Volume 12 Issue 3 July 2018 PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 42167060 bluegrasscanada.org The offi cial magazine of the Bluegrass Music Association of Canada $7.00 Now with more homegrown Canadian bluegrass than ever before! Kristin Cavoukian pulls back the curtain on Toronto Bluegrass The BANDS issue Our directory of Canadian bluegrass bands Emory Lester puts a creative spin on a classic tuneTable of Contents Big City Bluegrass 12 23 19 38 On the cover Kristin Cavoukian with her band Houndstooth. Also pictured: Danny Simmons, Logan McNeil, and Dave Lang. Columns 5 President Murray Hale’s Message 7 Mike Milner’s Bluegrass Clippings 9 Joe Rohrer’s Run Forrest Run 11 Nancy Keddy’s East Coast Bluegrass 46 Editor Mike Kirley’s Message Lessons 30 Guest banjoist Skip Holmes, “Red Bird” 32 Emory Lester, mandolin, “St. Anne’s Reel” 35 Dave Searle, sound production & acoustics Listings 40 Festival Listing 42 Radio on the Air 44 BMAC Organisation Listings Canada V o l u m e 12 I s s u e 3 Volume 12 Issue 3 July 2018 PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 42167060 bluegrasscanada.org The official magazine of the Bluegrass Music Association of Canada $7.00 Exclusive lessons, reviews, tips, tricks, picks, and more Kristin Cavoukian pulls back the curtain on Toronto Bluegrass The BANDS issue Our directory of Canadian bluegrass bands Emory Lester puts a creative spin on a classic tune JULY 2018 BLUEGRASS CANADA MAGAZINE 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2018 Bands Listing Our directory of BMAC-affi liated Canadian bluegrass bands. The best resource of the year to fi nd your fellows, and for the venues - to book your gigs! An in-depth look at the vibrant bluegrass scene in Toronto, ON. Pictured above, The Layrite Boys channel the spirit of `57. Get to know Linda Thorburn Follow this west-Coast banjo-picker through her journey with bluegrass music. High-tech Bluegrass BMAC’s own Gord Devries provides advice on using internet technology to improve your playing. The Layrite boys, photo by Andrea MauriceBluegrass Music Association of Canada BMAC is a non-profi t organization devoted to the preservation and promotion of bluegrass and old-time music in Canada, and supported by the volunteer efforts of its members. BMAC MISSION STATEMENT The BMAC mission statement as enacted in the by-laws: a) Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of bluegrass and old-time music throughout Canada. Goals: b) To support individuals, groups and organizations involved in bluegrass and old-time music. c) To provide leadership and promote education among fans, clubs, bands and artists. Specifi cally: 1) The establishment of bluegrass categories in the Juno Awards; 2) Lobbying with other musical genres for changes in US laws to allow easier access to the US by Canadian musicians; 3) Establishing a national bluegrass awards program not in confl ict with the two existing regional awards events; 4) Sponsoring Canadian Bands to Showcase at IBMA; 5) Supporting Canadian bands efforts to play in other parts of the country; 6) Seeking grant funding to achieve these goals. V o l u m e 12 I s s u e 3 Email: membership@ bluegrasscanada.org Website: bluegrasscanada.org Publisher Gord DeVries Editor Mike Kirley Art Director Sarah Bea Publishing Associate James Kerr SUBSCRIPTION One Year $25 / Free with Membership The Bluegrass Canada magazine is digitally published quarterly in January, April, July and October, online in the ‘Members Only’ section of the Bluegrass Canada website. For more information email membership@bluegrasscanada.org. • Individual BMAC memberships: $25/y • Organizational memberships: $50/y All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced without the written permission from the Publisher. PRINTED IN CANADA. CANADA POST CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES PRODUCT AGREEMENT No. 42167060. Send change of addresses and underliverable notices of Canadian addresses to BMAC, c/o Gord DeVries, 22790 Amiens Road, Komoka, ON N0L 1R0, 519-719-2501 Please send articles, calendar information, photos and letters to: Bluegrass Canada Mike Kirley 831 Rose Street, Cambridge ON N3H-2G2 Email: mikekirley@gmail.com Telephone: 519-653-4975 Deadline for submissions is 45 days preceding the month of publication. BMAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Murray