands have dobro players?

A: They need someplace level to set their drinks.

Q: How do you get a banjo picker off your front porch? 

A: Pay him for the pizza

Q: How many bluegrass musicians does it take to change a light bulb? 

A: Three, one to do it and two to argue about whether that was the way Bill Monroe 

     would have done it.

Q: What's the difference between a fiddle player and a dog?

A: The dog knows when to stop scratching.

Q: What's the least-used sentence in the English language? 

A: "Isn't that the banjo player's Porsche?"

Q: How do you make an upright bass stay in tune?

A: Chop it up and make it into a xylophone.

Bluegrass Dictionary

The world of Bluegrass Music is awash with esoteric, arcane, and otherwise marginally comprehensible terminology.  In an effort to simplify and clarify these words, the following dictionary is offered.  In other words, here's a list of a few common Bluegrass vocabulary term and their definitions:

A-Hole Mandolin: A fully assembled mandolin...not in parts.

Acoustic: An instrument for playing pool of billiards (not necessarily a banjo)

Album Jacket: Item to keep posterior warm in winter.

Backbeat: Used to greet an old friend at a Bluegrass festival.

Banjo Pot: Used for cooking stew or soup when camping at a Bluegrass festival.

Banjo Tab: A diet soft drink for pickers.

Bark: Mandolin's sound when playing Dawg music.

Bass: What Daddy sings.

Breakdowns: What occurs after 14 hours of parking lot picking

Bridge: To help you cross those troubled waters.

Capo: Hot cereal that sponsors a Bluegrass radio show.

Chinrest: An instrumental played to give the lead singer a break.

Chops: A mandolin player's disease

Chords: Type of pants seldom worn by Bluegrassers

Chromatic Picking: Polished playing (often performed on a dobro).

Chromatic Scale: Nothing a little dobro polish won't remove

Chunking: Chinese mandolin rhythms.

Clawhammer: A tool for straightening bent fingerpicks or arthritic fingers.

Clog Dancing: Originally for Holland, a cross between rhumba, cha-cha-cha, and waltz

Crosspicking: What happens when a picker gets angry.

Dawg Music: Something your pet sings to.

Dobro (r): Pillsbury Doughboy's brother.

Double Stops: Two endings to a song, often seen in jam sessions.

Duet: Instruction, or command given to the banjo play to start a song (opposite of "refrain")

Fifth String Nut: Person crazy about banjos.

Fine Tuners: Best tuners that money can buy.

Fingerboard: What happens to a picker's fingers after playing the same old licks year after year.

Flatpicking':  To pick like Lester Flatt.

Flattop: John Duffey's hair style.

Frailing: Turning pale and sickly white when electric instruments are used to play bluegrass

Frets: What a guitar player gets when about to do a break for a song never played before.

Guitar Case: A psychotic guitar player.

Gutbucket: Bucket for used fiddle strings.

Hot Lick: Something your pet does to your arm while you hold a burger

Lloyd Loar: Folk Loar's brother.

Mountain Dew: What's on the flower petals when you stop picking at 4am.

Pick Guard: Deodorant for pickers.

Pitch: Act of promoting you band to get gigs.

Refrain: Don't Duet!

Reno roll: Winning gambling spree in Nevada

Resonator: Automatic device for applying resin to strings.

Scrugg's Style: Desinger dress code for Bluegrass bands.

Slap Bass: What's done to awaken the bass singer, or alert the bas player to take a break.

Solo: Word used to describe the bass vocal part.

Tater-bug: Spying device to record hot mandolin licks.

Truss Rod: Item to improve a banjo player's posture, or contain the overhand above the belt.

