m The Bluegrass Music Association of Canada Newsletter-Volume 2 Issue 4-September 2008 Bluegrass is alive and well at The Home County Folk Festival-London, Ontario-July 2008 BANDS ISSUE www.bmacc.ca /iJ: !J ~ A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT • ,ie~lo~som Bro,~n 'County jamboree P • . reservation - jfouttbatfon 3Jnc*~ ~ ~ I www.BBJFoundation.org \ WHAT"S INSIDE From the Membership Chair-Page 3 Membership Form-Page 4 Rhonda Vincent Comes To Ontario - Page 5 Organizational Memberships - Page 6 Bluegrass on the Radio-Page 7 Bean Blossom Experience-Page 8 Out Among the Stars - Page 9 Bluegrass Juno-Page 11 ANN-ECOOTES - Page 12 Festivals-Page 13 GID-R-OONE at Bean Blossom-Page 14 TVBA at the Home County Folk Festival-Page 16 Bean Blossom Foundation-Page 17 Basin Bluegrass Festival-Page 17 Excerpts from MOBS "Dill Pickle Rag" - Page 18/19 Editorial-Page 22 BMACC Notes-September 2008 Page 2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS President- Wayne Uncer 519-469-3392 Vice-president - Denis Chad- bourn Home: 705-776-7754 Work: 705-474-2271 Secretary- Wes Lowe 519-539-8967 Treasurer - Roland Aucoin 905-635-1818 Directors at Large Cindy deBoer-Winterbottom Karen May Snell 705-788-4362 Steve Pritchard Gord deVries 519-668-0418 Amanda-Lynn Stubley 519-642-7987 Donald Tarte 888-876-3369 Brother Brian Powley 613-374-3888 From the Membership Chair B MACC was 1 year old on March 31/08. Our membership has reached 294, including 18 Bands, 7 Clubs, 4 Festivals, and 5 Organizations. Some bands have already received work from the web-site. If there are individual members of BMACC that belong to a band or other organization, you should consider paying an additional $30 and take advantage of what BMACC can offer. Organizational Members will be entitled to: A free listing in each issue of the "BMACC Notes" A free listing in the appropriate info section of the BMACC website. *List their upcoming events in the BMACC Event Calendar. Advertise at a reduced rate in the "BMACC Notes" *Check out the web site. Current events are listed on the first page. Just click and see more details. It is important that BMACC get this information. All organizational members should submit their events to: Roland Aucoin 205 Plains Road W. Unit 84 Burlington, Ontario L7T 4H3 raucoin@cogeco,ca or call 905-635-1818 Bands, please take note. If you want to have your band picture and details included in the "BANDS" issue this fall, you must be an organizational member. ADVERTISING RATES Publicize your event, band or organization in "NOTES" or on our website. BMACCNOTES Single Issue 1/8 Page (Business Card) 1/4 Page $26.67 33.33 53.33 80.00 1/2 Page Full Page Envelope stuffing is lOC per insert 100 px X 250 pixels 200 px X 250 pixels 400 px X 250 pixels WEBSITE Quarterly $20.00 26.67 46.67 Annual $ 96.01 119.99 191.99 288.00 Annual $ 72.00 96.00 168.00 BMACC Notes-September 2008 Page 3 R.R. #1, Cannington, ON LOE lEO-Telephone: 705-432-2598 Roger-Dobro-Lead & Rhythm-Lead Singer Lorraine-Bass-Lead & Tenor Singer Barry-Guitar, Rhythm & Lead-Lead, Tenor & BaritoneSinge C-DENNY BAND Contact: Lean Chadbourn-Telephone 705-776-7754 339 Fichault Rd., Rutherglen, ON POH 2EO E-mail-Leannsmith-chadbourn@ontario.ca Website-cdennymusic.ca Denis Chadbourn-Guitar Juleann Chadbourn-Fiddle Emily Ann Chadbourn-Mandolin Gord Grasser-Banjo CROSSWIND Contact: Roland Aucoin-Telephone: 905-635-1818 raucoin@cogeco.ca-www.crosswindbluegrass.ca Dobro-Vern Buttenham Banjo-Tom Bezusko Bass-Roland Aucoin Guitar-Stan Hammond BMACC MEMBER BANDS THE BACKWOODSMEN Contact; Lorne Buck-Telephone: 613-475-3740 191 Goodrich Rd., R.R. #2, Codrington, ON KOK lRO e-mail jhcasey@kos.net Lorne Buck-Guitar, vocals - Jimmy Ellis-Guitar, vocals CONCESSION 23 Contact: Nick Strachan/Sherry Philp 819-459-1089/613-623-0779 i nfo@concession23.com www .concession23.com Jonathon Ferrabee-Bass Kevin