Hale mhale@green-vision.ca 705-474-2217 Vice-President Brian Powley brobriansbluegrass@gmail.com 613-544-9898 Secretary-Treasurer Roland Aucoin raucoin72@gmail.com 905-572-0116 Magazine Editor Mike Kirley mikekirley@gmail.com 519-653-4975 Membership/Website Gord DeVries gord.devries@rogers.com 519-719-2501 Grants & Funding Sarah Bea sarahbea@gmail.com Social Media Carol Boyer carol.boyer@sympatico.ca General Wilson Moore wmoore@ns.sympatico.ca Contributors Kristin Cavoukian Gord Devries Nancy Keddy Denis LePage Emory Lester Mike Milner Jerry Murphy Joe Rohrer Dave Searle Linda Thorburn Advertising Rates & Specs Gord DeVries 519-719-2501 Printing A & B Print Inc., 519-652-0321 4026 Meadowbrook Dr. #135 London ON N6L 1C8 Distribution Strictly Addressing, 519-433-4242 4-1025 Hargrieve Rd. London ON N6E 1P7 Canada BMAC is a non-profi t organization devoted to the preservation and promotion of bluegrass and old-time music in Canada, and supported by the volunteer efforts of its members. BMAC MISSION STATEMENT The BMAC mission statement as enacted in the by-laws: 4 BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF CANADA BLUEGRASSCANADA.ORG MASTHEADSummer Bluegrass Hello once again to our bluegrass community. Summer festivals by now are well under way, and the air is humming with banjo, mandolin, guitar, fi ddle and dobro improv’s (which only sound great because of that solid bass rhythm line). Hopefully you are enjoying your summer and supporting our various festivals as often as you can. Your executive has busy updating our registered bands list getting ready for this issue. We have also updated our country-wide list of on-air bluegrass radio programs. Information coming from the stations themselves is confi rming that bluegrass on the air is doing really well. Our programs are very popular. As well, we have added new members to our magazine staff and to the executive. Look for a couple of new writers and lots of variety in the next few issues. Mike Kirley and I travelled to Providence Bay to cover and enjoy Bluegrass In the Country on June 8-10th. The festival supports The Manitoulin Special Olympics and was well-attended this year with fabulous music and jamming. As we get out to enjoy and support the festivals this summer, take note of the new bands, and get ready to submit your nominations for the awards shows coming up this fall. We encourage and applaud those of you beginning new bands, and also encourage the promoters and publishers to give all bands the support and recognition they deserve to become established. To all, our mission is as follows: 1. To support individuals, groups and organizations involved in bluegrass and old-time music. 2. To provide leadership, knowledge and education for fans, clubs, bands and artists. I look forward to meeting many of you at the various events across our country this summer and fall. Murray Hale “We encourage and applaud those of you beginning new bands.” Murry Hale, president of the BMAC. By Murray Hale This summer, support your local bluegrass bands applaud those of Providence Bay to cover and enjoy Bluegrass In the Country on June you beginning new bands.” Become a member of the BMAC Email: membership@ bluegrasscanada.org Website: bluegrasscanada.org Start gettin’ picky about Your music… JULY 2018 BLUEGRASS CANADA MAGAZINE 5 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE33rd Annual PEI Bluegrass & Old Time Music Festival July 6, 7 & 8, 2018 at “The Big Field” in Rollo Bay, PEI Featuring: Feller & Hill Jeff Scrog gins & Color ado Tommy Brown & County Line Grass The 33rd annual PEI Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival features: Feller & Hill, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado and Tommy Brown & County Line Grass as well as perennial favourites, The Bluegrass Diamonds, back for their 26th appearance. Other maritime bands will be added later in the fall. Also all your island favourites. Island bands will be added in due course according to availability. We will also have a full lineup of acoustic instrument workshops, open mic on Wed July 4th & Thur July 5th, and lots of concessions and fun for the whole family. Check our website at: www.peibluegrass.tripod.com for more information on the festival Gates open Wednesday July 4th at 1:00PM. For advanced