FOR THE MUSICIANS AMONGST US:

You're too old to play gigs when:

1. It becomes more important to find a place on stage for your fan than your amp.
2. Your gig clothes make you look like George Burns out for a round of golf or Dolly Parton with no bosom.
3. All your fans leave by 9:30 p.m.
4. All you want from groupies is a foot massage and back rub.
5. You love taking the elevator because you can sing along with most of your set-list.
6. Instead of a fifth member, your band wants to spring for a roadie.
7. You lost the directions to the gig.
8. You need your glasses to see the amp settings.
9. You've thrown out your back jumping off the stage.
10. You feel like heck before the gig even starts.
11. The waitress is your daughter!
12. You stop the set because your ibuprofen fell behind the speakers.
13. Most of your crowd just sways in their seats.
14. You find your drink tokens from last month's gig in your guitar case.
15. You refuse to play without earplugs.
16. You ask the club owner if you can start at 8:30 instead of 9:30.
17. You check the TV schedule before booking a gig.
18. Your gig stool has a back.
19. You're related to at least one member in the band.
20. You don't let anyone sit in.
21. You need a nap before the gig.
22. After the third set, you bug the club owner to let you quit early.
23. During the breaks, you now go to the van to lie down.
24. You prefer a music stand with a light.
25. You don't recover until Tuesday afternoon.
26. You hope the host's speech lasts forever … … …
27. You buy amps considering their weight and not their tone or “cool” factor.
28. Feeling guilty looking at hot women at the audience, 'cause they're younger than your daughter.
29. You can remember seven different club names for the same location.
30. You have a hazy memory of the days when you could work 10 gigs in 7 days and could physically do it!
31. Your date couldn't make it because she couldn't find a babysitter for the grandkids.

32. The set list has to be in 20 point type..
33. Your drug of choice is now coffee…
34. It seems impossible to find stage shoes with decent arch support.

RANDOM THOUGHTS:

You know, sometimes, when I lie in bed at night and look up at the stars, I think to myself, 

"Man! I really need to fix that roof."

An hour before church service, the pastor approaches the guitar player and says, "I'm glad to see you include Bible precepts in your playing."

The guitarist asks "Do you mean "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord?'"

"No," answers the pastor, "Don't let the left hand know what the right hand is doing."

For those of you who missed the Monsters of Bluegrass in concert, Halloween 2005, you're in luck!  You can see video highlights by clicking HERE and HERE and HERE.

IN CONCLUSION:

And finally, due to several typos found on the SWBA website brought to the SWBA webmanager's attention by devoted readers of the SWBA website, the webmanager has decided to terminate employment of two Spell Checkers, one from the English edition and one from the Latin edition.  Also, any devoted reader wishing to make a complaint should do so by writing legibly in this space: ( )

For more Bluegrass Humor(?) visit: http://www.markfair.com/editor.html

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   Continued news items, announcements and music reviews

Announcing the Southwest Bluegrass Group on Yahoo - Have you heard about the Southwest Bluegrass Group on Yahoo?  If you haven’t, you can take a look by clicking HERE. There are many benefits in and reasons for becoming a member of the Southwest Bluegrass Group.  Most importantly, it's a place for connecting with other bluegrassers, a place to share, to learn and to chat about: 

• All kinds of bluegrass information, news, trivia

• Instruments for sale, lessons, and luthiers

• Calendar of events with timely reminders

• Songs, lyrics, tablature

• Photos from Bluegrass events

The Southwest Bluegrass Group is rapidly growing, with more and more members showing a strong bluegrass 

presence here in the southwest.  It’s FREE and EASY to join (how to join is clearly indicated at the website).  

It’s not affiliated with any bluegrass association, and ANYONE can become a member.  Those who belong to 

  the group can add to everything posted there.  Ready to check it out?  Click HERE.

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Fiddler of the Opry: The Howdy Forrester Story, by Gayel Pitchford

The book is the first thorough account of the life and music of the influential Tennessee fiddler who died in 1987, with sections covering his upbringing in Hickman County, his early career and partnership with Georgia Slim Rutland, his long stint with Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys, and his various recordings, compositions, and arrangements. It's over 240 pages in length, including musical notations for 23 of Forrester's pieces and a nice selection of photographs. The wide-ranging sources for Pitchford's research are well-documented in the book's notes, and they include extensive information and ephemera provided by the Forrester family.