Golka-Mandolin Sherry Philp-Banjo Nick Strachan-Guitar THE FOGGY HOGTOWN BOYS Contact: Chris Coole-Telephone: 416-516-3796 www.chriscoole.com www.foggyhogtownboys.com Chris Quinn-Banjo Andrew Collins-Mandolin Chris Coale-Guitar John Showman-Fiddle Max Heineman-Bass BMACC Notes-September 2008 Page 4 FOXTAIL Contact: Gord Devries-Telephone: 519-668-0418 70 Millridge Ct., London, ON NSZ 4P4 gdevries@foxtail.ca www.foxtail.ca Nora Galloway-Guitar, lead & harmony vocals Marnie Niemi-Bass, lead & harmony vocals Gord DeVries-Dobro, lead & harmony vocals Larry Johnston-Banjo Pete Robertson-Fiddle THE GENERATION GAP Contact: Gretchen Lamers-Telephone 519-866-5910 57878 Jackson Line, R.R.#4, Straffordville, ON NOJ 1 YO l_love_reba@hotmail.ca Gretchen Lamers-vocals Ross Greer-Bass, vocals Jim White-Guitar, vocals Brett Coehlo-Fiddle Ray Surette-Guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals HONEVGRASS Contact: Karen May Snell Telephone: 705-788-4362 or 705-472-1629 bassladyl@hotmail.com www.honeygrass.com Eleanor Bell-Guitar, lead and harmony vocals Marie Gustafson-Guitar, mandolin, lead & harmony vocals Karen Snell-Bass, lead & harmony vocals Ray Winterstein-Banjo BMACC MEMBER BANDS GENERAL STORE Contact: Bill Blance-Telephone: 905-451-9077 20 Ladore Dr., Brampton, ON L6Y 1 VS billblance@yahoo.com www .genstorebluegrass.com Brian Riseborough-Guitar & Vocals Helen Lewis-Autoharp & Vocals John Perkins-Bass & Vocals Norm Tellier-Mandolin & Vocals GID-R-DONE Contact: Wayne Uncer-Telephone: 519-469-3392 R.R. #2, lnnerkip, ON NOJ lMO wuncer@xplornet.com Wayne Uncer-Bass, vocals Bob Tremblay-Dobro, vocals Jane Uncer-Guitar, mandolin, vocals Don Hutchinson-banjo, guitar, vocals Wes Lowe-Mandolin, guitar, vocals NORTHERN SONS Contact: Rory Gardiner Evenings: - 613-820-6027 Days: - 613-829-2176 Fax: - 613-829-7766 28 Okanagan Dr., Ottawa, ON K2H 7Gl gardcon@on.aibn.comnnnwww.northernsons.com Rory Gardiner-Banjo Thom Gardiner-Guitar Peter Mohr-Mandolin Marty Coney-Bass Chris Wilson-Fiddle BMACC Notes-September 2008 Page 5 JAN PURCELL AND PINE ROAD Contact: Jan Purcell-Telephone: 819-459-3362 36 Pine Rd., Wakefield, QC JOK 3GO pineroadbluegrass@gmail.com www.pineroadbluegrass.com Jan Purcell-Fiddle, vocals Jon Purcell-Guitar, vocals Bryan Higgins-banjo BILL WHITE AND WHITE PINE Contact: Bill White-Telephone: 613-372-2400 billwhite@kos.net echomountain@sypmpatico.ca www.billwhiteandwhitepine.aztechdigital.ca Bill White-Guitar, vocals Joe White-Fiddle, vocals John Renne-Bass Barry Calthorp-Resophonic guitar Len Heatherington-Banjo, vocals GRASSBACKWARDZ Contact: Lee D. Roy-Telephone 705-669-1945 bluegrass@grassbackwardz.com-www.grassbackwardz.com Daryl Rogers-Lead Guitar, vocals Matt Naveau-Bass, vocals Lee D. Roy-Rhythm Guitar, vocals R. J. Nelson, Banjo Mitch Ducharme-Fiddle BMACC MEMBER BANDS SILVERBIRCH Contact: Tom Mccreight-Telephone: 705-228-8426 General Delivery, Udora, ON LOC HO TJMcCreight@aol.com Walter Bent-Guitar/vocals Jan Hanko-Fiddle/vocals Gene Gouthro-Mandolin/vocals Tom Mccreight (the 01' COOT)-Bass Graham Stone-Banjo KESLERING RIDGE Contact: Ron Luxton-Telephone 905-623-2828 37 Southway Dr., Bowmanville, ON LlC 1C6 rluxton@rogers.com Ron Luxton-Guitar Robert Laing-Bass Terry Lane-Mandolin Lorne Lean-Dobro LONESOME WIND Contact::Pam Brooks-Armstrong 1-519-765-1445 pambrooks9@hotmail.com Bernie Caron-mandolin/fiddle/vocals, Guy Tellier-bass Pam Brooks-vocals/guitar, Ken Robichaud-dobro/vocals Ron Jubenville-banjo/vocals BMACC Notes-September 2008 Page 6 OUT AMONG THE STARS Random Bits of news from the world of Bluegrass <By 'l'om 9dcCreifJlit MUSIC OF COAL (via Bob Cherry) We've recently heard about Kathy Mattea's album "Coal" but, there is a bigger, better and more historical look at coal mining -- the Lonesome Records and Publishing "Music of Coal: Mining Songs from the Appalachian Coalfields." I've spent about a week reading the