tickets or information call: Glenda Johnston (902)569-4501, or Shirley Jay (902)566-2641 We are in constant contact with many other bands and hope to present the finest lineup in the maritimes this summer. Stay tuned for more information on bookings. We reserve the right to change the program without prior notice.When we think of bluegrass here in Central Ontario (or Upper Canada, as some might say), we tend to think of our local groups and the great offerings from the East Coast; however, Canada is a wide nation, and bluegrass is also revered in places where the wheat grows in huge fields and the blue sky seems to go on until it meets the mountains in the western horizon. Jerusalem Ridge was a bluegrass quar- tet from Ed- monton Alberta, formed in 1989. They released a number of recordings, in- cluding the one to be reviewed here, Beyond The Ridge, re- leased in 1999. The band itself, taking their name from the famous Bill Monroe song, was well known in their home province, with a substantial following. At the time of Beyond The Ridge, the members were Craig Korth (banjo and vocals), Bill Lopushinsky (mandolin and vocals), Byron Myhre (fiddle and vocals) and Keith (Spike) Burgess (upright bass and vocals). Craig, Bill and Byron all take turns playing guitar throughout the album. As one might expect, the banjo and mandolin are the featured solo instruments. Like any good bluegrass record, Beyond the Ridge is a mixture of crisp solos, tight ensemble playing, strong harmony vocals and a sense of humour. There are 16 tracks on Beyond The Ridge, including a number of traditional numbers (i.e. “John Henry”), selections from bluegrass stalwarts such as Lester Flatt and Don Reno, and some originals from band members Craig Korth and Bill Lopushinsky as well. The recording was made in Edmonton and the quality is excellent. The band’s vocal and instrumental prowess are beautifully captured. Kudos to the personnel involved. All of Jerusalem Ridge’s record- ings appear to self-released, and they deserve a great deal of credit for the high standards they have achieved with their music. The album is still available for purchase on iTunes. Beyond The Ridge is a highly recommended addition to anyone’s collection of bluegrass. By Mike Milner The band itself... was well known in their home province, with a substantial following. An album by Jerusalem Ridge released in 1989 An alumni of the Humber jazz program, Mike Milner is currently enjoying his retirement by playing bass and listening to good music. Beyond the Ridge JULY 2018 BLUEGRASS CANADA MAGAZINE 7 BLUEGRASS CLIPPINGSA Stinkin’ Selfie Joe Rohre is the bassist for Rhyme N Reason The humorous antics and musings of Forrest and friends By Joe “Honest t’ Goodness” Rohrer When I woke up this mornin’, the ER doc chuckled and said, “My, that was quick—the flowers haven’t even wilted from your last visit yet Joe! What happened this time?” I said, “It was ol’ wusername’s ears!” The doc said, “What’s ol’ wusername’s ears got to do with what happened to you?” I said, “Well, the other mornin’ I stoked the stove and made a pot of coffee, and was just startin’ to fix some biscuits and gravey, when ol’ wusername come a’ploddin’ into the kitchen. I was standin’ in front of the old cookstove the next morning singin’ “CAMPIN IN CAANAN’S LAND,” when ol’ wusername kinda grumpily stumbled into the kitchen and said, “WUDDERYA DOIN NOW YOU OLD FOOL??!!” I said, “I’m makin’ SELFIE.” Ol’ wusername said, “IT’S CALLED A SOUFFLÉ YOU TWIT!” I said, “No it ain’t—these ain’t chicken eggs!” Ol’ wusername said “Wudderya putting in it???” I said, “Ground moose meat, wild leeks, mushrooms, fiddleheads, goose eggs, mouldy cheese, and a splash of cream— oh, and you’ll have to drink your coffee black this mornin’.” Uh oh. I says, ‘Oh my little princess of the pillow, don’tcha just love the smell of maple smoke and fresh coffee afore daylight on a chilly morn?’ Ol’ wusername said, ‘IT WAS THE SMELL OF THAT OLD OUTHOUSE WHAT WOKE ME UP! IF WE AIN’T GOT NO QUICK LIME YOU CAN DIG A NEW HOLE AND MOVE THAT DARNED THING DOWN WIND T’DAY!!!’ I was halfway across the back porch when I whispered (under my breath) ‘How be I just move it to your mother’s?’” I swear, that woman can hear better’n a BAT!!! What’s fer breakfast doc? JUKY 2018 BLUEGRASS CANADA MAGAZINE 9 RUN FORREST, RUNNext >