Copies can be mail-ordered directly from the publisher for $26.95 each, plus $4.00 shipping per book (California residents add $1.95 sales tax per book). Canadian orders must be accompanied by a postal money order in US funds. Allow 15 days for delivery.

Viewpoint Press
PMB 400, 785 Tucker Road #G
Techapi, CA 93561

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High Hills CD Leaves on the River

Songs: When I Get home I'm Gonna Be Satisfied. Angel's Flight, Night Rider's Lament, Leaves on the River, Orphan Girl, I'll Fly Away From Here, Rawhide, Moonlight, Lullaby, Maui Sunrise, I'll Stay Around, Someday Soon, Wayfaring Stranger, Amazing Grace, Over the Rainbow

Click HERE to preview and/or purchase CD

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Dry Branch Fire Squad CD on Rounder - "What separates Dry Branch Fire Squad from most neotraditionalists is its knowing, unsentimental evocation of mountain culture. Rather than representing Appalachia as a kind of mythical paradise lost, the band often speaks to the present-day realities of lost jobs, rural slums, poverty and social disintegration.' – Los Angeles Daily News

Burlington, MA – May 15, 2007, Rounder Records  released Thirtieth Anniversary Special – a definitive collection by one of America’s most venerable and beloved bluegrass bands, Dry Branch Fire Squad. An extensive album, with 21 tracks, Thirtieth Anniversary Special spotlights the wide spectrum of Dry Branch Fire Squad’s repertoire of mountain soul, bluegrass and old-time music, featuring live tracks, studio favorites, rarities and a capella gospel cuts, packaged with new liner notes and archival photos. Thirtieth Anniversary Special complements Rounder’s previous Dry Branch Fire Squad anthology, 1987’s Tried and True and includes new recordings since that collection’s release (plus four previously unreleased tracks). Led by singer, mandolin-picker and raconteur Ron Thomason, Dry Branch Fire Squad is one of the most compelling and unique bluegrass bands to emerge in the past three decades. With each album (over a dozen to date), Dry Branch Fire Squad carries timeless traditions into the modern era with a blend of reverence, soul and wit all their own. Bluegrass Unlimited calls Thomason “one of the most soulful vocalists in bluegrass history.”

Thirtieth Anniversary Special follows up Dry Branch’s 2-disc live CD, Live at the Newburyport Fire House (Rounder, 2005) which documents their endearing live performance, with Thomason’s humorous storytelling and between-song commentary. The Boston Globe called the album “irresistible,” while Dirty Linen said, “The 15 songs reveal a group that is at the peak of its form.”

Dry Branch Fire Squad is: Ron Thomason (lead vocals and mandolin), Brian Auldridge (guitar, mandolin and harmony vocals), Tom Boyd (banjo, Dobro and vocals) and Dan Russell (bass and guitar). Beginning May 19, the band will perform at festivals and concert halls throughout the U.S.

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Rounder announces upcoming release of Clair Lynch CD.  New recordings of favorites from her Front Porch String Band days highlight the signature groove of the Claire Lynch Band, while ten classics from her Rounder catalog form an ideal introduction to one of acoustic music's most innovative artists. Luminous and elegant, Lynch's music is a mesmerizing blend of bluegrass, country, folk, and swing, exquisitely showcasing her gifts as a vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader.

   Crowd Favorites Track Listing:

1. Train Long Gone

2. The Day That Lester Died *

3. Fallin' in Love

4. Hills of Alabam' *

5. If Wishes Were Horses

6. Your Presence is My Favorite Gift

7. Jealousy

8. Silver and Gold

9. Sweetheart, Darlin' of Mine

10. Kennesaw Line *

11. Thibodaux

12. Wabash Cannonball *

13. He Don't Like to Talk About It

14. Friends for a Lifetime (Song for Kegan)

*Indicates new recording by The Claire Lynch Band

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