book and listening to the two volumes of music contained in this Jack Wright production and find that it is one of those works that not only puts you in the fields too, but it covers the spectrum of the music as well. This is a collection and anthology that pulls at your heartstrings and once you immerse yourself into the coal mining way of life, may even bring a tear to your eye. "Music of Coal" is one of those albums that should be in every library and collection in the land. It touches more than just the Appalachian region. Even here in the west where Wyoming is turning itself inside out with massive mines that churn out trillions of tons of coal a year, the story is the same of heartbreak, loss, illness, low pay and poor conditions. While today, machines have changed the mining landscape, the ways of old are stories that need to be told.I must say that I LOVE the "Music of Coal" project!!! Outstanding. I wish there was more! This is the type of project that could go on forever. There is just so much good material to select from. I really appreciate the old material presented by the older artists. I think that added a lot of soul to the project and made it more real. The 48 songs cover old and new as they are performed by artists old and new. Contained within the cover of the book and embossed within the two CDs is the music of The Carter Family, The Stanley Brothers, Hobo Jack Adkins, Hazel Dickens, Orville Jenks, Sarah Ogan Gunning and even Natalie Merchant. Also presenting their versions of coal mining sorrow are Blue Highway, Tom T. Hall, Valerie Smith, and a whole lot more. Bob Cherry Cybergrass - www.cybergrass.com ~ Interesting DOBRO Information http://www.provide.net/"'cfh/ dobro.html ~ RICKY SKAGGS has reworked 12 of his country hits in bluegrass style for a CD which is available at Cracker Barrel restaurants. ~ Flatpicking Radio is an Internet-based radio station broadcasting flatpicking acoustic guitar music 24 hours a day for friends and aficionados of acoustic flatpick guitar music. Flatpicking Radio (FPR) brings you the best in flatpicking acoustic guitar music from the pioneers of flatpick guitar like Eddie Lang and Gid Tanner to contemporary flatpickers like Doc Watson, Tony Rice, John Carlini, and Norman Blake.FPR broadcasts 24 hours a day via the www.live365.com broadcasting web site. FPR is looking for new flatpickers to share their music with flatpicking enthusiasts during its broadcast. To have your music considered for play on FPR, please email Paul Lucas at flatpickingradio@yahoo.com. For more information on FPR, please visit www.flatpickingradio.com. ~ TABrite (Banjo - Guitar - Mandolin - Bass) Tab Writing Program TABrite is a FREE tab writing program for Banjo - Guitar - Mandolin - Bass. You can find ALL the info on how to install, etc. and the TABrite Manual, at: http://www.bluegrassbanjo.org/ tabrite.html ~ BLUE HIGHWAY Fans can sign up to be on their email list by visiting the band's website: www.bluehighwayband.com ~ To receive the latest COUNTRY MUSIC HALL of FAME and Museum news, event updates, and internet only specials, go to the website and sign up to be on their Email list. www.countrymusichalloffame.com ~ ABRAMS BROTHERS - (via Howard Bonner) Congratulations to The Abrams Brothers on their most successful debut with the Kingston Symphony Orchestra at the outdoor presentation at one of Canada's most historic sites, Old Fort Henry. An annual presentation by the Kingston Symphony billed as the Sunset Ceremony, the 1812 Overture to the sounds of the fort's cannons and a brilliant display of fireworks, draws a cross-section of appreciative music supporters. For the first time in its long history, the Kingston Symphony invited the Abrams Brothers, a youth based band who've quickly acquired the mastery of their instruments. With full orchestra, the Abrams Brothers fit like a glove, taking command from the first note to the finale of the Soldier's Joy Medley and the Canadian fiddle anthem Big John McNeil. Interspersed were some vocals with John and James exchanging places on lead and harmony. Most of those in the audience were not familiar with the Abrams Brothers nor the sound of bluegrass music and many seemed genuinely surprised. It would appear that there will be an invitation back to perform another year with the symphony. It would also appear that bluegrass music came out the winner, as these accomplished young musicians introduced the music to a new group of music supporters. Congratulations to all who were involved. There were between four and five thousand in attendance over the two evenings! (Thanks to Howard Bonner for this report.) ~ DAN TYMINSKI - By John Gerome, AP NASHVILLE, Tenn. - With Alison Krauss touring this summer with Robert Plant, the guys in her band, Union Station, had some time to kill, like enough to read (Continued on page 8) See OATS BMACC Notes-September 2008 Page 7 OATS (Continued from page 7) biographies of all 43 presidents and maybe paint their houses and their neighbors' houses, too. But guitarist-singer Dan Tyminski kept right on making music .. He released a solo album, put a band together and hit the road. "It's a little different for me, .. Tyminski told The Associated Press recently. "I like what I do with Alison so I don't have to sing song after song. {he workload is bigger for sure. But I enjoy the stuff we're playing and the people I'm playing with." Tyminski's second solo disc 11 Wh I II I ee s, came out in June. It's more traditional than the material he does with Krauss, and he says it's given him a chance to reconnect with the bluegrass festivals he played early in his career. "That was my early training ground, mostly in the Northeast," said Tyminski, who was born and raised in Vermont. "It's easier for this band to do the festivals. With Union Station ~nym~re, for the past few years just loading 1tsel~ 1s extensive. We've grown to the point that 1t can no longer be contained on most bluegrass stages. 11 Fellow Union Station alum Barry Bales (bass) plays in Tyminski's band. The two other members of Union Station, Jerry Douglas (dobro) and Ron Block (banjo), are also keeping busy. Douglas has a solo album out in August, while Block has b~en playing shows with bluegrass prodigy Sierra Hull. Tyminski, who had a big hit several years ago with 11 1 Am a Man of Constant Sorrow" from the 11 0 Brother Where Art Thou?" movie soundtrack, ;ays the break from Union Station is temporary. 11 W1 I ~ ve a ways stayed on the same path, which we're still on. We still have plans to get together and do our thing." <«http:llwww.dantyminski.com»> [The Dan Tyminski Band's new album "Wheels" made its debut on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart in No. 1 position. It also made its debut on the Billboard Country Chart at No. 32.) ~ 3TO FAN CLUB Is Given New Life Years ago, faithful friends and followers of lllrd Tyme Out, Jimmy and EllaHicks, started the band's official fan club that grew to be recognized throughout the industry as being the best fan club in bluegrass and with the largest membership. Jimmy and Ella have relaunched the Official Russell Moore & lllrd Tyme Out Fan Club! Membership is free and will include regular band news through e- newsletters. It will also include a special "Across The Miles" feature with news from bluegrass music's best ambassador, Mr. Steve Dilling as well as "On The Road" featuring news as witnessed by the incredible Doug Driskell, the band's bus driver and bass singer extraordinaire! The official fan club has it's own website where folks can sign up for membership. Visit <<<www.3XOutandMoore.com>>> to join up! ~ DON HELMS passes - The last of the original Drifting Cowboys is gone. Don Helms, a renowned steel player and member of Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys band, died August 11 at age 81 of an apparent heart attack. Mr. Helms was the last remaining link to the Drifting Cowboys. His guitar was heard on more than 100 of Williams' recordings, including "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Cold, Cold Heart" and 11 1 Can't Help (It If I'm Still In Love With You)." His steel playing is an indelible part of those records, and after Williams' death Mr. Helms went on to provide significant parts on recordings such as Patsy Cline's 11 Walkin 1 After Midnight," Stonewall Jackson's 11 Waterloo 11 and lefty Frizzell's "long, Black Veil. 11 He played with other greats as well, including Loretta Lynn, Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Jim Reeves and Webb Pierce. Mr. Helms was also a songwriter whose compositions were recorded by Brenda Lee, Hank Williams Jr. and others. Mr. Helms was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1984, and remained an active part of Nashville's music community until his death. This information came via Mike Armistead. ~ For a list of all the IBMA Award Nominees for 2008, go to:www.ibma.org/ibma.awards ~ FIDDLE CHAMPION Congratulations are due to Andre Brunet, who won Ottawa's 2008 Grand Masters Fiddle Championship. Andre brought his traditional Quebecois style to this generally old time fiddle competition and knocked them dead. It is great to see more of the wonderful musical traditions of Quebec being heard outside that province, and to finally see one of Quebec's astounding talents receive well deserved recognition. www.andrebrunet.qc.ca ~ AUDIE BLAYLOCK is pleased to announce that he has signed a recording ~ contract with Rural Rhythm Records. Audie and Redline have been in the studio adding the finishing touches to their as-yet-to-be titled brand new release which will hit the streets in early 2009. It will include their recent chart single, "lonesome Weary Heart," currently appearing on theBluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Singles Chart and on XM Bluegrass Junction's Top 30 Tracks. «<www.audieblaylock.com»> BMACC Notes-September 2008 Page 8 Making a Difference with Music By Judy Fink Many people in the Bluegrass community know the harmonica player, Mike Stevens and his musical partner, Raymond Mclain. For many years Mike has devoted time and energy reaching out to Aboriginal young people in Canada's north. {Since 2002, support for his work has come from an organization called ArtsCan Circle.} In 2002, the ArtsCan Circle organization was formed to support and expand upon Mike's work. ArtsCan Circle sends teams of artists and musicians to work with Aboriginal youth living in isolated communities in Canada. The team members conduct workshops to engage young people in a variety of arts activities such as learning to play instruments, writing songs, writing and producing plays and visual arts activities. There are instrument lending libraries in their communities as a result of donations from many people who have contributed to ArtsCan Circle. Recently, recording studios have been set up in some communities, so that young people can record their music and learn new skills. Participating artists donate their time and talent, while many concerned individuals and groups support this work through fund-raising and financial contributions. As a result of ArtsCan Circle's annual visits, young people are learning ways to express their feelings in a positive, creative way through music. During the weekend of November 21 -23 at the Central Canadian Awards Show at Deerhurst, ArtsCan Circle will set up an information table in the vendor area. A workshop to share more information about the ArtsCan Circle program will be part of the conference schedule. Please check out the website: www.artscancircle.ca and visit the display while you are at Deerhurst. BMACC Notes-September 2008 Page 9 Next >